Drop + Sennheiser HD8XX - now in final form
Sep 18, 2021 at 11:41 PM Post #16 of 68



Disclaimer: I've had good luck with many of the prior Drop headphones. Specifically the HD6XX, K7XX, Elex, HD58X, TH-X00, and most recently the Panda. All of these, in my opinion, improve upon their original/inspiration models in some way, whether that be price, performance, features (Panda) or a combination of both. And I have yet to experience issues with any of mine, though I recognize that some segment of users for certain models have legitimate complaints. There are various other models from Drop which I have not heard and thus have no comment on, but each and every model I listed above earns a solid recommendation based on my personal experience... with the Elex in particular being one of my favorite headphones at any price.

Today's comments pertain to the latest offering from Drop - the new HD8XX made in collaboration with Sennheiser. I know there's been a lot of discussion on this topic already, with some of it being excited/hopeful and some being rather negative. Which is interesting considering Drop only recently arrived at their final tuning choice, and vanishingly few people have actually heard any of the prototypes much less the final version. Any impressions floating around before today represent a work-in-progress which does not represent the final HD8XX sound. If you've read about the project and perhaps formed some opinions one way or the other, try to reset those and start from scratch.

Anyway, back on track. The HD8XX is a reworked HD800S which itself was a tweaked version of the original HD800 which took the headphone world by storm over a decade ago. The goal here was to improve the various aspects which listeners commonly bring up when discussing HD800/HD800S - not enough bass, along with a sharp/peaky top end presentation - and perhaps add a bit more richness while we're at it. The HD8XX will sell for $1100 at pre-order and you can read more about the details on the Drop page, so I won't duplicate all that here.

My history with the HD800 family goes back to the very early days, when I purchased an original model through my local dealer. I ended up getting a set with an extremely low serial number, and like many back in that era I was blown away by the sense of spaciousness they produced. I loved the detail retrieval but also struggled with the peaks and the lack of tonal impact or significant bass presence. I spent years cycling through various combinations of source and amplifier just trying to find the perfect synergy with the temperamental HD800. I came somewhat close at times but it was never quite perfect, and I admit to selling and rebuying the HD800 roughly half a dozen times over the years while chasing that dream.

Next came the HD800S which I found beautiful in appearance (dig the ninja color scheme), though I never quite loved it from a sonic standpoint. They did make some welcome changes to the signature but in the process also lost a bit of the HD800 magic - lows were more prominent but to my ears never as well behaved, which means it really wasn't worth the tradeoff in my view. It almost felt like Sennheiser was shooting for a more mass-market, universal signature - which is fine in and of itself, and there's probably a good headphone to be made based on that target, but HD800S isn't it. I really did like the taming of the ~6KHz peak though, and wish I could have some sort of hybrid which offered that along with the slight bass boost whilst retaining the clarity of the original HD800 low-end response.

Then came HD820 which I just didn't like at all. I'm sure it pertains to the closed-back nature, but these sounded muddled and confusing to my ears. I imagine it's quite difficult to translate the original open design to a closed-back headphone, but sonically they just don't work for me. That, combined with what feels like an unjustified and surprisingly drastic price increase, means I have zero interest apart from the admittedly fetching high-tech appearance.


So after all that, what do I think of the HD8XX? Simply put, I think it accomplishes nearly all of what the HD800S should have done, which to my ears makes it the best release in the entire series. It maintains the clarity and texture of the original HD800 bass, while increasing the presence enough to where it doesn't feel quite so lacking. It thus feels more prominent than the HD800S, though I'm not clear if it actually is boosted over that model or just a perceptual artifact of the superior quality. Still not a bass monster by any means, but there's enough to where many listeners will be satisfied. Sort of a "best of both worlds" situation between the two prior models (ignoring the HD820, as I feel everyone should). I also appreciate the fact that the boost seems largest at the lowest regions, keeping the response clean and impactful. Again, these are not objectively bassy headphones by any stretch of the imagination, but they should tip the scales for those who were on the fence with the original HD800, or liked the quantity - but not the quality - offered by HD800S.

I also hear improved tonality, likely related to the mids and particularly the lower midrange response, where things feel just a touch thicker, richer, with more heft and body. This is again a very good thing, as the old HD800 could at times feel practically skeletal in that regard. The end result is a more engaging tone that doesn't require as much care when system matching. It also makes the HD8XX more appropriate for a wider variety of music, where I felt the original model was fairly picky about what it paired with. So this feels like another big win for Drop/Sennheiser.

