SENNHEISER HD800 LOWER LEFT OUTPUT

[RIQUE]

After about 2 years in storage I notice left channel of my HD800 is lower sounding than right. I swapped cable but same
thing. No physical damage or abuse. Have them since new. Any advise on how to troubleshoot appreciated.

 

[dunring]

I'd check the connector on the cup first with a flashlight for any corrosion from storage. Putting contact cleaner on a Q tip can usually clean it out. Just go easy so you don't leave any fibers inside.
If it was a moist area there's 5 gram desicant bags for a few dollars on Amazon. A few days in a box with them might do it.

 

[buidoimiennui]

I think it's your ears, my ears over time have unbalanced hearing on both sides. Open a full-range audio file, you will see that there are frequencies that one ear will hear louder than the other. Try it.

 

[DenverW]

I think it's your ears, my ears over time have unbalanced hearing on both sides. Open a full-range audio file, you will see that there are frequencies that one ear will hear louder than the other. Try it.

I’d give him the benefit of the doubt from listening to the other headphones in his collection, that are in his signature. Perhaps if he mentioned that EVERY pair had an imbalance…

 

[RIQUE]

I think it's your ears, my ears over time have unbalanced hearing on both sides. Open a full-range audio file, you will see that there are frequencies that one ear will hear louder than the other. Try it.

I just got a pair of Grado HD100 SE and no imbalance here or on other units. So no my hearing. Will follow advise and check connectors.

 

[NotJeffBuckley]

With 600 series I would suggest making sure the drivers are still both equally snapped into the retainer clips, as it can happen that the cans get jostled and one of them unclips from one or two of them, leading to a lower sound level and altered frequency perceptions since it's not really pointing at your ear correctly anymore. Happened to my HD-650 once in my 20 year span of owning them, carefully opened them up and popped it back into place - right as rain. But, I am sorry, I don't know if that can happen to the 800s.

 

[RIQUE]

With 600 series I would suggest making sure the drivers are still both equally snapped into the retainer clips, as it can happen that the cans get jostled and one of them unclips from one or two of them, leading to a lower sound level and altered frequency perceptions since it's not really pointing at your ear correctly anymore. Happened to my HD-650 once in my 20 year span of owning them, carefully opened them up and popped it back into place - right as rain. But, I am sorry, I don't know if that can happen to the 800s.

I think you're spot on. That is what I feel like. Seems left speaker is aiming incorrectly. Will give it a look. Thanks.