[Pendel]

I have a low serial number HD800S Made in Germany, which I run with RME ADI-2 DAC FS. Took a while to get the EQ right, but once I did there was no going back. Here is what I use:
BB 10 at 87 with 0.7
B1 12 at 68 with 1.4
B2 2 at 900 with 0.5
B3 8 at 3200 with 0.5
B4 -7.5 at 4600 with 0.8
B5 -2 at 6100 with 1.4
BT -0.5 at 10000 with 1.5
This is just perfect for my ears, with clean and engaging, dynamic sound.
I listen to a fairly eclectic mix, from US3, Black Keys, Alman Brothers and Bonamassa to Radiohead, Cowboy Junkies, Shins, Jayhawks, Tiger Lilies and Wilco to Marc Knoffler, Natalie Merchant, Macy Gray, Nora Jones to Alexis FFrench, Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans, and Chet Baker to Shostakovich, Ravel, and Satie. As long as the recording is good, the HD800S with this tuning are wonderful, beating out my Arya’s v2 to be most listened to. For lesser quality recordings Arya’s are more forgiving.

 

[tom807]

I have a low serial number HD800S Made in Germany, which I run with RME ADI-2 DAC FS. Took a while to get the EQ right, but once I did there was no going back. Here is what I use:
BB 10 at 87 with 0.7
B1 12 at 68 with 1.4
B2 2 at 900 with 0.5
B3 8 at 3200 with 0.5
B4 -7.5 at 4600 with 0.8
B5 -2 at 6100 with 1.4
BT -0.5 at 10000 with 1.5
This is just perfect for my ears, with clean and engaging, dynamic sound.
I listen to a fairly eclectic mix, from US3, Black Keys, Alman Brothers and Bonamassa to Radiohead, Cowboy Junkies, Shins, Jayhawks, Tiger Lilies and Wilco to Marc Knoffler, Natalie Merchant, Macy Gray, Nora Jones to Alexis FFrench, Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans, and Chet Baker to Shostakovich, Ravel, and Satie. As long as the recording is good, the HD800S with this tuning are wonderful, beating out my Arya’s v2 to be most listened to. For lesser quality recordings Arya’s are more forgiving.

I also have the HD-800S, the apex predictor over all the other headphones in my collection.
I am very lucky that I’m listening to the HD-800S with very, very good equipment. I have found that with the best gear the HD-800S needs no EQ. The best headphone amps I use have no EQ on them, anyway. The only gear that I use. with my HD-800S that even has an EQ is my FiiO M17 digital player. I’ve tried using the EQ on this device, but it just didn’t sound right to me. Transparency is the name of the game.
My Pass Labs HPA-1 and Woo Audio WA2 headphone amps do not have EQ, but I never thought these headphones needed it.
IMHO one of the beauties of listening to top flight headphones is that they don’t need any EQ. Hearing exactly what’s exactly on the recording is a thrill. On everything other than jazz or classical, many times the recording quality is not the best, but I feel that it is still a good idea not to EQ those recordings. Plus, I don't like having to change the EQ for each recording. To me, it is often exhilarating hearing what is exactly is on the recoding.

 

[skhan007]

I have a low serial number HD800S Made in Germany, which I run with RME ADI-2 DAC FS. Took a while to get the EQ right, but once I did there was no going back. Here is what I use:
BB 10 at 87 with 0.7
B1 12 at 68 with 1.4
B2 2 at 900 with 0.5
B3 8 at 3200 with 0.5
B4 -7.5 at 4600 with 0.8
B5 -2 at 6100 with 1.4
BT -0.5 at 10000 with 1.5
This is just perfect for my ears, with clean and engaging, dynamic sound.
I listen to a fairly eclectic mix, from US3, Black Keys, Alman Brothers and Bonamassa to Radiohead, Cowboy Junkies, Shins, Jayhawks, Tiger Lilies and Wilco to Marc Knoffler, Natalie Merchant, Macy Gray, Nora Jones to Alexis FFrench, Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans, and Chet Baker to Shostakovich, Ravel, and Satie. As long as the recording is good, the HD800S with this tuning are wonderful, beating out my Arya’s v2 to be most listened to. For lesser quality recordings Arya’s are more forgiving.

