Hi guys,
I have an ie800(not s version) and just bought an ie 500 pro as i was very curious, and couldn't find anybody who tested them simultaneously. I was looking for the same sound with a little bit more bass.
I have owned a few headphones(hd650 akg701Q etc...), and few cheaper sennheiser in ears(momentum etc..) , and some decent standmount loudspeaker systems.
(I only wrote it , to let you know, that i have some audiophile years behind me.)
Simply put the ie500 pro is not better than the ie800 soundwise,.but rather different. The 500 is more comfortable, easier to get a good fit and.seal, and has much less cable noise. It has fuller and deeper bass.
The soundstage is similar in size. The instruments and singers are a bit bigger with the500, while the ie800 has more of a pinpoint quality with smaller sized instruments.and some xtra sparkle in the treble. I still dont understand why many old reviews stated that the ie800 is bass heavy...It has a very good bass and with great records( classical music) the double bass and the drums are really good, but never wozl i say they have big bass...
As expected from any in ear Non of the two get to that level in soundstage or presence or openness as for example the akg701Q. headphones. But of course the smaller size make it possible for everyday carry.
I like a little better the ie800(and it looks much classier), as i usually listen jazz and classical where the bigger bass is not necessary. For funk and other bass heavy genres the 500 has more full sound.
Both of them are very good and I am planning to keep both of them.
If i could pick only one i would try the ie400
too.