I have a dream to make the Sennheiser HD800 musical

Sam-fi · « **on:** 19 Sep 2012, 07:10 am »

I just ordered a Trafomatic Audio Experience Head One to try out as a pre-amp for my zu system. The grounded grid is extremely transparent
and very good hooked up to my gainclone as well but it may not be the perfect match right now. I know the Trafomatic has a neutral to slightly forward
and reportedly very musical sound.

Where am I going with all this?
The Trafomatic presents the opportunity to get back into headphones and what better to try than the hd800? Can you make the hd800 musical and full?

I believe the hd800 presents the opportunity to produce the fullest, most detailed, most dynamically fast and tonally rich headphone experience all without
sounding distorted or congested.

My current plan of attack seems to be this:

Trafomatic -> Cardas Cable -> hd800

Do you think this is a start in the right direction? Would I do better with an HD600 for musical engagement or AKG? Surely this presents some discussion.

Thanks,
Sam

JohnR · « **Reply #1 on:** 19 Sep 2012, 10:20 am »

Quote from: Sam-fi on 19 Sep 2012, 07:10 am

I believe the hd800 presents the opportunity to produce the fullest, most detailed, most dynamically fast and tonally rich headphone experience all without
sounding distorted or congested.

To be honest, I don't really understand. While I have no experience with the HD800, why would you start with something that you believe needs to be "made" musical? Why not look for headphones that are closer to what you want from the start?

hibuckhobby · « **Reply #2 on:** 19 Sep 2012, 11:36 am »

It's good to have dreams and goals

With that said, the HD800 is not rich or full. While
IMO the comments we read about being harsh or analytical
are not as big a deal as some make of it...their strength is
soundstaging and detail, not musicality or richness of tone.

You can move it somewhat in that direction, but you will have to
roll some tube in the Trafomatic for sure. The best sound I've heard
from the HD800 in my limited experience with them was with balanced
cable and the HeadRoom BUDA amp.
YMMV,
Hibuck.....

Sam-fi · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 Sep 2012, 05:05 pm »

I'm thinking my source I want to choose is the boulder Modded ee dac that will give me all the detail and sounstaging with the connective tissue between the 3d deep sound.

That, I hope will let me play pop music and indie as well as my classical and jazz. The hd800 should be able to be an all -a-rounder phone. It should be a pleasure to listen to the oldies cuts dripping in and out of my trip hop tracks and have some extended punchy bass. I want to feel the bow on the strings and with pressence to the delicate parts. I like a little brightness. I used to be a huge fan of the hd600 I hear sennheiser somehow preserved this quality to the mids I liked.

Thanks,
Sam

[this is mearly speculation so far on my part - would akg be able to provide this? Never had a chance with akg.]

adhesiv · « **Reply #4 on:** 20 Sep 2012, 04:56 am »

I've been hearing that the new HD700's are actually outperforming the HD800's. These are from people who own the HD800. Food for thought.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #5 on:** 20 Sep 2012, 06:58 am »

Quote from: Sam-fi on 19 Sep 2012, 05:05 pm

I'm thinking my source I want to choose is the boulder Modded ee dac that will give me all the detail and sounstaging with the connective tissue between the 3d deep sound.

That, I hope will let me play pop music and indie as well as my classical and jazz. The hd800 should be able to be an all -a-rounder phone. It should be a pleasure to listen to the oldies cuts dripping in and out of my trip hop tracks and have some extended punchy bass. I want to feel the bow on the strings and with pressence to the delicate parts. I like a little brightness. I used to be a huge fan of the hd600 I hear sennheiser somehow preserved this quality to the mids I liked.

Thanks,
Sam

[this is mearly speculation so far on my part - would akg be able to provide this? Never had a chance with akg.]

The 3meters long original HD800 cord are unnecessary, a short 1 or 1,5meter would delivery a beter sound.
I have listen some low grade Sennheiser models and the sound is very good, the mid and treble is sweet, but the soundstage is not huge.
Looks a great option Sennheiser had the HD700 for custumers wishing a sweet musical sound, and the HD800 for a more detailed transparent sound, the HD700 is even cheaper at $999 on Amazon.

I have read AKG is not this good, a bit harsh in the hi's, that seems usual as this brand is dedicated to the Pro audio market, they even had a Q-701 line dedicated to Quincy Jones,
http://br.akg.com/akg-productdetail-br/q701blk.html

But the price is low, just $275 at this sale on Amazon :
http://www.amazon.com/AKG-K-701-WHITE-HEADPHONES/dp/B000EBBJ6Y
The 702 is just $294:
http://www.amazon.com/AKG-K702-Headphones/dp/B001RCD2DW/ref=pd_cp_e_3/192-0213490-5819116
A very sensible price, just 20% from the expesive HD800, I wonder why the HDs never enter on sale in any shop??