The treble situation is also an improvement if not quite as universally successful. HD8XX definitely feels more like an HD800S with regards to that ~6K peak, and that's a very good thing. That was my favorite aspect of the HD800S. I can now listen longer, and louder, than I could with the original model. Apart from that, although I still very much enjoy the HD8XX, I admit to being a bit conflicted.

I hear what feels like more top-end sparkle compared to HD800S, and in a more linear fashion than HD800, which sounds just about perfect on paper. And indeed, for the majority of my listening, I do find the new tuning pretty much ideal. But there have been times when I expected even more excitement, more top-end extension and air and energy, and found myself slightly let down. After formally keeping track of these instances, I realized it consistently happens when playing classical or occasionally some (cheesy) singer/songwriter "audiophile" music. Never with any other genre.

This is very likely due to my lengthy history of the original HD800, and the expectations burned into my brain from those many hours of listening. I always felt HD800 sounded best with those genres, despite its flaws, and this seems to dull the success of the HD8XX treble which is otherwise clearly superior in any other situation. It may actually be superior in these instances as well, but so far my brain has expectations which aren't quite being met. Interestingly, when I switch from HD8XX to HD800S, the latter sounds comparatively dark and muffled, by a larger margin than the difference between HD8XX and the original HD800.

Keep in mind we are talking about a relatively small difference here. Many people might not even notice much difference between any of the three models in this aspect, as the changes in bass and tonality are significantly more important. In a sense I'm doing a bit of nitpicking here, and obviously I haven't come to a conclusion as to what I even really want yet... more listening time would likely flesh it out one way or the other. It's very possible the HD8XX is the objectively better sound at all frequencies, and I just need time to remap my sonic expectations to keep up with reality.

The last thing to mention is the famous HD800 soundstage. That open, airy, almost larger-than-life feeling is perhaps bigger on the HD8XX than either of the prior models. I felt HD800S took a slight step backward in this area, though it was already large enough to where that reduction didn't drastically impact things. But the HD8XX brings us back to HD800 levels and even slightly beyond, which is interesting considering the added thickness to the signature. A lot of people assume the light-weight, ethereal sound of the original is largely required to achieve that level of openness and depth, but it seems that isn't really the case after all. I suspect there's some small-order adjustments at play making this happen, related to impedance and phase and other technical minutia, but I could be wrong. Again, this may not matter to most, as all three models sound pretty wide-open compared to many competitors. The HD800S may already hit a threshold beyond which certain listeners either don't hear or don't care about improvements. And honestly that's a valid perspective. But if the whole width/depth/height aspect is your particular focus, you'll appreciate the HD8XX reclaiming that lost ground.

Last quick note before I wrap things up. I feel that most folks who enjoy the HD800S will absolutely love the HD8XX. It's similar enough, but clearly better in some key areas, to make that a pretty safe bet. On the other hand, people who love the HD800 will be a mixed bag. Many of them will also very much enjoy the HD8XX and find it to be a big improvement. But there does exist a subset of die-hard HD800 fans who enjoy the thinner tone and borderline-punishing highs of that model. Even there, a non-zero portion might see the light and switch allegiances, but many will stick with the original and be happy with it.


Conclusions
The new tuning, to me, is a big accomplishment, as it makes the HD8XX less picky about system matching. Mind you, the HD8XX still scales extremely well with better gear, but it no longer requires a specific coloration to offset the thin tonality. Despite the treble interpretation I'm still grappling with regarding a very narrow field of genres, I'm overall quite pleased with the end result on this project. I don't know if it's quite possible to achieve "perfection" of the HD800 signature, considering all the baggage involved, but Drop makes a pretty convincing argument for it with this product.

I won't spend much time debating about the color scheme or the value per dollar, as those seem like very personal choices. You either like the look (or can at least put up with it), or you don't. You either see the value, or you don't. For me, the HD8XX seems like a strong value, but I won't pretend to speak for anyone else in that regard.

