Looks like Drop might be 'dropping' a HD800

[jhaider]

That's thankfully incorrect...

Drop's return/replacement policy – Drop Help Center

So you can indeed take them for a spin and work out whether or not they suck.

Did you read the link you cited? Here, in relevant part:

“Drop Studio items are considered eligible for return if they ... Are marked on the product page via a note stating "RETURNS & EXCHANGES—NO QUESTIONS ASKED”

Find that language on the 800x page and get back to us. Yes, your link does appear on the 800x page. However, it is in tension with the policy in the page, and the triggering language is not present.

Furthermore, the word “unused,” which does appear on the 800x returns policy but ignored in your reply, has a defined meaning.

The bottom line is they have conflicting information but the policy that unambiguously applies to this product is the new, unused language.

 

[threni]

That's thankfully incorrect. "Like new" is defined thus:

• Items will be free of cosmetic defects and in perfect working condition
• All original components intact: Inclusive of any included inserts or additional materials. Be in original packaging and packaging will have minimal damage

Drop's return/replacement policy – Drop Help Center

So you can indeed take them for a spin and work out whether or not they suck.

"However if you are not satisfied with your Drop Studio product, Drop is accepting standard returns and exchanges for both US and International customers on most Drop Studio items in like new condition within 30 days of delivery."

I wonder what "most" means, where it's defined, etc. I'm not sure I'd want to be one dealing with returns of/trying to resell stuff people attach to their dirty/greasy heads in the current covid-19 world!

 

[edahl]

“Drop Studio items are considered eligible for return if they ... Are marked on the product page via a note stating "RETURNS & EXCHANGES—NO QUESTIONS ASKED”

Find that language on the 800x page and get back to us.

Here you go, it's right there on the page.

 

[jhaider]

Here you go, it's right there on the page.

[cleans egg off face] I stand corrected, thanks.

However, there is still clear tension in the returns/exchanges language on the page.

 

[SimpleTheater]

And remember... no one is forced to buy it.

I was trained that when a great deal comes you MUST buy it. Even if you don't need it. I just saved $300. Now for the next Dan Clark drop where I can save even more money. Not buying means you are leaving money on the table, or so my sisters taught me.

 

[edahl]

[cleans egg off face] I stand corrected, thanks.

However, there is still clear tension in the returns/exchanges language on the page.

There's tension all right, but that seems more like a topic for lit studies in this case (love me some of that btw.). It's good to be skeptical sometimes, but drop is a reputable enough seller for it to be necessary with so much misinformation everywhere.

"However if you are not satisfied with your Drop Studio product, Drop is accepting standard returns and exchanges for both US and International customers on most Drop Studio items in like new condition within 30 days of delivery."

I wonder what "most" means, where it's defined, etc. I'm not sure I'd want to be one dealing with returns of/trying to resell stuff people attach to their dirty/greasy heads in the current covid-19 world!

It just means the returns no questions asked policy has to be explicitly mentioned on the drop page.

 

[edahl]

From the talk "Finding Flat" by Tyll. Does it tell us something about how to interpret the new FR?

At 26 minutes he talks about the square wave response. I wish we had those for the 8XX to compare.

 

[PuX]

Notebookcheck.net: Sennheiser wants out of the consumer headphone and speaker markets.

and where would they go?

honestly if they leave the lifestyle crap behind (as long as they keep making the good models), they'll be better off and very little people will notice, I imagine Beats and AirPods outsell them by 1:100.

 

[AtomAmp]

and where would they go?

honestly if they leave the lifestyle crap behind (as long as they keep making the good models), they'll be better off and very little people will notice, I imagine Beats and AirPods outsell them by 1:100.

If the HD800/S, and the 600 series are studio monitors, would they be part of the pro audio division?

 

[Zensō]

If the HD800/S, and the 600 series are studio monitors, would they be part of the pro audio division?

Sadly, no. This is the Sennheiser “Pro Audio” page:

https://en-us.sennheiser.com/pro-audio-microphones-wireless-systems-iem-headphones

The headsets there appear to be for broadcast and DJ use. All of the HD series headphones fall under “Audiophile”, which is one of the consumer categories.

