JAR800 Super Saiyan Edition: Abracadabra

What sort of sorcery is this?



Oh geez, this story goes back ages. The original HD800 was born about 15 years ago, and opinions were sharply divided. While its headstage was undeniably impressive (and still sets the standard today), some found its tonal presentation overly dry and bright! Interestingly, the HD800 inadvertently sparked a revival in interest for tube amplifiers, particularly the higher-end DHTs. It even inspired dedicated guides, such as this one: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/best-amps-for-hd800s-2023-edition.13859/

A few years later (around 2010, if memory serves) at a gathering in a rather dismal industrial area of central LA, rumors began to circulate: Sennheiser was supposedly crafting something intriguing, akin to an HD650 version of the HD800.

As with many rumors, this one proved false. Instead, Sennheiser unveiled the HD700, often dubbed as the abomination. Essentially, it took the least desirable qualities of the HD650 and HD800, made them slightly worse, and amalgamated them into a single headphone. You can delve into the details here: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...r-hd700-stories-review-and-measurements.9768/ and

Last summer (or was it the summer prior?) at the Texas Audio Show (not to be confused with CanJam in Dallas, where we often endure exorbitant overpriced gear such as this), Jupiter Audio Research sent three modified HD800 variants. While I found one preferable over the others, I declined to review anyone of them. They weren't bad at akk; I appreciated the direction JAR was taking, but none quite warranted my attention. It was my subtle way of conveying: strive for improvement.

Well, JAR certainly heeded the call. In true SBAF fashion of spreading the word, @CEE TEE sent them to me a few weeks back. They remained untouched in a box until he urged me to put them to the test.

As for the versioning, the numbering system (V1, V2, V3, etc.) always confuses me. Given that three were already showcased at the summer event, this must be the fourth. Or perhaps there were a few other developmental iterations in between. Hence, I christen this iteration the JAR800 Super Saiyan Edition.

Allow me to progress with the technical analysis of the JAR800 Super Saiyan Edition.

 

So, how would I characterize the sound?

It resembles what I anticipated from the speculation over a decade ago about the next version of the HD800. It's akin to an HD800 infused with some of the warmth found in the HD650, particularly with a reduction in lower and mid-treble prominence. However, the midrange is more recessed compared to the HD650. In contrast to the JAR600 OG, the JAR800 Super Saiyan isn't as warm and doesn't have as recessed mids.

In terms of upstream components, I'd likely choose differently for the JAR800 Super Saiyan compared to regular or modified HD800s. I'd prefer something less dampened, dark, or laid-back.

While there are other mods that can produce a similar tonal outcome, what distinguishes the JA800 Super Saiyan is that it retains all the core qualities of the standard HD800. The transient response remains unchanged, as does the headstage. It even maintains a hint of the edge present in the original HD800, which the HD800S sought to minimize.

Essentially, it's like having an HD800 OG without the brightness.

Let's take a look at CSDs since I don't feel a frequency response graph would necessarily show things as clearly.

JAR800 Super Saiyan CSD
Note: CSD only goes down to 500Hz


HD800 OG Stock

 

In comparison to the JAR800 Super, the HD800S does indeed more widely blunt the 6kHz peak, although a trace of it remains, albeit possibly inconsequential for listeners. Personally, I find that the HD800S addresses this peak more than the JAR800 Super—perhaps even to an excessive degree. Coming from the HD650 series, which does possess a slight edge or hardness to balance its warmth in the lows and lower mids, this difference may be noticeable.

Furthermore, I hadn't previously noticed, but there appears to be a ridge at 15kHz in the HD800S. I've often felt that the HD800S sounds more pronounced in the higher treble than the original HD800. I don't know if this would remain true to me today as I get older and high-frequency hearing diminishes.

HD800S CSD
Note: CSD only goes down to 500Hz

 

I believe this is based on the HD800 OG? The low end is predicated on them S vs OG. For readers who are not aware of the differences in the bass: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/hd800-and-hd800s-distortion-analysis.5670/

Yes, thingy in back piece made of clear plastic. Assuming some sort of external resonator. There is an SDR type thing too along with a special material over the metal ring.

The distortion characteristic is HD800 OG (not S). See below, measurements taken at different times (years apart) but maybe somewhat comparable. I marked the 1% THD and 0.33% THD with red lines.

JAR800 Super


HD800 OG (modded)


HD800S

 

I found many of those amps mentioned there too dark, too laid-back, or too warm!

Many of those amps could still work with brighter or leaner tubes, or sources, or some tweaks.

For example, with Mjolnir 3, the MIB DAC I would run in OS mode instead of OS, with the Burl B2 with less gain (leaner).

On a side note: I thought I was going insane or possibly had my high frequency hearing shot because of age. However, after trading notes with @CEE TEE, this was most certainly not the case!

It would be fair to say that the Super Saiyen JAR800 works with more neutral less organic sounding upstream components.