Note that Drop actually sent along several prototype sets of HD8XX for me to try. It's been very interesting to read initial impressions online (which pertain to a very early prototype design) and then listen to the progression, until we arrive at the final tuning. In each case, Drop and Sennheiser seem to inch closer to the ideal compromise - fixing the flaws without losing the original magic. For my taste, I'm comfortable saying mission accomplished.

(pics deliberately left out of this post, as the test mule prototypes don't have the final aesthetics)
Thanks for your post. It convinced me that I should go ahead and place my order. In the end, the only way to know is to hear the tuning myself. If I'm not happy, I can return the headphones to Drop. It's really no big deal.
 
Sep 23, 2021 at 2:00 PM Post #17 of 68
Doesn't seem to be much excitement around this can. I am looking for a headphone that has a larger soundstage and the new V3 Arya may have taken a move away from that. Any other candidates if not this one?
 
Sep 23, 2021 at 7:52 PM Post #19 of 68
I’m excited about it… I joined the drop yesterday morning and I’m stoked for them to come in.
I picked up a pair of lightly used current model HD 800S phones from the buy/sell on this site the first of this year. I payed a wee tad under the drop price, albeit with no tax.

I love the phones. Never say never, but I'm pretty satisfied that these phones are as good as I want. I can't recommend these leather pads enough (I purchased 2 in fear of lack of availability): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08P8XNWYH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'd have no compunction in ordering the Drop version, in fact, that was the foil I used in dealing with my Sennheiser seller, who wanted several hundred more.

I was prepared to offer up to the Drop HD 8xx price, but no more. I'd wait for the Drop version. I opted for 8 months of listening over new.

I hope to pick up a used Drop HD 8xx for cheap (to stick in the closet). Perhaps from the fop who didn't send the phones back in time, and is sniffing the new pooch on the street.
 
Sep 24, 2021 at 1:22 PM Post #20 of 68
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Disclaimer: I've had good luck with many of the prior Drop headphones. Specifically the HD6XX, K7XX, Elex, HD58X, TH-X00, and most recently the Panda. All of these, in my opinion, improve upon their original/inspiration models in some way, whether that be price, performance, features (Panda) or a combination of both. And I have yet to experience issues with any of mine, though I recognize that some segment of users for certain models have legitimate complaints. There are various other models from Drop which I have not heard and thus have no comment on, but each and every model I listed above earns a solid recommendation based on my personal experience... with the Elex in particular being one of my favorite headphones at any price.

Today's comments pertain to the latest offering from Drop - the new HD8XX made in collaboration with Sennheiser. I know there's been a lot of discussion on this topic already, with some of it being excited/hopeful and some being rather negative. Which is interesting considering Drop only recently arrived at their final tuning choice, and vanishingly few people have actually heard any of the prototypes much less the final version. Any impressions floating around before today represent a work-in-progress which does not represent the final HD8XX sound. If you've read about the project and perhaps formed some opinions one way or the other, try to reset those and start from scratch.

Anyway, back on track. The HD8XX is a reworked HD800S which itself was a tweaked version of the original HD800 which took the headphone world by storm over a decade ago. The goal here was to improve the various aspects which listeners commonly bring up when discussing HD800/HD800S - not enough bass, along with a sharp/peaky top end presentation - and perhaps add a bit more richness while we're at it. The HD8XX will sell for $1100 at pre-order and you can read more about the details on the Drop page, so I won't duplicate all that here.

My history with the HD800 family goes back to the very early days, when I purchased an original model through my local dealer. I ended up getting a set with an extremely low serial number, and like many back in that era I was blown away by the sense of spaciousness they produced. I loved the detail retrieval but also struggled with the peaks and the lack of tonal impact or significant bass presence. I spent years cycling through various combinations of source and amplifier just trying to find the perfect synergy with the temperamental HD800. I came somewhat close at times but it was never quite perfect, and I admit to selling and rebuying the HD800 roughly half a dozen times over the years while chasing that dream.

Next came the HD800S which I found beautiful in appearance (dig the ninja color scheme), though I never quite loved it from a sonic standpoint. They did make some welcome changes to the signature but in the process also lost a bit of the HD800 magic - lows were more prominent but to my ears never as well behaved, which means it really wasn't worth the tradeoff in my view. It almost felt like Sennheiser was shooting for a more mass-market, universal signature - which is fine in and of itself, and there's probably a good headphone to be made based on that target, but HD800S isn't it. I really did like the taming of the ~6KHz peak though, and wish I could have some sort of hybrid which offered that along with the slight bass boost whilst retaining the clarity of the original HD800 low-end response.

