[chesebert]

Yes, and there are serial numbers are higher than that made in Germany.

I see. So what you are saying is Sennheiser continued to make 800S in Germany even though they also make them in Ireland?

 

[iDesign]

I see. So what you are saying is Sennheiser continued to make 800S in Germany even though they also make them in Ireland?

Someone from Sennheiser would have to explain their process for serial numbers and parts manufacturing+assembly. If you study the serial numbers and headbands with the made in Ireland and Germany markings, you’ll see the production is more complicated than your assumption. Sennheiser is hardly manufacturing automobiles with standardized 17 digit VIN sequences so I expect their process has discrepancies.

 

[chesebert]

Someone from Sennheiser would have to explain their process for serial numbers and parts manufacturing+assembly. If you study the serial numbers and headbands with the made in Ireland and Germany markings, you’ll see the production is more complicated than your assumption. Sennheiser is hardly manufacturing automobiles with standardized 17 digit VIN sequences so I expect their process has discrepancies.

Okay. So I shouldn't assume made in Germany is inferior to made in Ireland automatically?

 

[iDesign]

Okay. So I shouldn't assume made in Germany is inferior to made in Ireland automatically?

HD 800 production began in Hanover, Germany in 2009. It makes no difference.

 

[Rob80b]

The HD700 was my top headphone at the time the HD800S first came out. Even though the HD700 was widely hated on headfi, I really liked it. Once I heard the 800S I preferred it to the HD700 across the board. IMO the HD800S is just better in all areas.

Ditto…oddly, or maybe not, I preferred the HD700 over the HD800, but the 800S made my 700 redundant except for the fit ….wouldn’t mind a revision though…maybe a 700S2.

 

[Rob80b]

Okay. So I shouldn't assume made in Germany is inferior to made in Ireland automatically?

Unless things have changed with Sonova, each pair of 800S is individually tested, but as you’ve discovered with other headphones it doesn’t garantee each pair is identical to the next. It just makes sure that drivers are matched and within a strict tolerances for a defined target for that model.

 

[chesebert]

What is the 800S batch with the most desirable frequency responses?

 

[iDesign]

What is the 800S batch with the most desirable frequency responses?

I would opt for a German made pair prior to Axel Grell’s departure in December 2018 and the May 2021 acquisition by Sonova as the end of an era in Sennheiser history.

 

[chesebert]

This is my FR curve - does this look close enough to the latest/best batch? The bass on my pair is more than what I had expected - no EQ needed. The upper mid/lower treble is just a tad too elevated for me - nothing a simple TP mod can't fix however; hence no EQ needed. I am very happy these are no longer the ear tweeter I had remember them to be for the past 14 years.

 

[donlin]

I’ve owned three HD800S’s. The first I bought immediately when it was first released. The second around 6 years ago. Both of those were made in Germany. I bought my current pair almost 2 months ago, made in Ireland. Going from memory only, the current, Ireland sample seems to sound better than the previous samples with better bass and less bright treble. In fact, I’m headed to work right now with my Utopia 2022 all packed up to return it on my way home tonight.

 

[Rob80b]

This is my FR curve - does this look close enough to the latest/best batch? The bass on my pair is more than what I had expected - no EQ needed. The upper mid/lower treble is just a tad too elevated for me - nothing a simple TP mod can't fix however; hence no EQ needed. I am very happy these are no longer the ear tweeter I had remember them to be for the past 14 years.

Here's my pair from 2016, Ser # 03342, made in Germany....almost identical.

Unless things have changed with Sonova, each pair of 800S is individually tested, but as you’ve discovered with other headphones it doesn’t garantee each pair is identical to the next.

So not bad considering there's probably a few 1000 pairs between them. : )

 

[tamleo]

A popular reviewer named Crinacle measured 3 pair of hd800S and they all sounded different. The later pairs got more and more warmer frequency response. Some online users reported defective jacks on their hd800S made in Germany that come with silk lining box.

 

[Rob80b]

A popular reviewer named Crinacle measured 3 pair of hd800S and they all sounded different.

Ah...Mr IEM...seriously though, makes me wonder how small companies like ZMF for example, that farm out their drivers, can even get even small similar sounding runs out the the door. hhhmmm??

 

[chesebert]

I’ve owned three HD800S’s. The first I bought immediately when it was first released. The second around 6 years ago. Both of those were made in Germany. I bought my current pair almost 2 months ago, made in Ireland. Going from memory only, the current, Ireland sample seems to sound better than the previous samples with better bass and less bright treble. In fact, I’m headed to work right now with my Utopia 2022 all packed up to return it on my way home tonight.

could you post your FR graph that is on the USB stick?

 

[chesebert]

Here's my pair from 2016, Ser # 03342, made in Germany....almost identical.

So not bad considering there's probably a few 1000 pairs between them. : )

Lol. More like 30,000 pairs not bad