[Topspin70]

I don't actually have a preference. However I'm looking for the most neutral and natural sounding combo. Much like my Crack/speedball and Hd 650 combo.

The HD800S is comparatively leaner and brighter than the HD650. Unless the Crack/speedball completely turns your 650's dark warm signature around, you might have to explore warmer upstream gear for the HD800S, if you like to replicate what you got now.

 

[DavidA]

I don't actually have a preference. However I'm looking for the most neutral and natural sounding combo. Much like my Crack/speedball and Hd 650 combo.

I wouldn't call the BH Crack/HD650 pairing neutral, more of the warmer side IMO, but it still does sound natural with some genres. When I tried the HD800S with a BH Crack it was a bit too warm for me where the HD800 is a better match. The Hugo is a great match for the HD800 but a bit too warm with the HD800S IMO, the HD800 seems to pair better with amps that are closer to neutral or a touch on the bright side where the HD800 pairs better with amps a touch on the warm side of neutral.

 

[WraithApe]

The HD800S is comparatively leaner and brighter than the HD650. Unless the Crack/speedball completely turns your 650's dark warm signature around, you might have to explore warmer upstream gear for the HD800S, if you like to replicate what you got now.

I currently use Hugo with my HD 800 S and don't detect a leanness to the sound - on the contrary, bass extends well and has plenty of impact when it's there in the original recording (e.g. in electronic music, which probably makes up about 70% of my listening). I guess if you're used to a relatively warm sound signature as opposed to neutral, you might prefer a tube amp with the S. For me, I think it would be overkill. The only time I had a tube amp was back when I had a T1, which I feel is brighter than the S by a margin and benefited from the coloration.

 

[Topspin70]

I currently use Hugo with my HD 800 S and don't detect a leanness to the sound - on the contrary, bass extends well and has plenty of impact when it's there in the original recording (e.g. in electronic music, which probably makes up about 70% of my listening). I guess if you're used to a relatively warm sound signature as opposed to neutral, you might prefer a tube amp with the S. For me, I think it would be overkill. The only time I had a tube amp was back when I had a T1, which I feel is brighter than the S by a margin and benefited from the coloration.

Agree. I only said it's lean when compared to the dark, thick and warm HD650 which @Jimbo24 was referencing. He's the one looking for an amp and seems to like something of a warm signature (his current system HD650 + BH speedball). I myself is shifting away from tube sound towards a clean neutral amp for my HD800S. Got a Jot heading my way.

 

[windcar]

Agree. I only said it's lean when compared to the dark, thick and warm HD650 which @Jimbo24 was referencing. He's the one looking for an amp and seems to like something of a warm signature (his current system HD650 + BH speedball). I myself is shifting away from tube sound towards a clean neutral amp for my HD800S. Got a Jot heading my way.

Jotunheim is anything but neutral. I'm glad I sold mine for a good price. Ultimately the treble glare annoyed me to no end. I don't even like the pairing with Hd650 if I'm using silver cable.

 

[LarryMagoo]

Windcar....could that "Treble glare" be coming from your DAC? The reason I say this is because before the Yggy, I used the DAC in with the Oppo HA-1 which uses the 9018 ESS Sabre DAC.....This DAC was also the source of Treble Glare....Subbing the Yggy in the HA-1 for the Sabre...using the exact same Amp...the Glare was totally gone!

 

[Dr. Roberts]

Without browsing some 400 odd pages, who has plugged their HD800S into an EAR HP4 perhaps even using NOS RCA's and what are your impressions?

 

[Topspin70]

Jotunheim is anything but neutral. I'm glad I sold mine for a good price. Ultimately the treble glare annoyed me to no end. I don't even like the pairing with Hd650 if I'm using silver cable.

Windcar....could that "Treble glare" be coming from your DAC? The reason I say this is because before the Yggy, I used the DAC in with the Oppo HA-1 which uses the 9018 ESS Sabre DAC.....This DAC was also the source of Treble Glare....Subbing the Yggy in the HA-1 for the Sabre...using the exact same Amp...the Glare was totally gone!

The Jot has 0% warmth which is what I'm after. I used it for a few days now and I can see why many people might call it harsh, but as @LarryMagoo pointed out, it comes down to pairing. I too got the Yggy upstream and through the HD800S I hear a forward and revealing SQ but nothing I would consider glaring or annoying. In fact swopping in my ATH-R70x the sound is very natural yet highly detailed. Zero glare.

 

[chungjun]

Had a brief listening session today with the HD800s. Impressive.

I'm wondering though... are there any alternative ear pads (preferable, leather / leather like material) in the market for HD800s? I did a quick search on this thread and did not managed to pick up much.

