The HD800 & HD800S thread

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

  1. Zed Bopp

    Zed Bopp Friend

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    HD800 is one capable headphone, but it needs some radical work in terms of FR. I just can't see a mod that's doing enough, EQ seems to be the only, radical enough, solution. (If there's an amp/dac that does more than +/-5db coloring, it's doing something very wrong - this is what the 800 needs in certain areas.)

    RME ADI-2 DAC is a real nice companion to my pair. Some +5db below 100hz and a cut @ 6k are the most obvious ones.
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2018
  2. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    For me (just a quick try) HD800 and RME ADI-2 DAC is too much of a good treble thing. And hey, I'm the one with the fairly severe HF hearing loss!
     
  3. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

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    Properly driven and with no power issues, I've never had a problem with the stock 800. Different strokes.
     
  4. marcussmj

    marcussmj New

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    Likewise, I don't have problems with the treble of the HD800, only the slight upper mid recession bothers me a little but nothing a little EQ can't fix.
     
  5. deserat

    deserat Acquaintance

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    I've had the Woo Audio WA 8 for a few weeks now. I bought it because I changed jobs and don't have an office to keep my Gungnir Multibit/MJ2 in anymore ( so need something I can take home at night ). Normally I use the amp with the Ether C Flow's I use for work, but I've spend a few hours tonight with it inplace of my TOTL system ( Yggdrasil/Mainline ). I've got to say, this is a suprisingly good pairing. I've never had an Amp that I like with both the HD800 and the Ether C...

    For what seems like a serverly under powered amp in terms of Mw at 300 ohms the WA8 really makes the HD800 kick. It lacks the spatial accuracy, expansive soundstage, and ultrafine detail my TOTL system but the dynamics, bass punch, and musicallity are all there. Makes the HD800 sound like more refined version of the HD650. Bass if anything, may be a bit much. No harsh Treble spikes. Kinds makes me wanna get up and dance... which is not a thing I've ever wanted to do with the HD800.

    I like the pair better with the Ether C but it's better than a whole lotta of systems I've heard with the HD800 including many that were more expensive.

    Just an FYI if anybody is thinking about the pairing.
     
  6. Todd Fredericks

    Todd Fredericks New

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    I’ve been a lurker here for a long time and found this thread very helpful when making my decision to buy the HD800S. I’ve had the headphones now for a couple of weeks and I must say it sounds quite incredible. I’m using it with the Schiit Mjolnir 2 (also recently purchased).

    I’ve just moved back to New York from living in Amsterdam for the last several years. I arrived with only two suitcases and a carry on bag. Most of my possesions and my system is still there so I needed something to allow me to enjoy listening to music. This has really helped out so much.
     
  7. Don Miller

    Don Miller Banned from FS; never sell me anything

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    I felt the hd800 were too thin, bright with all the tube amps I heard them on at a HF Portland 'meet' 2yrs back. Then I heard Zach's 800s on the Zmf Sonnare which was fantastic. I had an 800s I used on lowly hybrid amps for a year. Then I got a Mogwai and happened upon gbeast's SBAF resonator and corked hd800 and they are way more dynamic and have better bass impact, extension and quality than the 800s. Can't wait to try some rug liner..
     
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2018
  8. eternaldrake

    eternaldrake New

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    Happy to report that after pining for one some months ago, I today picked up a bottlehead mainline for a pretty nice price off of ebay today. I'll be running it with my neko d100 until i can save up some discretionary income and try out a big boy schiit dac.

    @deserat Have you done much with tube rolling in the mainline, or are you running stock? From what I've read tube rolling seems to have little impact on the sound, but curious on your thoughts nonetheless
     
  9. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    Tube rolling has little impact on the mainline. Don't waste much time or money. It's a very good amp on stock tubes.
     
  10. Jimmy24

    Jimmy24 New

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    Hello. Glad we're on the subject of BH amps. I just received my HD 800's and need an adapter to hook it up to my Crackatwoa. Would it be better to buy a new cable for it without the adapter?
     
  11. deserat

    deserat Acquaintance

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    I don't know that there is much tube rolling to do. The stock tubes sound great. I did buy the Electro Harmonix Gold Pins. As much because I wanted to try them, as because I wanted to have more tubes ...

    I'd say they have a little more extension and clarity than stock, but not enough to tell you that I'm not just hearing things because I want to.

    The thing to roll in the Mainline is the Coupling Capacitors. They have a huge impact. I put Mundorf Supremes in mine and wow. It is really the only thing in the Mainline that isn't already top of the line.


     
  12. Jimmy24

    Jimmy24 New

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    Hello. So I'm a bit underwhelmed by the HD 800's performance. My only guess is that my system is not pushing it to its limits. I have a Crackatwoa and a Modi Multibit. I still have my HD 650's and the sound is pretty similar, with a bit more soundstage on the HD 800's. So am I right? I need a better system to make these bad boys really sing?
     
  13. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    The hd800 should sound very different than the 650. Your setup is fine although I haven't heard the crackatwoa. The 650 will be the more ideal headphone with that system. The HD 800 might not be for you. At the very least you should have a good idea of what it sounds like
     
  14. Jimmy24

    Jimmy24 New

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    They were right about them being analytical sounding, doesn't have the same warmth as the 650's but I'll still need more time with it to really know. Definitely hear the 6 hz treble peak but purchased the SDR mod for that. I thought they would have a much bigger soundstage everyone claimed this headphone had. I'm a bit disappointed and surprised that it's not as big as I thought.

    Do you doubt that a better set up would make me like them better?
     
  15. Sonorus

    Sonorus Facebook Friend

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    Any suggestions for a cheap headphone 100-150€ with let's say similar sound signature
    as the HD800?
    Only for classical music.
    Just for the nights that i don't have the time warm the amps and to pay proper attention to my HD800.

    Current candidates are Sennheiser HD598sr and AKG K612 pro.
     
  16. TwoEars

    TwoEars Friend

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    Should have been in this thread: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/the-all-purpose-advice-thread.19/

    If you already like the Sennheiser sound I don't think there's any need to beat around the bush really, the 598 one of my absolute favorite entry level headphones, it's a fun sound but also airy and non-fatiguing. It does lack a bit in the bass compared to HD650 and HD800 but for classical it won't be much of a problem.

    There's also this: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-sennheiser-hd6xx

    But out of an iPhone or similar the HD650XX won't perform its best while the 598 very likely will. If you have a small amp the HD600 or HD650XX are good options. The HD600 can be found for good prices on ebay and is nearly as good as it gets for classical, but it won't like being played from a mobile device.
     
  17. Sonorus

    Sonorus Facebook Friend

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    Thank you.
    I used to have the HD650 and sold it after i bought the HD800.
    Anyway i have a bunch of small amps to power everything but i agree with
    you it seems that the 598 is my best bet!
    Cheers!

    (sorry for the wrong thread!)
     
  18. Todd Fredericks

    Todd Fredericks New

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    After owning the HD800S since last month they seem to be opening up more. They sound great!
     
  19. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    So far no regrets trading my HD650 out for HD800S. So much more soundstage and bass. More treble too, but not too much, at least for me so far.
     
  20. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

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