Rob80b
Headphoneus Supremus
If fine detail and space is what you want I would save up to get the HD800. It's like comparing Gordon Ramsey to Mcdonalds. I was absolutely blown away by HD800's seperation and detail. Outside of the Stax 009 ($4,000) I've yet to hear a headphone do it better.
Hi Folex
Been there, done that.
The HD800s are a technical wonder, and what’s funny is that I generally gravitate toward clear precise sound, my Dynaudio Special 25s speakers are the most revealing of their line-up and my Bryston electronics; head-amp, CD player and amps are known for their neutrality, but after 3 days of intense listening with the HD800s they just didn’t do it for me.
I was really hoping my initial couple impressions at my local supplier since they came out would change once hooked up to my own set-up with my music, but my decision for choosing the HD700s initially over the HD800s held fast.
Overall I found the HD800s to have an ever so slightly artificial flavor to them compared to the HD700s, which to my ears sound more grounded and natural, this was especially noticeable with violins on Gyorgy Ligeti’s “Chamber Concerto” on Deutsche Grammophon; there was also an oddity, for me, with the sound field, but that could only be a matter of getting used to.
In the end the HD700s drew me into the music, the HD800s did not.
Maybe if the HD700s had the touch and feel of the 800s it would justify their pricing and would receive less criticism, for me I’m very hard pressed to find any fault with the sound quality, no piercing, peeking gritty highs etc, and I continue to scratch my head for those who discover the contrary.
Like all things in life it comes down to preferences and expectations, mine really like the HD700s over the 800s, some do not.