The HD800 & HD800S thread

Yes, this is an issue that some people don't know about.
Some of the aftermarket connectors are slightly thicker than the stock ones. I believe you can also buy aftermarket sockets. Or you can use nail polish to make the connector slightly thicker. Of course you could also hardwire it or put 3 pin mini XLR plugs in there instead of the stock connectors like Maxx134 did.

 

Member of the club since yesterday, HD800 + SDR, used at mid-fi price. What other e-dyn phones for a Stax zealot ?

Ali

 

HD800 modded to your liking are really exceptional value. I guess, once hype over some of the newer - and acclaimed - cans is dwindling, more and more people will realize that. I mean, which other headphone of that quality can you get - used - for about 700 dollars? Personally, I do really dig them and will never let them go.

 

I've been having a grand old time with the HD800s I picked up a couple of weeks ago. Chain is:

RME9632 -> AES -> Yggdrasil -> Valhalla 2 w/ 6CG7 (RCA 1950s horseshoe getter) -> HD800 stock

What can I say, this combo is extremely smooth and resolving, with a hint of warmth in the bass and fantastic microdynamics. If I leave the dust covers on the infamous 6khz peak is quite untroublesome. If I can bring the lower mids up a bit with mods I will be happy, but already this is very listenable.

I have a question. This is an older pair of HD800s with the thinner earpads (s/n #09xxx). Is there any reason to buy a pair of the newer, thicker pads? (If nothing else, I could then mod my old pair to destruction...)

 

Anyone had problem with replacement earpads? I couldn't get them in but able to do so with old pairs.

I have spent 30mins and my hands start to hurt. What the feck Sennheiser??

 

PoochZag asked a couple pages back and Kirayamato said that you basically just have to push until they're in there.

 

I have done it many times on my old pair of pads and they fit in just fine. The newer pads doesn't fit the ring and always pop out. I even tried to brutal force them in by hardly supressing the whole shell.
Sennheiser pls why u do dis

 

Putting brand new pads on the HD800 truly is a big PITA. I ended up using my fingernails to make the transparent plastic conform to the black plastic. Not sure if that's the best way to do it. Either way it will take some time until you finally get it to fit without it popping off all the time.

 

Time for round 3 methinks, since the last time my chain is completely different. It went from a Violectric V800, Audio-gd Phoenix/Crack speedball to a Lynx, Yggdrasil and maxed out T3 setup. I think this will make the HD800 shine, along with the SDR mod. I still love my HD650 kiss but i want some more technicalities and some more extension up top and below.

 

Yup everyone here is right, I just went through this a couple pages back. It sounds crazy but you just gave to keep trying, it took me well over an hour and I had to take a break for hand fatigue. New ones are hard because that plastic has to loosen enough for the clips to attach and stay. Just make sure all is lined up and keep at it, it's worth it

 

I wonder if gently warming the plastic helps? I haven't needed to put new pads on my 800 yet, just remove the old ones while modding them, so I haven't tried. Either carefully with a hair dryer or something like the iOpener?

 

Do you think HD800(S) is obsolete when there are Ether/Elear/Utopia?

 

Nein, as you can notice all over the forums over the course of many months. Elear doesn't make a HD 650 obsolete either.

 

No, not even close to obsolete. Open Ether regular is basically non competitive, although if you have a very modest source the gap closes a little because it does pretty well out of most things. Elear is a wildly different headphone and signature, but IMO can't hold a candle to a modded 800 in most aspects (neutrality, staging, even a bit if an edge in resolution) except bass quantity. Haven't heard Utopia yet.

If particularly treble sensitive maybe the takeaways above changes, but Ether is also on the bright side.

IMO YYMV ETC all that jazz

Edit: @Kattefjaes maybe heat would help? It's more about getting the clear plastic to permanently "bend" and imprint around the clips, so idk

 

Maybe it's an idea to use a table to attach the pads. Like lay one cup with pad flat on the table while the other cup is under it so you can use more force. Instead of using your fingers.

 

Yeah, I see what you're saying, that you want them stiff (settle down) to push in there, where I was thinking the opposite, who knows?

 

Part of me is still kicking myself for not going with a fully loaded T3 built vs the Mjolnir 2 with tube rolling for cheaper (was about double the cost I paid for the mjo2 for us Canadians)...

You'll have to report back, please!

 

Which mods did you settle with?

 

No worries, i will. Lot's of impressions in the T3 thread from HD800 users though but i'm sure you're aware.

I once considered the Mjolnir 2 as well, but when i saw the chance to get one of Dougs designs i jumped on it. I still remember Tyll's review of the L2 and going hmmm interesting...