[Remusz911]

Thanks, but that is a bit too expensive for me.

Maybe try this one from China

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004028125862.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.3.2a1445d0TxLlvv&algo_pvid=a52d1a16-3d67-4f08-b469-7c4e1f9efd57&algo_exp_id=a52d1a16-3d67-4f08-b469-7c4e1f9efd57-1&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"12000027792618388"}&pdp_npi=2@dis!USD!177.8!88.9!!!!!@211bf04a16739417601383454d0764!12000027792618388!sea&curPageLogUid=flyo6x2V8BK3

I have bought it, it gave me a more detailed, a little bit more airy and transparent sound compared to the factory one. It will sound more crisp and clear.
A bit more dynamic sound, as if the factory cable is not holding the headphone back anymore. Unleash the extra in it. The factory is more dull in comparision.

I have bought in 1.25 meter length.

You won't be disappointed.

The price is acceptable, the sound will improve, it is more comfortable (the factory cable was too long and heavy for me, where to put it always a problem) and lighter, maybe the only downside is it doesn't look that good because of the colour, only acceptable.

Quality is fine, it did not break for 6 months now, but I am gentle with it of course.

I did not go back to the factory cable.

 

[elfgesang]

Maybe try this one from China

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004028125862.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.3.2a1445d0TxLlvv&algo_pvid=a52d1a16-3d67-4f08-b469-7c4e1f9efd57&algo_exp_id=a52d1a16-3d67-4f08-b469-7c4e1f9efd57-1&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"12000027792618388"}&pdp_npi=2@dis!USD!177.8!88.9!!!!!@211bf04a16739417601383454d0764!12000027792618388!sea&curPageLogUid=flyo6x2V8BK3

I have bought it, it gave me a more detailed, a little bit more airy and transparent sound compared to the factory one. It will sound more crisp and clear.
A bit more dynamic sound, as if the factory cable is not holding the headphone back anymore. Unleash the extra in it. The factory is more dull in comparision.

I have bought in 1.25 meter length.

You won't be disappointed.

The price is acceptable, the sound will improve, it is more comfortable (the factory cable was too long and heavy for me, where to put it always a problem) and lighter, maybe the only downside is it doesn't look that good because of the colour, only acceptable.

Quality is fine, it did not break for 6 months now, but I am gentle with it of course.

I did not go back to the factory cable.

That does look pretty neat, and price is also very reasonable. I agree regarding the factory cable, it is too heavy and long for my use case. Thank you for the recommendation.

 

[Fegefeuer]

Check out Skyaudio cables on eBay.
Great quality and very good prices.

There is a Skyaudio cables thread here on Headfi.

I got custom HD800 cables already (Norne, Violectric, stock to xlr), just specifically looking for this. Thanks though!

 

[Remusz911]

That does look pretty neat, and price is also very reasonable. I agree regarding the factory cable, it is too heavy and long for my use case. Thank you for the recommendation.

If you buy these or other cable, please write your opinion about it.

 

[Klmahnn]

I started a long time ago buying one, selling it on as I wanted something different and eventually bought another pair again…repeated the cycle again and again.
There certainly were some silent revisions going on as the newest one(serial 43 000 something) is definitely darker with more bass/body.
It’s just a marvellous headphone compared to all the other overpriced FOTs.

Interesting that there seems to be some consensus from 800S owners that the newer units seem to have some revisions made to the sound and yet I’ve heard no such thing for the heavily criticised 820.

 

[Whazzzup]

#920 doing just fine.

 

[IXOYE]

I am interested in this headphone, I have 660s which I have paired with RME ADI 2 and a fine tuned oratory1990 EQ profile which I am very happy with, what sound difference can I expect with 800s, do they have the same sound signature with the difference that the 800s are more resolving with a larger soundstage?

Sorry for my bad English.

 

[elfgesang]

I am interested in this headphone, I have 660s which I have paired with RME ADI 2 and a fine tuned oratory1990 EQ profile which I am very happy with, what sound difference can I expect with 800s, do they have the same sound signature with the difference that the 800s are more resolving with a larger soundstage?

Sorry for my bad English.

I just made the transition from the 660S to 800S. They are not too different when it comes to frequency response up until like 5Khz, the 800S is much more elevated up there. What is great though is that the 800S still remains the natural timbre to a good extent that the HD6** line is known for. Where the big differences come in, are the soundstage, imaging and all around presentation. The 800S sounds vast and diffused, where the 660S is intimate and warmer sounding. Both great headphones, and my favorites from the Sennheiser line up.

