Sennheiser HD 800

[Ra97oR]

It is true that diminishing returns is totally there when you goes higher, but its not no return at all.

But main thing is, if you are just gonna listen to MP3, there is not much point getting a very good pair at all. Like any setup, there is bottleneck and in audio, bottleneck can comes from the recording to DAC to the amplifier no matter how good the headphones is, it will reveal the flaws of the equipments, it is even more true when it is a high end pair.

 

[Mussels]

I use Sennheiser HD202, they sound really good,, Thanks for the barber shop link very cool, $1400 Not for me

i used to have a pair of those - my 555's are better in every way imaginable, sound, clarity, comfort, the lot.

 

[pr0n Inspector]

...I just said they aren't. People who think $1000 USB cables make a difference do not represent audiophiles. There's a difference between thinking all sorts of bullshit tweaks with no scientific backing makes a difference, and thinking that a higher end amplifier, DAC, headphones and/or speakers make a difference.

You see, those "two kinds" of people heavily overlaps, more often than not, senior members with highly regarded opinions on various audiophile communities believe all kinds of bullshit. They are obsessed with audio.

 

[Mussels]

You see, those "two kinds" of people heavily overlaps, more often than not, senior members with highly regarded opinions on various audiophile communities believe all kinds of bullshit. They are obsessed with audio.

when they can no longer hear any difference, they cant brag about their stuff being better - so they do what every idot does, and throw money at it. Once the money has been thrown, they convince themselves/everyone around them that its better so people dont think they're an idiot for wasting money.

 

[cadaveca]

So true, Mussels.

 

[pr0n Inspector]

when they can no longer hear any difference, they cant brag about their stuff being better - so they do what every idot does, and throw money at it. Once the money has been thrown, they convince themselves/everyone around them that its better so people dont think they're an idiot for wasting money.

The problem is where do you draw the line between reasonable and insane.

 

[DaC]

Well, I can't judge others hearing capacity by mine, neither I have the experience of these long time and money $$$ audiophiles.
So I can't really tell, neither most of us here and at hi-fi forums.
For me, every upgrade I ever made to my sound system made some kind of difference, right on. Some biggers than others.
For my friends, they almost never realize the difference, they just know it's better or equal.
Listen to music is a focus directed action, if you doesn't pay attention anything inside the music, then you'll never know what has changed, even more if the upgrade isn't something like replacing a $10.00 headphone for a $1700.00

 

[King Wookie]

If you can honestly hear the improvement, then cool, spend the money. If you can't, then don't waste it. Hey, to the average joe who just uses their pc for browsing the net, we seem nuts.

 

[DaC]

If you can honestly hear the improvement, then cool, spend the money. If you can't, then don't waste it. Hey, to the average joe who just uses their pc for browsing the net, we seem nuts.

Yeah sometimes I get pissed with this...

 

[steelkane]

I understand that ppl buy what they want & money doesn't matter, what gets me is the companys that know this & charge that high-end price just because they know, I've fell into this trap before just like every other person on earth.

 

[Mescalamba]

I just got HD 650.. and man, you can wet yourself, if you are not careful. Thats amazing sound quality.. cant imagine how HD 800 must sound if its even better.

 

[King Wookie]

I just got HD 650.. and man, you can wet yourself, if you are not careful. Thats amazing sound quality.. cant imagine how HD 800 must sound if its even better.

According to a pro audio review I have, they are better, but not hugely. Their recommendation was stick with the 650's. But the only way to know for sure would be to compare. I never buy headphones or speakers without listening to them 1st.

 

[DaC]

According to a pro audio review I have, they are better, but not hugely. Their recommendation was stick with the 650's. But the only way to know for sure would be to compare. I never buy headphones or speakers without listening to them 1st.

There are a lot mixed opinions but most of them consider the hd800 a lot more than just an upgraded 650....
Same for Grado PS1000, some claim it to be something else, others say it's a little better GS1000.

 

[DaveK]

The most I'll ever spend on headphones is €298 and that's for the Pioneer HDJ-2000, other than that probably €30-50 on earbuds for my daily commute. No point me buying really expensive earbuds only to get robbed.

lol, what a coincidence. I had no intention in buying these at the time of posting, 2 days later what do I do?

Extremely expensive, yet nowhere near the cost of the HD800. Different uses though

 

[Mescalamba]

According to a pro audio review I have, they are better, but not hugely. Their recommendation was stick with the 650's. But the only way to know for sure would be to compare. I never buy headphones or speakers without listening to them 1st.

