How are you liking the sound so far? can you compare with your T1?
Thanks.
I find them both in the same league, but for me the 800 edges out the T1 in a couple ways:
I find the 800 build quality better than the T1. Better, in fact, than any other phone I've handled. The fit and finish of these headphones ooze precision and craft. The 800 frequently looks cartoonish or grotesque in photographs, but they're a different beast in person. I find their size, heft, and quality combine such that they're a genuine pleasure to handle.
I find them more comfortable than any other can I've tried, for strictly personal reasons. I can't explain it, but after about 45 minutes or so, my right outer ear, and only my right, aches wearing the T1. It did the same thing with the Denons I recently sold, and with the Grados I still have. The 800 ear cups hover over my ears, though, so I can wear them for hours without any discomfort. That's a huge, huge plus. Other than that very personal quibble, I found the T1s very plush and comfortable.
Sound-wise, they seem siblings separated at birth.
I think under most conditions, the T1 present a more forgiving soundscape without sacrificing anything head-fiers look for in a headphone. I found them very detailed, spacious, quick, clean, clear and overall, quite fun.
I think, though, the very perceptive comment I read elsewhere here, and I regret I can't cite the person who said it, that the 800s are stethoscopes, is the most compelling and truthful nutshell analysis.
To me, it seems the 800s present what's in your audio stream and get entirely out of the way while doing it. If you haven't very good gear, you'll know it. If you do have good gear, you'll appreciate it all the more.
I'm very glad I've the Sony and the Headroom to combine with the 800, else I think I'd find them too revealing.
I have a lot of CDs. I started collecting CDs back in the 80s-90s and never considered digital downloads. CDs hold up better than hard drives, and I feel like I have something to put in my hands for the money I spend. According to Sony, and a number of independent observers, the XA5400ES upsamples CDs to near DSD quality. I don't know enough to validate Sony's assertions, but I do know that my discs sound more
liquid playing through it than from any other source.
The Headroom Max also pairs well, particularly with the crossfeed circuit activated. Crossfeed bumps the bass a bit, smooths and coheres the soundstage, and most importantly, tames the highs. The added warmth manages to settle down the treble. Activate either brightness filter on the Headroom, and the experience fatigues quickly.
So, I think without that specific source and amp in place, the 800s would be too much headphone for the price. But combined with that gear, the 800s are something very special.
If I hadn't them, I'd happily continue to use the T1s.