Then came HD820 which I just didn't like at all. I'm sure it pertains to the closed-back nature, but these sounded muddled and confusing to my ears. I imagine it's quite difficult to translate the original open design to a closed-back headphone, but sonically they just don't work for me. That, combined with what feels like an unjustified and surprisingly drastic price increase, means I have zero interest apart from the admittedly fetching high-tech appearance.


So after all that, what do I think of the HD8XX? Simply put, I think it accomplishes nearly all of what the HD800S should have done, which to my ears makes it the best release in the entire series. It maintains the clarity and texture of the original HD800 bass, while increasing the presence enough to where it doesn't feel quite so lacking. It thus feels more prominent than the HD800S, though I'm not clear if it actually is boosted over that model or just a perceptual artifact of the superior quality. Still not a bass monster by any means, but there's enough to where many listeners will be satisfied. Sort of a "best of both worlds" situation between the two prior models (ignoring the HD820, as I feel everyone should). I also appreciate the fact that the boost seems largest at the lowest regions, keeping the response clean and impactful. Again, these are not objectively bassy headphones by any stretch of the imagination, but they should tip the scales for those who were on the fence with the original HD800, or liked the quantity - but not the quality - offered by HD800S.

I also hear improved tonality, likely related to the mids and particularly the lower midrange response, where things feel just a touch thicker, richer, with more heft and body. This is again a very good thing, as the old HD800 could at times feel practically skeletal in that regard. The end result is a more engaging tone that doesn't require as much care when system matching. It also makes the HD8XX more appropriate for a wider variety of music, where I felt the original model was fairly picky about what it paired with. So this feels like another big win for Drop/Sennheiser.

The treble situation is also an improvement if not quite as universally successful. HD8XX definitely feels more like an HD800S with regards to that ~6K peak, and that's a very good thing. That was my favorite aspect of the HD800S. I can now listen longer, and louder, than I could with the original model. Apart from that, although I still very much enjoy the HD8XX, I admit to being a bit conflicted.

I hear what feels like more top-end sparkle compared to HD800S, and in a more linear fashion than HD800, which sounds just about perfect on paper. And indeed, for the majority of my listening, I do find the new tuning pretty much ideal. But there have been times when I expected even more excitement, more top-end extension and air and energy, and found myself slightly let down. After formally keeping track of these instances, I realized it consistently happens when playing classical or occasionally some (cheesy) singer/songwriter "audiophile" music. Never with any other genre.

This is very likely due to my lengthy history of the original HD800, and the expectations burned into my brain from those many hours of listening. I always felt HD800 sounded best with those genres, despite its flaws, and this seems to dull the success of the HD8XX treble which is otherwise clearly superior in any other situation. It may actually be superior in these instances as well, but so far my brain has expectations which aren't quite being met. Interestingly, when I switch from HD8XX to HD800S, the latter sounds comparatively dark and muffled, by a larger margin than the difference between HD8XX and the original HD800.

Keep in mind we are talking about a relatively small difference here. Many people might not even notice much difference between any of the three models in this aspect, as the changes in bass and tonality are significantly more important. In a sense I'm doing a bit of nitpicking here, and obviously I haven't come to a conclusion as to what I even really want yet... more listening time would likely flesh it out one way or the other. It's very possible the HD8XX is the objectively better sound at all frequencies, and I just need time to remap my sonic expectations to keep up with reality.

The last thing to mention is the famous HD800 soundstage. That open, airy, almost larger-than-life feeling is perhaps bigger on the HD8XX than either of the prior models. I felt HD800S took a slight step backward in this area, though it was already large enough to where that reduction didn't drastically impact things. But the HD8XX brings us back to HD800 levels and even slightly beyond, which is interesting considering the added thickness to the signature. A lot of people assume the light-weight, ethereal sound of the original is largely required to achieve that level of openness and depth, but it seems that isn't really the case after all. I suspect there's some small-order adjustments at play making this happen, related to impedance and phase and other technical minutia, but I could be wrong. Again, this may not matter to most, as all three models sound pretty wide-open compared to many competitors. The HD800S may already hit a threshold beyond which certain listeners either don't hear or don't care about improvements. And honestly that's a valid perspective. But if the whole width/depth/height aspect is your particular focus, you'll appreciate the HD8XX reclaiming that lost ground.

