Compliments for Sennheiser Hd 800

Mar 1, 2020 at 12:21 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 14

BeefyRook

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I currently own the HD 800 and is looking to buy another headphone to compliment it. I want another more relax and lay back headphone. My budget range from 600 to 2000 USD. I don't mind buying used headphones. Can you guys help leave some recommendation. Thank you for your time.
 
Mar 1, 2020 at 7:16 AM Post #2 of 14
Audeze all the way. Perfect compliment to the 800s.
 
Mar 1, 2020 at 1:27 PM Post #3 of 14
What amp are you using?
 
Mar 1, 2020 at 1:37 PM Post #4 of 14
What amp are you using?

Lemme guess, you're gonna recommend ZMF :D

I'm pining (pun intended) for a pair of Eikons with fancy wood. Can't swing the money right now. Anyway, yeah what amp is a good question.
 
Mar 1, 2020 at 2:02 PM Post #5 of 14
Lemme guess, you're gonna recommend ZMF
Am I that predictable? ;)
After owning Sennheisers,Beyers,AKGs,HifiMan,Audeze and heard and reviewed other headphones,ZMF makes the best sounding headphones for me.

But yeah amps being used will make a huge difference in what headphones will work for the OP.
 
Mar 1, 2020 at 3:24 PM Post #6 of 14
Am I that predictable? :wink:
After owning Sennheisers,Beyers,AKGs,HifiMan,Audeze and heard and reviewed other headphones,ZMF makes the best sounding headphones for me.

But yeah amps being used will make a huge difference in what headphones will work for the OP.

I have never heard them, I just love the wood and it's obvious Zach really cares about his customers. I just don't know how complimentary they are to a pair of 800s.
 
Mar 1, 2020 at 3:31 PM Post #7 of 14
I just don't know how complimentary they are to a pair of 800s.
Instead of re-typing,heres a post I made last night in another thread.

Ive owned all three.
All ZMFs are above your budget,but are the best of the bunch. Ive owned the Auteur,Atticus and both of the Verite,open and closed. The Auteur is the most neutral of the bunch,and would be the closest to your HD800s,but IMHO the Auteur slays it. Much more body,texture and musicality than the Senns.

The Atticus is the most opposite of your 800s. Thick & warm, w/ slamming midbass. Its a superstar if you like hard hitting headphones with a healthy lingering decay.

Verites are a step up. The Verite closed is the best headphone Ive ever heard,bar none. It does nothing wrong,and is a genre master. Every single type of music Ive thrown at it,the VC just delivers in a wonderful manner. It has the widest sound stage of any closed back Ive ever heard,and its 3D imaging is breathtaking. Great mids,fantastic midbass,even better sub bass. It is similar to the HD800 that it lets you hear every single detail,and if an album is poorly mastered,you will know it.

The VO has a more wide open,airier sound vs. the VC. Identical tonality as the VC. It sounds more laid back and chill,whereas the VC is very dynamic and powerful.

EDIT: I should add that all ZMF love tube amps. The VC is the best of the bunch with solid state,accentuating its speed and clean sound. Other than the VC,all other ZMF headphones really need a tube amp before you get the full effect.

The LCD-2 has great sub-bass,but the mids sound boxy to me and the treble is really missing. The fazor version was created to help the treble,but in the process you lost some of the bass. If you opt for the LCD-2 try to find a pre-fazor version.

The HD650 is like a poor mans Atticus. Midbass hump,a bit veiled sounding. Good for blues and rock. Too slow for faster stuff. The sub bass rolls off too early for my tastes. Very narrow staging and can be quite uncomfortable due to a strong clamp.
 
Mar 1, 2020 at 3:36 PM Post #8 of 14
I saw that post, nice post. I'm amazed that the LCD-2 sounds boxy. I have the 2C and boxy it is just wonderful in the price range. Soundstage isn't huge but it feels very open.

I think most Sennheisers are happier with OTL amps btw.
 
Mar 1, 2020 at 3:46 PM Post #9 of 14
I saw that post, nice post. I'm amazed that the LCD-2 sounds boxy. I have the 2C and boxy it is just wonderful in the price range. Soundstage isn't huge but it feels very open.

I think most Sennheisers are happier with OTL amps btw.
Yes,most high impedance Senns love tubes. I have an old Sennheiser HD250 300ohms,and its sub bass is glorious. Better than Audeze IMHO.
Ive ran it from several amps,both solid state and tubes,and it def scales to silly heights thru my Glenn.

Im a midhead. If a headphone has bad mids,I simply am not interested. The LCD-2 PF mids sounded very boxed in,small and just not to my preferences. The sub bass,like I said was fantastic. However I dont listen to too much sub bass heavy music(hip/hop,electronica) to warrant keeping the Audeze around just for trance duty. I sold it off and bought the Atticus. Besides I can get my sub bass from the HD250 and for a lot less cash.
 
Mar 1, 2020 at 3:54 PM Post #10 of 14
I meant to say the 2C is not boxy at all. Too many beers, not enough attention-span. So surprised that you found the LCD-2 boxy. But I have never heard it.

I like the 2C and 3F for general listening. I haven't found anything they're bad at. I'm listening mostly to jazz, and some soul/R&B, funk, and 70s rock and roll.
 
Mar 1, 2020 at 3:57 PM Post #11 of 14
I meant to say the 2C is not boxy at all. Too many beers, not enough attention-span. So surprised that you found the LCD-2 boxy. But I have never heard it.

I like the 2C and 3F for general listening. I haven't found anything they're bad at. I'm listening mostly to jazz, and some soul/R&B, funk, and 70s rock and roll.
Right on. We all hear differently,and we all have different ideas of what sounds good. Glad you like em!
 
Mar 1, 2020 at 7:03 PM Post #12 of 14
My HD600 often says nice things to my HD800, it's very kind.
 
Mar 2, 2020 at 1:18 AM Post #14 of 14

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