[madwolfa]

  Did you have any headphone in mind at the same price that's the HD800's equal?

 
No, but I've already named at least two headphones which are 90% as good for a fraction of its price. HD800 might seem like a steal in its respective category, so only in comparison to even more ridiculously overpriced headphones like LCD-4. The sky is the limit nowadays. But it's far from being a value proposition overall. 

 

[TMRaven]

With so many HD800s on the classifieds now, they gotta be competitive with each other, and as a result I keep seeing lower used prices for HD800 every day.  It used to be you'd find used prices in the 1,200-1,100 range for the HD800, but now I see them going for 850.  At 850, the HD800 is a steal-- even compared to 250 or 300 for the HD600 or HD650 (which are also terrific deals).
 
People love to complain about the tuning of the HD800, but the reality of it is this:
 
1: the HD800's super large and open earcups provide a very natural and comfortable fit on the ear.  better than HD600 or 650 in this regard, and the best I've personally experienced.
 
2: the HD800 has a super large soundstage, it's the largest I've experienced, and you can't EQ a good soundstage with other headphones.
 
3: the HD800's 6khz peak can be greatly tamed with 3 dollars and 30 minutes of your time
 
4: the HD800 easily takes EQ.  Its bass naturally goes rather low for being an open dynamic, and with a good low-end EQ, it can be made to sound powerful.  You can't EQ the low-end distortion out of the HD600 or 650.  the treble is also easily EQ'd down as well.  the mid-range is very smooth, so won't need much EQ.

 

[vnmslsrbms]

Yup they are really tempting. Too bad I can't justify having two of them.

 

[dxanex]

   
No, but I've already named at least two headphones which are 90% as good for a fraction of its price. HD800 might seem like a steal in its respective category, so only in comparison to even more ridiculously overpriced headphones like LCD-4. The sky is the limit nowadays. But it's far from being a value proposition overall. 

I made this same argument for a long time until I realized that most people interested in flagships like the HD 800S or LCD 4 probably aren't concerned at all about the relative value of mid-fi gear. I owned the HD 650 for a long time and scoffed at the price of the HD 800 until I bought it and quickly sold the HD 650. This hobby is a rabbit hole. Get out while you still can.

 

[Uncle E1]

value is perceived.  can imagine the orpheus 2 at usd55k finding it's way into the homes of the super rich rather than audiophiles.  they will most probably use it to watch tv for that matter.
 
a customer had a pair of hd800 driven off a studio6 just for his wife to do her Buddhist chant

 

[madwolfa]

  People love to complain about the tuning of the HD800, but the reality of it is this:

 
Reality is that X2 solves all the HD6x0 issues, while having most if not all HD800 benefits (comfort, detail, soundstage). All that with no mods required and saving a cool $1000+.
 
I think people should give cheaper headphones a chance once in a while. I did "downgrade" from LCD-2F (which I actually preferred to HD800, also with mods) and not looking back.
 
The fact is: all the latest and greatest (and most expensive) might actually NOT be the best headphone for you. Keep experimenting.

 

[devilboy]

Still, if it came down to this and a corvette stingray, this would lose every time.

something is only worth what one is willing to pay for it. Just because you wouldn't pay that price doesn't mean someone else won't think it's a bargain.

 

[Hal X]

   
Reality is that X2 solves all the HD6x0 issues, while having most if not all HD800 benefits (comfort, detail, soundstage). All that with no mods required and saving a cool $1000+.
 
I think people should give cheaper headphones a chance once in a while. I did "downgrade" from LCD-2F (which I actually preferred to HD800, also with mods) and not looking back.
 
The fact is: all the latest and greatest (and most expensive) might actually NOT be the best headphone for you. Keep experimenting.

I totally agree. Check my purchase history 

 

[Fegefeuer]

Reality is that X2 solves all the HD6x0 issues, while having most if not all HD800 benefits (comfort, detail, soundstage). All that with no mods required and saving a cool $1000+.

I think people should give cheaper headphones a chance once in a while. I did "downgrade" from LCD-2F (which I actually preferred to HD800, also with mods) and not looking back.

The fact is: all the latest and greatest (and most expensive) might actually NOT be the best headphone for you. Keep experimenting.

It "fixes" perceived bass amount and extends lower. That's all.

HD6x0 is more detailed, better balanced, better highs, mids.

 

[madwolfa]

It "fixes" perceived bass amount and extends lower. That's all.
HD6x0 is more detailed, better balanced, better highs, mids.

 
I had HD600 for more than 10 years, you telling me..

 

[TMRaven]

Newer isn't better.

 

[madwolfa]

  Newer isn't better.

 
Same goes with price. Gotta stay open-minded.

 

[Hifihedgehog]

 
 
See here: http://www.hifishark.com/search?q=sennheiser+hd+800

Personally, I have my bets on seeing like-new HD 800's for $699 on the Sennheiser Outlet during Black Friday. That will make all those greedy (tongue-in-cheek) Sennheiser HD 800 owners drop their prices in a hurry...

 

[Mach3]

  With so many HD800s on the classifieds now, they gotta be competitive with each other, and as a result I keep seeing lower used prices for HD800 every day.  It used to be you'd find used prices in the 1,200-1,100 range for the HD800, but now I see them going for 850.  At 850, the HD800 is a steal-- even compared to 250 or 300 for the HD600 or HD650 (which are also terrific deals).
 
People love to complain about the tuning of the HD800, but the reality of it is this:
 
1: the HD800's super large and open earcups provide a very natural and comfortable fit on the ear.  better than HD600 or 650 in this regard, and the best I've personally experienced.
 
2: the HD800 has a super large soundstage, it's the largest I've experienced, and you can't EQ a good soundstage with other headphones.
 
3: the HD800's 6khz peak can be greatly tamed with 3 dollars and 30 minutes of your time
 
4: the HD800 easily takes EQ.  Its bass naturally goes rather low for being an open dynamic, and with a good low-end EQ, it can be made to sound powerful.  You can't EQ the low-end distortion out of the HD600 or 650.  the treble is also easily EQ'd down as well.  the mid-range is very smooth, so won't need much EQ.

 
I was super lucky, scored a HD800 with no 6Khz spike. I wonder if there a point of me getting the HD800S

 

[MattTCG]

   
I was super lucky, scored a HD800 with no 6Khz spike. I wonder if there a point of me getting the HD800S
 

 
Black paint? 

  Haha...I tease just a little.