[Sonic Defender]

  I thought I was at end game

..
But I have been following this thread since inception and I am really intrigued by what I have been reading about the HD800S. I have seen them in person but have not auditioned them on my system.  Love the black look and feel of the original HD800.  My current system consists of the McIntosh MXA-70 {Same as the MHA-100 but with the McIntosh speakers}.

With the Mc, I have Bass Boost which I have permanently set to +2.5db and I'm pretty much in heaven with some exceptions of poor recordings.  The Mc is forgiving and the Bass Boost helps. I have/listen to a lot of 70's, 80's 90's stuff ripped from CD to losses format. Would the HD800S be a little more forgiving of these recording?
 
Would I be giving up anything going to the HD800S? After years of this HeadFi thing, I've decided that I'm a One HP kind of guy so would be selling the HD800 to get the HD800S. A friend of mine has the HD800S and will be coming over at the end of October {we're gong to the Toronto Audio Video Show TAVES}  so I will get to hear them on my system and probably answer my question.
Source with be the McIntosh MXA-70 and Naim DAC-V1.
Thoughts, Comments?
Tx, M

Love the HD800S, hate the Leafs. I think the 800S is a fantastic sound signature. I am a modest basshead who still appreciates a well done, balanced signature and the 800S is really working for me with both SS and tubes. I do slightly boost the lower bass (I do this for all open back headphones mind you) and I am extremely satisfied with the 800S. I listen to a great deal of EDM, electronica, prog rock, jazz, Nu-Jazz and the 800S is working it for me.

 

[Randy Myers]

I am listening to Dark Side of the Moon SACD right now though HD800S... AMAZING!!!

 

[Sonic Defender]

  I am listening to Dark Side of the Moon SACD right now though HD800S... AMAZING!!!

For me Daft Punk, Random Access Memory, also very nice. I like The Wall almost more than Dark Side of The Moon. I'll spin DSOTM later, thanks for reminding me to listen to that album!

 

[ToTo Man]

  For me Daft Punk, Random Access Memory, also very nice. I like The Wall almost more than Dark Side of The Moon. I'll spin DSOTM later, thanks for reminding me to listen to that album!

Don't forget WYWH, tough call but it's arguably my favourite PF album and sounds amazing!!!

 

[Randy Myers]

Yea, going to listen to Wish You Were Here.... have that in SACD also.  I wish there were others of Pink Floyd made in SACD ...

 

[pctazhp]

  Love the HD800S, hate the Leafs. I think the 800S is a fantastic sound signature. I am a modest basshead who still appreciates a well done, balanced signature and the 800S is really working for me with both SS and tubes. I do slightly boost the lower bass (I do this for all open back headphones mind you) and I am extremely satisfied with the 800S. I listen to a great deal of EDM, electronica, prog rock, jazz, Nu-Jazz and the 800S is working it for me.

My taste in music is much different than yours, and I use only tube amp with no equalization. But I too am extremely satisfied with the HD800S. 

 

[Sonic Defender]

  My taste in music is much different than yours,

Classical? The Elise is supposed to be fantastic sounding. I almost got an Elise, but the 339 is also well regarded and I was able to get one here in Canada and avoid that expensive shipping from Poland.

 

[pctazhp]

  Classical? The Elise is supposed to be fantastic sounding. I almost got an Elise, but the 339 is also well regarded and I was able to get one here in Canada and avoid that expensive shipping from Poland.

My taste in music is probably a product of my age. Symphonic classical, opera, 50s and 60s pop, folk, country, ballads, etc.
 
I've had my Elise since January and absolutely love it. But, of course, the 339 is also highly regarded.

 

[MickeyVee]

Thanks. Not a fan of the Leafs either Not a fan of equalization either I also listen to a lot of electronic, EDM plus 70s-80s-90s rock and pop.
After owning a few tube amps, I find the McIntosh a fabulous SS with a touch of tube warmth and great drive.  Probably why I love it with the HD800 and the +2.5db bass boost is so natural.  Can't wait until I get a chance to audition the HD800S on my system later this month.
 
Quote:

  Love the HD800S, hate the Leafs. I think the 800S is a fantastic sound signature. I am a modest basshead who still appreciates a well done, balanced signature and the 800S is really working for me with both SS and tubes. I do slightly boost the lower bass (I do this for all open back headphones mind you) and I am extremely satisfied with the 800S. I listen to a great deal of EDM, electronica, prog rock, jazz, Nu-Jazz and the 800S is working it for me.

 
 

  My taste in music is much different than yours, and I use only tube amp with no equalization. But I too am extremely satisfied with the HD800S. 

 

[pctazhp]

   
 

I'm guessing if you like the 800 with the McIntosh you will also like the S with it. Probably just a matter of personal preference.

 

[Whazzzup]

wow fan of the leafs here, bleed blue and white, so take it easy. 

 

[jtinto]

 

[Sonic Defender]

  wow fan of the leafs here, bleed blue and white, so take it easy. 

Sorry, have to put up with way too many super obnoxious Leaf fans at Ottawa home games so I'm almost obligated to not take it easy! I actually was a big Leaf fan until Ottawa was granted it's own franchise.

 

[LarryMagoo]

Mickey Vee,
 
How do you say you dislike equalization but then state you like about 2.5db of Bass Boost?  ???

 

[MacedonianHero]

  wow fan of the leafs here, bleed blue and white, so take it easy. 

 
Me too...Darryl Sittler was my hero growing up!

  Sorry, have to put up with way too many super obnoxious Leaf fans at Ottawa home games so I'm almost obligated to not take it easy! I actually was a big Leaf fan until Ottawa was granted it's own franchise.

Sorry man...I lived in Ottawa in the late '90s and that obnoxiousness came from the Senator fans from what I could see. They hated it when the Leafs came to town as we'd be 80% of the stadium.