Sennheiser HD800 S Impressions Thread (read first post for summary)

[Temudschin]

HD800S also sounds great on OTL tube amps. Completely transforms it in some respects to have much more impact and greater dynamics. I always preferred 800 series on tubes.

Indeed, the HD800S together with my Feliks Audio Euforia Evo. Oh, what a combo! It always takes me to a faraway place. Musical heaven

 

[djsolidsnake86]

hello im undecided between hd800s and shure 1840,someone has both and can do a comparation? thanks

i actually use a hd660s and i dont like the dark signature with the sennheiser veil, also hd800s has this sound signature?

 

[chesebert]

hello im undecided between hd800s and shure 1840,someone has both and can do a comparation? thanks

i actually use a hd660s and i dont like the dark signature with the sennheiser veil, also hd800s has this sound signature?

1. 660S has no veil in the right system
2. It depends.

 

[djsolidsnake86]

1. 660S has no veil in the right system
2. It depends.

https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones...d660s_sound_very_dull_and_veiled_compared_to/
there is the veil

 

[JerseyD]

hello im undecided between hd800s and shure 1840,someone has both and can do a comparation? thanks

i actually use a hd660s and i dont like the dark signature with the sennheiser veil, also hd800s has this sound signature?

I have not heard the Shure, but I can say with confidence that the 800S is not dark at all and has no veil whatsoever.

 

[Thenewguy007]

hello im undecided between hd800s and shure 1840,someone has both and can do a comparation? thanks

i actually use a hd660s and i dont like the dark signature with the sennheiser veil, also hd800s has this sound signature?

The HD800 is the opposite of the HD600 line of headphones. Zero veil or dark sound.

 

[djsolidsnake86]

The HD800 is the opposite of the HD600 line of headphones. Zero veil or dark sound.

and what choose between the "old" hd800 or the new hd800s?

 

[Thenewguy007]

and what choose between the "old" hd800 or the new hd800s?

HD800s are slightly warmer sounding.

 

[sygnus21]

I have not heard the Shure, but I can say with confidence that the 800S is not dark at all and has no veil whatsoever.

Agreed. There is no veil with the Sennheiser HD800 S unless your gear is putting it there.

HD800s are slightly warmer sounding.

It must be your gear then because the HD800 S have been accused of a few things, but being "warm" isn't one of them. In fact, they are known as a bright headphone, and why it is not a good idea to use them in a bright system. Here you'd want a warm system to tame their brightness.... unless "brightness" is your thing.

 

[bagwell359]

The HD800 is the opposite of the HD600 line of headphones. Zero veil or dark sound.

I'd agree 800 S oppo 650, but not the 600. IMO the 600 is the closest of the 6** to the 800 Series in terms of overall timbre - certainly not the soundstage which either 800 >>>> 600.

The 800 has cleaner bass than the 800 S and seems to be the choice for JAR mods vs the 800S from what I understand. There are those that say the 800S has had silent upgrades and is now better than the earlier 800 S but I don't know that is it, just mentioning that some folks say that.

 

[Lemondante]

It must be your gear then because the HD800 S have been accused of a few things, but being "warm" isn't one of them. In fact, they are known as a bright headphone, and why it is not a good idea to use them in a bright system. Here you'd want a warm system to tame their brightness.... unless "brightness" is your thing.

I think he meant "warmer" than hd800 which is true

 

[sygnus21]

I think he meant "warmer" than hd800 which is true

Yeah, a point of reference would have been helpful.... or did I miss that reference?

Thanks.

 

[Digital Enigma]

https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones...d660s_sound_very_dull_and_veiled_compared_to/
there is the veil

After all these years theres still arguments of veil

@bagwell359 It is likely there have been silent revisions but theres also unit variation to consider

 

[sygnus21]

Ah, the dreaded charts & plots

 

[LoveKnight]

The Original Sennheiser HD800 which I purchased second-hand last year sounds a little bright to my taste but I used the Crinacle EQ integrated in Roon EQ. I also have a Sennheiser HD600 new version does not sound veil to my ears but somehow sounds pretty 2D and fatiguing if the song has so many instruments and many things happen in the track. Now I liked to listen to Focal Elear stock earpads. Oh man this headphone sounds like an upgrade from a Sennheiser HD650 with everything was upgraded but I still have to give a compliment to the fantastic magical voices from Sennheiser HD600. Could be one of the best voices from many headphones which I heard.

To the HD800 I think the resolution of this headphone is one of the tops when compare to other high-end headphones on the market even Stax, Hifiman but the problem with this headphone is most things sound usually distant or away. However when the record needs to sound closely this headphone can bring that to but not to intimated degree like Focal Elear or HD600. I also have a HD650 with ZMF sheep earpads to use with my Mac Mini M1 when using. No perfect headphones so I alternate mostly these two headphones HD800, Focal Elear for critical audiophile musics.