[johnjen]

Last night I couldn't help myself and swapped out the Dekoni's for the stock pads.
And immediately all those aspects I was missing became evident.

The impact of the leading edge of bass, of any percussive instrument, came back.*
The 'push back', where the soundstage receded away from me, ended.
The inner details I was missing, returned.

I figure they need to reduce the pad thickness by at least 1/2, perhaps even more.
They are, by my evaluation, over dampening the initial leading edge of fast transients and the small signals that we hear as spatial cues.

I will say that they are comfortable and a slight bit warmer (as in temperature) inside the ear cup.
And I can see where some might like these 'softening' effects.

*And keep in mind my system is setup to bring out the bass, all the way down to ≈10Hz

But for me, I'll stick with stock pads.

JJ

 

[bosiemoncrieff]

How often do people change the stock pads on their HD800? I got mine in the summer of 2015, and they're starting to show signs of wear. My ears are starting to touch the interior lining.

 

[joespride]

leave the pads alone and pin your ears back Seriously I have no idea how long the pads last but I have new OEM pads and headband on standby

 

[johnjen]

I usually get ≈ 2 years of heavy, as in everyday, use out of a set of pads, and change out the headband every 2 earpad changes.

JJ

 

[pietcux]

I usually get ≈ 2 years of heavy, as in everyday, use out of a set of pads, and change out the headband every 2 earpad changes.

JJ

I have a used HD800 incoming. 5 years old they are. The seller states the pads are still intact, lets see.
I plan to modify the stock cable to XLR balanced for my HDVA 600 amp. Does anyone know, if the wiring is still balanced between the splitter and the plug? The HD650 stock cables are, they were easy to modify.

 

[johnjen]

Yes the stock cable has 4 wires for an easy balanced conversion.

JJ

 

[Makiah S]

Gave Jazz in the new Harmonic another listen tonight, happy to say I noticed some textures/transiets I hadn't before! Love that the HD 800 is still impressing me day after day!

 

[bosiemoncrieff]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sennheiser...rentrq:a154ff0b1620a884e1c611f7fffcc3c3|iid:1

Not a bad offer if anyone needs an amp for HD800, though I imagine Lyr Multibit wold be a better use of the money.

 

[PinkyPowers]

Listening to some Best of Depeche Mode. NFB-28>Balanced>HD800 Dekoni sheepskin.

I don't often grab for the HD800. I usually go for the LCD-2. But goddamn, these do sound great when I do choose this path. So spacious, relaxed, and resolving.

 

[pietcux]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sennheiser-HDVA600-Analog-Headphone-Amplifier-505589/302685572353?_trkparms=aid=777001&algo=DISCO.FEED&ao=1&asc=51025&meid=a7d4e695abb547718a0dc381e6d4471a&pid=100880&rk=1&rkt=1&&itm=302685572353&_trksid=p2481888.c100880.m5132&_trkparms=pageci:1bb330d4-3a90-11e8-847c-74dbd1809bac|parentrq:a154ff0b1620a884e1c611f7fffcc3c3|iid:1

Not a bad offer if anyone needs an amp for HD800, though I imagine Lyr Multibit wold be a better use of the money.

The HDVA 600 is an amp that is mostly underrated. Powerful, noiseless and neutral. For the price the amp is a steal. You might want to get it and rethink your words. Got it not too long ago and the HD800 today. Both used for a good price.If I was you, I'd buy it.

 

[bosiemoncrieff]

I only say that because of the included multibit DAC. I listened to the HDVD at Sennheiser SF and the DAC made my ears bleed.

 

[joespride]

I found the Bimby very fatiguing with HD800, I dare say it will be HIGHLY dependent on listeners preference.............

 

[pietcux]

I only say that because of the included multibit DAC. I listened to the HDVD at Sennheiser SF and the DAC made my ears bleed.

I run the HDVD 600 from my Xonar STX sound cards line out. The card has a TI PCM1792A dac. Delta Sigma for sure. To me it sounds fantastic. The same goes for my Sony WM1A DAP. It sounds just right to me.

 

[Yviena]

Hmmm i recently ripped out the thin dust filter from my fenestrated sheepskin pads and i believe i hear more detail now that the the drivers are unobstructed to my ears.

I will probably purchase the elite sheepskin pads in some weeks to check out how they sound, I'm unsure if i will rip out the filter on the elite sheepskin too, though i know i liked the stock hd800 unobstructed without the dust covers.

 

[bosiemoncrieff]

Are all the cool kids switching away from the stock pads? How much easier or harder to install are the Dekoni pads than stock?