[TSAVJason]

Usually without tax. Whether you pay tax (and how much) depends on the state and retailer.

Generally when purchasing online, only when it's a same state shipment is tax charged because of the laws. So if you're in Canada and you order from the US, the price should be without tax. If a dealer gives you a 25% discount like the previous post indicates they would be in violation of their dealer agreement. If they are caught, they would be terminated almost instantly. So buyer beware. You may not get support from that dealer and you might be buying gray market goods. This would be bad if something happens to the headphones and you need support.

 

[madwolfa]

Generally when purchasing online, only when it's a same state shipment is tax charged because of the laws.

 
When buying online, the sales tax is only charged if the retailer has a physical presense in the buyer's shipping destination state. Like Amazon has some warehouse in Kansas, so I'm paying the sales tax for every purchase. But if I choose to ship to my buddy in Missouri, then I don't pay any tax (well, technically I still should, but..).

 

[madwolfa]

And then obviously you don't pay any sales taxes if you're shipping abroad. You might be a subject for any import duties and fees, though..

 

[Dadracer]

Thanks guys that makes a bit more sense. In UK & EU the prices you see in store and on-line usually have tax already added. I think this is why in some cases there seems to be such a difference in pricing compared to the USA.

 

[Whazzzup]

 

Usually without tax. Whether you pay tax (and how much) depends on the state and retailer.

Generally when purchasing online, only when it's a same state shipment is tax charged because of the laws. So if you're in Canada and you order from the US, the price should be without tax. If a dealer gives you a 25% discount like the previous post indicates they would be in violation of their dealer agreement. If they are caught, they would be terminated almost instantly. So buyer beware. You may not get support from that dealer and you might be buying gray market goods. This would be bad if something happens to the headphones and you need support.

the 25% refers to currency discount. actually 30% but there is conversion upcharge from credit card companies, exchange rates etc..
also as a buyer of usa goods always get shipped usps and from canada get shipped canada post, you have a much better chance of avoiding duties and taxes. UPS and fed ex use in-house brokers so you get hit every time. Its a ka ching thing for those companies

 

[Eddie Q]

  Thanks guys that makes a bit more sense. In UK & EU the prices you see in store and on-line usually have tax already added. I think this is why in some cases there seems to be such a difference in pricing compared to the USA.

 
That's VAT:  Value Added Tax.
We don't have that in the U.S.

 

[Carlosp]

Hello folks, 
 
I will be receiving a pair of HD800S this weekend and will be using them with a Valhalla 2 and a Bifrost. Can anyone with this combination recommend some good tubes for this setup? 
 
I am hoping to upgrade from the classic HD800, because the piercing highs were just a little bit too much for me sometimes. 
 
Thank you in advance! 

 

[Headmate]

Hey People,
 
Can anyone help me about sound differences between HD800 & HD800S? How does the soundstage compare?
 
and are both models running? HD800 is not discontinued?
 
 
Thanks!

 

[TSAVJason]

Hey People,

Can anyone help me about sound differences between HD800 & HD800S? How does the soundstage compare?

and are both models running? HD800 is not discontinued?


Thanks!

Both models are current. Some say the 800 has the better sound stage but has a high frequency bump between 4-6khz and has a slight bass deficiency. It's said the 800S has been to to express the second order harmonics in the bass range making the 800S warmer. The bump in the high frequency the 800 has is not in the 800S. It's my opinion the 800S is warmer with better bass and I believe the high frequency issue is not in these headphones. Sound stage? I think they are both very close. I think both are great phones and used with good DAP's and/or amps tend to be very impressive.

 

[Dadracer]

I think that much of what you say fits with my own experience but I would add that a lot is dependent on what amplification you are using and if balanced or single ended. I personally did not find any real difference until I compared them both in balanced mode. I really think that people should compare them for themselves in order to decide as if you are not hearing any great difference then get a deal on the HD800?

 

[essentiale]

Take note that whatsoever differences that have been noted here, may in fact be so minute in reality that you may not even notice it. For me, taking away the peak and improving the bass on the HD800S was a great improvement. As a result of this, there may however be some perceived reduction in soundstaging but in my opinion it's not great difference

 

[silversurfer616]

At first I was hesitant to buy the s model as I never really liked the non-s but now I am glad I did. For me the s has more body and that was exactly what I was missing with the old model. Also, agree with other posters that the headphone needs to be used in balanced mode to get more "authority". Colour is an upgrade too.

 

[swspiers]

Take note that whatsoever differences that have been noted here, may in fact be so minute in reality that you may not even notice it. For me, taking away the peak and improving the bass on the HD800S was a great improvement. As a result of this, there may however be some perceived reduction in soundstaging but in my opinion it's not great difference

And for some of us, the slightly reduced soundstage may be a positive.

 

[Headmate]

Thanks: That helped me alot.
 
Looks like most of you guys prefer the S version for being warmer.

 

[rgs9200m]

I am curious about the new HD800S phone, but my issue with the older HD800 (I had it for years)  was not a frequency response or brightness lack-of-detail or even a bass issue. (I actually really liked the controlled detailed transparent bass.)
It was that somehow a sense that the images were sort of distant, with a lack of bloom or inner light that I enjoy on other flagship-level phones (like Grados, Audezes, Staxes, and even on Senn's own HD650 which is a favorite of mine and still gets lots of headtime).
Has anyone else had this impression with the original HD800? Do you know what I mean?
Is the new 800S is better in this area of bloom, image size, intimacy, non-distant sound? That is something I like to have in a headphone to make it engaging and compelling.
 
The best way to describe the HD800 was that after listening for a while, it was like an arm's length feeling, if that makes any sense.