[ubs28]

Actually, the HD800 and K812 were priced about the same ($1,500.00) back in 2013-2014, when the AKG K812 came out.
They have both dropped around $400.00 to $500.00 since then.
They are both usually priced around $1,000.00 to $1,100.00 or so on Amazon...
Well, looking at it just now, the K812 is actually more expensive than the HD800 right now. Lol.
The HD800 price dropped only when the HD800 S came out.

That is not true. I got my Sennheiser HD 800 for $999 (brand new) many years ago when the HD 800 S didn't even existed. The AKG K812 was around $1500.

 

[daltonlanny]

Do the K812's have a break-in period?
If so, how long of one?
In what all ways do the sonics improve during and after break-in?
Thanks.

 

[Rob80b]

Actually, the HD800 and K812 were priced about the same ($1,500.00) back in 2013-2014, .............
.........
Well, looking at it just now, the K812 is actually more expensive than the HD800 right now. Lol.
The HD800 price dropped only when the HD800 S came out.

As I'm really enjoying the ones I have on loan I've been shopping for my own pair with a limited budget and yes the pricing is fairly high...especially here in Canada, around $2000, slightly shy of the 800S.
Missed out a mint pair at $800 Can http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649355428-akg-k812/
....so there are a few bargains to be had, just got to keep an eye open for those who agree on the negative reviews....

 

[Rob80b]

That is not true. I got my Sennheiser HD 800 for $999 (brand new) many years ago when the HD 800 S didn't even existed. The AKG K812 was around $1500.

Concur...the prices were up and down at one point....bought my HD800 from an audio shop here in Toronto for an advertised price about the equivalent of about $899 US a few years ago.

 

[daltonlanny]

That is not true. I got my Sennheiser HD 800 for $999 (brand new) many years ago when the HD 800 S didn't even existed. The AKG K812 was around $1500.

Wow,
You read my post wrong.
I went back and edited it for a little better clarity.
I meant the MSR prices were virtually the same on both, around $1,500.00, in 2013-2014, as well as now...
Look at Crutchfield, Music Direct, Audio Advisor from back then, or at B&H Photo, Sweetwater, etc., now.
You can always find much lower prices if you shop around, everyone knows that!
Anyways, any break-in period on these, and how long?
What improvements, if any?

 

[Rob80b]

Wow,
..........
Anyways, any break-in period on these, and how long?
What improvements, if any?

Good question as the ones I’m currently using are loaners…I sincerely believe there is an initial “new out of the box” break in with headphones and speakers to loosen up a an unused membrane so that it's slightly more pliable, think HD700s and many have reported improvements on the treble performance with K812s so maybe more will chip in.

Getting back to the OPs opening and now having actually used the K812s I definitely feel they are underrated or better still "under the radar".

They are I feel a direct competitor to the 800/800S as AKG and Sennheiser’s technological approach are very similar as is their pedigree and would have no problem recommending one or the other. They both have strengths and weaknesses in direct comparisons so a listen is definitely in order but I could be happy with either … probably for most one or the other would suffice...but not really necessarily both.

 

[MacedonianHero]

As I'm really enjoying the ones I have on loan I've been shopping for my own pair with a limited budget and yes the pricing is fairly high...especially here in Canada, around $2000, slightly shy of the 800S.
Missed out a mint pair at $800 Can http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649355428-akg-k812/
....so there are a few bargains to be had, just got to keep an eye open for those who agree on the negative reviews....

Lol, you mean the pair I bought on CAM. Got a killer deal for sure!

 

[ubs28]

Wow,
You read my post wrong.
I went back and edited it for a little better clarity.
I meant the MSR prices were virtually the same on both, around $1,500.00, in 2013-2014, as well as now...
Look at Crutchfield, Music Direct, Audio Advisor from back then, or at B&H Photo, Sweetwater, etc., now.
You can always find much lower prices if you shop around, everyone knows that!
Anyways, any break-in period on these, and how long?
What improvements, if any?

Not for the AKG K812. I couldn't find the AKG K812 at a lower price at any pro audio shop which sell studio equipment (they were the ones selling the AKG K812 mostly back then). I don't buy $1000+ headphones from websites by the way, only physical stores.

The HD 800 could be obtained alot cheaper than the AKG K812.

Trust me, I was actually one of the guys who was battling between the HD 800 vs AKG K812 back then, and the big price difference played a role in my decision.

 

[Carlsan]

I had the K812 for a few years, thought they were excellent for Classical and Jazz. Kind of regretted selling them when I did, but they weren't getting as much air time as some of my other cans. I wish that I had kept them after the fact.

 

[Rob80b]

Lol, you mean the pair I bought on CAM. Got a killer deal for sure!

Yep dem the ones ... Interestingly enough now that I've familiarized myself with the 800, 800s and the K812 and knowing (lets hope so) my preference in sound reproduction...if I didn't already own the 800S I'd probably lean more toward purchasing the AKGs.... if I'm being honest with myself.

 

[LaCuffia]

Would you say the 812 is on par with the comfort of the 800S? Are the size of the interior of the pads essentially the same? Perhaps the pleather material is not ideal for the pads.

 

[Rob80b]

Would you say the 812 is on par with the comfort of the 800S? Are the size of the interior of the pads essentially the same? Perhaps the pleather material is not ideal for the pads.

The 812s have what I call ear-cups instead of ear pads as they are almost essentially hollow so they envelope the ear more than the 800, they're quite different in material and feel so as they say... YMMV.... but I'm quite comfortable with them.

 

[LaCuffia]

Thanks for the photo. Looks like an interesting design.

 

[MacedonianHero]

Yep dem the ones ... Interestingly enough now that I've familiarized myself with the 800, 800s and the K812 and knowing (lets hope so) my preference in sound reproduction...if I didn't already own the 800S I'd probably lean more toward purchasing the AKGs.... if I'm being honest with myself.

I really enjoy both, but I slightly prefer the HD800S...but neither is going anywhere anytime soon.

 

[Rob80b]

I really enjoy both, but I slightly prefer the HD800S..............

In this hobby ones preferred headphone has a nasty habit of constantly changing...