Last quick note before I wrap things up. I feel that most folks who enjoy the HD800S will absolutely love the HD8XX. It's similar enough, but clearly better in some key areas, to make that a pretty safe bet. On the other hand, people who love the HD800 will be a mixed bag. Many of them will also very much enjoy the HD8XX and find it to be a big improvement. But there does exist a subset of die-hard HD800 fans who enjoy the thinner tone and borderline-punishing highs of that model. Even there, a non-zero portion might see the light and switch allegiances, but many will stick with the original and be happy with it.


Conclusions
The new tuning, to me, is a big accomplishment, as it makes the HD8XX less picky about system matching. Mind you, the HD8XX still scales extremely well with better gear, but it no longer requires a specific coloration to offset the thin tonality. Despite the treble interpretation I'm still grappling with regarding a very narrow field of genres, I'm overall quite pleased with the end result on this project. I don't know if it's quite possible to achieve "perfection" of the HD800 signature, considering all the baggage involved, but Drop makes a pretty convincing argument for it with this product.

I won't spend much time debating about the color scheme or the value per dollar, as those seem like very personal choices. You either like the look (or can at least put up with it), or you don't. You either see the value, or you don't. For me, the HD8XX seems like a strong value, but I won't pretend to speak for anyone else in that regard.

Note that Drop actually sent along several prototype sets of HD8XX for me to try. It's been very interesting to read initial impressions online (which pertain to a very early prototype design) and then listen to the progression, until we arrive at the final tuning. In each case, Drop and Sennheiser seem to inch closer to the ideal compromise - fixing the flaws without losing the original magic. For my taste, I'm comfortable saying mission accomplished.

(pics deliberately left out of this post, as the test mule prototypes don't have the final aesthetics)
Thanks, Project86, for this review. I received word from Drop yesterday that my HD8XX will be arriving on October 1. I'm one of the early buyers of the original 800 and liked it from the get go. I had no issues with the entire sound spectrum. The bass was punchy, quick, and never booming, and the highs were never shrill. In my opinion, those experiencing pain or fatigue with the treble were simply listening at a volume that's too high. To expand the bass, the natural tendency is to raise the volume. But in doing so, the highs become fatiguing.

I was never tempted to "upgrade" to the 800S and still consider the 800 my top reference. I like the Sennheiser sound. For everyday wired listening, my go to is still the original HD600. I like the original HD650 with certain rigs and types of music. My lineup of choice is balanced. It brightens the 650 with the added juice and clears up the bass. My balanced B22 has bit the dust, but long before its demise, I had switched to more recent balanced offerings.

I was worried about my 8XX purchase until I read your review. The reviews that I've seen on Youtube have been discouraging. But I was still determined to test it for myself. I found it hard to believe that anyone who appreciates the 800 series would deliberately screw it up. Your review renews my confidence. I'll still reserve final judgment until I've had a chance to actually listen to the 8XX.

Finally, I respect your observations because you avoid the equipment burn-in syndrome and, instead, accurately locate the source for "burn in" in the listener's ear. Our ears naturally adjust to certain sound signatures, and when we switch headphones, we may need to give our ears time to adjust. Sometimes, the qualitative difference is dramatic.
 
Sep 24, 2021 at 4:48 PM Post #21 of 68
Thanks, Project86, for this review. I received word from Drop yesterday that my HD8XX will be arriving on October 1. I'm one of the early buyers of the original 800 and liked it from the get go. I had no issues with the entire sound spectrum. The bass was punchy, quick, and never booming, and the highs were never shrill. In my opinion, those experiencing pain or fatigue with the treble were simply listening at a volume that's too high. To expand the bass, the natural tendency is to raise the volume. But in doing so, the highs become fatiguing.
No. Those experiencing pain or fatigue with the treble is due to the massive 6K peak of the hd800 tuning. It is not imagined. It is real, measurable, repeatable, and well-known by the majority on these forums. And to further prove that point, what the hell was the point of the 800S if your take was even remotely accurate?
 
