In my experience sub $1000 headphones are virtually all in the realm of *crap*. They might do some specific things well, they might have aspects of the tuning that are enjoyable or good detail in certain areas of the spectrum, but compared to top of the line they are from my perspective (as...

I've personally never heard a headphone that was what I would consider perfectly natural in terms of tuning out of the box all the way across the spectrum. Just hasn't happened. Maybe something like the Susvara gets close, I found the Empyrean to have absolutely magical mids and vocals on the...

Really like the review, I've attempted a similar EQ to his recommended on my ADI DAC but not totally sold yet. I think at the moment my preference is for a simple reduction at 3k and then a minor tweak on the bass/treble setting. I really feel like I am finding just SO much more every time I...

I personally don't like the comparison of not reaching a live performance. Recordings are specifically designed NOT to sound like like performances even from 60s-70s rock bands who are closest to that ethos of recording simplicity. Headphones are for immersion into the studio environment and...

Finding after a few days it seems clamp force has marginally reduced. Leather still has that nice brand new luxury car smell as well.

Perhaps its only because I was coming from the Empyreans and HD800s prior, but I would say these are a large step down in comfort. Probably the realisation that no matter the money spent on a headphone there are inevitable compromises, but I still am somewhat disappointed from the build and...

If that's the case I'll be incredibly ****ed off considering this is where I ordered from over two weeks ago.

Could you tell me which Aussie retailer you bought from? I ordered literally days after the announcement from a retailer here and still haven't heard anything.

Usually I don't like resorting to "first world problems" as an insult because it tends to seem a little virtue signally and reductionist, but I really think if someone is more than vaguely annoyed over not being able to immediately receive a headphone they can afford at a full $4500 then there...

There are no audible difference between FLAC and hi rez like DSD. Any differences noted are a result of separate mastering for specific editions, not compression. Its not up for debate. In terms of FLAC vs MP3, at the age where people can afford a Susvara or LCD5 their hearing will no longer be...

Factor in EQ to the 800s and the clear isn't even in the same universe. A more balanced headphone in terms of tuning? Sure. But who cares when with a competent digital EQ to edit the lack of bass extension and treble peak it sounds massively more resolving across the spectrum and still retains...

An Empyrean owner, I absolutely loved the build (wish the 5s had the magnetic pads), comfort and tuning but the lack of detail meant it never felt quite endgame for me. Partly my crypto gains are also suggesting that endgame might be a little further on. The weight relief on the LCD5 is a big...

Do you actually believe that's an intelligent response? Nothing *needs* EQ, but most headphones and particularly something like the 800s would be universally preferred with it. In regards to different devices if you're desperate to use your HD800s with an iPhone then I don't even know what to...

I mean you did an absolutely massive, probably multi-hour long writeup on the headphones which multitudes of different sections. But five minutes on trying a free EQ program and using something like an Oratory preset isn't worth adding as a single section? I don't really buy it. If it were as...

In my experience the 800s and headphones in general even at the top-end have problems that make them borderline unlistenable/massively compromised without using EQ. The 800 is probably one of the most significant headphones like this, taking the Oratory EQ and tweaking to personal preference...

As a buyer, I'm totally happy for anyone who wants to enjoy a great headphone like this have the opportunity for the next 8 months. Explosion of sales they were hoping for not happening, but a steady trickle in and reviews that basically translate to if you like the 800s, you'll like this too...

Might have been discussed before, but has anyone written out or tried getting a perfect EQ for the Empys on an ADI DAC? I made an attempt on a Harman setting but it was for the alcantara pads. It seems like there are potential improvements to be had by a few basic tweaks in the midbass...

Then you're not a genuine buyer or you're completely delusional. You could literally sell an HD58x for $150 brand new within a week. You don't care about points but you do think that a $300 minimum discount off the HD800s isn't enough? If you're expecting more than a 43% discount which roughly...

I sold my heavily used 800 for $750. Effectively paid $150-200 at most taking into account the Drop points to upgrade from a 7 year old headphone that had a broken metal headband. Now I have a cheap top end headphone for gaming and one as a spare. To the people bringing up the cable...

I'm comfortable enough financially that I have zero worries about putting down $1100 with a 9 month wait when I can cancel later on regardless, but my feeling is that for most people they want to see a variety of reviews before they purchase. There's no real reason to buy yet without having some...

Crazy implies illogical, someone can be illogical but not be an idiot. Everyone no matter the level of intelligence can be biased or irrational from time to time. Its an objective and fair statement in the context that you used it, and its not insulting. They aren't crazy as in mental hospital...

I have a shredded up HD800 from almost a decade ago that's falling apart. Instantly put that up on Ebay for and put in an order for a pair. Seems like a good deal for anyone that was in the market for a pair or considering replacing. The FR charts don't exactly tell us too much and considering...

1) Meze Empyrean (when I get a replacement pair for a warped headband) 2) HD800 3) HD 650

Another straight angled shot of this, becomes more obvious when you look at the lettering too.

My thought process is that if the top band is bent its unlikely to bend its way back into shape. It just looks totally amateurishly put together right now, if it were a $1000 headphone I'd feel differently but atm like I said its borderline unusable because of the way the pressure is way off...