[rgs9200m]

This is what Tom Martin said in the AVguide review of the HE500 (which sounds about right to me) [link: avguide.com/review/hifiman-he-500-planar-magnetic-headphones-playback-47].
 
 

1. The HE-500 sounds more harmonically coherent and all-of-one-piece on both human and instrument voices. Good though the HD800 is, it occasionally exhibits very small yet audible discontinuities that the HE-500 doesn’t have to the same degree.
2. The HE-500 offers noticeably better low frequency extension and pitch definition than the HD800, which is saying something because bass performance is a relative strength of the HD800 compared to most competing headphones.

 

[leadbythemelody]

A question to those who listened to both the HD800's and the HE-500's. How much smaller is the soundstage of the HE-500's in comparison to the HD800's? Give me a percent haha.

 

[dleblanc343]

Quote:

A question to those who listened to both the HD800's and the HE-500's. How much smaller is the soundstage of the HE-500's in comparison to the HD800's? Give me a percent haha.

Having owned the HE500 and owning the HD800 currently; 35-40% less.

 

[leadbythemelody]

Is that a lot LOL.

 

[wink]

That's 35% to 40% subjectively less as it's hard to get a protractor in to do an accurate measurement.

 

[Shahrose]

Quote:

This is what Tom Martin said in the AVguide review of the HE500 (which sounds about right to me) [link: avguide.com/review/hifiman-he-500-planar-magnetic-headphones-playback-47].
 
 

1. The HE-500 sounds more harmonically coherent and all-of-one-piece on both human and instrument voices. Good though the HD800 is, it occasionally exhibits very small yet audible discontinuities that the HE-500 doesn’t have to the same degree.
2. The HE-500 offers noticeably better low frequency extension and pitch definition than the HD800, which is saying something because bass performance is a relative strength of the HD800 compared to most competing headphones.

I don't agree with either of these things and I've owned 2 different sets of HE500s (old and new).
 
Replace the HE500 with the HE6 and perhaps you can make an argument, but even then I don't think all of that's true.

 

[preproman]

Quote:

This is what Tom Martin said in the AVguide review of the HE500 (which sounds about right to me) [link: avguide.com/review/hifiman-he-500-planar-magnetic-headphones-playback-47].
 
 

1. The HE-500 sounds more harmonically coherent and all-of-one-piece on both human and instrument voices. Good though the HD800 is, it occasionally exhibits very small yet audible discontinuities that the HE-500 doesn’t have to the same degree.
2. The HE-500 offers noticeably better low frequency extension and pitch definition than the HD800, which is saying something because bass performance is a relative strength of the HD800 compared to most competing headphones.

 
 
Not on your life...

 

[s4s4s4]

Just comparing both now (for the second time), The HD800's are simply better at almost everything, IMHO.

 

[MacedonianHero]

Quote:

Just comparing both now (for the second time), The HD800's are simply better at almost everything, IMHO.

Not surprised. I completely agree with you.

 

[Happy Camper]

800s in a walkover. (with the usual caveats).

 

[Ceja-Blu]

"Originally Posted by rgs9200m 
 
This is what Tom Martin said in the AVguide review of the HE500 (which sounds about right to me) [link: avguide.com/review/hifiman-he-500-planar-magnetic-headphones-playback-47].

1. The HE-500 sounds more harmonically coherent and all-of-one-piece on both human and instrument voices. Good though the HD800 is, it occasionally exhibits very small yet audible discontinuities that the HE-500 doesn’t have to the same degree.
2. The HE-500 offers noticeably better low frequency extension and pitch definition than the HD800, which is saying something because bass performance is a relative strength of the HD800 compared to most competing headphones."

Cannot agree with any of the above.  I own two versions of each headphone, HD800 with ALO copper and silver, HE500s with Silverdragons and Cardas.  The HE 500 is not "more harmonically coherent", if anything it lacks depth and harmonic definition compared to the HD800s (comparisons through the same listening rig and material, at the same time).  The HD 800s "...exibits very small yet audible discontinuities..."???  What does that mean?

