PM SENT

I've got the Bottlehead Crack that provides plenty of power to the HD800, yet I heard a big step up in quality and drive from the Teac HA-501.   As in the speaker world, it's how loud I like my music and the actual sound quality of the equipment that are the real factors, not looking at specs...

Well said and I feel pretty much in agreement with your last sentence. And they are complimentary to each other.   So you have experience with the Teac HA-501?

What - no one wants to point out the hypocricy of my remark (above)?    I too get trapped by the human tendancy to define a winner when it is a question of personal taste. I show my taste and want for a "winner" to emerge just as we all do, to make a choice between the two easier, for many...

This is what I found out. The HD800 is - not just picky - but extremely picky about what you put in front of it: amp, wires, source, etc. With the Teac it is quite a different headphone.   Before the Teac HA-501 I was using a very modified Heed Canamp and thought it was so-so, also I use a...

I was having an email discussion with an audio buddy and decided to share my thoughts here regarding the comparison of HE-560 to the HD800:   I have been listening well into the early morning hours last four nights with the Teac HA-501, comparing the HD800 and HE-560 cans. I am extremely...

I was having an email discussion with an audio buddy and decided to share my thoughts here regarding the comparison of HE-560 to the HD800:   I have been listening well into the early morning hours last four nights with the Teac HA-501, comparing the HD800 and HE-560 cans. I am extremely...

Yes. My Pre560 and Prod560 are slightly less efficient than my HE-500. I do need to increase the volume knob ever so slightly when going from the 500 to either 560.

Opens up the soundstage a bit and subtle details are easier to detect in the recording. It alleviates a little acoustic compression caused by the fabric and metal grill.

My post #153: "And be sure to try the Pre560 pads on the New560! I found this to be the most neutral setup. I also remove the outer grills, too."

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And be sure to try the Pre560 pads on the New560! I found this to be the most neutral setup. I also remove the outer grills, too.

I've gone back and forth between the HD800 and production HE-560 and believe the 560 is much more neutral. In fact, these are the most neutral phones I have heard. (HD-600, K701, HE-500, ESP950.)   Amp is a modified Heed Canamp which does very well with both phones. The HD800 has an OCC copper...

I should receive my replacement in the next 3 - 4 days.

Yes - but make sure you already adjusted the headband to the highest setting or you risk pulling the headband out of its anchor.

  So, what you mean is you like the thin part of the pad aimed slightly down. (Unlocked.)   I know this seems ridiculous to some, but it's all a part of understanding preferences and design, so this could be useful information in some way.

  So, one person is saying the thin part is aiming at your lower jaw (rotated toward the ground slightly) and the manufacturer is saying it needs to aim straight forward, towards your eyes.   The first method allows spinning the pad, the second method locks the pad from spinning.   ???

  Thanks! I missed this.

  +1 all the way. Exactly where I have this same issue on my right ear. We were separated at birth. I draw the same conclusion regarding long term livability.   Most frustrating experience (waaay back when) was trying to enjoy my Stax SR80 phones. I had to sell them.

  Glad you mentioned this. I found my pads were not locked in to the correct position; they were easy to rotate, so I removed them and installed them with the thinner side toward the front and also locked in place. Now they don't rotate. I am assuming this is how they are supposed to be...

  Well, I am complaining (mildly). It's not so much the opening size, which seems to reduce as it compresses, but the thickness of the pads. They are soft enough that my "trouble ear" (right side) pinna rubs the driver grill. I will be responding to the HiFiMAN email regarding replacement pads...

  Yes, funny as it is.   Looks like you'll have your work cut out for you, jerg.

  Thanks, Ultrainferno. If the pads are softer than the HE-500 then it's possible they compress and flatten out more, thereby reducing the opening size further. *grumblegrumblegrumble*

  Agree with all you said. Pretty nervous about this purchase now. I am not inclined to modify my brand new, expensive headphone (pads) especially when they had the opening size correct on the previous model.

  The reviewer says, "...The ear pad opening is also smaller it seems. My ears aren’t the biggest but you can feel the pads against them, this wasn’t the case on the HE-500..."