Onkyo A800 – "MASTER CLASS"

[stasta]

Hello A800 owners.
The A800 became unavailable before it was even barely mentioned even in Japan.
A few owners had generally good feedback, but I don't think almost any headphone freaks bought them.
I think it was because the design did not seem to be to their liking, ONKYO was not so famous in the headphone field at that time, and the sound was not outstanding in a short listening time.
I ran out to buy it after reading this thread. Fortunately, it is not hard to get used ones in Japan now.
The sound is not surprising but too natural. I don't know of any other headphones like these. It seems like there is a lot of bass, but it is actually very natural. Is this what the curves mean?
I think these are the ultimate headphones that are aurally natural and easy to listen to. Most high-end headphones deliver awesome sound with impact to justify the price.
The A800s are not one of those, so some may not find them to be a good enough value for those looking for a certain kind of high-end wow factor. (However, they are phenomenal considering the price, so who wouldn't find them worthwhile?)
I think audio (headphones) is in a way a battle against getting used to it and getting bored with it. And I like equipment that I never get bored with.
I think anyone who can get the information and listen to the A800s is lucky.
This has been one of the last things to stay with me.

 

[Saberpunch]

The A800s are not one of those, so some may not find them to be a good enough value for those looking for a certain kind of high-end wow factor. (However, they are phenomenal considering the price, so who wouldn't find them worthwhile?)
I think audio (headphones) is in a way a battle against getting used to it and getting bored with it. And I like equipment that I never get bored with.
I think anyone who can get the information and listen to the A800s is lucky.
This has been one of the last things to stay with me.

Glad you tried and enjoyed Onkyo A800! For the people that is looking for that high-end wow factor, I think they just want more clarity, soundstage or distortion because the Onkyo A800 nails everything else in the category. There is another thing that the Onkyo A800 will probably will not satisfy to a specific group of people. Acoustic Guitar, the Onkyo A800 is godlike. But for the electric guitar, you do want some distortion for that rock and roll. If you want more distortion, adding tubes to the chain will help.

That is the only reason I could think of why people isn’t wow by the Onkyo A800, other than that, the Onkyo A800 is S-tier.

 

[protoss]

Is this what the curves mean?

Yes, the curve ultimately should portray a natural authentic sound. A smooth flow without any unnatural frequency bumps. As you mention with other headphones they artificially boost certain frequencies to impress us. With A800 it's more about your music collection recordings now.

And yeah, the bass is somewhat overwhelming, giving every song an IMAX movie experience it seems. Best bass in town, it rumbles and bangs the cups too

I now only strictly listen to classical music with tubes and selected amps so A800 is next to perfect. Not even HD800 or 009 can make classical music sound better than A800.

 

[Sonic Defender]

I had been sent the A800 the H900 and the Bluetooth H500BTB by Gibson Innovations to review (all reviews posted here) when the entire lineup was new. All very good headphones without a doubt. I completely agree the A800 is underappreciated and punches well above it's price. Preferences are subjective of course, and as good as the A800 is, there are certainly for my preferences other headphones that I would consider "better". The A800 is truly a lovely headphone and I think for those who can still find them used well worth acquiring. Keep in mind that the drivers were made by the same company that made the Fidelio X drivers for Phillips. I had a Fidelio X2 at the same time and I would say it was also quite close to the A800 in overall performance, but I do remember finding the A800 more refined sounding and better at keeping composed when the volume was higher.

Very happy that the A800 still gets some love. It very much deserved more respect. Sadly I think Gibson Innovations was struggling at that time, and in terms of marketing and distribution they were not quite able to get the exposure where it needed to be. I believe that I sent my set of A800's to Macedonianhero to review and I think he also quite liked them. I am trying to remember if he posted his review here back in 2016/2017?

 

[protoss]

@Sonic Defender

Thanks to you and others, I was able to discover what is truly a natural human sound. And where in the frequency the curve needs to be for a "smooth curve," for the natural decay.

Other headphones, like 99% are all unnatural and misleading. Stax for example are all unnatural sounding headphones. And most to all other headphones too. I am now not impress with any headphones that shows unnatural unnecessary distortion.

The only problem with A800 is it can be too natural that it's boring, but the imax bass makes it up for it.

 

[stasta]

このスレッドの一部が言っているように、真空管アンプとの相性は抜群です。
最近、ヘッドフォン出力のないアンプからヘッドフォン出力を取り出すエナジャイザーを購入しました。
ヘッドフォン出力のない 300B アンプがいくつかありますが、あまり使用していないので、それらを試しています。それは確かに素晴らしく、有機的に聞こえ、A800 の長所を拡張します。他のEL34、KT88～150のアンプも試してみようと思いますが、この時点で満足すぎてアンプを持ち運ぶ気になれません。
エナジャイザーは、今年購入したすべてのものの中でA800と同じくらい優れています. 劣化なく同じ音がスピーカーから出ている気がします。アンプの選択肢が大幅に広がります。

 

[stasta]

I have not tried it, but there seems to be some cables for a800 sold on AliExpress, including balanced ones.
I think it was not sold before. Why now…

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mspwi0I
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mNJWHSO

 

[Sonic Defender]

I have not tried it, but there seems to be some cables for a800 sold on AliExpress, including balanced ones.
I think it was not sold before. Why now…

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mspwi0I
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mNJWHSO

Good question? Maybe the A800 has more of a following now? That happens sometimes, people gain an appreciation after something is gone. I can't imagine that it needs balanced though, I can't say that I remember them as difficult to drive, but why the heck not. I imagine if I had them still and also had a balanced amp, I would probably get the cable even if it wouldn't make a sound quality difference. Almost like being a collector.

