Sennheiser HD 800 v/s HD 650 v/s HD 700 Review

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by techboy, May 7, 2016.

  1. HitmanFluffy

    HitmanFluffy Hoping to see real genitals someday!

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    Did I wake up on Head-Fi?
     
  2. sphinxvc

    sphinxvc Gear Master (retired)

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
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    I used to listen to Bollywood music on HD800. Then I found something even better.

    Couldn't be happier. :p

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: May 25, 2016
  3. trl

    trl Acquaintance

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    Hello,

    This DAC sounds good enough for most people, especially for those looking for a versatile DAC/Headamp/Preamp with both RCA and XLR outputs. I own it and I'm driving an external balanced headamp on the XLR outputs + a pair of studio monitors on the RCA outputs. It's very versatile and it pairs well with most headphones between 32-600 ohms on it's internal headamp too.

    Some reviews may show PROs and CONs, for those asking for opinions and thoughts about it:
    - http://www.stereophile.com/content/...es-edition-da-processor150headphone-amplifier
    - http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/asus/1.html
    - http://www.innerfidelity.com/conten...tion-or-why-actually-listening-gear-important
    - https://headmania.org/2014/05/16/asus-xonar-essence-one-review/
    - http://soundnews.ro/2011/09/09/asus-xonar-essence-one-review-english-version/
    - http://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/asus-essence-one-review,1.html
    - http://www.headfonia.com/the-asus-dac-xonar-essence-one/
    - https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/2940468/all
    - http://archimago.blogspot.ro/2013/02/measurement-asus-xonar-essence-one.html
    - http://archimago.blogspot.ro/2015/09/measurements-asus-xonar-essence-one-mki.html

    For those looking for more "performance" from this DAC/headpamp could start doing some DIY opamps rolling or some mods on the power source rails and even add a new PSU only for the 2 DACs. Some readings here: https://www.head-fi.org/f/threads/a...-dac-cebit-2011.542563/page-214#post_12017856

    Best!
     
  4. joeexp

    joeexp Don't ship this man FD-X1 ever

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    "This DAC sounds good enough for most people.."

    What's that even supposed to mean?
     
  5. SSL

    SSL Friend

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    Is this signal or noise?
     
  6. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    Apparently it was Earth all along...

    [​IMG]
     
  7. Poleepkwa

    Poleepkwa Friend

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    Choosing your equipment should not be a democracy. You have a HUGE selection of gear to choose from in the U.K and Europe.
     
  8. Rthomas

    Rthomas Friend

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    Agreed but it's hard to know what's good without a trusted community that don't rely on advertising dollars. Uncompensated reviews seem to be rare in our hobby and I don't have the time or inclination to buy and try everything.
     
  9. Poleepkwa

    Poleepkwa Friend

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    In that case you would want the Modi Multibit over the Bifrost Multibit.
     
  10. BenjaminBore

    BenjaminBore Friend

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    Hello @trl , I hope you're doing well.

    The reason you’re getting this reaction is because these guys have very different metrics in terms of what constitutes “good”, and whose opinion they will put any faith into. “Most people” certainly isn’t one of them.

    Critical listening is a tricky and complex thing, and unless you have good gear and have put a lot of thought and practice into it then someones opinion is generally going to be pretty vague and only focused on the broader characteristics of sound, leaving out some entirely. Without understanding what is just their preference vs actually good, and their preference may even = bad.

    Given the small size of this industry most reviews from sites that require sponsorship to survive tend not to be reliable, as they have a conflict of interest. Demonstrated if not by outright shilling, then avoiding comparison to better gear, or being super vague in their descriptions, or avoiding any strong recommendations for one piece of gear over another.

    Resurrecting a year old thread primarily about an entirely different product to give evidence by way of a collection of “pro” reviews of how good this thing you like is will only draw contempt from people here. It’s seen as juvenile and lacking in substance or useful information.

    If you like something and think others would benefit from using it then you’ll need to be able to explain for your self in some pretty specific language why, and preferably compare it to other products, ideally something that many people are familiar with. Also, it'll need to go in the relevant thread for that product so it can be found easily.

    Some helpful links on describing and understanding the characteristics of sound:
    http://superbestaudiofriends.org/in...ology-subjective-terms-used-on-superbaf.3400/
    http://superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/the-audio-101-thread.3214/

    Collected SBAF Resources:
    http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?pages/FeaturedContent/

    I hope you take the time to consider these things, and if so I look forward to reading your thoughts on the finer points of why you like the Xonar. Just be prepared for people to passionately, and hopefully informatively, disagree ;)


    Best wishes,

    @BenjaminBore
     
    Last edited: Apr 29, 2017
  11. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

    Pyrate Slaytanic Cliff Clavin
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    The HD 600 is most realistic sounding one. Get that one.
     
  12. trl

    trl Acquaintance

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    Thank you very much for the kind words, Benjamin, I really appreciate this!
    At my age I've learned to ignore trolls, though I do respect their opinion...if any.
    My answer wasn't intended to be a review at all, but please feel free to read "good enough" as good price/performance ratio and also read "most people" as most audiophiles willing to spend only a few hundred of bucks on a DAC/headamp/preamp combo, instead of spending few thousandth on separate expensive devices.

    I totally disliked some opinions from the first page, this is why I posted here enough pertinent reviews above. I'm unable to review this DAC/headamp more than others did in the above links so this is why I've linked their own opinions in my post (both good/bad opinions).

    And yes guys, I'm a HeadFier and proud of it, is this forbidden? I am reading this forum since lot of years, since even its name was different but I joined recently because I thought I can contribute somehow. However, I might copy-paste some of my reviews from Head-Fi here sometimes if everyone's interested.

    Now back to my E1 DAC, I can't post any review because the level of mods I've did to my DAC will make my review a singularity, instead of a review for the original E1 version. All I can say is that this DAC, in the first years when it got to the market and for its price was a good performer for entry-level audiophiles and with a bit of opamp upgrades its sound got improved enough to even please some musician's too.

    Chill out and happy listening,
    Raul.
     
  13. landroni

    landroni Friend

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    Dear Raul,
    If you haven't done so already please read carefully the pointers in this thread:
    http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/must-read-for-new-members.3/

    It should help you to avoid the common pitfalls that newcomers encounter when joining SBAF.

    Good luck!
     
  14. trl

    trl Acquaintance

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    Thank you landroni, it's just I can't help myself when I see someone saying:

    "I don't think you'll need the HD 800 if you only have a Asus Essence One Muses Edition.
    You'll only hear better how crap this DAC sounds …"

    without a decent justification, especially that HD800 does pairs well with the MUSES edition of the E1.

    I will just shut up now, as I realize I'm getting off-topic.

    Thanks again!
     
  15. barelyincollege

    barelyincollege Nice Pit Bull

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    Yeah, no, please don't do that.

    I'm not saying that to be snarky or combative, but this statement, along with others you've made, indicates that you haven't taken the time to understand the culture and overall ethos of SBAF before posting here. Head-Fi has its place, and many people here participate over there as well, but SBAF isn't a Head-Fi clone and you shouldn't approach it like one. I can't stress that enough.

    Others have given you some great pointers and resources to read and learn about how this place works. I'd encourage you to take advantage of that.
     
    Last edited: May 2, 2017

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