[Rob80b]

But they DO have glaring flaws and those flaws ...........The 650 also has rolled off bass extension ............

My 800S are my first choice but the bass on my new 650s is anything but rolled off IMHO it matches my "S"s and it extends fairly deep with good impact at least off my Bryston combo, and the biggest glowing flaw for me on the older 600/650s was a darkness or veil and muddy base which is not the case with my current pair.....
The 800/800S obviously offer more air and really open up the sound stage and offer quite a different perspective, which I normally prefer but I wouldn't dismiss the 650s whole hardheartedly....and then there is the pricing to consider....for many the 800 are in fools territory.....lol

 

[Rob80b]

For someone who wouldn't consider the 800S an upgrade path from the 650 - what would be the recommendation?.

First one would need to define and isolate what their current phones are lacking or displeases them and what are their expectations if they are looking for an upgrade.
What do you feel you need to get you closer to enjoying the music?

 

[ubs28]

My 800S are my first choice but the bass on my new 650s is anything but rolled off IMHO it matches my "S"s and it extends fairly deep with good impact at least off my Bryston combo, and the biggest glowing flaw for me on the older 600/650s was a darkness or veil and muddy base which is not the case with my current pair.....
The 800/800S obviously offer more air and really open up the sound stage and quite a different perspective, which I normally prefer but I wouldn't dismiss the 650s whole hardheartedly.

The HD 800 S also lacks sub bass so it's not really the reference to use for sub bass.

 

[ubs28]

For someone who wouldn't consider the 800S an upgrade path from the 650 - what would be the recommendation? I'd like to take Audeze out of the equation because I don't like the comfort of the LCD series and I also don't like the Audeze customer service and decisions they've made (personal preference of course). How does the Elear fit in vs the 800S? The Elear seems to get much praise.

The upgrade above the HD 650 is the Focal Utopia. It's more like a HD 950 / HD 1050 if Sennheiser would try to do something similar. But it's $4000 though.

A cheaper option is the Hifiman Edition X. It would have replaced my HD 650 if it didn't cost close to $2000 back then (Hifiman dropped the price alot nowadays). Not sure how the HEX V2 sounds though but it can't be much different than the V1 version probably.

 

[Mani ATH 87]

First one would need to define and isolate what their current phones are lacking or displeases them and what are their expectations if they are looking for an upgrade.
What do you feel you need to get you closer to enjoying the music?

I like the 650s musically, I'm looking for an upgraded version of that signature.

And no, the Utopia is not an option lol

 

[Rob80b]

I like the 650s musically, I'm looking for an upgraded version of that signature.

.......

Haven't done any myself but there are quite a few modifications being done by users on the 650 to try and improve upon it you're willing to experiment.
This being the 800 thread this is the place to be if you'd like to stick with Sennheiser....

 

[Whazzzup]

well hd800S held its own against susvara, albeit they have different sigs. here is the review for an excellent senn HP at 4 times less costs.

https://www.head-fi.org/f/threads/hifiman-susvara.853031/page-26

 

[ubs28]

well hd800S held its own against susvara, albeit they have different sigs. here is the review for an excellent senn HP at 4 times less costs.

https://www.head-fi.org/f/threads/hifiman-susvara.853031/page-26

Based on your review, I get the impression that the Susvara has alot in common with the HE-1000?

 

[Whazzzup]

Based on your review, I get the impression that the Susvara has alot in common with the HE-1000?

I could only compare the V1 version and i liked susvara better. Susvara had more forward vocals and a warmer engaging low end. the v1 was balanced and polite.

 

[endgame]

well hd800S held its own against susvara, albeit they have different sigs. here is the review for an excellent senn HP at 4 times less costs.

https://www.head-fi.org/f/threads/hifiman-susvara.853031/page-26

This ------> absolutely. Well said.

 

[Swiftfalcon]

Just got HD800S, my first high end phones...feel like I'm in the big league now

 

[Whazzzup]

Just got HD800S, my first high end phones...feel like I'm in the big league now

congrats

 

[Slim1970]

Just got HD800S, my first high end phones...feel like I'm in the big league now

Congrats, they are truly nice headphones. What are you driving them with?

 

[Swiftfalcon]

Congrats, they are truly nice headphones. What are you driving them with?

Alternating between schiit jotunheim and ifi micro ican se. Using chord mojo as the dac. Loving the hd800S...can't stop listening

 

[Slim1970]

Alternating between schiit jotunheim and ifi micro ican se. Using chord mojo as the dac. Loving the hd800S...can't stop listening

Nice, I enjoy them out of my iFi Micro iDSD BL with the XBass+ on. But out of the Pro iCan in tube mode with XBass+ on they sound absolutely superb. With the Pro iCan I'm using the Mojo as my DAC as well.