The HD800 & HD800S thread

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by sorrodje, Oct 11, 2015.

  1. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    I think I know what you're talking about. Laptop screens and tablets often come shipped with them as protective wrapping. I tried searching but couldn't find what they're called. I like the idea of durable toilet paper though, very environmentally friendly if you can re-use it.
     
  2. Jdriver

    Jdriver New

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    I think that’s Tyvek or something closely related.
     
  3. sorrodje

    sorrodje Carla Bruni's other lover - Friend

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    [​IMG]
     
  4. wormcycle

    wormcycle Friend

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    HD800 only or would you recommend it for HD800S as well?
     
  5. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    So my HD800s (and other phones) have been getting very little use since the resurrection of Voldemort. I figured the ability to cable roll would get them at least a bit of head time, for the sake of "science" if nothing else.

    I originally thought that if I converted these to 3.5mm connectors, I'd just cut the cables in situ and go the pigtail route. But inspired by the conversion @dBel84 did on my Verums, I ordered some Schurter sockets thinking they'd fit better inside the housing than the Neutrik (Rean) NYS240BG. Turns out the Schurters were too fat and bumped up severely against the tip of the driver housing, and the threaded opening was too short and would have required a lot of cutting and/or grinding. The Neutrik's also interfere with the driver housing, but not nearly as much. So I bit the bullet and started widening the opening, first with a drill bit (by hand), and then just carving away using a craft knife. With the angle right so that the connector wouldn't press against the driver housing, I soldered on the same 21 AWG hookup wire (only 1 strand per polarity) and threaded it in. The scariest part (again) was unsoldering and resoldering the leads to the driver without melting the voice coil.

    HD800b.jpg

    HD800a.jpg

    I was going to leave the end of the connector exposed, but overnight I got the idea to cover it with heatshrink. I think it turned out pretty good.

    HD800c.jpg

    HD800d.jpg

    HD800e.jpg

    HD800f.jpg

    My fingertips are raw from threading and unthreading the connector, and getting 4 strands of 21 AWG wire into that male connector was a huge PITA, but now all my headphones with removable cables are 3.5mm compatible. Worth it in the end.
     
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    Last edited: Oct 17, 2021
  6. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    Just took a look there and magneto-apocalypse matches well contents of photos. Holy cow.

    As for your HD 800 mod, it's brilliant and cleanly exetuced. Really nice job sir!
     
  7. Ksorota

    Ksorota Friend

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    Love the mod, I went the other way and added the HD800 connector to my Genesis G...but now that you have done the hard part of finding out the ocnnectors that work, I am tempted to reverse them both.
     
  8. recstar24

    recstar24 Friend

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    That's genius level mod in my book. The first thing I noticed was how insanely troublesome it is to take out the stock connectors when trying to remove said cable. I guess its a good thing, means its a pretty secure connection? But for the cable rollers, the 3.5mm mini jack connection appears to be the way to go - I'd be too fearful to constantly plug/unplug a cable with the stock HD800 connectors.

    I mentioned this in the other thread but I'm find the 800s to responding pretty well to a cable change from the stock one. Went with Impact Audio:

    [​IMG]
     
  9. gefski

    gefski Facebook Friend

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    Looks like they came that way. Thumbs up!!!
     
  10. Jerseysam

    Jerseysam New

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    Agree with this 100x....awesome mod. The HD800s is one of my 'most listened' headphones....and I have two very nice custom XLR cables that collect dust as I just wince whenever I go to change out. The OEM connectors are...by far...the toughest (tightest) to get out of any headphone I've tried, and I have zero confidence that a too-hard tug won't just pull the whole damn assembly out. So a lot of SE listening for me! Again, awesome mod!
     
  11. roughroad

    roughroad formerly mephisto56

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    I'm in 100% agreement with the removal aspect of the HP cable(s) from the HD800 series of HPs. I recently purchased a pair of HD8XX's and immediately learned to dislike the stock SPC cable. In fact, I have never heard a SPC cable of any type that I enjoyed listening through. I replaced it with a Forza Audio Works Claire Mk2 HPC approx. 1 week ago. I only have about 5-7 hour on it thus far but it is superior to the stock cable already. The stock cable I felt had some graininess imparted throughout that was irritating and was somewhat closed in compared to the non-burned in Claire. The Claire also eliminated the graininess issue. It imparts a smoother sound to the Senns. Are these differences huge? No, but they are noticeable. Plus, the FAW cable is very flexible. Highly recommended, Bought one for my GenG's too.
     
  12. That St Kilda Guy

    That St Kilda Guy Acquaintance

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    We've had a pretty substantial price drop here in Australia for the HD800s.
    US $1125 or AUS $1500 which here is a bargain.
    When I asked our distributor here, they mentioned it was in response to Drops 8XX
     
  13. recstar24

    recstar24 Friend

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  14. tubefans

    tubefans MOT Drop

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  15. crenca

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  16. Sonorus

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    I have both HD8XX and HD6XX and there is no way that the latter has more extended low bass as the author claims.
     
  17. gefski

    gefski Facebook Friend

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    I think they’re reacting to the more upfront (row A) presentation of 6XX/650 compared to what I feel is a row E presentation of the 800 series. That might also explain the hilarious comment “They (6XX) also reproduce audio more consistently…”
     
  18. sp33ls

    sp33ls Friend

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    So I jumped on a Cyber Monday deal for the HD800S. They've always been a pair I've wanted to hear given the legendary status they've acquired over the years and since I began in this hobby over 5 years ago.

    I've never been a detail or soundstage whore, but wow, I get why it's something people chase after now. I always had deferred to loudspeakers if I wanted this kind of experience, but getting a dose of that in headphones is really cool.

    The bass isn't as anemic as I had expected based on impressions, tho sub-bass is lacking.

    My goal with this purchase was to try and find the best complement to some Blackwood VC's.

    I also do a decent amount of gaming, and was looking at immersion as an desired attribute as well. Note: I'm not trying to improve my KDA lol

    With limiting my collection to 2 TOTL cans, I'm thinking the VC & HD800S may be a great duo to chill at for a long awhile.

    Still, can't help to wonder if I should've went Auteur, VO, or even D8k Pro instead? The "what-ifs" in this hobby...
     
  19. Maxvla

    Maxvla Friend

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    Hi all. Looking for recommendations for replacement headband pad and earpads. Anything good that's cheaper than OEM?
     
  20. Super Friend

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    Are the 800 (not S) still worth to get these days for let's say: $700?
    (I have the 820 but wanna try the open ones).
    Or should I wait (not in a hurry) and save for the 800 S
     

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