[Energy]

Sterile indeed. The HD800S helps, but you won't like it unless you EQ. I'm not saying that about the HD800/HD800S only, but it's true about all headphones.
 
Nothing sounds good out of the box. Everything needs calibration unless you're buying a completely flat frequency studio monitor.
 
Personally I ditched the whole SonarWorks as it makes all my songs sound like MP3 for some reason. Maybe I installed it wrong or maybe I'm using 64bit windows but have a 32bit plugin. Who knows.
 
Within the last couple months I've tweaked this to be the best sound equalization adjustment i could do using J.River Media Center. If you're using a HD800, I recommend the 6kHz by another -1dB or more. This setting helps to increase bass, forward the mids a little, and reduce the treble glare.
 
Note: You may have to tweak it further to what sounds good to you as not all HD800S's measure the same.
 

 

[Gamergtx260]

  Guys. I'm scared.
 
The 800S is all that's left in my climb up Mt Sennheiser.
 
I liked the 800 okay but found it too sterile and unengaging.
 
My 700s are kinda perfect.
 
I worry that the 800S is where I should be, but I cannot justify the funds as yet.
 
Help me.

Agreed. The 800s are sterile but I liked them especially after the super dupont mod but they still had the harshness in some songs. Ultimately, I sold them and bought the 800S two days back. I believe in burn-in and they are already at 40 hour mark. 
I would say the 800S are like More bass + Same mids + Less fatiguing treble + slightly lesser soundstage (still wide enough) of the 800s. They are truly an upgrade over the 800s in my opinion.

 

[Gamergtx260]

  Sterile indeed. The HD800S helps, but you won't like it unless you EQ. I'm not saying that about the HD800/HD800S only, but it's true about all headphones.
 
Nothing sounds good out of the box. Everything needs calibration unless you're buying a completely flat frequency studio monitor.
 
Personally I ditched the whole SonarWorks as it makes all my songs sound like MP3 for some reason. Maybe I installed it wrong or maybe I'm using 64bit windows but have a 32bit plugin. Who knows.
 
Within the last couple months I've tweaked this to be the best sound equalization adjustment i could do using J.River Media Center. If you're using a HD800, I recommend the 6kHz by another -1dB or more.
 

Hey you  

 

[swspiers]

Guys. I'm scared.

The 800S is all that's left in my climb up Mt Sennheiser.

I liked the 800 okay but found it too sterile and unengaging.

My 700s are kinda perfect.

I worry that the 800S is where I should be, but I cannot justify the funds as yet.

Help me.

I was scared, too. Real scared.

All I can tell you is, it's okay. Really.

 

[SomeGuyDude]

I was scared, too. Real scared.

All I can tell you is, it's okay. Really.

Is the S as finicky with gear as the 800 apparently was? I don't feel like replacing everything.

 

[Energy]

  Is the S as finicky with gear as the 800 apparently was? I don't feel like replacing everything.

 
Much less. More resolving for sure, however still analytical. 

 

[SomeGuyDude]

   
Much less. More resolving for sure, however still analytical. 

I wonder if anyone 'round here has heard them vs the 700s. I'd love to hear opinions.

 

[Rob80b]

  I wonder if anyone 'round here has heard them vs the 700s. I'd love to hear opinions.

the short of it...bought the 700s, bought the 800s...sold them kept the 700s, bought the 800S..sold the 700s... : )
IMHO the 800S are a wonderful phone, maybe could use a bit more body but are more engaging and natural sounding than the 800s....the balance and tonality is just about perfect....for me. : )

 

[Gamergtx260]

 
the short of it...bought the 700s, bought the 800s...sold them kept the 700s, bought the 800S..sold the 700s... : )
IMHO the 800S are a wonderful phone, maybe could use a bit more body but are more engaging and natural sounding than the 800s....the balance and tonality is just about perfect....for me. : )

Couldn't have said it better

 

[Rob80b]

  Is the S as finicky with gear as the 800 apparently was? I don't feel like replacing everything.

Both are very resolving,  so more or less yes , the "S" maybe a little less...thing to remember is that either 800 are an engaging phone, they demand your attention and I find them quite immersive...love the tonality, clarity and sound staging .... wouldn't say they're a phone to chill out to, I leave that to the Audeze and Senn's HD650.....you should be fine with your gear.....for now.

 

[swspiers]

 


the short of it...bought the 700s, bought the 800s...sold them kept the 700s, bought the 800S..sold the 700s... : )
IMHO the 800S are a wonderful phone, maybe could use a bit more body but are more engaging and natural sounding than the 800s....the balance and tonality is just about perfect....for me. : )

Couldn't have said it better

Me either. I might consider the Ether Flow for more 'body'. But darn, between these and my Alpha Primes, I'm pretty set.

 

[SomeGuyDude]

 
Both are very resolving,  so more or less yes , the "S" maybe a little less...thing to remember is that either 800 are an engaging phone, they demand your attention and I find them quite immersive...love the tonality, clarity and sound staging .... wouldn't say they're a phone to chill out to, I leave that to the Audeze and Senn's HD650.....you should be fine with your gear.....for now.

 
Hmmm. Yeah, I'm looking at the charts and it looks like the 800S is pretty smoothed out compared to the 800, that treble peak is significantly lower. Seems like it'll have the kind of body I'm looking forward to without the sharp edge of the 700s. 
 
My issue with the normal 800s was the treble was so potent it made listening at a "fun" volume impossible, an issue I don't have with the 700, but if the 800s keep most of the benefits with a more laid back approach...
 
(FWIW as much as I admire the 650s I'm not keeping mine).

 

[Whazzzup]

I dunno who to thank. Hd800S ( most likely culprit)  or chord TT or GSX MK2 or double helix prion 4, but wiser golf clap I'm really impressed. 

 

[bigbeard]

What would you suggest if I were thinking of selling my hd800 for an hd800S. Is it worth the trouble?

 

[Gamergtx260]

  What would you suggest if I were thinking of selling my hd800 for an hd800S. Is it worth the trouble?

I did the same. And I would say they are truly an upgrade over the 800s. If you listen only to symphonies and orchestral music then I would say keep the 800s. For everything else (and orchestral music included) the 800S are truly amazing.