[magiccabbage]

Had my colorwares for 2 1/2 years, no flakes yet.

sweet

 

[preproman]

  Can anyone tell me if the colorware paint jobs are more resistant to flaking and small scratches on the HD800? 

 
That was the best move I made - and getting them hardwired.

 

[MattTCG]

   
That was the best move I made - and getting them hardwired.

 
Why hardwired? Just curious...

 

[Eee Pee]

Had my colorwares for 2 1/2 years, no flakes yet.

 
Impressive.  My #6954 that I've had for quite some time could be called Colorflakes.
 
Don't read that wrong, I don't have Colorwares.  
 
My stock 800s are looking pretty bad.  Sounds the same though.

 

[preproman]

   
Why hardwired? Just curious...

 
The best connectors are no connectors..

 

[Zoom25]

   
The best connectors are no connectors..

Best place to get it done? Also, you hear an audible difference between hardwire vs. non hardwire (assuming same quality of cable is used)?

 

[kothganesh]

   
The best connectors are no connectors..

Any competent electrician should be able to do this right? I live in India so.....

 

[icebear]

  http://www.head-fi.org/t/650510/the-new-hd800-impressions-thread/8880#post_10338732
 
...
 
A lot of Abyss bashing for bad reasons here. Yes the Abyss is ugly, Yes Abyss measurements show oddities, Yes this is expensive but sorry guys , the Abyss is better than my beloved HD800  and it's due to two points and the most important is not the E.T bass departement but the imaging capabilities.  I don't which measurement show imaging capabilities. Soes someone know that ?  
...

Could you elaborate what you understand as imaging capabilities ?
For me that is the ability to recreated the image of the position of the sound source, otherwise also referred to as "sound stage". I only heard the Abyss once with Woo Audio amp & DAC at the NY 2014 spring meet and I wasn't particularly impressed with the Abyss. I got the standard headphone "in the middle of my head" effect and the only can I don't get this is the HD800. Other than that the weight of the Abyss gives me a headache. So luckily for my wallet I'm very happy with the HD800 and not tempted at all by the Abyss

.

 

[Eee Pee]

  Any competent electrician should be able to do this right? I live in India so.....

 
Yes. Just be comfortable with small wire soldering.  Found with Google Image.  Not too bad.
 

 

[preproman]

  Best place to get it done? Also, you hear an audible difference between hardwire vs. non hardwire (assuming same quality of cable is used)?

 
I got mine done at SAA.  Be careful, yes he is an ex Senn. engineer but he will also try to sell you a lot of snake oil.  I knew I just wanted my headphones hardwired and nothing else.  He also does an Ultra- Mod.  Greed got both done to his HD800s.  Depending on what cable you want - It will take away any hardness or harshness in the highs.  The mids are more enjoyable.
 
To my ears it makes the HD800 sound more mature 
 
 
http://www.stefanaudioart.com/
 
http://casques-headphones.com/index

 

[Eee Pee]

   
sneak oil

 
That's kinda funny.

 

[preproman]

   
That's kinda funny.

He will sneak you some snake oil sure nuff.. 

 

[Zoom25]

   
I got mine done at SAA.  Be careful, yes he is an ex Senn. engineer but he will also try to sell you a lot of snake oil.  I knew I just wanted my headphones hardwired and nothing else.  He also does an Ultra- Mod.  Greed got both done to his HD800s.  Depending on what cable you want - It will take away any hardness or harshness in the highs.  The mids are more enjoyable.
 
To my ears it makes the HD800 sound more mature 
 
 
http://www.stefanaudioart.com/
 
http://casques-headphones.com/index

So just hardwire with endorphin and skip the Ultra mod? That's still like $749 stock at 4 feet. Is it actually worth anywhere near that?

 

[Sorrodje]

  Could you elaborate what you understand as imaging capabilities ?
For me that is the ability to recreated the image of the position of the sound source, otherwise also referred to as "sound stage". I only heard the Abyss once with Woo Audio amp & DAC at the NY 2014 spring meet and I wasn't particularly impressed with the Abyss. I got the standard headphone "in the middle of my head" effect and the only can I don't get this is the HD800. Other than that the weight of the Abyss gives me a headache. So luckily for my wallet I'm very happy with the HD800 and not tempted at all by the Abyss

.

we talk about the same thing. I had the big chance to try the Abyss quietly without any noise around me and I've no doubt about is superior imaging capabilities ( more consistent image with a better sense of mouvement from back to front, more 3D) . We've scrutated those abilities with very specific music.  It seems the settings ( pads positionning anbd head band settings) make a big difference though. 
 
With big orchestral pieces , it seems the difference was less obvious though

 

[preproman]

  So just hardwire with endorphin and skip the Ultra mod? That's still like $749 stock at 4 feet. Is it actually worth anywhere near that?

That is a lot of money I know.  However, you know how it is when you want something - you go get it at all cost (well almost at all cost).  I looked around trying to find someone who would do it - no takers.  My guy that hardwired all my other headphones would not touch it.  So when I found out about SAA I was like "game on"  Then the price gave me pause.  
 
I thought about it for about 3 weeks.  It eat at me so much I just gave in and got it done.  James tried to get me to get the Ultra mod as well, but after hearing the Anax mod I decided not to.  Not saying both mods would sound the same.  Hell - I just wanted the hardwire, I said if I feel the need to have the Ultra Mod done I'll send them in.  Well - I don't feel the need.
 
The cable it self is what cost.  To bad you can't have him hardwire your own cable.  If he did I would have sent him a Norse Cable - much cheaper.  I had to go with what he offered.