number1sixerfan
Headphoneus Supremus
Hmm, is the original HD 800 with stock cable the only headphone you will use for this?
I still own and use mine with some not too demanding, not too densely scored music .
But for a comparison like this showing off what a Dave Mscaler combo can be capable of , to really be of any value for me personally, I would expect both a better headphone like HFM Susvara or even the HEKV2 or an electrostat used AND some very well recorded hi res acoustic/symphonic music.
No offence intended and I am saying this actually having bought my own HD 800 after having heard it as monitoring headphones at live classical DXD recording sessions over a period of almost 2weeks on a daily basis way back when it had just been released. Imho,it is still a very good headphone. But there are and if we are talking electrostas already at the time of its release, clearly better ones if one wants to hear what is actually on the recording as uncoloured and and transparent and closer to how live acousic instruments actually tend to sound in a real acoustic venue than the "right honourable" HD800 is capable of.
Still one of the better dynamic headphones out there for acoustic music and unlike most more recent competitors still very good value for money choice. but not what I would only use if I'd make this comparison.
Cheers Christer
HD800 isn't that far from the Susvara or other modern day TOTL cans, although less enjoyable and engaing to me (just a bit dry and lifelessly analytical in comparison to the Sus in example). Bigger soundstage than the Susvara, almost as resolving, and excellent with imaging and spatial information. I would say it's more than enough for validity in a test like this. Again, whether we prefer it over others or not is another thing. Just my opinion, having had the HD800(s) along with the TC, Susvara and many others recently. (the S isn't a far cry improvement over the original imo).