[Mambosenior]

Most Active Forum Threads:

#6.  HD800 vs HE500

Congratulation!

Whoa! Really? Did it top the thread asking for musical insights on AM-radio static when under the influence of a parachute-full of hallucinogenics?

 

[brunk]

  I'll admit it, even though I don't own one, the HD800 looks cooler. 

I agree, it does look cooler. Both are still dorky as hell though lol.
 

Whoa! Really? Did it top the thread asking for musical insights on AM-radio static when under the influence of a parachute-full of hallucinogenics?

What? Man, I missed that one.

 

[StanD]

I'll have to admit my HE-500's look like one of those alien mindcontrol thingies that will suck your brains out of your ears once they've erased your mind. But they do sound real good.

 

[Mambosenior]

My 5LEs are also as goofy looking and a bit uncomfortable for long sessions but, I do love their sound.

 

[Sonido]

I've made some more observations pertaining to HE-500 vs. HD800 in rock/pop genres. I've found the larger soundstage and detailing not to be so important in these two genres. These are not large soundstaged genres to being with, and as for details, there's a lot less subtleties compared to other genres. The biggest thing I found the HD800 to have over the HE-500 for these two genres are the vocals. I found the vocals to be smoother, more forward, and encompassing. And obviously the biggest thing the HE-500 has over the HD800 in these genres is the bass impact. I guess I would recommend the HD800 for lighter, softer rock and pop, and the HE-500 for harder rock and bass centric songs.
 
Again, these are very chain dependent observations. See my sig for my chains. In another thread I went more into detail on my chain, various pairings, and some interesting finds, such as how I believe the Quickie to pull a lot weight in my HD800 chain, especially for it to sound euphonic to me, and put it on par with the HE-500 for rock/pop.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/607079/beyerdynamic-t90-d/1395#post_10124880

 

[pdrm360]

  I've made some more observations pertaining to HE-500 vs. HD800 in rock/pop genres. I've found the larger soundstage and detailing not to be so important in these two genres. These are not large soundstaged genres to being with, and as for details, there's a lot less subtleties compared to other genres. The biggest thing I found the HD800 to have over the HE-500 for these two genres are the vocals. I found the vocals to be smoother, more forward, and encompassing. And obviously the biggest thing the HE-500 has over the HD800 in these genres is the bass impact. I guess I would recommend the HD800 for lighter, softer rock and pop, and the HE-500 for harder rock and bass centric songs.
 
Again, these are very chain dependent observations. See my sig for my chains. In another thread I went more into detail on my chain, various pairings, and some interesting finds, such as how I believe the Quickie to pull a lot weight in my HD800 chain, especially for it to sound euphonic to me, and put it on par with the HE-500 for rock/pop.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/607079/beyerdynamic-t90-d/1395#post_10124880

 
+1

 

[manzana]

   
+1

+1. I love listening rock in the HD800, but when I want bass impact for harder rock, as Sonido described, I prefer HE400 (unfortunaly I don't have the 500s). But HE400 are a good pair of headphones too.
Ohh, my chains are very simple:
PC > Asus STX (optical output) > NuForce DAC-100 > HD800
PC > Asus STX (optical output) > NuForce DAC-100 > EF5 > HE400

 

[preproman]

My 5LEs are also as goofy looking and a bit uncomfortable for long sessions but, I do love their sound.

 
Plus they sound better than the HE-500s as well

 

 

[Mambosenior]

Plus they sound better than the HE-500s as well  

They are nearer to the HE-6. So close, to my ears, that I've passed on the 6.

 

[preproman]

I agree. Very close - but no cigar.   However, I like the 5LE's a lot.  I sold the 5LEs for the same reason you mentioned.  

 

[pdrm360]

  I've made some more observations pertaining to HE-500 vs. HD800 in rock/pop genres. I've found the larger soundstage and detailing not to be so important in these two genres. These are not large soundstaged genres to being with, and as for details, there's a lot less subtleties compared to other genres. The biggest thing I found the HD800 to have over the HE-500 for these two genres are the vocals. I found the vocals to be smoother, more forward, and encompassing. And obviously the biggest thing the HE-500 has over the HD800 in these genres is the bass impact. I guess I would recommend the HD800 for lighter, softer rock and pop, and the HE-500 for harder rock and bass centric songs.

  +1. I love listening rock in the HD800, but when I want bass impact for harder rock, as Sonido described, I prefer HE400 (unfortunaly I don't have the 500s). But HE400 are a good pair of headphones too.

 
To me, Beyer T1 is the best dynamic headphones for rock and pop music. I like the T1 even more than Grado GS1000 for rock music. 

 

[Blasyrkh]

can't comment on pop...
but in my opinion the HD800 can't handle rock/hard rock/heavy metal...those are some genres not suited for the hd800
 
amped guitars, bass guitars, drum kicks on HD800?? no thanks.

 

[pdrm360]

With bass boost the Alpha Dog is also fantastic for rock/hard rock/heavy metal. 

 

[Blasyrkh]

  With bass boost the Alpha Dog is also fantastic for rock/hard rock/heavy metal. 

 
it's not only about bass....midrange is important too...
 
boosted bass doesn't mean more impact or weigth to the sound, but only more bass.
 
hd800's "thin" midrange can't handle distorted guitars sound like coming from a 12" speaker amp....even if it had more bass.

 

[pdrm360]

   
it's not only about bass....midrange is important too...
 
boosted bass doesn't mean more impact or weigth to the sound, but only more bass.
 
hd800's "thin" midrange can't handle distorted guitars sound like coming from a 12" speaker amp....even if it had more bass.

 
That's what I'm talking about the T1.