 

[IXOYE]

I just made the transition from the 660S to 800S. They are not too different when it comes to frequency response up until like 5Khz, the 800S is much more elevated up there. What is great though is that the 800S still remains the natural timbre to a good extent that the HD6** line is known for. Where the big differences come in, are the soundstage, imaging and all around presentation. The 800S sounds vast and diffused, where the 660S is intimate and warmer sounding. Both great headphones, and my favorites from the Sennheiser line up.

It sounds promising, I'll have the opportunity to try them out in February, I'm looking forward to it.

 

[thehutch]

It sounds promising, I'll have the opportunity to try them out in February, I'm looking forward to it.

All those very good notes aside, it’s worth mentioning there really aren’t any headphones that sound exactly like HD800, mainly because of soundstage. I’d say it’s radically different than 6xx and the old 700 (which I owned).

It is somewhat picky on amps. Your RME may be fine, haven’t heard it before. The 800 sounds best on a good tube amp but can also sound incredible on the right solid state-DAC combo. GS-X Mini and BorderPatrol DAC are magic with the 800s.

 

[pattont]

I just made the transition from the 660S to 800S. They are not too different when it comes to frequency response up until like 5Khz, the 800S is much more elevated up there. What is great though is that the 800S still remains the natural timbre to a good extent that the HD6** line is known for. Where the big differences come in, are the soundstage, imaging and all around presentation. The 800S sounds vast and diffused, where the 660S is intimate and warmer sounding. Both great headphones, and my favorites from the Sennheiser line up.

This is such a great explanation of the differences. I had the 660S, bought the the 800S and I just didn't love the 800S. I sold them after 11 months of owning them. I had picked them up used and lost $50 on them after 11 months of using them so I feel great about having tried them.

I just didn't love how they fit on my head and at least my set had a loose headband so every time I put them on they had to be adjusted. Just over all I wasn't happy with them. So, I sold them, put the money towards a used pair of Focal Stellias and wow I have found my end game!

 

[thehutch]

This is such a great explanation of the differences. I had the 660S, bought the the 800S and I just didn't love the 800S. I sold them after 11 months of owning them. I had picked them up used and lost $50 on them after 11 months of using them so I feel great about having tried them.

I just didn't love how they fit on my head and at least my set had a loose headband so every time I put them on they had to be adjusted. Just over all I wasn't happy with them. So, I sold them, put the money towards a used pair of Focal Stellias and wow I have found my end game!

Fit annoys me, too. I had HD820 and those were even worse because there was no bass unless it had a good seal.

Curious how 660s compared on detail/resolution?

 

[Levanter]

This is such a great explanation of the differences. I had the 660S, bought the the 800S and I just didn't love the 800S. I sold them after 11 months of owning them. I had picked them up used and lost $50 on them after 11 months of using them so I feel great about having tried them.

I just didn't love how they fit on my head and at least my set had a loose headband so every time I put them on they had to be adjusted. Just over all I wasn't happy with them. So, I sold them, put the money towards a used pair of Focal Stellias and wow I have found my end game!

I think there was a revision in the fitting. When i bought mine nearly 6 years ago, the headbands were loose and the cups easily drops with the slightest touch. The grip was also very light. Sold them and rebought again last year and the headband and grip was really tight.
I do prefer the older packaging that comes with the silky cloth type padding instead of just foam in the newer ones...

 

[pattont]

Fit annoys me, too. I had HD820 and those were even worse because there was no bass unless it had a good seal.

Curious how 660s compared on detail/resolution?

Honestly, to my ears the 660s and the 800s sounded very similar and I preferred the tuning of the 660s more. When something isn't completely comfortable on your head more things annoy you about the cans so maybe that was part of my issue. I EQ'd both of them and doing A/B testing over the course of many months I landed on the 660s to hold on to.

I don't think in any universe the price difference between what I have seen the 660s sold for recently could remotely justify upgrading to the HD800S even used. That's pricing the 660s < $300 and the HD800s < $1000. No way there is $700 difference in detail / resolution, but let your wallet be your guide!!!

 

[elfgesang]

This is such a great explanation of the differences. I had the 660S, bought the the 800S and I just didn't love the 800S. I sold them after 11 months of owning them. I had picked them up used and lost $50 on them after 11 months of using them so I feel great about having tried them.

I just didn't love how they fit on my head and at least my set had a loose headband so every time I put them on they had to be adjusted. Just over all I wasn't happy with them. So, I sold them, put the money towards a used pair of Focal Stellias and wow I have found my end game!

That's a shame, but i totally get it. If a headphone is not comfortable to me, i let it go no matter how good it sounds. It's just too distracting. For me the 800S is super comfortable, since my ears are on the larger side. On the 660S my ears would touch the inner foam which was a bit annoying but other than that i loved the secure fit.

Edit: To add on the headband issue, mine is tactile and secure, clamping force also higher than expected and does not move around on my head. Serial is 40XXX, made in Germany if relevant.