G Georgopoulos · « **Reply #6 on:** 20 Sep 2012, 07:06 am »

"I have a dream to make the Sennheiser HD800 musical"

For that you'll need a good headphones amplifier

Elizabeth · « **Reply #7 on:** 20 Sep 2012, 07:15 am »

I own Sennheiser HD800s. It took a long time for them to 'break in'.
I usse a Rudistore RPX33mk2 headamp with my HD800s.
And some headphone cord i do not remember the maker right off.
Good sound.
I love the clarity.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #8 on:** 20 Sep 2012, 08:12 am »

Thinking of buying an HD800 or similar??
User Zombie_X at HeadFi is claiming the Beyer T1 is better(no this much transparent, more musical), than the HD800, the price is the same, around $1399 and easy 600 ohms impedance.
This Beyer T1 review will interest you, scroll down the page:
http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-T1-Audiofile-Stereo-Headphone/dp/B0031RD3YY/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_y

Sam-fi · « **Reply #9 on:** 20 Sep 2012, 09:04 am »

Alright, thank you all so much for your responses. They sent me all over the forums to research. I think, something like the he-400 or he-500 maybe what I am looking for. It seems represent a full upgrade from the hd600 still be an all arounder and have fullness and coherency.

Thank you all for your help. I am looking for a natural DAC/network streaming device to match. I am going to report here how I find things to be. I will still try to squire hd800 for comparison reasons.

Thanks,
Sam

Sam-fi · « **Reply #10 on:** 20 Sep 2012, 09:07 am »

I just want to point out johnR was right

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #11 on:** 20 Sep 2012, 09:22 am »

A comparative HD800 x Beyer T1 review:

http://www.headfonia.com/hd800-t1/

dB Cooper · « **Reply #12 on:** 20 Sep 2012, 10:42 am »

Quote from: adhesiv on 20 Sep 2012, 04:56 am

I've been hearing that the new HD700's are actually outperforming the HD800's. These are from people who own the HD800. Food for thought.

I heard both at Capitol Audiofest, from the same source, and I was underwhelmed by the 700. I thought the midbass sounded heavy and a little loose compared to the 800. Overall balance similar to the HD600/650 so those who find the 800 a little bright may prefer it. Had relatively limited time with the 700 though fwiw.

eclein · « **Reply #13 on:** 20 Sep 2012, 10:54 am »

Quote from: Sam-fi on 20 Sep 2012, 09:04 am

Alright, thank you all so much for your responses. They sent me all over the forums to research. I think, something like the he-400 or he-500 maybe what I am looking for. It seems represent a full upgrade from the hd600 still be an all arounder and have fullness and coherency.

Thank you all for your help. I am looking for a natural DAC/network streaming device to match. I am going to report here how I find things to be. I will still try to squire hd800 for comparison reasons.

Thanks,
Sam

I own HE-5LE's and I have not heard anything wrong with them regardless of the type of music played. Recording quality of your genre chosen is where you'll hear differences. They sound very very natural and faithfully reproduce the material warts and all. If its a crappy recording you will most definitely know it!

Unless your budget has changed downward for a reason maybe consider HE6's or LCD's, go for it, hell I would!!

toocool4 · « **Reply #14 on:** 20 Sep 2012, 12:01 pm »

I have heard both the HD800 and the T1, both are amazing but for what you are looking for I would say get the T1. The T1 is more of an all rounder, as it will handle most music types. The T1 is equally as revealing but more forgiving of less than perfect recordings, where as the HD800 renders them unlistenable.

eclein · « **Reply #15 on:** 20 Sep 2012, 01:40 pm »

T1's are a great suggestion....if I had the loot I'd have those already.
This stuff adds up baby!!!!!!

ajzepp · « **Reply #16 on:** 20 Sep 2012, 09:57 pm »

Quote from: FULLRANGEMAN on 20 Sep 2012, 08:12 am

Thinking of buying an HD800 or similar??
User Zombie_X at HeadFi is claiming the Beyer T1 is better(no this much transparent, more musical), than the HD800, the price is the same, around $1399 and easy 600 ohms impedance.
This Beyer T1 review will interest you, scroll down the page:
http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-T1-Audiofile-Stereo-Headphone/dp/B0031RD3YY/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_y

I love my T1s and fully support you getting a pair (hehe), but you have to keep in mind that Zombie_X is a huge Beyerdynamic homer.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #17 on:** 20 Sep 2012, 10:24 pm »

Quote from: ajzepp on 20 Sep 2012, 09:57 pm

I love my T1s and fully support you getting a pair (hehe), but you have to keep in mind that Zombie_X is a huge Beyerdynamic homer.

After reading the HD800 x T1 comparative test on post #11 Iam less fascinated by the Beyer, as the reviewer labeled the T1 as Studio Monitor.
I fell the AKG 701/702 may do the same performance at just $275.

ajzepp · « **Reply #18 on:** 20 Sep 2012, 10:52 pm »

Quote from: FULLRANGEMAN on 20 Sep 2012, 10:24 pm

After reading the HD800 x T1 comparative test on post #11 Iam less fascinated by the Beyer, as the reviewer labeled the T1 as Studio Monitor.
I fell the AKG 701/702 may do the same performance at just $275.

I just bought a pair of AKG Q701s at the suggestion of DaveNote....you can read his 3-part thread here in the headphone section. They just arrived a few mins ago so when I get home I'll give a listen. I can offer you some feedback on how they compare to the T1s if you like.

It's hard for me to imagine they will be in the same league as the T1s, but I will be honest with my evaluation.

Tyson · « **Reply #19 on:** 20 Sep 2012, 10:54 pm »

One way to make the HD800's musical is to buy a pair of T1's... I've heard the 800's with just about every source and amp imaginable and they never ever became musical. Less analytical? Sure. But never truly musical. The T1's sound musical with almost everything, a neat trick.