"I myself am not putting a number on it - I am saying if people feel the HD800 is very close to the 009's performance but the 009 is just a bit better, people would still buy the 009 because: 1) Enthusiasts are OCD and must have the absolute best, often no matter what the cost, even if its eking out minute differences. 2) The 009 is more luxurious, both in build and price/perception - so even if there were no difference those interested in the "best" would have bought. So if it were true (taken for granted in this case) that an HD800 were "90% of an 009", it would not be true that 'nobody' would have a 009." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I've been in the high end industry for 3 decades and the above response, a few pages back,very clearly summarizes the situation. From this thread I'm gathering the 009s are to some degree better than the HD800s in most folks' opinion. Now, just how much better is impossible for anyone to judge without hearing them for themselves. I'm buying both, maybe I'll report, but that's just another datapoint from someone you don't know, so you just will have to listen for yourself. Part of the human condition, espeically for the subset of humans who check out this high end forum, is to wonder about the next "better thing" Let's remember to enjoy the music with what we have and keep the bulk of the focus on that!
