The (new) HD800 Impressions Thread
Nov 20, 2014 at 10:03 AM Post #15,241 of 28,976
So, HD800 wins. They're now the only pair of headphones I have now after owning Stax 507 & 009, Grado GS1000i, RS1i and Audeze LCD-X.

Does that mean you prefer them over the 009?
 
Nov 20, 2014 at 11:05 AM Post #15,242 of 28,976
  I'm now firmly in the HD800 camp....
 
So, HD800 wins. They're now the only pair of headphones I have now after owning Stax 507 & 009, Grado GS1000i, RS1i and Audeze LCD-X.

 
Hi audiokid,
I was thinking of getting a GS1000e as an alternative for the HD800. Not all music sound good on the Sennheiser when the recording/mastering is not perfect. I'm not sure how much different the i and e version are but what's your take on the differences of the GS1000 and the HD800 ? Are the Grados as comfortable although a little heavier ? Do you perceive a good sound stage or is there a distinct "inside the head" impression with the Grados?
Thanks for your input.
 
Nov 20, 2014 at 11:36 AM Post #15,243 of 28,976
I would say out of that list, the GS1000i were my least favourite. They were soooo bright, although I did find them nice and light and fairly comfy. 
 
I preferred the RS1i to the GS1000i by a decent margin. 
 
Nov 20, 2014 at 1:05 PM Post #15,244 of 28,976
Hard to say, I didn't compare the 009 with the HD800 directly, although the 507 overlapped with both.
I couldn't justify the 009 in comparison to the 507, I found the bass a bit soft although they were very detailed and easy to wear. The 507 had more punch and a bit more drama on some albums. I kept the 507/323s... But later sold that lot when the HD800 settled in.
I'm not sure I'd go back to Stax as they have some practical issues, they need large energisers and they can be a bit unreliable.
The HD800s aren't perfect (no headphone is) but they are pretty special. I'm going to try the Lehmann linear in comparison to the bare Hugo, see if it makes any difference.
 
Nov 20, 2014 at 2:19 PM Post #15,245 of 28,976
  I would say out of that list, the GS1000i were my least favourite. They were soooo bright, although I did find them nice and light and fairly comfy. 
 
I preferred the RS1i to the GS1000i by a decent margin. 

beerchug.gif
 
 
RS1i > GS1000i, the GS are comfy though and weight almost nothing
 
Nov 20, 2014 at 2:56 PM Post #15,246 of 28,976
Nov 20, 2014 at 8:33 PM Post #15,247 of 28,976
  I'm now firmly in the HD800 camp.
 
I decided to move the Stax 507/323s on and keep the HD800, driven by a Chord Hugo. 
 
It's was a close contest – the Stax are extremely good, but over time I preferred a few things about the HD800:
 
- After some adjustment, I found them comfier for longer listens. 
- Amazing sense of space
- Staggering detail
- And the deal-maker was that they're portable with the Hugo, unlike the Stax.
- The Stax 'crackle' started to annoy me a little bit when I moved my head too quickly. 
 
So, HD800 wins. They're now the only pair of headphones I have now after owning Stax 507 & 009, Grado GS1000i, RS1i and Audeze LCD-X.

Is that typical of Stax headphones?
 
Nov 21, 2014 at 2:22 AM Post #15,249 of 28,976
Nov 21, 2014 at 5:15 AM Post #15,252 of 28,976
  I'm now firmly in the HD800 camp.
 
I decided to move the Stax 507/323s on and keep the HD800, driven by a Chord Hugo
 
It's was a close contest – the Stax are extremely good, but over time I preferred a few things about the HD800:
 
- After some adjustment, I found them comfier for longer listens. 
- Amazing sense of space
- Staggering detail
- And the deal-maker was that they're portable with the Hugo, unlike the Stax.
- The Stax 'crackle' started to annoy me a little bit when I moved my head too quickly. 
 
So, HD800 wins. They're now the only pair of headphones I have now after owning Stax 507 & 009, Grado GS1000i, RS1i and Audeze LCD-X.

I'm also using the Chord Hugo with the HD800. Sounds excellent 
atsmile.gif

 
Nov 21, 2014 at 5:21 AM Post #15,253 of 28,976
 
Nope, the 007 and the 009 also exhibit this characteristic.

I stand corrected! 
 
I did read somewhere that the 009 had a different design that prevented it, and the pair I had were absolutely fine. That's not always considered a good thing though, as I believe it's a sign of a tightly sealed electrostatic unit. 
 
Anyway, it's safe to say it never happens with the HD800!
 
Nov 21, 2014 at 5:23 AM Post #15,254 of 28,976
  I'm also using the Chord Hugo with the HD800. Sounds excellent 
atsmile.gif

Yes, it's a great sound – although admittedly I haven't heard the HD800 with anything else yet. 
 
I'm keen to try a recommended amp (Like the black cube linear) with the Hugo as a DAC but it may only detract from this great combo.
 
Any thoughts here? 
 
Nov 21, 2014 at 5:25 AM Post #15,255 of 28,976
  I'm also using the Chord Hugo with the HD800. Sounds excellent 
atsmile.gif


I need to revisit the HD800's when I demoed a pair with he Hugo they were new out of box and sounded bright/thin, how many hours do they need to settle down and produce their best, I have heard it can take a while?
 

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