[TwoEars]

I thought pads on the HD 800 we're not user serviceable.

 
For your pleasure:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/503058/how-to-remove-hd800-ear-pads-finally-i-figured-how

 

[LugBug1]

There here can't wait to listen to them, but first give them a couple of days of break in, before I return with my impressions.

Congrats! 
 
But why put yourself through 2 days of waiting...?! 10 mins for your gear to warm up is all you need! The headphones don't change! Honestly! Its a myth!! 
 
I can't stop using exclamation marks! Someone stop me!!! 
 
!! 

 

[oscar777]

  Congrats! 
 
But why put yourself through 2 days of waiting...?! 10 mins for your gear to warm up is all you need! The headphones don't change! Honestly! Its a myth!! 
 
I can't stop using exclamation marks! Someone stop me!!! 
 
!! 

LOL
 
Agree.. didn't notice any change with mine also.. and no sibilance/treble harshness whatsoever
 
IMO

 

[TwoEars]

I think I noticed a change with mine.
 
I listened to them right when I got them and then I left them at high volume with some Massive Attack songs (both very low and high notes) for about 100h.
 
After that there was less sibilance that what I could remember from before.
 
Of course... this was no back-to-back blind test and I'm fully aware that my brain can play numerous tricks on me.
 
But I did think I noticed a bit less sibilance.
 
Which might have been real or not...
 
Would be fun if someone had two brand new HD800 that sounded exactly the same and tested burn-in on one!

 

[roguegeek]

I had a demo HD 700 which countless hours on it and a brand spanking new set with me for a whole week of overlap to compare. There was definitely a difference, particularly with sibilance. The demo pair had none. The new pair had a tiny bit. Now, after about 500 hours on the new pair, the minute sibilance is gone. Burn-in is very real, so I'm not surprised you're hearing a difference.

 

[roguegeek]

For your pleasure:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/503058/how-to-remove-hd800-ear-pads-finally-i-figured-how

Thank you. Thank you. Most helpful.

 

[Swolern]

Looking to upgrade my DAC and then amp later on. What are you guys recommendations in the $800-1300 price range DACs? Im looking for strengths in imaging, soundstage, and instrument separation without being too harsh, but not mushy sounding either. Im currently looking at the Matrix X-Sabre. Any other suggestions?
 
And can you hear a noticeable difference between 24/192 & 32/384kHz?

 

[James-uk]

Looking to upgrade my DAC and then amp later on. What are you guys recommendations in the $800-1300 price range DACs? Im looking for strengths in imaging, soundstage, and instrument separation without being too harsh, but not mushy sounding either. Im currently looking at the Matrix X-Sabre. Any other suggestions?

And can you hear a noticeable difference between 24/192 & 32/384kHz?

Nobody can hear a difference past 16/44.

 

[britneedadvice]

I have recently been made aware of Stefan Audio Art Cables(from the LCD-XC thread).From SAA website,I read the Positive Feedback issue 54 review  'after market Cable options for the HD800'
Worth reading, whatever Amp!?

 

[Dionysus]

From my experience, it could just be me getting use to the new sound, but it did help me regarding break in on the HD700, I appreciate your point of view about break in.
So because of work and not really being able to sit for a few hours to listen, I'll let it burn in anyway and take my time this weekend to listen. I did take a listen sorta a sneak peek listen.

 

[punit]

Nobody can hear a difference past 16/44.

I have the CD of "So - Peter Gabriel" & also the 24bit 48kHz download (from the link below)
 
http://www.bowers-wilkins.net/Society_of_Sound/Society_of_Sound/Music/Peter-Gabriel-So.html
 
There is a clear difference in the SQ between the 2. But this is not always the case , I have several albums from HD Tracks in 24/192 & I find no difference between that & CD.

 

[BobJS]

Nobody can hear a difference past 16/44.

 
Word.
 
(Am I 20 years too late to express my agreement with this term?)

 

[James-uk]

I have the CD of "So - Peter Gabriel" & also the 24bit 48kHz download (from the link below)

http://www.bowers-wilkins.net/Society_of_Sound/Society_of_Sound/Music/Peter-Gabriel-So.html

There is a clear difference in the SQ between the 2. But this is not always the case , I have several albums from HD Tracks in 24/192 & I find no difference between that & CD.

Different mastering. If you were to compress the 24/48 version to 16/44 it would sound identical to any human ear.

 

[James-uk]

I sometimes find the HD800 could do with a touch more bass. For this reason when recently buying a sealed can I went for the NAD viso HP50 because it has apparently got more realistic bass when using speakers in a room as a reference. I've had them a week and I find them way too bass heavy and I feel it compromises the sound stage massively . I now realise never to doubt the HD800s bass. It's perfect!!!!

 

[punit]

Different mastering. If you were to compress the 24/48 version to 16/44 it would sound identical to any human ear.

Ah.. thought you were talking in general about 16 /44 vs higher resolution i.e. I assumed your contention was there is no use for resolution above 16/ 44