[aberforth]

Ahoy! there experts...I can't make up my mind about something and I need your assistance.
 
-Should I buy Senheiser HD 800 or are there any cheaper alternatives?
-Will it sound better than my Bose QC3?
-What is it primarily used for?
-I read somewhere that it won't sound good for the first 3 months, can you please explain this clearly?
 
thanks.

 

[Currawong]

What are you going to plug them in to?  They are overkill if you're say, just plugging them into your computer or iPod for example.

 

[aberforth]

My notebook computer....
 

 

[jaywalkra]

Yeah, you can't just plug in your HD 800 into your notebook and expect to listen to that wonderful sound everyone's been raving about.

 

[SoSpecial]

 
Quote:

My notebook computer....
 

Yes definitely not gonna wanna buy an HD800 then, if you like it's sound but you don't want to spend alot of money on an amp and a DAC worthy of it then look into an HD555.

 

[Rotaryphone]

Good dac and amp is a must if you want that hd800 to sound like it ment to, otherwise you will be dispointed. There is a few dac/amp that are cheaper than hd 800.

 

[Coupe]

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/512718/hd555-now-75-free-shipping  
 
This thread stole 75 bux from me 

 
 
You can mod 555s pretty easily.

 

[aberforth]

Quote:

 

Yes definitely not gonna wanna buy an HD800 then, if you like it's sound but you don't want to spend alot of money on an amp and a DAC worthy of it then look into an HD555.

But is it really good? it's cheaper than my bose qc3s and how about Senheiser PXC 450?

 

[Coupe]

Bose is a touchy subject on this forum.
 
Many believe that they are overpriced and over hyped.
 
I will say that the HD555 is a staple Senn can.
 
Also, it can be modded very easily to change the sound.  From what I have read it benefits greatly from an amp, but doesn't require one.
 
At that price I purchased one to experience my first Sennheiser. 

 
This way you can buy a decent amp and/or DAC and get your first audiophile experience.

 

[aberforth]

Quote:

Bose is a touchy subject on this forum.
 
Many believe that they are overpriced and over hyped.
 
I will say that the HD555 is a staple Senn can.
 
Also, it can be modded very easily to change the sound.  From what I have read it benefits greatly from an amp, but doesn't require one.
 
At that price I purchased one to experience my first Sennheiser. 

 
This way you can buy a decent amp and/or DAC and get your first audiophile experience.

 
Alright thanks, I'll buy HD 555 with an amp.

 

[SoSpecial]

Quote:

 
Alright thanks, I'll buy HD 555 with an amp.

If this is your first nice set of headphones then those will do well. They will also get you a taste of the Sennhieser sound without breaking the bank.
 
If you like what you hear then you can move on from their and with an amp you will be able to upgrade to nice cans later and still do them justice. I'd say to look into a good DAC aswell.