 

[Sonic Defender]

@Sonic Defender

Thanks to you and others, I was able to discover what is truly a natural human sound. And where in the frequency the curve needs to be for a "smooth curve," for the natural decay.

Other headphones, like 99% are all unnatural and misleading. Stax for example are all unnatural sounding headphones. And most to all other headphones too. I am now not impress with any headphones that shows unnatural unnecessary distortion.

The only problem with A800 is it can be too natural that it's boring, but the imax bass makes it up for it.

Really glad that you enjoy it so much, it never did get the respect it deserved. I thought it was also a very beautiful design to look at and hold.

 

[nagi8404]

Anyone knows where can I get leather pads for these?

 

[Saberpunch]

Anyone knows where can I get leather pads for these?

In America, I use ZMF Pads. I am not sure what your options are in Japan. Yaxi pads works great with the Onkyo A800 if you like those.

 

[Saberpunch]

@nagi8404 Brainwavz angled pads seem to be a another good option too from the other thread if you could find one.

 

[nagi8404]

In America, I use ZMF Pads. I am not sure what your options are in Japan. Yaxi pads works great with the Onkyo A800 if you like those.

I can buy internationally so that's not a problem.
How do you take the pads off and how do you fit those 3rd party pads to Onkyo's?

 

[Saberpunch]

I can buy internationally so that's not a problem.
How do you take the pads off and how do you fit those 3rd party pads to Onkyo's?

I just pull it out and fit the pads in. I make sure the thick side is at the back and the thin side is in the front. Don’t follow the line imo, it’s misleading. Just remember thick in the back, thin in front or whatever most comfortable to your ears. I link a video below to make pad rolling easier. Most headphones including the Onkyo are universally how you change pads with the video below.

 

[boodi]

Hello A800 owners.
The A800 became unavailable before it was even barely mentioned even in Japan.
A few owners had generally good feedback, but I don't think almost any headphone freaks bought them.
I think it was because the design did not seem to be to their liking, ONKYO was not so famous in the headphone field at that time, and the sound was not outstanding in a short listening time.
I ran out to buy it after reading this thread. Fortunately, it is not hard to get used ones in Japan now.
The sound is not surprising but too natural. I don't know of any other headphones like these. It seems like there is a lot of bass, but it is actually very natural. Is this what the curves mean?
I think these are the ultimate headphones that are aurally natural and easy to listen to. Most high-end headphones deliver awesome sound with impact to justify the price.
The A800s are not one of those, so some may not find them to be a good enough value for those looking for a certain kind of high-end wow factor. (However, they are phenomenal considering the price, so who wouldn't find them worthwhile?)
I think audio (headphones) is in a way a battle against getting used to it and getting bored with it. And I like equipment that I never get bored with.
I think anyone who can get the information and listen to the A800s is lucky.
This has been one of the last things to stay with me.

Hello to you . I too collected them . I have had 4 of them , acyually hold 2 + 1 on borrow from quite a time now . They sound slightly different the one from the other and express their maximum potential on a balanced configuration , that is how I use them only , one with an ofc balanced cable and the other with a mixed copper/silver balanced cable ; cable apart , one produce a more open and close sound and more surprising or exciting at first , the other little more distant but slightly more natural and more right tonally , this is the one I used the most lately . I always wondered about this difference as in some high end headphones and brands it can happen, and this is the case too ; the third I have on borrow is again a different sounding pair has it has a more pitchy accent -or more resonant- on sone highs and is more fatiguing for me. Slightly different but audible .
Speaking of the two on current use , they both add some hollow honkyness or what is some sort of hamony overlap or glare on some low-mids ( harmonic distortion?) , it is hardly noticeable on casual listening but I decided for some eq for reducing it so I use them only equalized, i suspect this is house sound and slight problem of all a800.
Also because the upfront open sound can be quite murky and dark on first and before ears adapt , eq helps in this regard too.
I also added some thick angled pads as the one mentioned in this thread , lambskin pads on a pair and velvet pads on another , to furtherly distance the drivers from ears ( if you dare to remotely think at Abyss 1266.. ) , the house sound remains gross rich with airy and seducing bass nuances , but the extra distance definitely helps in defining soundstage ; a800 have a preference to portray drums guitar in pop rock etc, and strings in orchestra , in fact I was surprised to hear so frequently drums so close and upfront with them Vs other headphones set as a drummer ; also archs ( viola in particular ) can be emotional . They pair well with clear trasparent sources ; a slightly bright source can benefit them whereas they pair badly with warm sources ; a matched tube amp can help add some life in vocals or mids, not my preference for them anyhow.

I would comment or define their sound as rich seducing and dark , gross and sinking well down on bass frequencies ; depending on music and tracks sometimes it can vibrate pads on cheeks and it is impressive and rich ; while other times it seduce with good manner handle body and presence ; tone accuracy for different drums or skins of drums is nice too to have.. , this is on balanced configuration and my setup ; unbalanced they sound more polite and edcuated , still rich and lush but more gentle , the bass or drums are sill beefy but not under hands and conducting as when they are cabled balanced ; in both cases they are some of the most un-fatiguing headphones ever tried , this is likely due to a combination of very low distortion on highs as well as a sort of absence in the attack region , they prefer core and decay of the sound to attack at least my ears say so ; i feel they are quite much better then recabled hd600 ; not better then recabled hd650 but not worse , still better then hd650 for bass resolution and low frequency range as well as behind for vocal rendition and orchestra or classical music rendering.

I bought the extra angled pads for them on Aliexpress , they do the job and are both comfortable .
As for the balanced cables copper is their preference as silver will sound 1mm more resolving and a little bigger on bass but less natural, as usually happens with silver cables