[AppleheadMay]

Two different sounding headphones. The HD820 excels at dynamics, clarity, soundstage with good extension at both ends of the spectrum. While the HD650 is more laid back, with a sweet midrange, and rolled off bass and treble. But they both are enjoyable and complimentary to each other.

Indeed complimentary. HD600, HD650, HD800(S) and HD820 are all pretty different phones from each other, there's even more similarity in the latter two than in the former two.
If you like the 8XX series do yourself a favor and grab yourself a 600 and a 650 as well, you can find them pretty cheap at times. The 660S isn't really worth it.
The 600 and 650 are true high-end cans no matter their price.

 

[robo24]

I like the cable, especially the length. Can watch movies with them on my couch which I couldn't do if it was shorter.

Re the 650, it was interesting to listen to the 650 through 820 last week at the Sennheiser store. I had just come from an Orpheus session so the 650 sounded worse than I'd experienced before. Everything after it was so much better than the one before, to my ears anyway, with quite a jump going from the 660S to the 800. It made me glad I recently sold my 6XX and HE-4XX to buy the EditionXX.

 

[rutter]

So vocals aren't good?

 

[Law87]

So vocals aren't good?

sounds to me like you want an engaging and forward-centric mids...go with utopia...you probably like it more. too fatuiging to me, HD820 is slightly less forward than 800s.

 

[rutter]

Have tried the Utopia, didn't like it. What I like are >$2000 headphones that make a drop of sense. Keep the euphemisms coming.

 

[nikhilthemeal]

If anyone is looking for a superb pairing for the HD 820, look no further than the iFi Pro iDSD Dac/Amp.

It's a splendid pairing and really accenuates the soundstaging and layering capabilities of the Senns. The most open sounding closed back system I have personally heard

 

[Tsukuyomi]

Why is the cable terrible? other then being ridiculously long, I thought it was durable and a good cable. I thought it was too much bass at time.

I didnt like the feel, it felt kinda cheap. Also as you said i wish it was shorter too.

 

[Tsukuyomi]

The HD820’s has one of the better stock cables to come with a headphone but it is excessively long. I also think that the HD820’s do okay with rock but I like a more aggressive midrange like what I get from my Utopia’s or ZMF Auteur’s. The DT1990’s or any Grado headphone I feel are made for rock/metal music. But the HD820’s are good for everything else.

I would agree, although i did enjoy rock/metal from some of the bands i mentioned that i demo'd on the headphones, I can see what you mean and I do prefer the DT1990 for rock/metal. (I'm not a fan of any grado cans, i dont like the build/comfort and sound tuning.)

 

[gordec]

For those how heard both HD820 and Hifiman stuff like HE1000 or Susvara, how would you compare the sound signature? I loved the HD800 with SDR. For some reason, the HD800s isn't as good as the original to my ears, but I enjoyed a very organic sound signature.

 

[Law87]

For those how heard both HD820 and Hifiman stuff like HE1000 or Susvara, how would you compare the sound signature? I loved the HD800 with SDR. For some reason, the HD800s isn't as good as the original to my ears, but I enjoyed a very organic sound signature.

HD820 is very wide (sound stage) for closed but it wont reach level of that the HE1000se, I love both, if I could keep both I would.

Didnt think HD800s was worth the upgrade over my Beyer T1, felt the mid were a little bit thin (I do like it a lot more than original HD800). HD820 is warmer than the HD800s but dont expect it to be HE1000se warmth. Being a closed headphone, there is also that inherent bass bump, but nothing obnoxious, far from it.

Quality on any Sennheiser will outdo Hifiman, it just a track record from Sennheiser is alot better than Hifiman, no denying that.

 

[Slim1970]

For those how heard both HD820 and Hifiman stuff like HE1000 or Susvara, how would you compare the sound signature? I loved the HD800 with SDR. For some reason, the HD800s isn't as good as the original to my ears, but I enjoyed a very organic sound signature.

The HD820 is a even warmer sounding headphone than the HD800S’s. So if you thought the HD800S’s were organic sounding these have those beat. The added bass makes them sound fuller but they still retain all the detail of the HD800 series minus the treble spike.

Compared to the Hifiman Susvara’s the HD820 loses out on ultimate detail, openness, treble clarity and 3D imaging. The Susvara’s are in a different league sound quality wise. The HD820’s are in my top 3 of closed headphones. The Susvara’s are in the top 3 of ALL headphones to my ears. That to me is the biggest difference.

 

[Alex Soon]

DAP: Sony NW-WM1Z
Cable: Stock cable 4.4 balanced
DAC/Ampilifer: WA11 Topaz
Headphone: HD820

I reaches the musical land of no return........

 

[Law87]

For those how heard both HD820 and Hifiman stuff like HE1000 or Susvara, how would you compare the sound signature? I loved the HD800 with SDR. For some reason, the HD800s isn't as good as the original to my ears, but I enjoyed a very organic sound signature.

caveat to my statement is that it need to fit your face good, some people have leaks and they claim it sound like there is no bass...mine fit my face very well, I experience rumble in the back of my throat when Bass is call upon.

 

[Slim1970]

caveat to my statement is that it need to fit your face good, some people have leaks and they claim it sound like there is no bass...mine fit my face very well, I experience rumble in the back of my throat when Bass is call upon.

Yes, the HD820’s are not bass lite at all. They have plenty of rumble....

 

[iDesign]

I’m looking for an HD820 storage box. Does anyone have the part number or one they want to part with?