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Hi,
I have the HE-6 and HD800. They are both great headphones and I'll try answer in layman's terms that I know.
I listen 60-70% to jazz (for 30+ years), balance classical. The HE6 (done maybe 500 hours?) to me have great clarity, treble, good bass (maybe not LCD3 levels but pretty good for jazz) and a distinctive intimate soundstage and moderate warmth. Most jazz is up close and personal, as if in a clubroom.
The HD800 (not yet over the mandatory 250 break in hours) has - as everyone says - a great soundstage and acoustic feel: how great a soundstage seems a subjective description but clearly quite different to HE6's narrower but nice presentation; for me this HD800 soundstage is a key reason for owning as it affords me a different type of listen. Classical music sounds more natural here (HD800), and some jazz - especially if it is well recorded - sounds great. However I note that some jazz recordings (I'm hearing some old Art Farmer) sounds as if it is at the end of the corridor...whereas the same sounds intimate and close up with my HE6. This far, I'd say I generally prefer my jazz on the HE6 ! I love the HD800 for its more natural and slightly less trebly sound (as per specs). I've read reviews that complain of the HD800's poor bass: I am no basshead but I find this headphone presents bass fairly well, and perfectly ok on select albums (Hilario Duran, "Motion"). It may not be fantastic bass but seems quite enjoyable.
Comfortwise, HD800 wins being lighter but kind of feels almost as if one is wearing some small speakers...but I don't have any problems with my HE6 which is heavier and more trad but I listen long hours on them without issue.
I have balanced cables on my HE6 and am expecting the same for my HD800 so there may be a slight adjustment to above comments. I've tested both on the same portable SR71B amp, though I own EF-6 but at a different home - waiting to see their performances on that.
Hope this helps!
N.
Nishy...great post
I'm using 2 amps,for the he-6,I use an emo speaker amp,and the schiit mjolnir/gungnir .
Our music genres are the same,but with me..a lot of acoustics {Jesse Cooke ..& others},also,some classical,& opera
I have been using a pair of borrowed 800's since last Friday ,and I have to say,I'm very impressed,in fact ,I bought a pair last night from another head-fier , used.
The SQ & the detail,clarity,is outstanding...also,the comfort is much better than the he-6's there have been times this past week,where I had them on for 6-8 hours,with no discomfort,whatsoever.
This so called brightness issue,I have not experienced,,maybe on some types of music ,its there ,but my ears have not heard it-yet?
I will stay with this setup,& I think,owning the he-6's & Hd800's,make a good balance,for my type of music
Question:
Are you using the silver cable with the HE-6's??