 

[AtomAmp]

Sadly, no. This is the Sennheiser “Pro Audio” page:

https://en-us.sennheiser.com/pro-audio-microphones-wireless-systems-iem-headphones

The headsets there appear to be for broadcast and DJ use. All of the HD series headphones fall under “Audiophile”, which is one of the consumer categories.

Yeah. Well that would really be a downer. But to maintain the Sennheiser value for the audiophile products, they should retain it and just sell the lifestyle division as you said. Anyway the value in those lifestyle products can be derived from aspects which may not necessarily be audiophile related, like features, wireless capability, colorway, compact style, etc. The Momentum 2 TW could carry the lifestyle brand, but yes, it has to keep up.

 

[Racheski]

I'm in. This is approximately a 20% discount from MSRP, not including the $200 in DROP reward points - that's a pretty good deal. Although it does not include the pentacon cable, the one that comes with the HD800s is garbage so whatevs. I'll compare it to my HD800s and either sell the "S" or return the 8XX. For those interested, if you don't jump on the deal the price will increase for the next run and you may not get the same multiplier on the reward points.

 

[AtomAmp]

I just pulled the trigger too. I can now sit and relax while I read the comments about it (good or bad). Nice that we have a refund and return option.

 

[edahl]

The only tension for me is that I have a pair of 800S on the way for $1260 (+vat). I just hope they give me enough to go on to decide which to keep by the 60 day return window.

 

[solderdude]

Although it does not include the pentaconn cable, the one that comes with the HD800s is garbage so whatevs

Drop tried to get that changed and use HD650 cable but Sennheiser mentioned they could not make this happen with the connectors that are used in the HD800(S). So one is stuck with aftermarket if one does not want to use the terrible cable (which Amir seemed to like).

 

[maverickronin]

Drop tried to get that changed and use HD650 cable but Sennheiser mentioned they could not make this happen with the connectors that are used in the HD800(S). So one is stuck with aftermarket if one does not want to use the terrible cable (which Amir seemed to like).

Also, for DIY-ers, these connectors work great for re-terminating a spare HD650 cable

 

[AtomAmp]

The only tension for me is that I have a pair of 800S on the way for $1260 (+vat). I just hope they give me enough to go on to decide which to keep by the 60 day return window.

The 800S is not bad at all.

 

[edahl]

The 800S is not bad at all.

Yeah I know, but the question is if the 8XX is better

 

[oivavoi]

I'm weighing back and forth on this, unable to make up my mind. Now Drop is saying in the comments that they might close the deal early, but difficult to know if that's just marketing speak or not...

How much of a drawback is the lack of a balanced cable, for example? I was thinking of pairing it with the Qubelix 5K, which is affordable and provides parametric EQ. But with the Qubelix one needs a balanced connection to get enough power for the 800s/8XX, I think. And getting such a cable separately adds to the cost
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...qudelix-5k-bluetooth-dac-headphone-amp.17386/

 

[edahl]

I'm weighing back and forth on this, unable to make up my mind. Now Drop is saying in the comments that they might close the deal early, but difficult to know if that's just marketing speak or not...

How much of a drawback is the lack of a balanced cable, for example? I was thinking of pairing it with the Qubelix 5K, which is affordable and provides parametric EQ. But with the Qubelix one needs a balanced connection to get enough power for the 800s/8XX, I think. And getting such a cable separately adds to the cost
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...qudelix-5k-bluetooth-dac-headphone-amp.17386/

I think you should be fine for a portable setup, I first tried the 800S with my 5K. But I wouldn't run the 800S portably personally.

I honestly think spending the store credit on a 789 is a really good deal and I'd order it instantly if I didn't already have the RME ADI-2 DAC (which is single ended but still has enough power). A transparent, great amp that doesn't need to run 8XX balanced, or a specialised cable that only works with certain amps AND you need an amp? I'd pick the amp every time.