[charvak]

Quote:

I'm surprised someone doesn't try and build after-market improved pads for the HD800 given the number of these phones out there.
The pads are pretty good, but I think there is some room for improvement,
such as some extra padding on the lower portion that rests on one's cheekbone.

It's funny you suggest improved pads because I thought they feel extremely comfortable already.  I have the HD650 and tried the HD800.  The HD800 feel lighter and wrap my ears better.  If only they didn't look so funny, I might consider a pair.

 

[rgs9200m]

Quote:

It's funny you suggest improved pads because I thought they feel extremely comfortable already.  I have the HD650 and tried the HD800.  The HD800 feel lighter and wrap my ears better.  If only they didn't look so funny, I might consider a pair.

They are pretty good, but I came from R10s, so I feel thicker pads would be better, especially after an hour or so of listening.
I'm just surprised nobody has even attempted to build one with the huge embedded base of these. Some may even like leather.
OTOH, I love the look.

 

[silversurfer616]

In regards of the Woos...I had the WA6 with the HD800 and it was great....so I thought and then I got a vintage Pioneer SX1010 with 6W in the headphone out and it is Day and Night!
I am done with dedicated headphone amps!My Phoenix will be the next to go!
 

 

[magiccabbage]

Quote:

In regards of the Woos...I had the WA6 with the HD800 and it was great....so I thought and then I got a vintage Pioneer SX1010 with 6W in the headphone out and it is Day and Night!
I am done with dedicated headphone amps!My Phoenix will be the next to go!
 

harsh words!!

 

[BobJS]

Quote:

^^^^  Totally agree about the DF .... the sad thing is, on an impulse, I ordered the Burson Conductor , Amazon Prime.   I am so disappointed in it that I would prefer listening out of the DF!   Makes the Bifrost/Lyr comb sound very, very good, and the DF-> LD MKIV/SE extremely good. 
 
The Burson's going back.  To my ears, it sounds like they bent over so far backwards to get a smooth, tubey sound that I feel there's a lot of high frequency content missing.  I think this also degrades the imaging a bit (relatively). The lows are there, but can't compare with the punch of the lows put out by the LD, or even the Lyr.
 
I didn't put many hours on it, but how much could a SS amp change due to burn-in?

 
Quote:

 
That's what an HD800 actually sound like  It's only treble tilted on amps that can't swing the voltage in the impedance bump.  The only amp I prefer to the Burson Soloist/Conductor is the GS-X mk2.  The GS-X mk2 delivers even more bass, warmth and an even more butter smooth treble.  Now the Burson HA-160 series... sounds like what you wrote.  And like all solid state class A amps, they need to come up to temp to sound best.  The new Burson takes about 4 hours to get good, 24 hours to stabilize.  Essentially... leave it on.

 
Quote:

 
I am listening to my HD800s off the Conductor right now. Some days if I am around a lot, I don't turn it off. People usually notice burn-in changes at around 50-70 hours, then again at 150-200 if my memory serves right. I don't think there's any high frequency content is missing, it's actually quite strong in this area. Even more so considering the price range. There's no treble rolloff going on with the Conductor. Not sure what you are comparing it with, but I could call the V200 tubey sounding, the Conductor is more neutral/engaging/dynamic/airy/open.
 
If you are able to leverage the money back from Amazon anyway, it would be worthwhile to give it a good burn-in first and let us hear again in a few days time.

 
Quote:

 
 
You may have something there .... I let it play unattended overnight.  It was good and warm (thermally) this morning and it sounded like it opened up a bit.  I guess I'll hang on a week or two before I come to any final conclusions.

 
 
Eating crow.  I've put about 20 hours / day or about 80 hours on it.  Couldn't be happier with the sound.  I never believed in solid state burn-in but I'm a believer now.  Crisp highs, solid, extended lows, and the sound stage has opened up (though not quite on a level with the best tubes on the Lyr or Little Dot).  I also just uber-upgraded my bifrost, haven't had a chance to listen for SQ, just glad it's working!    I'm sorry about my wallet ....

 

[skeptic]

Quote:

which would warm the hd800 up to most and give the best bass impact?

 
 
Of the woo amps I mentioned, the WA2 is warmer and smoother, while the WA6/22 are more dynamic and punchy. However, I agree with LifeAspect that I would take a zana (or my modded crack for that matter) over anything in the woo lineup aside from a woo 5, which simply does marvelous things with the hd800's soundstage (at least in the maxed out configuration in which I heard it).  
 
Choral music on a woo 5 -> hd800 combo really is the next best thing to listening to live voices in a church like St. Martin in the Fields (where Decca often records).  Just throwing it out there - if you're ever in London and want a free demo of absolutely amazing acoustics, go sit in on an evensong service there and prepare to drop your jaw.
 
For the best bass impact, you will probably want to look to solid state designs.

 

[palmfish]

Dredging up an old topic...
 
I finally received my frequency response certificate from Sennheiser and thought I'd post it for posterity.
 

