High-end Open-back Dynamics: HD800(s) vs. Focal Elear

[squee116]

Hi all,

I'm trying to simplify my collection a bit, and as it stands I have:
Mr. Speaker Ether
Hifiman HE-560
Fostex TH-900
Audio Technica R70x
AKG K712 Pro

As it stands, I kept the R70x an d K712 for gaming. While their sound stages are nothing to sneeze at, I feel like my other headphones sound better in every way for music. Gaming, I'm a little less picky about quality, and a bit more worried about sound stage and imaging.

I'm thinking of dumping both, and getting a pair of higher-end dynamic headphones, ones that I can compare side by side to the Fostex and not hear an obvious difference in sound quality. The Fostex themselves sound great, but the overpowered bass sort of kills them for me in some recordings.

I was looking at the HD800, HD800S, and the Focal Elear. I know full well that the HD800 has the superior sound stage, but I've heard a back and forth as to imaging accuracy. I also prefer that the Elear has a lightly warmer sound signature, as bright headphones can make gunfire fatiguing very quickly. I've used the HE560's for gaming, and the sound stage and imaging are sufficient, but there are times when I call out an enemy contact on audio alone, and I'm off by about 45 degrees. The K712 wasn't much better, and the R70 little better than that. Depth and width are most important for sound stage, elevation is my smallest concern.

I've been seeing used HD800s and Focal Elears go for prices that almost make both the same price as buying the HD800s, though as I said earlier, I prefer warm, and what I haven't mentioned yet is that I don't like modding my headphones. If the S model is closer to the sound sig I like, and the rest of the qualities line up, I'd rather just get that.

I suppose I should add the chain:
PC->Modi 2 Uber (Soon to be a BIMBY) -> Violectric V200 -> HPs

 

[YAGIZ]

For gaming I don't know how HD800s' imaging would help but I have a friend who plays pubg with Elear and he is happy for the time being. He is using it with Hugo.
HD800s' spacious headroom may cause you to misread enemy locations etc but I am not entirely sure. You have to try them to be safe!

 

[squee116]

For gaming I don't know how HD800s' imaging would help but I have a friend who plays pubg with Elear and he is happy for the time being. He is using it with Hugo.
HD800s' spacious headroom may cause you to misread enemy locations etc but I am not entirely sure. You have to try them to be safe!

Perhaps very poignantly, PUBG is the game I need them the most for. The audio design in that game is already cattywampus, and I have issues differentiating walking right next to me that's friendly, and foot steps 5x the distance from the same direction. It's possible a more intimate soundstage would make suppressed shots or distant noises more apparent, but I'm worried I'll believe threats are much closer than they actually are, and vice versa.

 

[Dulalala]

Hi all,

I'm trying to simplify my collection a bit, and as it stands I have:
Mr. Speaker Ether
Hifiman HE-560
Fostex TH-900
Audio Technica R70x
AKG K712 Pro

As it stands, I kept the R70x an d K712 for gaming. While their sound stages are nothing to sneeze at, I feel like my other headphones sound better in every way for music. Gaming, I'm a little less picky about quality, and a bit more worried about sound stage and imaging.

I'm thinking of dumping both, and getting a pair of higher-end dynamic headphones, ones that I can compare side by side to the Fostex and not hear an obvious difference in sound quality. The Fostex themselves sound great, but the overpowered bass sort of kills them for me in some recordings.

I was looking at the HD800, HD800S, and the Focal Elear. I know full well that the HD800 has the superior sound stage, but I've heard a back and forth as to imaging accuracy. I also prefer that the Elear has a lightly warmer sound signature, as bright headphones can make gunfire fatiguing very quickly. I've used the HE560's for gaming, and the sound stage and imaging are sufficient, but there are times when I call out an enemy contact on audio alone, and I'm off by about 45 degrees. The K712 wasn't much better, and the R70 little better than that. Depth and width are most important for sound stage, elevation is my smallest concern.

I've been seeing used HD800s and Focal Elears go for prices that almost make both the same price as buying the HD800s, though as I said earlier, I prefer warm, and what I haven't mentioned yet is that I don't like modding my headphones. If the S model is closer to the sound sig I like, and the rest of the qualities line up, I'd rather just get that.

I suppose I should add the chain:
PC->Modi 2 Uber (Soon to be a BIMBY) -> Violectric V200 -> HPs

The HD800S is not warm. It is warmer than the HD800 but it is still quite a bright sort of headphone. If you prefer a warmer sound, then go for the Focal Elear but the downside to that is the sound stage on the Elear, at least in my opinion, is incredibly small. I personally wouldn't consider the Elear for gaming, the HD800S or HD800 is a much better fit in my opinion. However, whether you will like the HD800/S or Elear for music is up to your personal preference. Another decent choice would be the Hifiman Edition X, if you are willing to get a planar instead of a dynamic. It is definitely much warmer than the HD800S and also has a good soundstage.

