Senhensier HD800

[hentaixp1985]

As others have mentioned get STAX instead, I had a HD800 and was not impressed at all. By the way, if I remember correctly, Sennheiser here in Singapore has a unit they will loan out to you so you can test it at home in your own rig.

But the bottom line is that even an entry level stax setup (323s + 407) is so much better than the HD800 and it's probably cheaper as well. You can listen to a few stax rigs at Music by Design.

Don't get me wrong, I love Sennheiser and they make very competent headphones, but at the moment I don't think they really do a headphone I could recommend to anyone. In the lower $$$ segment I feel that Audio Technica beats them at any price level, and in the higher $$$ segment STAX wipes the floor with them.

HD600 is one headphone I recommend for people who want good dynamic headphones at decent price. Nice tonal balance with no major flaw.

 

[dqwong]

I don't know what's wrong with Denon....

D7100 isn't as good as D7000.

 

[paul02]

HD600 is one headphone I recommend for people who want good dynamic headphones at decent price. Nice tonal balance with no major flaw.

Yes, very engaging sound. Just lacks a bit of the lows.

 

[di_andrei]

I think there is more important things than sound quality.

To me comfort is the most important and that is very subjective as people's head is different..

best if to go and audition the phones for yourself.

I completely agree - comfort is a huge factor. If you spend a few hours every day with headphones on your head, minor sound differences won't matter if you are not comfortable. Which reminds me, the HD800 was incredibly comfortable for my head size / shape.

But this is good advice for anyone looking to spend more than $200 on headphones - you need to try before you buy, no matter what reviewers or other people tell you - especially for "fit" there is no subsitute for trying it yourself.

 

[NikonD4]

My hd800 arrive a week ago. Running in with Madcap Penguin and alternating it with the O2. It's getting better each day. Siok.......

 

[weng]

collected the cardas cable yesterday. very brief impression just on the sparkle/brightness peaks that i paid attention to... seems to have lost a good portion of it, which is what i have hoped for. other than that it's very similar. have not really AB enough to observe other traits so can't comment on overall differences.

 

[NikonD4]

Hello fellow earthogs, second week into my HD800 with Madcap Penguin and Os......... result lagi siok. Vocals are rally warm and accurate. Instruments that other ear can missed out becomes distinct.

 

[rose13lood]

Hello fellow earthogs, second week into my HD800 with Madcap Penguin and Os......... result lagi siok. Vocals are rally warm and accurate. Instruments that other ear can missed out becomes distinct.

i'm sorry but could you specify a little more when you mentioned vocals being 'warm'?

 

[weng]

A little update...

This time I focused on 2 songs:

Both Sides Now - Jeanette Lindstrom & Steve Dobrogosz
Spanish Harlem - Rebecca Pidgeon

I focused more on the vocals and and the Ssesss.

In Both Sides Now, Jeanette's voice sounds a bit closer, fuller, and more focused. Some may describe it as "the vocal comes out". With stock cable, she sounded further, more blended into the piano. A less positive word is probably abit drowned in the piano with her voice a tad more "diffused". The Ssess are slightly better controlled and less instrusive with the Cardas. Overall, it seemed a bit more musical and sweeter with the Cardas. Stock cable feels a tad colder.

In Spanish Harlem, the first few verses below especially the Sses highlighted in red which tends to be extremely sensitive where many phones will fail...

There is a rose in Spanish Harlem
A red rose up in Spanish Harlem
It is a special one, it's never seen the sun
It only comes out when the moon is on the run
And all the stars are gleaming


... Same thing with the Cardas the Ssess are better controlled and less intrusive. However, with the stock cable, during the intro (bass guitar or whatever string instrument is that) I can hear the string vibrate effect. With the Cardas it sounded thicker and hence that effect is being covered up by the bassy note sound. Errr not sure if I have described it well...


This is somewhat similar to my feeling when I changed my HD650 stock cable to the Cardas cable. The treble probably remained largely similar since it's copper to copper, but I also felt the same effect with the Cardas delivering a slightly closer, fuller and more focused vocals.

 

[rose13lood]

A little update...

a very nice write up weng!

seems like the cardas cable made your bass muddier? and enhanced your vocals at the same time curing the sibilance problem the HD800 faces?

 

[kazzzam]

this Darkvoice 337 colored the hd800 well enough..

less details, more body, sweeter vocal

 

[weng]

a very nice write up weng!

seems like the cardas cable made your bass muddier? and enhanced your vocals at the same time curing the sibilance problem the HD800 faces?

duno whether got muddier or not. can't focus so many things at a time will continue to listen and see see

 

[axl]

What u guys think of Silver plated copper (SPC) cables? is it ok or should I just go for pure copper cables for my HD800?

 

[derazor]

As others have mentioned get STAX instead, I had a HD800 and was not impressed at all. By the way, if I remember correctly, Sennheiser here in Singapore has a unit they will loan out to you so you can test it at home in your own rig.

But the bottom line is that even an entry level stax setup (323s + 407) is so much better than the HD800 and it's probably cheaper as well. You can listen to a few stax rigs at Music by Design.

Don't get me wrong, I love Sennheiser and they make very competent headphones, but at the moment I don't think they really do a headphone I could recommend to anyone. In the lower $$$ segment I feel that Audio Technica beats them at any price level, and in the higher $$$ segment STAX wipes the floor with them.

What's the estimated going rate for entry level stax setup (323s + 407) ?

 

[gatecrasher]

Got a question for TeamStereo. Can I get the earpads and headband from your shops? And how much??

 

[weng]

Got a question for TeamStereo. Can I get the earpads and headband from your shops? And how much??

Don't think they sell. You can go Sennheiser Alexandra to do it. Whole set earpads + cup mesh + headband pad around $220 or $240, forgot exact amount.

 

[gatecrasher]

Don't think they sell. You can go Sennheiser Alexandra to do it. Whole set earpads + cup mesh + headband pad around $220 or $240, forgot exact amount.

sucks man... Alexandra so far away, think i have to take leave to go there. Why can't they just sell these outside Alexandra since it is quite easy to take out.

Thanks man!

 

[weng]

Since you have HD800, you should be able to access their concierge service. Call them they come pick up your HD800, after done will send back to you. For repairs yes but for such pads change I'm not sure but can call and ask them.

 

[TeamStereo]

Got a question for TeamStereo. Can I get the earpads and headband from your shops? And how much??

Sorry bro, but we don't sell the accessories for this.