 

[negura]

Quote:

 
 
 
 
 
Eating crow.  I've put about 20 hours / day or about 80 hours on it.  Couldn't be happier with the sound.  I never believed in solid state burn-in but I'm a believer now.  Crisp highs, solid, extended lows, and the sound stage has opened up (though not quite on a level with the best tubes on the Lyr or Little Dot).  I also just uber-upgraded my bifrost, haven't had a chance to listen for SQ, just glad it's working!    I'm sorry about my wallet ....

 
Glad you're enjoying it. It will settle even more. What has recently improved my experience even further is using a badass copper cable with the HD800s. Adds a bit of musicality, body, detail, extension and a hint of warmth.
 
On a different note:
I have been asked this question by a friend and I am struggling to decide whether overall I prefer the LCD-3s to the HD800s or the other way around. Obviously asking this here is going to get a slightly biased answer, but what would you folks choose between the LCD-3s and HD800s if you could only have one headphone? And no you cannot answer Stax. 

 

[Sko0byDoo]

Quote:

Haven't heard the WA2 but have heard the upper WA22. My list in order of preference although I don't think highly of Woo amp's, they pretty much sound the same one way or another.
 
1. WA5 (the sound is nowhere near worth the price imo, better options out there that are well regarded)
2. WA22 = WA6SE regardless of balance operation or not it is roughly the same sounding.
3. WA6 = WA3 (modded)
4. WA3
5. WA7 

 
Interesting, I have the WA6SE, which drives the HD800 beautifully.  I am looking for a future upgrade to a WA5LE.  Now you say that they may sound the "same" makes me rethink about buying another Woo.  What are alternatives to the Woo lines, say in the money range of the WA5LE?      

 

[third_eye]

Quote:

 
Interesting, I have the WA6SE, which drives the HD800 beautifully.  I am looking for a future upgrade to a WA5LE.  Now you say that they may sound the "same" makes me rethink about buying another Woo.  What are alternatives to the Woo lines, say in the money range of the WA5LE?      

 
I can HIGHLY recommend the DNA Stratus with the HD800 (my rig). The Eddie Current amps are also well worth auditioning and since both vendors are LA based you can hear them at the meet in July or audition earlier if you get in contact with them.

 

[MorbidToaster]

Glad you're enjoying it. It will settle even more. What has recently improved my experience even further is using a badass copper cable with the HD800s. Adds a bit of musicality, body, detail, extension and a hint of warmth.

On a different note:
I have been asked this question by a friend and I am struggling to decide whether overall I prefer the LCD-3s to the HD800s or the other way around. Obviously asking this here is going to get a slightly biased answer, but what would you folks choose between the LCD-3s and HD800s if you could only have one headphone? And no you cannot answer Stax. 

HD800 all day long. The Ortho wow wore off on me long ago.

 

[bearFNF]

Quote:

HD800 all day long. The Ortho wow wore off on me long ago.

+1 here, also.

 

[PleasantSounds]

Quote:

I have been asked this question by a friend and I am struggling to decide whether overall I prefer the LCD-3s to the HD800s or the other way around. Obviously asking this here is going to get a slightly biased answer, but what would you folks choose between the LCD-3s and HD800s if you could only have one headphone? And no you cannot answer Stax. 

 
I went through this myself not so long ago, as I'm not too keen on having both and consequently building two specialised systems to support them. My family thinks I'm nuts as it is...
Anyway, I have studied reviews and opinions, followed by direct experience with both. Ultimately it comes down to personal preferences, but here's a couple of observations:
1. Based on opinions, the trends are that the LCD3 users keep searching for other headphones, while the Hd800 users seem more satisfied with the headphones but are more choosy regarding the upstream gear. In other words, statistically you'd be more likely to go from LCD3 to HD800 than the other way round. 
2. My personal experience was biased: before hearing either of them, I was pretty sure I will like the LCD3, but decided to check the HD800 as well just to see what the fuss is all about. The outcome was very different than anticipated: I fell in love with the HD800 sound and the LCD3 was in comparison uderwhelming. Add to that comfort issues and price difference and you'll understand why I'm hanging out here and not in the LCD3 thread 

 

[DefQon]

Quote:

 
Interesting, I have the WA6SE, which drives the HD800 beautifully.  I am looking for a future upgrade to a WA5LE.  Now you say that they may sound the "same" makes me rethink about buying another Woo.  What are alternatives to the Woo lines, say in the money range of the WA5LE?      

Honestly for the price the WA5 is priced at, it is a joke for the sound performance it offers. Though the amp sounds more solid state then being of a warmer tube sound sig. Majority of the Woo amp's sound similar in ways to another. There's a saying among few experienced users more so than myself: "Once you heard a Woo, you've heard them all".
 
Well regarded amps for around the same price would be the EC and DNA lineup etc.

 

[EasySounds]

Hey guys,
 
So I just realised that the huge box that the HD 800 came with contained nothing except the headphones+cables (and styrofoam and lush black velvety cloth over a HD 800 impression).

What would you all recommend as a suitable carrying case for the HD 800s? (e.g. soft v hard etc)
 
Thanks.