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Starting from scratch

Sep 30, 2015 at 12:47 PM Post #16 of 61
Some great posts so thank you all who contributed. I have the HE1000 arriving this week for a home demo so trying to get some HD800 hopefully at the same time. I will chose on or the other unless of course I still prefer my Q701s but cant see that happening. HE1000 double the price of the HD800 so should be an interesting few days
 
Sep 30, 2015 at 12:56 PM Post #18 of 61
I have a Devialet 200 feeding the Auralic Taurus so no need for another DAC
 
Oct 1, 2015 at 11:54 AM Post #20 of 61
Just an update for all the people who might be interested. My dem HE1000 arrive tomorrow so today my local dealer let me take the HD800s away for a few days. They are a brand new pair and he says they will sound better after 72 hours or so. One concern I had was that I would not find much difference from my Q701s as I am 52 year old and ears probably not what they used to be. Wow though straight out of the box. Soundstage soundstage detail detail and clarity. Absolutely different league to my 701s. They actually have a similar type sound to the 701s but just do it much better. When I put the 701s back on its like I have a cotton mud stuck in my ear. I am no headphone expert like some on here and that’s why I see your advice. The jump up in SQ has taken me completely by surprise. Slightly bright at times but I am hoping that will go with the burn in, and only one cable and no balanced cable are my only moans. Although HD800 may be better on standard anyway I have no idea. The HE1000 arrive tomorrow and are double the price! So that will be interesting. I know now that I will be buying some new headphones ………just time will tell which ones.
 
Oct 1, 2015 at 4:55 PM Post #22 of 61
I will do. Love the HD800, but finding the treble a tad too bright on certain tracks
 
Oct 2, 2015 at 8:24 AM Post #23 of 61
Ok my apologies if this is all rather basic stuff but as stated previously I am not a headphone guru, that’s why I come on here. This is just what I think The HE1000 arrived this morning and they look ok, not a patch on the build quality of the HD800,but it’s the sound that matters. So Listening to both in standard mode, the HD800 was much better in my opinion. The HE1000 is definitely not as sharp to my ears but I think it also lost a bit of detail and soundstage on the HD800. After a few hours of comparing I was convinced there was no contest. I tried to forget the price difference but to my ears the HD800 were better for me, notice I said better for me. Then I tried the Balanced cable and mode with the HE1000 and wow what a difference. At first I thought this might be a volume issue so I adjusted. It was not the HE1000 really come into its own now. It sounds like everything the HD800 has it has also but definitely without the sharpness. I would love to try the HD800 with a balanced cable to see if that makes a difference but it only comes supplied with standard. Its early days and I will stress these are just my humble opinions. Both of these are absolutely awesome sounding headphones…….. the Balanced output brings the HE1000 right up there with the HD800. Time to take a break and listen again later.
 
Oct 3, 2015 at 5:12 AM Post #24 of 61
OK an update for anyone interested.
I feel as if the HE1000 are just in front now which is a shame considering they are double the outlay ;-)
I do feel though that I may not be comparing like with like as I am using Balanced mode with the HE1000 and standard with the HD800, but these are demo sets so i cant change that and I have to make my decision based on what I have in front of me.
I prefer the look, build and fit of the HD800, so so comfortable, and a soundstage and detail that I just didnt think was possible from a headphone set up. But I still find them a tad bright. I think if I was a classical music listened the HD800 would be awesome.
For me right now the HE1000 are the more enjoyable listen, they seem to have everything the HD800 has but without the brightness. They probably do lose a bit of soundstage and detail to my ears but not enough to make a huge difference.  On the HD800 some female vocals just have a hiss to them if that makes sense o
I feel that the HE1000 may be a bit of a better all rounder .....for me anyway. I do listen to a lot of different genres, Classical and Jazz the only two i dont, although some of the female vocalists I listen to could be classed as Jazz maybe.
Last night Foals, Led Zeppelin, Royal Blood - better on the HE1000
Lana Del Ray - better on the HD800.
Although I am 52 I still love Dance music and buy a lot of it Hed Kandi etc, and again it seems more bass on the HE1000.
 
Today I will do further listening, its fun and I am thoroughly enjoying it........trouble is I have to make a decision soon ;-)
 
Oct 3, 2015 at 6:06 AM Post #25 of 61
womaz said:
  OK an update for anyone interested.
I feel as if the HE1000 are just in front now which is a shame considering they are double the outlay ;-)
I do feel though that I may not be comparing like with like as I am using Balanced mode with the HE1000 and standard with the HD800, but these are demo sets so i cant change that and I have to make my decision based on what I have in front of me.
I prefer the look, build and fit of the HD800, so so comfortable, and a soundstage and detail that I just didnt think was possible from a headphone set up. But I still find them a tad bright. I think if I was a classical music listened the HD800 would be awesome.
For me right now the HE1000 are the more enjoyable listen, they seem to have everything the HD800 has but without the brightness. They probably do lose a bit of soundstage and detail to my ears but not enough to make a huge difference.  On the HD800 some female vocals just have a hiss to them if that makes sense o
I feel that the HE1000 may be a bit of a better all rounder .....for me anyway. I do listen to a lot of different genres, Classical and Jazz the only two i dont, although some of the female vocalists I listen to could be classed as Jazz maybe.
Last night Foals, Led Zeppelin, Royal Blood - better on the HE1000
Lana Del Ray - better on the HD800.
Although I am 52 I still love Dance music and buy a lot of it Hed Kandi etc, and again it seems more bass on the HE1000.
 
Today I will do further listening, its fun and I am thoroughly enjoying it........trouble is I have to make a decision soon ;-)
Click to expand...

 
Glad to hear you enjoy it. I also prefered HE-1000 over HD800. I have heard that HD800 is very picky about equipment though. I don't want to make your decision any harder but I just want to let you know HiFiMAN just released a littlebrother to the HE-1000 called HE-X.
 
Oct 3, 2015 at 6:12 AM Post #26 of 61
youth said:
   
Glad to hear you enjoy it. I also prefered HE-1000 over HD800. I have heard that HD800 is very picky about equipment though. I don't want to make your decision any harder but I just want to let you know HiFiMAN just released a littlebrother to the HE-1000 called HE-X.
Click to expand...


Yes I know that. It wont confuse me as I have researched and read for months now. It will be between these two. I am not sure I prefer the HE1000 at this stage. I am just not sure I can handle the treble in the HD800 . This could change with more listening.
 
Oct 3, 2015 at 2:13 PM Post #27 of 61
Ok a further update. HE1000 definitely in the driving seat now. Put on the Amber Rubatth album - songs from the 17th ward. Now this is an album that should suit the HD800 and that is why I chose it . HE1000 really brought the percussion and acoustics out. Sounded tremendous . Admit the HD800 did this too, but again moments where it was just too bright for me.
 
Oct 3, 2015 at 2:38 PM Post #28 of 61
I have had a loud of help and suggestions on other threads from head fi members to try and get the best out of the HD800 and I truly appreciate their help and suggestions. But I can't help think that if these headphones were a similar price this would be a no brainer for me right now. The HE1000 sounds great with everything I have heard. One possible moan the bass can sometimes hide other stuff as on one or two dance tracks it got a bit boomy for my liking but I doubt you will never get perfection.
For me the HD800 wins for clarity but for enjoyment the HE1000 is ahead in my opinion. At the end of the day that's what it's all about. OK it's going to cost me more :grinning:
 
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