 

[squee116]

The HD800S is not warm. It is warmer than the HD800 but it is still quite a bright sort of headphone. If you prefer a warmer sound, then go for the Focal Elear but the downside to that is the sound stage on the Elear, at least in my opinion, is incredibly small. I personally wouldn't consider the Elear for gaming, the HD800S or HD800 is a much better fit in my opinion. However, whether you will like the HD800/S or Elear for music is up to your personal preference.

I apologize, I meant to say the HD800s was warmer than its older brother, not in general. I know the spike is still there, and I'm praying my amp will tame it some. I assume I'd prefer the Elear for music, based on all accounts. But it's getting to the point that I might just bite the bullet and pick up the elear and HD800, and if I like the HD800, but want it warmed some, I'll sell both and get the HD800s.

 

[Me x3]

What about the Tesla T1 2nd gen?
You'll get more bass than HD800/S and better stage than the Elear.

 

[squee116]

What about the Tesla T1 2nd gen?
You'll get more bass than HD800/S and better stage than the Elear.

I'll have to think on that one. It's an interesting idea, and I don't have much experience with the T1s. But I had the DT990s, and if the house sound is similar, it wasn't really in my wheelhouse. Does it image better than the HD800?

 

[Dulalala]

I'll have to think on that one. It's an interesting idea, and I don't have much experience with the T1s. But I had the DT990s, and if the house sound is similar, it wasn't really in my wheelhouse. Does it image better than the HD800?

Not in my opinion, I think the HD800 still beats it out by a bit. Besides, I personally didn't like the T1 becauses the vocals sounded too withdrawn for my tastes (like the DT990) but then again, I did only hear the gen 1 model. Maybe gen 2 is better.

 

[bookemJ]

There's a very good/popular pubg player on twitch named Grimmz who uses the HD800 I believe and hes usually very accurate picking up player locations via audio.

As far as my experience I use the DT 1990 and am more than pleased with the audio information I receive. Can easily tell how far n where each gun shot is fired from and which building players are in even claustrophobic areas such as pochinki. Naturally this information is more clear to you once you put in some hours with the headphone.

In comparison I've been gaming with sennheiser pc363ds for a couple years before I got the 1990s and I didn't think I'd be able to get a better can for gaming and the 1990s proved me wrong. It's more natural sounding and fuller and even more accurate. Plus the 1990 sounds great with music as well with tube amps.

Wish I could have been of more help with your desired comparison. GL.

 

[squee116]

There's a very good/popular pubg player on twitch named Grimmz who uses the HD800 I believe and hes usually very accurate picking up player locations via audio.

As far as my experience I use the DT 1990 and am more than pleased with the audio information I receive. Can easily tell how far n where each gun shot is fired from and which building players are in even claustrophobic areas such as pochinki. Naturally this information is more clear to you once you put in some hours with the headphone.

In comparison I've been gaming with sennheiser pc363ds for a couple years before I got the 1990s and I didn't think I'd be able to get a better can for gaming and the 1990s proved me wrong. It's more natural sounding and fuller and even more accurate. Plus the 1990 sounds great with music as well with tube amps.

Wish I could have been of more help with your desired comparison. GL.

Thanks much. I'd seen some references to the 1990 on the T1 Gen 2 page, so it was somewhat on my radar.

 

[bookemJ]

Thanks much. I'd seen some references to the 1990 on the T1 Gen 2 page, so it was somewhat on my radar.

Just wanna correct myself I said I thought he had HD800's but i actually paid attention to them this stream and can clearly tell they are actually HD700s.

My bad on that original info, good luck again, hope your happy with whatever you choose.

 

[squee116]

My HD800 showed up, and so far, it's a pretty vast improvement over my other headphones. I'm hoping to pick up an Elear soon to compare, but these definitely get the job done.

 

[602071349]

HD800 or HD800s have great soundstage, but a big soundstage has nothing to do with being more accurate. It all depends on the music genre you listen to.

 

[squee116]

I'm not referring to accurate reproduction so much as imaging. I've noticed that some headphones "throw" the sound to places it isn't coming from in games and movies. I've had the HD800 for the better part of the week, and so far I haven't had these problems. Actually, the imaging has so far been incredible.

 

[NuclearRedfield]

The HD800S is not warm. It is warmer than the HD800 but it is still quite a bright sort of headphone. If you prefer a warmer sound, then go for the Focal Elear but the downside to that is the sound stage on the Elear, at least in my opinion, is incredibly small. I personally wouldn't consider the Elear for gaming, the HD800S or HD800 is a much better fit in my opinion. However, whether you will like the HD800/S or Elear for music is up to your personal preference. Another decent choice would be the Hifiman Edition X, if you are willing to get a planar instead of a dynamic. It is definitely much warmer than the HD800S and also has a good soundstage.

The Elear doesn't have an "incredibly small" stage. It's a respectable size. It's certainly larger than that of the Clear and Utopia.