Sep 24, 2021 at 6:49 PM Post #22 of 68
No. Those experiencing pain or fatigue with the treble is due to the massive 6K peak of the hd800 tuning. It is not imagined. It is real, measurable, repeatable, and well-known by the majority on these forums. And to further prove that point, what the hell was the point of the 800S if your take was even remotely accurate?
I and very treble-sensitive and I found the original HD800 almost physically painful to listen too. Other people loved it. (So clear! So transparent! So spacious!) The HD800S was better for me, but still not good. I'm interested in trying the HD8XX to see if/how that's different.
 
Sep 26, 2021 at 12:51 PM Post #23 of 68
No. Those experiencing pain or fatigue with the treble is due to the massive 6K peak of the hd800 tuning. It is not imagined. It is real, measurable, repeatable, and well-known by the majority on these forums. And to further prove that point, what the hell was the point of the 800S if your take was even remotely accurate?
Hi. I didn't say it was "imagined." I assumed it's real and tried to explain why some or many experience pain/fatigue. When they're not hearing enough bass, they probably turn the volume up. In doing so, the entire spectrum is affected, and the treble becomes fatiguing -- especially at 6K.

Let's face it, head-fiers fall into two general categories. On the one hand, those who prefer powerful bass and warmth. They lean toward closed back models and tubes. If they've listened to the HD650 and HD600, the 650 is their choice. On the other hand, those who prefer a more analytical, balanced FR. They gravitate toward open-back, solid-state, and the 600. They find the 650 dark.

Some are able to straddle both preferences and have separate rigs for both categories.

Those in the first category tend to find the 800 fatiguing and prefer the 800S. Many of these still find the 800S bass wanting. Those in the second category love the 800 as is.

I tend toward the second group but still enjoy, especially for rock, a strong deep bass that doesn't bleed into the mids. But for most genres, I look for accuracy, and the 800 delivers.

I haven't received my 8XX yet (ETA Oct 1), but I'm hoping that they close the gap between both categories and deliver a balanced, accurate sound signature with a slightly more dynamic bass that doesn't overwhelm the rest of the spectrum. My fear is that the 8XX tuners, in order to satisfy those in the first category, have messed with the original spectrum and (1) dampened the treble and (2) extended/raised the bass to the point where accuracy is compromised.

The big question is, can the 8XX bridge the divide and satisfy both groups? I'm guessing that it won't satisfy those at the extremes in either category. The lower end will probably feel weak for some and the accuracy will feel diminished for others. In the end, the 8XX will probably be a compromise that appeals to those in the middle ground who straddle both categories.
 
Sep 26, 2021 at 1:28 PM Post #24 of 68
Let's face it, head-fiers fall into two general categories. On the one hand, those who prefer powerful bass and warmth. They lean toward closed back models and tubes. If they've listened to the HD650 and HD600, the 650 is their choice. On the other hand, those who prefer a more analytical, balanced FR. They gravitate toward open-back, solid-state, and the 600. They find the 650 dark.
Well said! I'm definitely in the first category, although I have several open-back headphones that I love, including the HD650.
 
Sep 26, 2021 at 2:43 PM Post #25 of 68
Thanks, Project86, for this review. I received word from Drop yesterday that my HD8XX will be arriving on October 1. I'm one of the early buyers of the original 800 and liked it from the get go. I had no issues with the entire sound spectrum. The bass was punchy, quick, and never booming, and the highs were never shrill. In my opinion, those experiencing pain or fatigue with the treble were simply listening at a volume that's too high. To expand the bass, the natural tendency is to raise the volume. But in doing so, the highs become fatiguing.

I was never tempted to "upgrade" to the 800S and still consider the 800 my top reference. I like the Sennheiser sound. For everyday wired listening, my go to is still the original HD600. I like the original HD650 with certain rigs and types of music. My lineup of choice is balanced. It brightens the 650 with the added juice and clears up the bass. My balanced B22 has bit the dust, but long before its demise, I had switched to more recent balanced offerings.

I was worried about my 8XX purchase until I read your review. The reviews that I've seen on Youtube have been discouraging. But I was still determined to test it for myself. I found it hard to believe that anyone who appreciates the 800 series would deliberately screw it up. Your review renews my confidence. I'll still reserve final judgment until I've had a chance to actually listen to the 8XX.

