Agree that what genres one listens to plays a fairly large part in what headphones an individual will like. Since I like mostly jazz, classical, blues, and classic rock/rock the HD800 is a decent headphone for these genres but when I want to listen to newer pop, R&B, jpop, kpop and EDM I'd never reach for the HD800, HE560 or T1gen1 but more forgiving headphones like HD650, LCD-2f, EL-8, SRH-1840 or the newest addition HD58X.Anyone find that the HD 800 is quite non fatiguing when listening to well mastered recordings? I do . I can listen for hrs and hrs on end provided the recordings are nice.
I know very well as the many of you do that the 800's absolutely suck when you have poor sources, especially music recordings .
Honestly . Try listening to a Disturbed album at 50 db . I bet none of you would last 5 mins with that **** . The 800's are certainly the most critical headphone I know. I love them and hate them for that characteristic . They taught me a lot about how my music should really sound, but at the same time that is both a curse and a blessing to know such things .
Since 2009 has their ever been a more critical and reavealing headphone? I think not. Some argue that the stax 009 would match the 800 for sterile criticism, however due to the unatural width that the 800's have I think they are the most revealing.
Just my 2 cents, since we are approaching 10 years since this wonderful headphone has been around. It has been a pleasure. I have had my 800's since 2012 and have catered the best I could a system built for its needs .I have to say it was not easy and money had to spent...a lot of it but my god it was and still is to me...totally worth it.
Happy listening everyone .
I used to have a SR009 but traded it to a friend due to the fact that its even more genre limited than the HD800 IMO but with high quality classical recordings they can't be beat IMO.