[gimmeheadroom]

Wait a minute, don't we get a USB stick with the frequency response curve of our specific pair of 800s in the package? I have one but I didn't look at it yet. If so we have all we need to do a correct job of killing any peaks etc. and parametric EQ is perfect for this.

 

[Yviena]

That's a legitimate question. The answer is «yes». Let's call it convenience. Since there's no published EQ curve I can rely on, I have to experiment on the basis of one that's passably close. For that I consider a ⅓-octave equalizer with fine 0.1-dB steps a better tool than a parametric equalizer. It's easier (for me) to find what sort of compensation is necessary, step by step. Finally reproducing the curve with a parametric equalizer would be the ideal scenario. But here's where convenience calls for its right. And in fact the resulting sound is already excellent enough. If there were some aggressive narrow-band peaks slipping through the cracks I would seriously have to reconsider my approach, though.

However, there's more to it than just convenience: Building a compensation curve for one of my headphones always takes time. I'm rather talking of months than of weeks. Add to this that modifying it as soon as something in the chain has changed makes it some sort of an ongoing occupation (the M Scaler and the Wave Storm cables have caused some sleepless nights – proverbially, but also literally). That's a further motive to just stick with the (excellent) xnor graphic equalizer, at least for now. But maybe you can recommend a good parametric equalizer with an intuitive IU? Preferrably for foobar2000.

After all, for sound editing and crossfeeding on my music collection I use Wavelab's parametric equalizer.

I believe there are convolver plugins for foobar2000, then you could use something like Room EQ Wizard(free), or accurate(payware) and just create a 352/384khz 32 bit mono WAV impulse file.

 

[Yviena]

Wait a minute, don't we get a USB stick with the frequency response curve of our specific pair of 800s in the package? I have one but I didn't look at it yet. If so we have all we need to do a correct job of killing any peaks etc. and parametric EQ is perfect for this.

The sennheiser frequency certificate that they give out is too smoothed out/low Res though.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

The sennheiser frequency certificate that they give out is too smoothed out/low Res though.

Bummer

 

[Dorick]

Coming to the full sized cans world from iems (Sony ier z1r, Andromeda, etc), my first foray was the hd6xx.

Is the hd800 still considered a good top tier headphone to get in the sub $1k range (used)? Or are there other better options now?

 

[paradoxper]

IMO nothing in the sub $1k range truly competes with the technicalities of the HD800.

However, is the HD800 the type of signature befitting your sound preference is a bigger question, really.

 

[protoss]

Is the hd800 still considered a good top tier headphone

Yes, it is still top tier and will be on that list forever. Yes, you heard it forever. The only thing that will happen in the years down the road is, it will be forgotten, like the legendary headphones of the 90s.

It comes to flavor at the end of the day. Bright, detail, thin vs others.

 

[protoss]

I notice "future headphones" will be vastly different than the ones of now. They will be top-tier and replace everything of today.

1. Amps inside them, THX tech or other Amps and Dac chips inside the drivers.
2. Bluetooth headphones will eventually take over. And replace conventional headphones of today.
3. And other unknown soon to be reveal headphones of the years down the road.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

The 800 is not really a daily driver for most people. It's great to have in the arsenal but it's more of a specific tool and not the best generalist.

A person could buy a pair of HD 600s and be happy the rest of his life.

 

[Dorick]

The 800 is not really a daily driver for most people. It's great to have in the arsenal but it's more of a specific tool and not the best generalist.

A person could buy a pair of HD 600s and be happy the rest of his life.

Do u mean hd600 or hd650?

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Do u mean hd600 or hd650?

You heard me

I'm old fashioned and I'm not interested in attempts to change perfection. The 650, 6XX, 660 are just to sell something new. They nailed it with the 600. No need to change anything

 

[eeagle]

You heard me

I'm old fashioned and I'm not interested in attempts to change perfection. The 650, 6XX, 660 are just to sell something new. They nailed it with the 600. No need to change anything

Totally agree the HD600 is the Sennheiser Icon for sure. You might also add the 58x to the above list, not to be confused with the original HD580 which was a HD600 in plastic clothes.

 

[FiGuY1017]

For me and my ears and system, i find my self fortunate as the 800 off my rig sounds huge, full and beautiful! Lucky me i guess lol

 

[duyanh43]

Just bought a HD800 today, pairing with my IFI Micro Bl. Can't go back to the 650 anymore...

 

[Vitaly2017]

If anyone is interested I got a very high quality cable 7N purity for all hd800 models.
Good price!


https://www.head-fi.org/threads/wireworld-nano-eclipse-4-4mm-copper-100.887365/