[mysticstryk]

I've decided after 7 or so months the 800 is not for me, I love them for classical and jazz etc but want something more suitable for all genres. Was thinking the 650 I was able to demo a pair, obviously being used to the 800 these came across a little dark but sounded much better with electronic and hip hop. Much more bass presence for this type of music.

I was also considering the 700 as people described them as being somewhere between the 650 and 800. Are the 700 a good all rounder like the 650? And do they have much bass like the 650? Either way I'm selling them, if anyone in Australia wants a near new pair of HD800's for a good price... Let me know

I would rather step down to the 500 series than use the 700.

Most people generally only reference the 600/650/800 when talking about high end sennheisers for a reason.

 

[MWSVette]

I would rather step down to the 500 series than use the 700.

Most people generally only reference the 600/650/800 when talking about high end sennheisers for a reason.

 
I own the HD598, HD600, HD700 and HD800.  They are all audiophile high end Sennheisers.  
 
I personally find the HD700 to be a highly underrated set of headphones.  Particularly at the price they are currently available.
 
IMHO of course...

 

[acap13]

what headphone has a better soundstage and imaging vs HD800 ?

I guess it depends on which source you are using..i have heard akg k812 with mojo and it simply fabalous in terms of depth to an extend which could challenge HD800/S with mojo.Width wise still bested by hd800 but source and amplifier really plays a major role.i guess akg k812 is really underrated in headfi. By the way,i am the owner of hd800S.

 

[fjrabon]

I guess it depends on which source you are using..i have heard akg k812 with mojo and it simply fabalous in terms of depth to an extend which could challenge HD800/S with mojo.Width wise still bested by hd800 but source and amplifier really plays a major role.i guess akg k812 is really underrated in headfi. By the way,i am the owner of hd800S.

I think everybody I've heard loved the K812 soundstage wise, it was the sound signature that people couldn't deal with, for the most part.  

 

[bosiemoncrieff]

  I, and many others, absolutely loathe the HD700. It might perform well from 50-2000Hz but it has some of the most unpleasant treble I've ever heard. Any 'sss' becomes 'SSSSHHHHH' and any 'cck' becomes 'CCCCHHHHHHHH'. Anyone who thinks the HD800 is piercing but the HD700 isn't is crazy.
 
But I'm sure an $800 cable would save the day.

A nice tube amp and a multibit DAC will tame HD800 pretty well (Vali/Mimby is my rec for starter set). Also, @DavidMahler  is on the record differentiating between the early HD800s which have a fuller sound and the later ones that have an airier sound. I'm 6xxx, and I'm not sure which this is, but it certainly /sounds/ very full. If you have/get an earlier SN, this might help you with loving HD800.

 

[thefitz]

  A nice tube amp and a multibit DAC will tame HD800 pretty well (Vali/Mimby is my rec for starter set). Also, @DavidMahler  is on the record differentiating between the early HD800s which have a fuller sound and the later ones that have an airier sound. I'm 6xxx, and I'm not sure which this is, but it certainly /sounds/ very full. If you have/get an earlier SN, this might help you with loving HD800.

Oh, I love my HD800 SD. I'm referring to the HD700, which makes me angry thinking about. I honestly believe that anybody who likes the HD700 is just being difficult and stubborn, and there are plenty of those folks in this hobby.

 

[lenroot77]

To the guy looking to get rid of the hd800's I'd highly recommend trying the Sonarworks software before you get rid of them. There's a free trial on their website. For me it was an easy purchase (software) after hearing the hd800's with it.

Personally I'd go for the hd650's over the hd700's if your do get rid of the hd800's. To me the hd700's weren't bad, they just didn't seem to do anything special. Now the first time I put the 650's on I was smitten with those mids! Mmmm mmm gooood!

 

[bosiemoncrieff]

I haven't heard HD700, but condemnation from the community is pretty universal. 

 

[potkettleblack]

  I haven't heard HD700, but condemnation from the community is pretty universal. 

Excellent with classical and probably the best gaming headphones available. For the price (they are now) they are an absolute steal if you need a headphone for those reasons. They are also ridiculously comfortable. 

 

[fjrabon]

To the guy looking to get rid of the hd800's I'd highly recommend trying the Sonarworks software before you get rid of them. There's a free trial on their website. For me it was an easy purchase (software) after hearing the hd800's with it.

Personally I'd go for the hd650's over the hd700's if your do get rid of the hd800's. To me the hd700's weren't bad, they just didn't seem to do anything special. Now the first time I put the 650's on I was smitten with those mids! Mmmm mmm gooood!

yeah, sonarworks with the HD800 is a gamechanger.  Also Goodhertz CanOpener (if you have a mac) is worth a try as well, makes the HD800 soundstage even more magical.

 

[Me x3]

Despite the slightly un-even upper mids to lower treble transition, HD700 is a very good performer and it's among the top picks at current prices.
I think important part of the hate towards HD700 comes from the fact that people were expecting HD700 to be an upgraded HD6x0, and it's pretty much the opposite headphone.

 

[mysticstryk]

The hate is because the FR is essentially broken and something one would expect from $20 earbuds, not a $1000 (now about $450) sennheiser product.

 

[Me x3]

The hate is because the FR is essentially broken and something one would expect from $20 earbuds, not a $1000 (now about $450) sennheiser product.

What do you mean by broken?

 

[mysticstryk]

What do you mean by broken?

http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/SennheiserHD700.pdf

I mean, I guess if someone likes the Grado sound and like to ride the treble waves of an oncoming hurricane.

I'm not saying people shouldn't like it, but it's understandable how much hate they get. Grado still has its fans and many don't mind treble mountains. But these issues** should still be pointed out when advising others on these headphones.

**Of course a few may not feel these are issues.

 

[Me x3]

I mean, I guess if someone likes the Grado sound and like to ride the treble waves of an oncoming hurricane.

I'm not saying people shouldn't like it, but it's understandable how much hate they get. Grado still has its fans and many don't mind treble mountains. But these issues** should still be pointed out when advising others on these headphones.

**Of course a few may not feel these are issues.

Well, the highest treble peak is only 4dB over 1kHz level and pretty much on the same level as the whole lower midrange.
On the other hand, there's a clear valley in the upper midrange. This can be a good thing in a world full of shouty/compressed recordings, and normally helps with soundstage depth as well.
 
The valley is a tad too deep, and 6.5kHz peak is a bit too pointy, but otherwise the frequency response is quite clean.
Similarly HD650 has clearly boosted mid-bass and clearly recessed upper treble and I wouldn't say its FR is broken.
 
I agree it's always useful to advice about the headphone's characteristics, but I also understand that different headphones normally fit different recordings, and most of them can be labelled as $20 earbuds when paired with the wrong recordings or don't suit our preferences.
 
Give the HD800 to the wrong people (those who want BASS or those unable to appreciate its microdynamics capabilities) and it will get even worse reputation than HD700.