Anyone tried these before? -> http://www.ebay.com/itm/Softer-Repl...nnheiser-HD800-HD800S-Headphone-/112377155076

 

[ChaseM]

I've been wondering about the HD800S so I decided to get a set from the Cable Co to demo at home on my setup. I received them Monday and have put a fair amount of listening in. I am reserving a final decision on them for a few days but just wanted to stop in and give my initial impressions. My chain is as follows.

MacBookPro running Roon > Cardas Clear USB > Ifi Iusb 3.0 > Cardas Clear USB > Ayre Codex > Cardas Clear interconnects > Violectric V281

My initial impressions is that they are a bit too overdone on the top end for my liking. The main cans that I am comparing them too are LCD-4's. The LCD-4's are much smoother and easier for me to listen too for an extended period of time without missing out on any details. I don't feel the HD800S is lacking in bass at all though. The bass is actually quite satisfying with just a touch of eq added.

I have them through the 17th so I am definitely going to be listening to them extensively during the time I have them. I really want to like these things! Ha

I have no problem with using EQ as it is already applied extensively throughout all the music we listen too so I will be setting down and trying to work out a curve that is satisfying for me with the HD800S. I'll check back in later and give a progress report.

 

[BunnyNamedCraig]

Jotunheim is anything but neutral. I'm glad I sold mine for a good price. Ultimately the treble glare annoyed me to no end. I don't even like the pairing with Hd650 if I'm using silver cable.

You ever try a Questyle amp? I am curious about its paring with HD650. I love it with the 800's. Find it neutral yet takes the edge of the treble off the 800

 

[LarryMagoo]

I've been wondering about the HD800S so I decided to get a set from the Cable Co to demo at home on my setup. I received them Monday and have put a fair amount of listening in. I am reserving a final decision on them for a few days but just wanted to stop in and give my initial impressions. My chain is as follows.

MacBookPro running Roon > Cardas Clear USB > Ifi Iusb 3.0 > Cardas Clear USB > Ayre Codex > Cardas Clear interconnects > Violectric V281

My initial impressions is that they are a bit too overdone on the top end for my liking. The main cans that I am comparing them too are LCD-4's. The LCD-4's are much smoother and easier for me to listen too for an extended period of time without missing out on any details. I don't feel the HD800S is lacking in bass at all though. The bass is actually quite satisfying with just a touch of eq added.

I have them through the 17th so I am definitely going to be listening to them extensively during the time I have them. I really want to like these things! Ha

I have no problem with using EQ as it is already applied extensively throughout all the music we listen too so I will be setting down and trying to work out a curve that is satisfying for me with the HD800S. I'll check back in later and give a progress report.

Man I don't see how anyone can tolerate the weight of of the '4's....Tried them on at a Can Jam this year and they start to slide off my head at the slightest look down....Before I got my new DAC I would have agreed about the top end off the 800S, but now it's smooth as silk....that change makes a huge SQ difference IMO...

 

[pctazhp]

Man I don't see how anyone can tolerate the weight of of the '4's....Tried them on at a Can Jam this year and they start to slide off my head at the slightest look down....Before I got my new DAC I would have agreed about the top end off the 800S, but now it's smooth as silk....that change makes a huge SQ difference IMO...

In my system HD800S top end is smooth as silk - and bottom to top is pure joy.

 

[ChaseM]

Man I don't see how anyone can tolerate the weight of of the '4's....Tried them on at a Can Jam this year and they start to slide off my head at the slightest look down....Before I got my new DAC I would have agreed about the top end off the 800S, but now it's smooth as silk....that change makes a huge SQ difference IMO...

I don't have an issue with the weight. They actually fit me fairly well. I can definitely see how it could become an issue for people with smaller heads (not a problem I have, lol). What DAC are you using? I definitely feel like my Codex is very, very revealing. Maybe too much so for the HD800S.

In my system HD800S top end is smooth as silk - and bottom to top is pure joy.

I'm not saying its not smooth. But, it's definitely not as smooth as the LCD-4's. I believe in tuning with EQ, so I will invest some time in that. I see your on a tube amp. Mine is SS, while it is a lush sounding SS amp, it still isn't as lush as tubes. It may just be that tubes are needed to tame the HD800S to the point that I would be satisfied with it.

EDIT: I don't want anyone to think i'm speaking badly about the HD800S. Its just a bit of a change. I really want to like them.

 

[Topspin70]

You ever try a Questyle amp? I am curious about its paring with HD650. I love it with the 800's. Find it neutral yet takes the edge of the treble off the 800

Do you mean the CMA800R? That's an amp I may consider in future. So it's less edgy than the Jot while still being neutral? Any other ways that you find it superior?