Finally, I respect your observations because you avoid the equipment burn-in syndrome and, instead, accurately locate the source for "burn in" in the listener's ear. Our ears naturally adjust to certain sound signatures, and when we switch headphones, we may need to give our ears time to adjust. Sometimes, the qualitative difference is dramatic.
I think people forgot the "Pain" to own the HD800. It takes a great effort to get the best out of it, either by EQ or keep on switching amp. On top of the headphone position on the head.

I found the HD800 is really hard to live with.
 
Sep 26, 2021 at 3:06 PM Post #26 of 68
I think people forgot the "Pain" to own the HD800. It takes a great effort to get the best out of it, either by EQ or keep on switching amp. On top of the headphone position on the head.

I found the HD800 is really hard to live with.
You're not alone. It's not for everyone. It's primarily for those who want to hear their music as it was recorded. With no coloring. They want to hear the entire spectrum of sound, every nuance. They want clear and clean imaging, separation, and dynamics. This type of analytical listening may be too intense for casual listening for relaxation and pure enjoyment.
 
Sep 26, 2021 at 3:11 PM Post #27 of 68
You're not alone. It's not for everyone. It's primarily for those who want to hear their music as it was recorded. With no coloring.
But the 800 DOES have coloring. Adding 6-10 db’s of too much energy at a given frequency is the definition of coloring. Cymbal hits in real life don’t feel like an ice pick to the brain.

The 800S is less colored than the OG 800 and the new 8XX. I’m not saying people can’t prefer the ultra diffuse field tuning of the 800, but its tuning is bright, not neutral.
 
Sep 26, 2021 at 3:23 PM Post #28 of 68
You're not alone. It's not for everyone. It's primarily for those who want to hear their music as it was recorded. With no coloring. They want to hear the entire spectrum of sound, every nuance. They want clear and clean imaging, separation, and dynamics. This type of analytical listening may be too intense for casual listening for relaxation and pure enjoyment.
I think this is why planar have a big following nowadays.

Since the "speaker" in planar is much bigger, position it on the head is not as picky. And as long as you have a powerful amp than you are in business.

HD800 really take a "skilled" hobbyist to enjoy the most of it.
 
Sep 26, 2021 at 3:34 PM Post #29 of 68
But the 800 DOES have coloring. Adding 6-10 db’s of too much energy at a given frequency is the definition of coloring. Cymbal hits in real life don’t feel like an ice pick to the brain.

The 800S is less colored than the OG 800 and the new 8XX. I’m not saying people can’t prefer the ultra diffuse field tuning of the 800, but its tuning is bright, not neutral.
I believe even the sound engineer forgot how the "real" live recording once they finish mixing.

I love Audiotree and I believe they hired the best sound engineers out there. However, I found all the recording have the same "basic sound" which I cannot believe all the bands should sound the same.
 
Sep 26, 2021 at 5:29 PM Post #30 of 68
But the 800 DOES have coloring. Adding 6-10 db’s of too much energy at a given frequency is the definition of coloring. Cymbal hits in real life don’t feel like an ice pick to the brain.

The 800S is less colored than the OG 800 and the new 8XX. I’m not saying people can’t prefer the ultra diffuse field tuning of the 800, but its tuning is bright, not neutral.
If you bought the original HD800, you received a certificate from Sennheiser that included the Individual Diffuse-Field Frequency Response graph for your particular headphone. My serial number is in the very low 300s. On my graph, the line is nearly flat throughout at 4 dB. There are strategic 2-4 dB dips at 225 to 275 Hz, 1.75 to 5.75 kHz, and 7 to 9 kHz. The 6kHz "bump" is actually between 5.75 to 7 kHz and it's at 4 dB. In other words, it's in line with the rest of the nearly straight line. There is no bump. On the graph, it looks like a slight bump because of the slight dips before and after.

I have no idea where you got your "6 to 10 dB" bump from. That would place it at 10 to 14 dB. As I said, at 6 kHz, the line is at 4 dB.

If you kept the box and papers for your HD800, then you should have this certificate. IIRC, we had to request the certificate/graph from Sennheiser after receiving our headphone. Did you request it?

Others who purchased the HD800 at that time should be able to verify this info. Their graphs may vary, but not by much. Each set was individually calibrated "by no fewer than 16 acoustic experts . . . over 10 hours."
 

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