[ST33L]

I wanted to love these, but the lack bass, even when EQ’ed, wasn’t enough to keep them… On a positive note, the imaging and soundstage was amazing.

 

[vlach]

I fell in love with all the online reviews of the HiFiMan Susvara. So I bought a high-powered amp to drive them (Ifi Ican Signature) and Susvara's. Both used, but recently purchased as new. Already had HD800S + Woo WA22.

I think the 800S, driven thru WA22 sounds better.

I guess I'm feeling that if Sennheiser wanted to improve it's SQ with a planar it would do so. I drive a German vehicle (Porsche - 3rd one) and have a kitchen full of German appliances. Many of you do also.

I'm feeling like all this blah, blah about Focal, Abyss, Susvara..is just that. Blah blah.

I always go back to the 800S with the WA22 for my 70's-80's soul music. Thinking I just wasted $6,000.

Would love any responses.

I'm not surprised to hear that you prefer the HD800s + WA22 but i think it would be important to isolate the headphones from their respective chain and test them against each other on the same amp.
I would be interested to know which headphone you prefer driven from the Ifi Ican Signature. If you still prefer the HD800s then it's case closed.

 

[Spawn300Z]

I wanted to love these, but the lack bass, even when EQ’ed, wasn’t enough to keep them… On a positive note, the imaging and soundstage was amazing.

They don’t lack bass it’s your chain.

 

[ST33L]

Ha… OK. They have weak bass. Well documented. My chain is fine.

 

[Spawn300Z]

Ha… OK. They have weak bass. Well documented. My chain is fine.

With right chain they not weak. I have them also

 

[vlach]

With right chain they not weak. I have them also

Depends which headphone you compare it to.
Is it full bodied? Not really but you can't have everything and no headphone is perfect.

 

[sp33ls]

I love my 800S, but it is, in fact, not the strongest in bass response.

 

[BillinSF]

I'm not surprised to hear that you prefer the HD800s + WA22 but i think it would be important to isolate the headphones from their respective chain and test them against each other on the same amp.
I would be interested to know which headphone you prefer driven from the Ifi Ican Signature. If you still prefer the HD800s then it's case closed.

I love the 800S driven by the iCan. But, for everyday listening, I prefer the tubey goodness of the WA22.
I bought XLR splitter cables so the DAC connects to both the Woo and the iCan. Fully balanced throughout.

Not knocking the Susvara at all, just prefer the 800S. The guy I bought them from said he wanted more slam and was moving on to the Abyss Phi TC.

 

[Whazzzup]

Thought about 1266 tc but ouch sticker shock, there are bass slam options out there with more of a V profile like th900. Granted 1266 is more balanced but ouch.
hd800s has all the bass one needs, if it’s needed in my chain. Again I want slam I go to th900, but I’m always back to hd800S. And gee ton of sales on hd800S to 1400 cad. Friggen give away pricing. I mean 1400$ Canadian for a commercial flagship? Not 12 g like abyss tc.

 

[LanceSaintPaul]

HD-800S bass is lean not weak.

 

[Luckyleo]

They don’t lack bass it’s your chain.

Or maybe one's sonic preferences are different than yours. One man's heavy bass is barely enough for someone else.

Just saying

Leo

 

[BillinSF]

Thought about 1266 tc but ouch sticker shock, there are bass slam options out there with more of a V profile like th900. Granted 1266 is more balanced but ouch.
hd800s has all the bass one needs, if it’s needed in my chain. Again I want slam I go to th900, but I’m always back to hd800S. And gee ton of sales on hd800S to 1400 cad. Friggen give away pricing. I mean 1400$ Canadian for a commercial flagship? Not 12 g like abyss tc.

I noticed that the price of the 800S has recently been reduced quite significantly -$300. You are right; what a bargain.

When I considered the Susvara a few weeks ago I was horrified by the $6K price. Won an eBay auction for $3,500 (barely used). All original packaging and accessories were included and in great shape. Similar good experience with the ICan amp I just purchased.

I guess there are lots of folks out there who buy stuff to try out but haven't fully committed so they keep all the boxes, etc. There are deals to be had it seems.

 

[vlach]

HD-800S bass is lean not weak.

Well said.

 

[TYATYA]

I love my 800S, but it is, in fact, not the strongest in bass response.

It's just a right bass, no more no less.
Sometimes feel lacking of bass, that is the time does not have bass in signal, not due to hd800s.
I found my 800s enough bass for movies too.
800s with leather pad and hold tight the cups sound just right bass I want

 

[milkdudd]

It may already have been addressed somewhere in the nearly 8,000 posts, but does anyone know how the HD800S works with the Violectric V281 amp? Currently using it with the Dan Clark Ether 2. Thanks