The WA22 is certainly adding some excellent tube character to HD800S Anniversary.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Sennheiser HD800 S Impressions Thread (read first post for summary)
- Thread starter shabta
- Start date
freakyflow
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2011
- Posts
- 48
- Likes
- 11
Hi everyone, I have an HD800S on the way and I'm trying to find an amp that will pair will with it for PC gaming (mostly FPS, emphasis on hearing footsteps, distance) and casual music (I enjoy all types of music but would like some bass for the pop/hip-hop/movies experience).
I've done quite a bit of research and although there's tons of great info, it's a bit overwhelming. I'm considering the following and probably up to $500 USD for budget - I'm OK to EQ through Equalizer APO but would ideally like to set once and forget:
- Schiit Hel (I know these may not be the ideal to bring the best out of the HD800S, but I like the simple, all in one solution)
- JDS Atom Amp - seems like lots of recommendation for these for the price
- Schiit Asgard 3, seems like lots of people compliment these for bringing out more color/fun?
- Drop THX 789, I'm really considering these since they are on sale for 199, but I've heard they don't really bring out the 'fun' in the headphones? Will software EQ work well with these to bring out the bass for music?
- Monoprice Monolith DAC/AMP, heard these are very good but these are peaking towards the ceiling of my budget.
I'm siding towards the Hel or 789 because of the positive comments pairing those w/ HD800S from Joshua Valour's reviews but on the same plane I've also read through forums that the Asgard 3 does very well with these.
For the dedicated amps, it may not be ideal but I will likely just use my X570 Aorus Master's DAC to start (unless I get the Hel or Monolith) and if I decide to get a DAC, it'll be another adventure, but I have heard good things about the JDS Atom DAC+.
Thanks for your feedback!
I've done quite a bit of research and although there's tons of great info, it's a bit overwhelming. I'm considering the following and probably up to $500 USD for budget - I'm OK to EQ through Equalizer APO but would ideally like to set once and forget:
- Schiit Hel (I know these may not be the ideal to bring the best out of the HD800S, but I like the simple, all in one solution)
- JDS Atom Amp - seems like lots of recommendation for these for the price
- Schiit Asgard 3, seems like lots of people compliment these for bringing out more color/fun?
- Drop THX 789, I'm really considering these since they are on sale for 199, but I've heard they don't really bring out the 'fun' in the headphones? Will software EQ work well with these to bring out the bass for music?
- Monoprice Monolith DAC/AMP, heard these are very good but these are peaking towards the ceiling of my budget.
I'm siding towards the Hel or 789 because of the positive comments pairing those w/ HD800S from Joshua Valour's reviews but on the same plane I've also read through forums that the Asgard 3 does very well with these.
For the dedicated amps, it may not be ideal but I will likely just use my X570 Aorus Master's DAC to start (unless I get the Hel or Monolith) and if I decide to get a DAC, it'll be another adventure, but I have heard good things about the JDS Atom DAC+.
Thanks for your feedback!
Last edited:
inseconds99
500+ Head-Fier
Sound Blaster X7Hi everyone, I have an HD800S on the way and I'm trying to find an amp that will pair will with it for PC gaming (mostly FPS, emphasis on hearing footsteps, distance) and casual music (I enjoy all types of music but would like some bass for the pop/hip-hop/movies experience).
I've done quite a bit of research and although there's tons of great info, it's a bit overwhelming. I'm considering the following and probably up to $500 USD for budget - I'm OK to EQ through Equalizer APO but would ideally like to set once and forget:
- Schiit Hel (I know these may not be the ideal to bring the best out of the HD800S, but I like the simple, all in one solution)
- JDS Atom Amp - seems like lots of recommendation for these for the price
- Schiit Asgard 3, seems like lots of people compliment these for bringing out more color/fun?
- Drop THX 789, I'm really considering these since they are on sale for 199, but I've heard they don't really bring out the 'fun' in the headphones? Will software EQ work well with these to bring out the bass for music?
- Monoprice Monolith DAC/AMP, heard these are very good but these are peaking towards the ceiling of my budget.
For the dedicated amps, it may not be ideal but I will likely just use my X570 Aorus Master's DAC to start (unless I get the Monolith) and if I decide to get a DAC, it'll be another adventure, but I have heard good things about the JDS Atom DAC+.
