[Musicophilesblog]

Having recently moved house, I've been getting rid of a lot of things I haven't used in quite a while. Among others, I'll be selling my Sennheiser HDVA600 as it's been basically replaced by a Naim Atom HE as an all-in-one solution.

However, I'm somewhat torn whether I should sell my HD800 as well. They were basically my first high-end headphones.

I now do 98% of my listening with my 2020 Focal Utopias, which just have a perfect synergy with the Naim. I personally think the Utopias do pretty much everything better than the HD800, with the big exception of sound stage.

On the other hand, the leather pads of the Utopias tend to get really warm during hot summer days, where the Alcantara/over-ear concept of the HD800 is just more comfortable.

I'll be keeping a set of Beyer T90s as backup and as a semi "portable" set for longer stays somewhere.

I don't really urgently need the money right now, but I'd like to declutter my home office.

Thoughts?

 

[msing539]

If you feel an emotional connection to it because it was your first high-end headphone, then keep them. If not, sell them.

The used prices on them have dropped--I've owned it twice because it was cheaper to repurchase down the line.

 

[phillycl]

If it helps...I've seen prices in the $850 to $950 range for used HD 800 S in very good to excellent condition (r/AVexchange on Reddit). Another reference point (if you're in the US) Adorama has had the HD 800 S on sale for $1,149 several times in the past year.

Update: Edited text to show that I was referring to the HD 800 S, not the HD 800.

 

[bagwell359]

If it helps...I've seen prices in the $850 to $950 range for used HD 800's in very good to excellent condition (r/AVexchange on Reddit). Another reference point (if you're in the US) Adorama has had the HD 800's on sale for $1,149 several times in the past year.

The HD-800 and HD-800S are not the same. The 800 nee S hasn't been made in some time.

The 800 S has been improved from the initial 800 S, and if $1149 is fairly available, then the ask for an aging (sorry, nothing personal - but it is) HD-800 might be $850-950 - which is what it was 3 years ago when $1400 was the bargain price sometimes available. but the market may have dropped some, esp. for those showing age.

 

[silversurfer616]

Sold and bought HD800(S) probably 7 or 8 times. Sold it because something new was looking at me and I thought I need the FOTM only to realise that the HD800(S) can’t be replaced. Also, I am emotionally biased being German living in the diaspora at the end of the world.

 

[Thomasr]

living in the diaspora at the end of the world

Which end?

 

[dunring]

I'd sell if warm weather is the only reason to keep them. I use a pair of 7hz Salnotes Zero:2 IEMs for hot days, travel, and noise isolation. I've had the HD800S a couple of times, the Utopia really makes them redundant.

 

[silversurfer616]

Which end?

Aotearoa or New Zealand…

 

[Musicophilesblog]

Thanks everybody for your advice! If anybody in Europe is interested, here's the ad:

https://www.head-fi.org/classifieds/sennheiser-hd800.60802/

 

[msing539]

Thanks everybody for your advice! If anybody in Europe is interested, here's the ad:

https://www.head-fi.org/classifieds/sennheiser-hd800.60802/

Congrats. Be sure to include a shot of the serial number.

 

[Musicophilesblog]

Congrats. Be sure to include a shot of the serial number.

Why would that be a good idea? I usually try to avoid posting serial numbers when selling stuff online.

 

[msing539]

Why would that be a good idea? I usually try to avoid posting serial numbers when selling stuff online.

Certain serial numbers (generally lower) and where they're made are more desirable/valuable than others, at least in the US. If you don't want to post a photo of it, you can just add to your listing... Made in Germany, Serial number 30xxx, for example.

 

[MilitaryHifi]

Honestly. I've kept my first high end to me headphones. I have them hung on my wall. Bought them 20+ years ago. I'm glad I kept them. I have a story to tell, and I have the headphone that started it all, so long ago. Before the military, before my wife, before my kid, I have that one memento that started my journey/hobby.

It's not the same cost as a hd800 mind you, it's the audio technica ad700. It's different for you, because the hd800 has more value. The sentimental value and all the memories that come with my ad700, it will always have a place on the wall.

 

[Musicophilesblog]

Certain serial numbers (generally lower) and where they're made are more desirable/valuable than others, at least in the US. If you don't want to post a photo of it, you can just add to your listing... Made in Germany, Serial number 30xxx, for example.

The serial number is 35xxx. And indeed made in Germany (were they ever made anywhere else?). Where does that number sit on the desirability scale?

 

[Musicophilesblog]

Honestly. I've kept my first high end to me headphones. I have them hung on my wall. Bought them 20+ years ago. I'm glad I kept them. I have a story to tell, and I have the headphone that started it all, so long ago. Before the military, before my wife, before my kid, I have that one memento that started my journey/hobby.

It's not the same cost as a hd800 mind you, it's the audio technica ad700. It's different for you, because the hd800 has more value. The sentimental value and all the memories that come with my ad700, it will always have a place on the wall.

I unfortunately didn't keep my very first Beyer DT990, the beginning of my headphone journey many moons ago.