The (new) HD800 Impressions Thread
Mar 14, 2016 at 10:26 AM Post #22,216 of 28,976
HD800S is an easier transition, especially from the already pretty accurate HD600. If you can make that stretch (for more money for the newer HD800S), I'd say go for it!

However, LCD-2 would be better on Lyr 2. HD800/HD800S should be fine on Lyr 2 as well.


Aside from my Val2/Bifrost setup, I also have the magni/modi setup which I think should be enough to drive the lcd2. And as for the HD800S, I know that it's an improvement over the HD800, but not sure whether it's a $600 improvement. I've heard that the treble peak at 6khz has been toned down, which is something that can be fixed with the anaxilus mod.
What I think is best for me instead of spending an extra $600 on the HD800S, I could be spending that on a solid mid-high end IEM which I'm currently also looking to buy. I'm currently using the M50x for on-the-go headphones which I completely hate.
 
Mar 14, 2016 at 12:12 PM Post #22,217 of 28,976
Aside from my Val2/Bifrost setup, I also have the magni/modi setup which I think should be enough to drive the lcd2. And as for the HD800S, I know that it's an improvement over the HD800, but not sure whether it's a $600 improvement. I've heard that the treble peak at 6khz has been toned down, which is something that can be fixed with the anaxilus mod.
What I think is best for me instead of spending an extra $600 on the HD800S, I could be spending that on a solid mid-high end IEM which I'm currently also looking to buy. I'm currently using the M50x for on-the-go headphones which I completely hate.


I own the HD800 and now HD800S. I tried the Anax mod and it doesn't come close to emulating what sennheiser have done to improve the tonal balance of the HD800. Let's just say that my HD800 is in a box and I need to get around to selling them.
The HD800S sounds like a true successor to the HD600 to my ears and I can't fault them . Imagine a HD600 with better bass in every way , cleaner/clearer treble and a smoother mid range (could be a negative as I love the bite to the 600s mids) add that to the better imaging and soundstage, better comfort and you pretty much have the most perfect open back dynamic headphone ever made imo.
 
Mar 14, 2016 at 12:20 PM Post #22,218 of 28,976
I own the HD800 and now HD800S. I tried the Anax mod and it doesn't come close to emulating what sennheiser have done to improve the tonal balance of the HD800. Let's just say that my HD800 is in a box and I need to get around to selling them.
The HD800S sounds like a true successor to the HD600 to my ears and I can't fault them . Imagine a HD600 with better bass in every way , cleaner/clearer treble and a smoother mid range (could be a negative as I love the bite to the 600s mids) add that to the better imaging and soundstage, better comfort and you pretty much have the most perfect open back dynamic headphone ever made imo.


I will keep this in mind. And have you tried any of the LCDs? I've been doing some research and I'm quite interested on the LCD-X
 
Mar 15, 2016 at 2:28 AM Post #22,221 of 28,976
Yeah, that's what I'm thinking of going for. Buying a decent used HD800 is about $900 with the LCD-2 going for about $850. I feel like there are better options for me personally then buying the HD800S. At this moment, the HD800S goes for $1700 new. With that kind of money, I can buy both the HD800 and the LCD-2 since they're kind of like the yin and yang of each other. Or buy one and spend $400-700 for a respectable on-the-go IEM. This is the two route that I feel will benefit me the most in the long run.
And as for the built quality and comfort, I've heard about the LCD being heavy and might have some driver issue in the long run. This is something I have to do some research on before jumping on them, that's for sure.
 
Mar 15, 2016 at 6:10 PM Post #22,222 of 28,976
I own the HD800 and now HD800S. I tried the Anax mod and it doesn't come close to emulating what sennheiser have done to improve the tonal balance of the HD800. Let's just say that my HD800 is in a box and I need to get around to selling them.
The HD800S sounds like a true successor to the HD600 to my ears and I can't fault them . Imagine a HD600 with better bass in every way , cleaner/clearer treble and a smoother mid range (could be a negative as I love the bite to the 600s mids) add that to the better imaging and soundstage, better comfort and you pretty much have the most perfect open back dynamic headphone ever made imo.

 
Hi thanks for the above - what music do you listen to, mostly?
 
Mar 16, 2016 at 3:26 AM Post #22,223 of 28,976
Hi thanks for the above - what music do you listen to, mostly?

I listen to a bit of everything really but I find the older I'm getting I'm listening less to EDM and more to rock and pop, some country and folk etc . I would say my current go to would be male singer/songwriters followed by female singer /songwriters. I'm a big fan of Glen Hansard for example.
Everything I throw at the HD800S though sounds SO good!
 
Mar 16, 2016 at 8:58 AM Post #22,224 of 28,976
I listen to a bit of everything really but I find the older I'm getting I'm listening less to EDM and more to rock and pop, some country and folk etc . I would say my current go to would be male singer/songwriters followed by female singer /songwriters. I'm a big fan of Glen Hansard for example.
Everything I throw at the HD800S though sounds SO good!
Top 40 music hits is still good?
 
Mar 16, 2016 at 10:17 AM Post #22,227 of 28,976
Nope. IMO in the bunch of totl headphones I heard the king for pop is the HEK. its mellifluous and somewhat forgiving nature does wonder fot that genre. 
 
HD650  is from far the best value and IMO one of the best offer at any price for Blues, Rock, Soul, pop though.   HD800S is more an all rounder than the Classic HD800 but still not the most enjoyable headphone for top40. 
 
Mar 16, 2016 at 10:21 AM Post #22,228 of 28,976
Nope. IMO in the bunch of totl headphones I heard the king for pop is the HEK. it's mellifluous and somewhat forgiving nature does wonder fot that genre. 

HD650  is from far the best value and IMO one of the best offer at any price for Blues, Rock, Soul, pop though.   HD800S is more an all rounder than the Classic HD800 but still not the most enjoyable headphone for top40. 
Thanks. Thats why HEK is so praised:smiley:, there is still a lot of audiophiles who listen modern music.
 
Mar 16, 2016 at 11:13 AM Post #22,229 of 28,976
I find that my ears need some adjusting after listening with the HD650 and then moving to the HD800 or vice versa.
 
The first pair listened to sounds fantastic, then the second pair always has shortcomings until my ears adjust.  
 
From HD650 to HD800: HD800 sounds sterile, analytical
 
From HD800 to HD650: HD650 sounds severely congested
 
Just shows how different these two headphones really are.
 
Mar 16, 2016 at 12:59 PM Post #22,230 of 28,976
Top 40 music hits is still good?

For me personally the HD800 was a no go for top 40 mainstream pop and I would use the HD650 for that. Now I use the HD800S for everything . It manages to do give all the detail with none of the downsides . I suppose if I wanted to soften and warm up pop a bit then the HD650 would still be better but if I want to hear the music as pure as possible then the HD800S is perfect for me .
If I could only have 1 headphone to listen to it would be the HD800S . Before that it would of been the HD600 . I see both as neutral and therefore capable of handling anything , whereas I suppose the HD650 are slightly warm and the HD800 are slightly bright.
 

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