Thanks for your feedback!
angelus55
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- May 13, 2011
- Posts
- 191
- Likes
- 41
I own the hd 800 s with the Monoprice Monolith DAC/AMP and use it single ended and it sounds perfectHi everyone, I have an HD800S on the way and I'm trying to find an amp that will pair will with it for PC gaming (mostly FPS, emphasis on hearing footsteps, distance) and casual music (I enjoy all types of music but would like some bass for the pop/hip-hop/movies experience).
I've done quite a bit of research and although there's tons of great info, it's a bit overwhelming. I'm considering the following and probably up to $500 USD for budget - I'm OK to EQ through Equalizer APO but would ideally like to set once and forget:
- Schiit Hel (I know these may not be the ideal to bring the best out of the HD800S, but I like the simple, all in one solution)
- JDS Atom Amp - seems like lots of recommendation for these for the price
- Schiit Asgard 3, seems like lots of people compliment these for bringing out more color/fun?
- Drop THX 789, I'm really considering these since they are on sale for 199, but I've heard they don't really bring out the 'fun' in the headphones? Will software EQ work well with these to bring out the bass for music?
- Monoprice Monolith DAC/AMP, heard these are very good but these are peaking towards the ceiling of my budget.
For the dedicated amps, it may not be ideal but I will likely just use my X570 Aorus Master's DAC to start (unless I get the Monolith) and if I decide to get a DAC, it'll be another adventure, but I have heard good things about the JDS Atom DAC+.
Thanks for your feedback!
I was kind of like you were i would want something more then the eaqualizer apo app, and there were only two amp/dac units that i could find that had a built in eq and the monoprice was cheaper then the rme which was around $1200 i think.
Using the built in eq settings i set the bass and treble to the harman target via oratorys rme eq settings and i don't eq the mids and it sounds perfect for everything then!
I highly recommend the Monoprice Monolith DAC/AMP since if your a gamer like me who also plays console as then you can connect your console to the amp/dac unit and still have the eq enabled then unlike with the apo app your stuck being able to use eq only on the pc then.
Last edited:
freakyflow
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2011
- Posts
- 48
- Likes
- 11
I own the hd 800 s with the Monoprice Monolith DAC/AMP and use it single ended and it sounds perfect
I was kind of like you were i would want something more then the eaqualizer apo app, and there were only two amp/dac units that i could find that had a built in eq and the monoprice was cheaper then the rme which was around $1200 i think.
Using the built in eq settings i set the bass and treble to the harman target via oratorys rme eq settings and i don't eq the mids and it sounds perfect for everything then!
I highly recommend the Monoprice Monolith DAC/AMP since if your a gamer like me who also plays console as then you can connect your console to the amp/dac unit and still have the eq enabled then unlike with the apo app your stuck being able to use eq only on the pc then.
Thanks, I’ve ordered the Monolith based on your recommendation
May I ask what EQ settings you use on it? Does the Monolith have a way to turn off EQ, via switch or on/off?
I assume if you use the hardware EQ, you’re not using PC to EQ at all?
Thanks again!
angelus55
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- May 13, 2011
- Posts
- 191
- Likes
- 41
Glad i could help you find something! with me using my headphones for everything with the majority of my time being gaming and not just music on my pc i needed a global eq option and like i said this fits my needs perfectly! it alsp has a setting called dirac which i dont normally use, but on older recordings were its very left or right channel only audio, the dirac settings adds a bit of cross feed ( it think that is what its called) so it sounds more natural sometimes on things like that, in the zeos review he mentions that and explains it moreThanks, I’ve ordered the Monolith based on your recommendation
May I ask what EQ settings you use on it? Does the Monolith have a way to turn off EQ, via switch or on/off?
I assume if you use the hardware EQ, you’re not using PC to EQ at all?
