A couple of weeks ago, I happened to be staying in a hotel right by the San Francisco Sennheiser flagship store and so swung by for an audition with a friend (who isn't nutty about equipment but loves music). I brought along my Z1Rs, Roxannes, Hugo2 and Dragonfly red (all of these I usually travel with) just in case I wanted to do compares. In the end we just ended up using the Z1Rs and ran them off Tidal and Onkyo HF from my phone through the HDV820 and compared the HD820, 800S, 800 and the Z1Rs over an hour or so we spent auditioning. I will say upfront I wanted to love the 820 because (1) while there are a lot of good open back headphones out there, the choice on good closed backs is limited (2) I have always wanted one of the HD series because of their light weight and comfort (3) because I already have the Stax L700 I cant get myself to buy another open back just yet especially since the HD800/800S almost certainly require me to invest in a good DT amp.
Anyway, our conclusion at the end of the listening was (1) Mine : 800S>Z1R>800>820 (2) my friend: 800S>800>Z1R>820. We agreed that the 2 open backs bested the closed backs, I preferred the bass on the Z1R to the 800, my friend preferred the soundstage and the comfort of the 800. We listened to a variety of music including some classical, rock, rap etc covering good recordings and so-so ones. I continue to be surprised by how good the soundstage on the Z1Rs is. I found the 820 more closed in and the bass somewhat bloomy. I was yet again reminded of how well the 800S addressed the shortcomings of the 800 which continue to be amazing even now. I wasn't sure if the 820 vs Z1R for me was impacted by my ears being used to the latter over the last 1.5 yrs or so I have owned these headphones. I was also happy to see how someone who loves music can easily recognize the amazing quality of all of these headphones - so important therefore for manufacturers to get people to try them and make the entry-level set-ups more accessible and available. While I was in the store, a few other people came in and would typically walk by the set-up for the 800/800s/820 without trying because (as 2 of them told me) they were "too expensive and complicated" and they wanted just good Bluetooth phones. Some would try the 6xx/5xx.
The store also has the Orpheus and you can audition by prior appointment on their website. Thursday and Friday evenings I was told were the most popular slots. Its an amazing store on Post Street just off Union Square and if you get the chance you must try it.
Anyway, our conclusion at the end of the listening was (1) Mine : 800S>Z1R>800>820 (2) my friend: 800S>800>Z1R>820. We agreed that the 2 open backs bested the closed backs, I preferred the bass on the Z1R to the 800, my friend preferred the soundstage and the comfort of the 800. We listened to a variety of music including some classical, rock, rap etc covering good recordings and so-so ones. I continue to be surprised by how good the soundstage on the Z1Rs is. I found the 820 more closed in and the bass somewhat bloomy. I was yet again reminded of how well the 800S addressed the shortcomings of the 800 which continue to be amazing even now. I wasn't sure if the 820 vs Z1R for me was impacted by my ears being used to the latter over the last 1.5 yrs or so I have owned these headphones. I was also happy to see how someone who loves music can easily recognize the amazing quality of all of these headphones - so important therefore for manufacturers to get people to try them and make the entry-level set-ups more accessible and available. While I was in the store, a few other people came in and would typically walk by the set-up for the 800/800s/820 without trying because (as 2 of them told me) they were "too expensive and complicated" and they wanted just good Bluetooth phones. Some would try the 6xx/5xx.
The store also has the Orpheus and you can audition by prior appointment on their website. Thursday and Friday evenings I was told were the most popular slots. Its an amazing store on Post Street just off Union Square and if you get the chance you must try it.
