[gimmeheadroom]

You paint it with a spray can or with a brush?

I'm guessing a spray gun. Let's here it from the artist

 

[Ken G]

Looks good. Did you use a sticker for the "L" & "R"? I assume you painted over the lettering that reads "High Definition Driver 300 ohms" on the outer ring?

 

[ecva]

You paint it with a spray can or with a brush?

Airbrush. The tricky part is trying to preserve the letters in the yokes. I did not paint the ring in the drivers as it didn't have chips as the other parts. Here's more pics of the steps I did. First pic paint removed then primer, black base coat, aluminum coat, matte finish, and test fit. There is a lot of fine sanding in between coats. For the letters "L" and "R", the only real struggle is the "R" due to it's curves, but I carefully taped it off then retouched when I finished the aluminum part. Also, the important thing is to let the coats dry properly.

 

[DuncanDirkDick]

Nice, I did the same with mine.

 

[wormsdriver]

I found this video from some years ago when the HD800S came out. Its very interesting and informative... You're welcome!

 

[koudairanger]

Just sharing, I had my HD800 since 2016 and never ever thought once of selling them. I do not like though that the paint on mine was fading due to oxidation probably. So I did some DIY and was able to find a paint color that matches almost exactly like stock. It was a lot of work though but came out very clean. For those curious, paint is Armored Komodo Aluminum. Just make sure you finish in matte

Do you have a recommendation of how-to videos on safely disassemble them for painting? I'm thinking about painting mine too.

 

[ecva]

Do you have a recommendation of how-to videos on safely disassemble them for painting? I'm thinking about painting mine too.

Here's a very good video on how to disassemble the hd800. I followed this one too when I did mine.

 

[koudairanger]

Here's a very good video on how to disassemble the hd800. I followed this one too when I did mine.

Thanks!

 

[EJSorona]

I was lucky enough to find a second hand HD800S at almost half the price of what the Sennheiser store at a local online marketplace was asking for.
It was really almost new. Maybe one day I'll get the official Senn amps for them. Sometimes I see one HDVD800 for sale, but it's paired with the original HD800, or the official store sells them brand new with a discount.
I'll much rather get a better standalone DAC as the integrated DACs on the HDVD800 and HDV820 are, from what I've heard, mediocre or just not on par with the amp portion.

 

[ecva]

I was lucky enough to find a second hand HD800S at almost half the price of what the Sennheiser store at a local online marketplace was asking for.
It was really almost new. Maybe one day I'll get the official Senn amps for them. Sometimes I see one HDVD800 for sale, but it's paired with the original HD800, or the official store sells them brand new with a discount.
I'll much rather get a better standalone DAC as the integrated DACs on the HDVD800 and HDV820 are, from what I've heard, mediocre or just not on par with the amp portion.

Congratulations! Surely one of the best purchases I ever made is the HD800. Just give it power and it will bring you years of enjoyment.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

I was lucky enough to find a second hand HD800S at almost half the price of what the Sennheiser store at a local online marketplace was asking for.
It was really almost new. Maybe one day I'll get the official Senn amps for them. Sometimes I see one HDVD800 for sale, but it's paired with the original HD800, or the official store sells them brand new with a discount.
I'll much rather get a better standalone DAC as the integrated DACs on the HDVD800 and HDV820 are, from what I've heard, mediocre or just not on par with the amp portion.

The 800/S is very clinical and resolving but the amp has a strong influence on sound quality. I can recommend the RME ADI-2 FS DAC, but you'll need an outboard amp to get the most out of your headphones.

 

[EJSorona]

The 800/S is very clinical and resolving but the amp has a strong influence on sound quality. I can recommend the RME ADI-2 FS DAC, but you'll need an outboard amp to get the most out of your headphones.

When I bought it had a Schiit Modi 2U and Magni 2U stack. It sounded pretty clinical alright. I sold the Magni 2 and purchased a tube amp made by a local technician. That amp has 4-pin XLR out. It definitely improved the sound to my ears, specially after replacing the stock pre-amp tubes.
Now I need to replaced the DAC. I'm between the Schiit Bifrost 2 and the Denafrips Ares II. The ADI-2 FS is not a bad option, but it doesn't have USB input, but the ADI-2 PRO FS does.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

When I bought it had a Schiit Modi 2U and Magni 2U stack. It sounded pretty clinical alright. I sold the Magni 2 and purchased a tube amp made by a local technician. That amp has 4-pin XLR out. It definitely improved the sound to my ears, specially after replacing the stock pre-amp tubes.
Now I need to replaced the DAC. I'm between the Schiit Bifrost 2 and the Denafrips Ares II. The ADI-2 FS is not a bad option, but it doesn't have USB input, but the ADI-2 PRO FS does.

Tube OTLs are good medicine for Sennheisers.

What do you mean the ADI-2 FS doesn't have USB input?

 

[Tarttett]

When I bought it had a Schiit Modi 2U and Magni 2U stack. It sounded pretty clinical alright. I sold the Magni 2 and purchased a tube amp made by a local technician. That amp has 4-pin XLR out. It definitely improved the sound to my ears, specially after replacing the stock pre-amp tubes.
Now I need to replaced the DAC. I'm between the Schiit Bifrost 2 and the Denafrips Ares II. The ADI-2 FS is not a bad option, but it doesn't have USB input, but the ADI-2 PRO FS does.

The RME ADI-2 DAC does possess one USB-B input connector.

 

[roskodan]

If using the RME, make sure to try the onboard PEQ, oratory1990 has 5 band Harman RME presets for both HD800 / HD800S.