Thanks again!
yea you can toggle the eq settings on or off completey in the settings. i think zeos reviews has a review on this unit and he goes through the menu options, if you want to get an idea on what it looks like
and yeah with this unit i do not use any other eq on the pc or anything else beside the hardware eq on the unit, the only time i use peace eq on the is to test out new settings as its quicker to test new things on that then the monoprice unit, but after im done testing, i apply it on the unit
sure my eq settings are the following
low shelf of 5.5 db at 100hz
high shelf of -5 db at 10000hz
peak filter of -5 db with q value of 3.5 at 5500hz
peak filter of-2 db with q value of 5 at 6300hz
this was based on the oratorys harman target eq but i leave out the mids section of that as i think it adding that makes it not sound as good
if you search "oratory eq" he has an eq profile for the hd 800 s which was recently updated i think and i took the treble section from that, he also has an rme compatible eq profile which will work on the device your getting since its so similar, here below is the rme/monoprice full eq profile with the updated treble section ( as i think the updated treble section sounds better from the treble section in the rme profile so i combined the two) from the non rme profile if you want to try the whole thing out
low shelf of 5.5 db at 100hz
high shelf of -5 db at 10000hz
peak filter of -5 db with q value of 3.5 at 5500hz
peak filter of of-2 db with q value of 5 at 6300hz
peak filter of -4 db with q value of 0.5 at 170hz
peak filter of -3 db with q value of 0.7 at 1100hz
peak filter of 3 db with q value of 1 at 1500hz
Last edited:
freakyflow
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2011
- Posts
- 48
- Likes
- 11
I got the headphone and dac/amp sooner than expected and I'm loving it so far! I applied the EQ's for a bit more bass and warmth and am really enjoying the flexibility of the HD800S with different musical genres.Glad i could help you find something! with me using my headphones for everything with the majority of my time being gaming and not just music on my pc i needed a global eq option and like i said this fits my needs perfectly! it alsp has a setting called dirac which i dont normally use, but on older recordings were its very left or right channel only audio, the dirac settings adds a bit of cross feed ( it think that is what its called) so it sounds more natural sometimes on things like that, in the zeos review he mentions that and explains it more
yea you can toggle the eq settings on or off completey in the settings. i think zeos reviews has a review on this unit and he goes through the menu options, if you want to get an idea on what it looks like
and yeah with this unit i do not use any other eq on the pc or anything else beside the hardware eq on the unit, the only time i use peace eq on the is to test out new settings as its quicker to test new things on that then the monoprice unit, but after im done testing, i apply it on the unit
sure my eq settings are the following
low shelf of 5.5 db at 100hz
high shelf of -5 db at 10000hz
peak filter of -5 db with q value of 3.5 at 5500hz
peak filter of-2 db with q value of 5 at 6300hz
this was based on the oratorys harman target eq but i leave out the mids section of that as i think it adding that makes it not sound as good
if you search "oratory eq" he has an eq profile for the hd 800 s which was recently updated i think and i took the treble section from that, he also has an rme compatible eq profile which will work on the device your getting since its so similar, here below is the rme/monoprice full eq profile with the updated treble section ( as i think the updated treble section sounds better from the treble section in the rme profile so i combined the two) from the non rme profile if you want to try the whole thing out
low shelf of 5.5 db at 100hz
high shelf of -5 db at 10000hz
peak filter of -5 db with q value of 3.5 at 5500hz
peak filter of of-2 db with q value of 5 at 6300hz
peak filter of -4 db with q value of 0.5 at 170hz
peak filter of -3 db with q value of 0.7 at 1100hz
peak filter of 3 db with q value of 1 at 1500hz
Also tried COD Warzone and these are insane, these sure do enhance the spatial awareness in-game (even though Warzone's sound design is very bad)! My X2HR was very good but these definitely gave me confidence in where exactly footsteps are coming from - I reverted back to no-EQ for gaming.
I guess the only drawback is going back and forth on EQ when listening to music vs gaming but that is a minor inconvenience compared to how flexible these cans are.
Again, thanks for all your help and recommendation on dac/amp!!
tkddans
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2016
- Posts
- 697
- Likes
- 1,316
Just got the HD8XX in! I am always so impressed with how luxurious the HD800 series makes me feel with that new headband and velvety cup texture. These things feel so nice. Still a top favorite aesthetic and feel.
Listening impressions incoming!
Listening impressions incoming!
Sethgun0010
New Head-Fier
The question was comparing HD800/HD800s...Neither are as neutral as AKG812 if that is your priority.
hornytoad
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2016
- Posts
- 816
- Likes
- 343
Rupert neve ?Hi everyone, I have an HD800S on the way and I'm trying to find an amp that will pair will with it for PC gaming (mostly FPS, emphasis on hearing footsteps, distance) and casual music (I enjoy all types of music but would like some bass for the pop/hip-hop/movies experience).
