[gimmeheadroom]

For sure. What do you drive the 820 with?

I don't have a pair of 820s yet. Just following the thread in hope

 

[oniel459]

I finally bought HD820’s after 2 years of debate since I demoed them. I’m enjoying them most with the Sony DMP-Z1. I was shocked how bright they sound with the Sony WM1A. Clearly they are very amp dependent. What pairings do you guys like most?

The sound signature varies depending on the seal you can get with your head. It’s why some will call the bass much more than 800S and others hear barely a difference there.

For pairings I do the moon 430HAD as my personal favorite, and on the go I use the fiio m11 pro (although I only enjoy that with the filter being on super slow roll off, or else it gets harsh for me)

I’d say the Dcs bartok may eek out the 430HAD but there’s a big price gap.

Others I’ve tried the 820 with:

Chord TT2 (least favorite)
Chord Hugo 2
McIntosh MHA150
Sony ZH1ES
Moon 230HAD
Jds atom amp

 

[jabz10]

So I was contemplating getting these, but there was no place I could demo them. I did however audition the HD800S and while I enjoyed the expansive sound I didn't like the lack of bass.
I finally took the plunge on the HD820 when a local shop had a 20% off Sennheiser sale, and boy was I scared reading all the reviews and everyone's opinion once they saw the graphs, I basically purchased it blind.

Im listening to them now, connected to my M1 MacBook which have the high impedance headphone jack. I'm sure they are still being quite under powered. But I love them already, the fit on my head is perfect much more comfortable than the Beyerdynamic T5 Gen3 (I'll be selling these now) I have, and the sound! Wow the sound, I'm both relieved and blown away!

So now I need a a DAC/AMP do truly hear what these are capable of. What do people think of the RME ADI-2-Pro FS R with the HD820?

 

[gimmeheadroom]

So I was contemplating getting these, but there was no place I could demo them. I did however audition the HD800S and while I enjoyed the expansive sound I didn't like the lack of bass.
I finally took the plunge on the HD820 when a local shop had a 20% off Sennheiser sale, and boy was I scared reading all the reviews and everyone's opinion once they saw the graphs, I basically purchased it blind.

Im listening to them now, connected to my M1 MacBook which have the high impedance headphone jack. I'm sure they are still being quite under powered. But I love them already, the fit on my head is perfect much more comfortable than the Beyerdynamic T5 Gen3 (I'll be selling these now) I have, and the sound! Wow the sound, I'm both relieved and blown away!

So now I need a a DAC/AMP do truly hear what these are capable of. What do people think of the RME ADI-2-Pro FS R with the HD820?

300 ohm Sennheisers are not driven well enough by the non-pro RME and I guess the Pro won't help much either. They get loud enough but sound thin.

Look for a serious headamp with high voltage output (Violectric, Phonitor etc.) or an OTL tube amp.

 

[dougq]

So I was contemplating getting these, but there was no place I could demo them. I did however audition the HD800S and while I enjoyed the expansive sound I didn't like the lack of bass.
I finally took the plunge on the HD820 when a local shop had a 20% off Sennheiser sale, and boy was I scared reading all the reviews and everyone's opinion once they saw the graphs, I basically purchased it blind.

Im listening to them now, connected to my M1 MacBook which have the high impedance headphone jack. I'm sure they are still being quite under powered. But I love them already, the fit on my head is perfect much more comfortable than the Beyerdynamic T5 Gen3 (I'll be selling these now) I have, and the sound! Wow the sound, I'm both relieved and blown away!

So now I need a a DAC/AMP do truly hear what these are capable of. What do people think of the RME ADI-2-Pro FS R with the HD820?

I have run the hd820 off the regular rme adi 2 and it sounded fantastic. Identical when compared to other dedicated expensive amps. With the added bonus of eq controls. I’d totally recommend it. They are not that hard to drive.

 

[jabz10]

I forgot to mention 1 thing, what is up with packaging them in a ridiculous wooden box? I mean at least provide a decent case.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

You got a wooden box? The HD 800/S comes in a cardboard box

 

[Halimj7]

Can anyone recommend a really warm lush DAP or portable amp or amp/DAC to compliment the 820? Thanks

 

[ddlo]

You got a wooden box? The HD 800/S comes in a cardboard box

oh yes. probably to justify its higher price, HD820 comes in a large box. there's a black wooden case inside (instead of the cardboard one in hd800s) the color printed cardboard outerbox. not sure if these photos i took before can show the differences of the two black boxes.

 

[robo24]

Can anyone recommend a really warm lush DAP or portable amp or amp/DAC to compliment the 820? Thanks

Loved the iFi Micro Black when I had it, and definitely warmer than any of the Chord DAC/amps.

 

[jabz10]

Where can I get a balanced cable that has the Sennheiser connector to 2 x TRS (6.3mm)? Moon audio is the only one I found that gives that option. Anyone else?

 

[gimmeheadroom]

customcans.co.uk

skyaudiocables ebay store

 

[spacelion2077]

Hey there. How much of an upgrade is Hd820 from Hd800s? I heard Hd820 is a Hd800s with better bass response. I'm thinking about upgrading my Hd800s to the current model. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[joshnor713]

Hey there. How much of an upgrade is Hd820 from Hd800s? I heard Hd820 is a Hd800s with better bass response. I'm thinking about upgrading my Hd800s to the current model. Any advice is appreciated.

More of variation than an "upgrade". You gain bass but lose soundstage width.

 

[gikigill]

The HD820 exists on its merit.

As a die hard HD800 fan, I would say its complimentary to the HD800, not a substitute.