[ubs28]

I'm looking for a new headphone that allows me to enjoy lossless music. I'm hearing that the HD800 are very hard to drive. Would I get better results with the HD700?
 
If the HD800 are not hard to drive, what DAC + Amp should I buy?

 

[nigeljames]

The HD800's are no harder to drive than the HD700's just more demanding of source quality.
I can't give opinions on what source/amp because what I like is not likely to be what you like.
 
To allow someone to give you some advice you need to let them know your budget and what kind of sound you like.
 
I would strongly recomment the HD800's over the HD700's if your budget allows.

 

[cyberbully]

And the HD700s would make you have no disappointment IMO. It's really all on your budget. More like 1000 dollars for 80%, 2000 dollars for 85% story, etc.

 

[rx79ez08]

Don't like the HD700, given you can pick up a very good condition HD800 for about $1000 you are much better off spending a little more.
The Violectric V200 is very good as a multiple purpose amp that can also drive HD800 quite well, and it cost about $1000. I quite like the SPL Phonitor, but it is a little expensive.
I found the NAD M51 to be a very good DAC, but again it depends on your budget.

 

[jibzilla]

  I'm looking for a new headphone that allows me to enjoy lossless music. I'm hearing that the HD800 are very hard to drive. Would I get better results with the HD700?
 
If the HD800 are not hard to drive, what DAC + Amp should I buy?

 

[Eee Pee]

Or even get the HD 600 (and take the foams out) and have money left over for a nice amp but still have a wonderful sounding headphone.

I have the 600, 700 and 800 and often find the 600s on my head because it allows me to relax instead of analyze. And that's a good thing.

 

[jibzilla]

Or even get the HD 600 (and take the foams out) and have money left over for a nice amp but still have a wonderful sounding headphone.

I have the 600, 700 and 800 and often find the 600s on my head because it allows me to relax instead of analyze. And that's a good thing.

 

[Soundwave76]

I like HD700 better than HD800. They are way more comfortable in my head and they don't sound as bright as HD800. It's always a matter of taste, so just listen and compare them caerfully.

 

[GL1TCH3D]

I found the hd800 to be a bit more musical and refined than the hd700.
I enjoyed the hd800 much more.
Like someone else above said,
It's like... $700 for 85% of the hd800. You could put in the extra $300 and get the hd800 themselves.

 

[Chris_Himself]

I hate to be that guy, but I did not like HD700. It just sounded like they took an HD800 and made it sound not as good. I think they came up with a pricepoint first, and then engineered a headphone to sort of fit what they thought it was worth.
 
I also do not enjoy the cable connectors on the 700's. If you're going to have a can that is as receptive to source and amp upgrades, why wouldn't you just get the best headphone from the get-go?
 
Yes the price is different but even the early driver 800's sound better than the 700's IMO.

 

[YoengJyh]

Just go for HD800, HD700 is too mainstream headphone sound.
 
Get tube amp for HD800... Tube amp always provide high voltage to drive high impedance headphones...
 

 

[superachromat]

I think in general HD700 is more forgiving while the HD800 is more revealing. In terms of potential, its always HD800.

 

[rx79ez08]

To my ear, the HD700 is closer to the HD650, while the HD800 is closer to HD600. Both more refine of course, but that is how I think of them. I like HD600 by a large margin more than the HD650, hence my perference towards HD800. Even if I have to chose between HD700 and HD600, I would probably go HD600.
HD800 is a much more refine than HD600 in term of clarity and sound stage, it is also much more comfortable.

 

[Chris_Himself]

  To my ear, the HD700 is closer to the HD650, while the HD800 is closer to HD600. Both more refine of course, but that is how I think of them. I like HD600 by a large margin more than the HD650, hence my perference towards HD800. Even if I have to chose between HD700 and HD600, I would probably go HD600.
HD800 is a much more refine than HD600 in term of clarity and sound stage, it is also much more comfortable.

 
Nailed on the head. Super thumbs up.
 
650 sounds congested, yet comfortable and soothing. It's good in it's own right but I'm somewhat of a purist in my sonic preferences so I like the neutrality of 600 and 800.

 

[ricardobayes]

Just my 2 cents on this...
After trying them both, I found the hd800 to be remarkably better, if you are willing to spend 1000$ on headphones.