 
The HE500 certainly does not offer "better" low frequency extension and pitch definition- certainly not even close through a Lyr, Vioelectric, Grace m903, or Asgard. They are noticeably more forgiving and less resolving in every level of detail, including the extended low end. 
 
HE 500s are "warmer" and more "involving" in the mid-range, where they will undoubtedly suck you in through a single play of Vaughn Williams' Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis.  At half the asking price, the HE 500s deserve a standing ovation. However, the HD800 are incomparable in terms of sheer stage depth and breadth, dynamic range, color range, micro details, and impeccable fidelity in reproducing the source, warts and all.

 

[Audio-Omega]

 
I prefer HD800 over Hifiman HE-5LE for the same reasons others have stated.  

 

[Dubstep Girl]

  "Originally Posted by rgs9200m 
 
This is what Tom Martin said in the AVguide review of the HE500 (which sounds about right to me) [link: avguide.com/review/hifiman-he-500-planar-magnetic-headphones-playback-47].

1. The HE-500 sounds more harmonically coherent and all-of-one-piece on both human and instrument voices. Good though the HD800 is, it occasionally exhibits very small yet audible discontinuities that the HE-500 doesn’t have to the same degree.
2. The HE-500 offers noticeably better low frequency extension and pitch definition than the HD800, which is saying something because bass performance is a relative strength of the HD800 compared to most competing headphones."

Cannot agree with any of the above.  I own two versions of each headphone, HD800 with ALO copper and silver, HE500s with Silverdragons and Cardas.  The HE 500 is not "more harmonically coherent", if anything it lacks depth and harmonic definition compared to the HD800s (comparisons through the same listening rig and material, at the same time).  The HD 800s "...exibits very small yet audible discontinuities..."???  What does that mean?

 
The HE500 certainly does not offer "better" low frequency extension and pitch definition- certainly not even close through a Lyr, Vioelectric, Grace m903, or Asgard. They are noticeably more forgiving and less resolving in every level of detail, including the extended low end. 
 
HE 500s are "warmer" and more "involving" in the mid-range, where they will undoubtedly suck you in through a single play of Vaughn Williams' Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis.  At half the asking price, the HE 500s deserve a standing ovation. However, the HD800 are incomparable in terms of sheer stage depth and breadth, dynamic range, color range, micro details, and impeccable fidelity in reproducing the source, warts and all.

 
+1
 
HD 800 is a much much better headphone

 

[manzana]

Hi, last month I bought the 800's with a Nuforce DAC-100 as DAC and amp. Before that I spent a lot of time comparing HE500 (burned), HE-5LE(burned), HD800(unburned), and LCD2 rev2(burned). I was really impressed with the 5LE, I think these are a very good headphones for everything (for me, better than 500's). But, as many people says, the soundstage and the resolution of the 800 are superior, and it's very addictive for me. On other hand, the dark sound and the lack of treble extension of the LCD2 are things which I'll never enjoy.
Last week I listened HE-400 and HD800 a lot. My final though 800 is a much better headphone than 400, but for some music I prefer the 400 for fun. Simple.
 
 
 
(sorry about my english)
 
good day,
diego

 

[Frosty3258]

I just don't buy alot of this "power" stuff. You guys realize that you have meters of 14AWG stapled to 2x4s on the inside of your walls right? I should sell "Audiophile Breakers" could be rich.......
The 800s have a massive impedance swing (from 650 to 350 ohms), and have a very sharp leading edge of a square wave. They are just a bright headphone... even with a nice linear amp.

Ups power supply. Takes the dirty outlet power supply and smooths it to a perfect 60 or 120hz depending on your country minus a very small tick when the capacitors cycle. A computer, dac, amp converts ac to dc and the capacitors help smooth the signal after the bridge rectifier but its the components generally are not large enough to handle the load entirely. The ups feeds a better signal and reduces system stress. "Audiophile breaker" haha