Looking forward to trying these settings on my RME ADI2 DAC. I’m a big fan of EQ, as it helps me get the most out of my headphones and dials in the frequencies to my preferences/tolerances. We all hear things differently, and perception changes as we get older, so I believe EQ is a tremendous benefit.

 

[Pendel]

Ahould have mentioned that I am also running ZMF lambskin pads on my HD800S, and love them.

 

[Whazzzup]

I’m warming up to my perforated lamb skin. The clamp isnt bothersome

 

[Pendel]

Mine are solid lambskin. Sweet pads.

 

[frkasper]

Ahould have mentioned that I am also running ZMF lambskin pads on my HD800S, and love them.

Are they thinner than Dekonis? I mean, quality is good but they're just too thick. After 2 years with a perforated set, decided to try again the stock pads. Never went back to the leather ones after that.

I have a narrow head and I can't deny the HD800S with the Dekonis above were a pretty firm fit. Now I can't look down when I am wearing these. Small price to pay.

 

[Pendel]

Yes, much thinner. Here is the info:

 

[IXOYE]

I use Oratory RME PEQ for 800s as base and fine tune to my preference from that, worked great for me, it is also noted which frequencies to fine tune as desired so it's very easy to do.

 

[David222]

New HD800s owner joining this club - just getting into them. I did take the liberty of swapping pads for the Dekoni Elite Fenestrated Sheepskin. I prefer the perforated leather feeling...

Really wonderful headphones - The Rogue Audio RH-5 handles them quite well.

 

[sygnus21]

New HD800s owner joining this club - just getting into them. I did take the liberty of swapping pads for the Dekoni Elite Fenestrated Sheepskin. I prefer the perforated leather feeling...

Really wonderful headphones - The Rogue Audio RH-5 handles them quite well.

Congrats on your acquisition of the HD800S. Great phones. I've had mine about a month having just upgraded from my 8-year-old Senn HD700 cans.

Currently using them with my Teac UD-503 DAC/Amp, but I'm looking to get the Denafrips Artemis headphone amp and pairing the HD800S with that. Can't wait.

As for pads, I'm quite happy with the OEM ones that come with the headphones and have no plans on replacing them with anything else.

BTW, while some complain about the bass (yeah, they aren't bass monsters) they still have plenty of it. See my post > here.

Would they be my go-to for EDM music... well, I'd like a little more bass, but I certainly wouldn't kick them out the bed. To be quite frank, I actually like their bass response, even with EDM music. Guess I got too use to the HD700, and they can't touch the HD800S in the bass department.

 

[TYATYA]

This app call Sonarworks.
I am not too happy bcs of lacking tidal, qobuz... only local and Spotify

Ultimate sound: specific frq curve for common hd800s (ofcouse if want exact your 800s, make a order to Sonarwork).
Preference Setting: your style of tonal you like. After you A/B listen 4 music samples and answer, the app knows you.
Also have Aging compensation and Bass boost

 

[Audiofilobrpt]

Can anyone who uses or has used Dekoni pads say if it changes the sound a lot? Which one would be better to reduce the treble a little without losing air and details, if that is possible.
Thank you for your help!!

 

[chesebert]

My advise is to find the right amp/dac combo. Solves your problems without introducing EQ issues or altering sound with different pads (although you may like the change). But priority 1 is amp/dac synergy

 

[Slim1970]

Can anyone who uses or has used Dekoni pads say if it changes the sound a lot? Which one would be better to reduce the treble a little without losing air and details, if that is possible.
Thank you for your help!!

I’m using the Dekoni Fenestrated leather earpads on my set. I can’t say that it’s altering the sound of the HD800S’s all the much. I do like the extra bass presence, but I’m really not hearing changes anywhere else in frequency spectrum. The HD800S’s sound just as wide and spacious as with the stock pads.