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

[DivineCurrent]

Nice impressions of the HD800S vs HD650 -- they match mine pretty much exactly! I think the HD650 is more linear through the upper mids / lower treble, whereas the HD800S (and HD800, for that matter) has a slight, broad dip in that region. I'm kind of sensitive to that frequency range, so I actually find the HD800S slightly less fatiguing than the HD650 (although it seems most people would probably say the other way around).

Lol, believe it or not, I find the 650s more fatiguing too! At least in that frequency area. I think it is directly a result of the more intimate nature of the 650s. You actually get more detail than the 800S in the high mids because of how close the drivers are to your ears. But with the 800S, that dip is probably due to the greater distance the drivers are from your ears. Makes for a very speaker-like experience, which I always enjoy.

 

[mcemce13]

  Just sharing - don't underestimate EQ'ing your HD 800S's. Using the high quality EQ feature in Sonic Amarra, I pumped up 29Hz and 63Hz by about 5.5 db (and lowered volume by 6 avoid distortion), and now it almost made them basshead cans!
 
If you're used to an even thicker presentation than stock, you might give it a try. I'm quite happy with what the HD800S is capable of since along with a nice thick bass kick, I also have a much more clear presentation along the mids and highs and wider soundstage than typically darker signature headphones would even come close to having. 
 
In other words, damn, these thing scale so well!
 
 

 

​I did exactly the same in Audirvana+ with FabFilter Pro 2, boosted the bass area 4-5 db lowering the volume to avoid distortion and I like them very much how they sound. I use them side by side with my LCD-XC, and while presentation is different, I cant say I miss the bass in the HD800s compared to the LCD-XC.

 

[James-uk]

Is anyone else tempted by the focal Elear like I am? The question is do sell the HD800S to fund them?!

 

[Kyle 491]

I have both 800 and 800S, may sell the 800S if the Elear sounds as good as it measures. 800S gets barely any playtime next to my EQ'd, dialled in 800.

 

[Thenazgul]

  I have both 800 and 800S, may sell the 800S if the Elear sounds as good as it measures. 800S gets barely any playtime next to my EQ'd, dialled in 800.

Think the 800S is better than the Elear. The Utopia -version a different story though. 

 

[Mediahound]

Is anyone else tempted by the focal Elear like I am? The question is do sell the HD800S to fund them?!

I'll be direct comparing them myself. 

 

[FLTWS]

 
I'll be direct comparing them myself. 

 
Looking forward to your thoughts.

 

[Mediahound]

   
Looking forward to your thoughts.

I can actually give initial impressions since I heard the Elear at the SF Head-Fi meet 2 weeks ago. 
 
The Elear has a more relaxed sound, but less resolving than the HD800S. More bass impact too, and probably a bit more musical, but not as accurate. It's also not as comfortable as the HD800S with smaller earcups. It sorta feels like it sits more on the ear than over the ear, when comparing the fit to the HD800S.  
 
The best test for me will be which one I enjoy listening to more. I will only be able to tell this after having the Elear for a few weeks along side my HD800S. 

 

[Whazzzup]

 

   
Looking forward to your thoughts.

I can actually give initial impressions since I heard the Elear at the SF Head-Fi meet 2 weeks ago. 
 
The Elear has a more relaxed sound, but less resolving than the HD800S. More bass impact too, and probably a bit more musical, but not as accurate. It's also not as comfortable as the HD800S with smaller earcups. It sorta feels like it sits more on the ear than over the ear, when comparing the fit to the HD800S.  
 
The best test for me will be which one I enjoy listening to more. I will only be able to tell this after having the Elear for a few weeks along side my HD800S. 

more interested in utopia at more than twice the price. Can more money do it or no

 

[Mediahound]

 
more interested in utopia at more than twice the price. Can more money do it or no

Not sure here, and I'm not going to find out since I refuse to pay that kind of money. 

 

[hotreks]

And vs LCD XC? Do HD800 have anyy isolation is it like semi-open or definitely like fully open and does the other people around you hear you?

 

[Whazzzup]

And vs LCD XC? Do HD800 have anyy isolation is it like semi-open or definitely like fully open and does the other people around you hear you?

Hd800S is an open back hp so close the door when playing, your baby will wake up.

 

[fapman]

Can somebody do me a huge favor?

Measure the width and length of the silk-box for me where the HD800S came.   If somebody can do this for me i would appreciate it a lot! 

 

[Thenazgul]

  Can somebody do me a huge favor?

Measure the width and length of the silk-box for me where the HD800S came.   If somebody can do this for me i would appreciate it a lot! 

34 cm (height), 27 cm width, 14 cm depth 

 

[ubs28]

 
more interested in utopia at more than twice the price. Can more money do it or no

In the $4000 range there are very good sounding reference speakers so I'll probably not buy it. No idea what makes headphones cost as much as speakers nowadays.
 
I think I will skip the Utopia. But I will listen to them anyway once they become available.