Well, I have now 3 Sennheiser headphones and tested 5 of them. So I was kinda knowing what to expect.

Tough, theres one "wierd" thing.. even if they "sound better".. they are not that "clear" as my HD 555 (with one easy mod). Kinda dont know what to think about that..

Its like you hear more from every song you listen to, but in same time you hear everything less than "crystal clear". Maybe theres something about AKG 701/702 sounding clearer than HD 650.

 

[Mussels]

Well, I have now 3 Sennheiser headphones and tested 5 of them. So I was kinda knowing what to expect.

Tough, theres one "wierd" thing.. even if they "sound better".. they are not that "clear" as my HD 555 (with one easy mod). Kinda dont know what to think about that..

Its like you hear more from every song you listen to, but in same time you hear everything less than "crystal clear". Maybe theres something about AKG 701/702 sounding clearer than HD 650.

do tell about this easy mod please.

 

[Triprift]

lol, what a coincidence. I had no intention in buying these at the time of posting, 2 days later what do I do?

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y171/davidkinsella/P1040556.jpg



Extremely expensive, yet nowhere near the cost of the HD800. Different uses though

So how are they i assume you have given them a burl

 

[Mescalamba]

do tell about this easy mod please.

I wouldnt even call that a "mod". One just needs to dissasamble headphones, until he find black tape, whichs sticked on side where driver ventilation is. It blocks a bit of sound from getting out and reflects it back.. which is good only for reducing quality.

Just remove that black tape and its done.

Other mod is to cut inner grill to mimic HD 600/650/800 (but it changes quite a lot and not only possitive).

Or get better cable and recable it way HD 600+ is (not hard, just soldering iron and Dremel).

Im fine with black tape removal and having HD 650.

 

[Mussels]

I wouldnt even call that a "mod". One just needs to dissasamble headphones, until he find black tape, whichs sticked on side where driver ventilation is. It blocks a bit of sound from getting out and reflects it back.. which is good only for reducing quality.

Just remove that black tape and its done.

Other mod is to cut inner grill to mimic HD 600/650/800 (but it changes quite a lot and not only possitive).

Or get better cable and recable it way HD 600+ is (not hard, just soldering iron and Dremel).

Im fine with black tape removal and having HD 650.

oh rly... i'ma pull mine open now

edit: i cant see any black tape, is it on the inside of the grille? (meaning, do i need a screwdriver to totally open them up?)

 

[Wile E]

oh rly... i'ma pull mine open now

edit: i cant see any black tape, is it on the inside of the grille? (meaning, do i need a screwdriver to totally open them up?)

From what I gathered, that's exactly what he meant.

 

[Mussels]

From what I gathered, that's exactly what he meant.

i took mine about halfway apart, i've never actually unscrewed them completely. i'd rather wait for a more accurate description/pictures, than break them

 

[Steevo]

I like my HD212 Pros for the kick ass bass and with a bit of tweaking they sound awesome across the whole range, and testing them with a wave generator, a loopback plug and a splitter they perform well.

 

[Mussels]

I like my HD212 Pros for the kick ass bass and with a bit of tweaking they sound awesome across the whole range, and testing them with a wave generator, a loopback plug and a splitter they perform well.

my 202's were far more bassy than my 555's, but in such a way that it felt less natural - soft bass was turned into thumping bass, and just sounded wrong sometimes.

I've never listened to 212's to compare them, i assume they'd be better than the 202's anyway.

 

[Steevo]

They really do put emphasis on the bass, almost too much sometimes, but if you are in the mood for some head vibrating earth shaking music while the old lady is asleep..... How Low can You Go on my RX770 with these is loud enough I can feel my eardrums flex and they break the seal around my ears.


Plus being sealed I can use them on planes, in cars, anywhere and get little sound leak, and deaden alot of outside noise with a much better sound stage than a set of buds. The long cord makes it great for my Sansa in my pockets, leaving my laptop playing on the floor of a plane while still hooked up. Really after owning a really nice pair of Sony open air cans, ear buds, midrange sealed and other crap they have the widest range of usability of them all.

 

[Mussels]

yeah i went the 555's for the open air design for long term comfort, but they get too loud to use in public.

Then again i paid $400 au for em many years ago, so i was never gunna let em outside the house, let alone wear em in public.