I've done quite a bit of research and although there's tons of great info, it's a bit overwhelming. I'm considering the following and probably up to $500 USD for budget - I'm OK to EQ through Equalizer APO but would ideally like to set once and forget:
- Schiit Hel (I know these may not be the ideal to bring the best out of the HD800S, but I like the simple, all in one solution)
- JDS Atom Amp - seems like lots of recommendation for these for the price
- Schiit Asgard 3, seems like lots of people compliment these for bringing out more color/fun?
- Drop THX 789, I'm really considering these since they are on sale for 199, but I've heard they don't really bring out the 'fun' in the headphones? Will software EQ work well with these to bring out the bass for music?
- Monoprice Monolith DAC/AMP, heard these are very good but these are peaking towards the ceiling of my budget.
I'm siding towards the Hel or 789 because of the positive comments pairing those w/ HD800S from Joshua Valour's reviews but on the same plane I've also read through forums that the Asgard 3 does very well with these.
For the dedicated amps, it may not be ideal but I will likely just use my X570 Aorus Master's DAC to start (unless I get the Hel or Monolith) and if I decide to get a DAC, it'll be another adventure, but I have heard good things about the JDS Atom DAC+.
Thanks for your feedback!
I dont think 789 and Atom will be a good pairing with HD800S. It might sound a little bit lean and thin.Hi everyone, I have an HD800S on the way and I'm trying to find an amp that will pair will with it for PC gaming (mostly FPS, emphasis on hearing footsteps, distance) and casual music (I enjoy all types of music but would like some bass for the pop/hip-hop/movies experience).
I've done quite a bit of research and although there's tons of great info, it's a bit overwhelming. I'm considering the following and probably up to $500 USD for budget - I'm OK to EQ through Equalizer APO but would ideally like to set once and forget:
- Schiit Hel (I know these may not be the ideal to bring the best out of the HD800S, but I like the simple, all in one solution)
- JDS Atom Amp - seems like lots of recommendation for these for the price
- Schiit Asgard 3, seems like lots of people compliment these for bringing out more color/fun?
- Drop THX 789, I'm really considering these since they are on sale for 199, but I've heard they don't really bring out the 'fun' in the headphones? Will software EQ work well with these to bring out the bass for music?
- Monoprice Monolith DAC/AMP, heard these are very good but these are peaking towards the ceiling of my budget.
I'm siding towards the Hel or 789 because of the positive comments pairing those w/ HD800S from Joshua Valour's reviews but on the same plane I've also read through forums that the Asgard 3 does very well with these.
For the dedicated amps, it may not be ideal but I will likely just use my X570 Aorus Master's DAC to start (unless I get the Hel or Monolith) and if I decide to get a DAC, it'll be another adventure, but I have heard good things about the JDS Atom DAC+.
Thanks for your feedback!
Asgard3, RNHP, and Lakepeople G111 might be a better pairing for smoother presentation, for your future consideration.
Btw did they change the HD800S in the recent years? The clamping is much tighter and the headband material feels different as well with the slider being more sturdy. My old HD800S which i bought around 3+ yrs ago the clamping was so damn light and the slider was so loose that the heavy cups could easily slide all the way to the bottom with the slightest pressure.
Plus now the box comes with the cheap ass foam instead of the luxury looking silk cloth...
Sound wise this feels more bass-y compared to my old HD800S from memory
Plus now the box comes with the cheap ass foam instead of the luxury looking silk cloth...
Sound wise this feels more bass-y compared to my old HD800S from memory
Whazzzup
Headphoneus Supremus
memories are as reliable as eye witness testimony
Well I’m definitely sure of the physical changes. As for the sound difference i will double confirm again later with what I used last time. I’m positive I remember how my old HD800S sounds though lol
Anyone here has flagship headphones like the Susvara, TC and Raal and are still smitten by the HD800S?
I own those 3, and during a recent audio session at Sennheiser, really loved the 800S and considering purchasing it, lol. Had heard it too briefly earlier.
I own those 3, and during a recent audio session at Sennheiser, really loved the 800S and considering purchasing it, lol. Had heard it too briefly earlier.
Last edited:
Users who are viewing this thread
Total: 14 (members: 9, guests: 5)