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Sennheiser HD800S in 2024

antanast

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Nov 24, 2022
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Hi everyone!

I heard a lot of beautiful things about the the 800S and considering upgrading from my Aryas Stealth. What are your comments and thoughts? Was also considering the Focal Clear MG pro but the 800S seems to be better in many aspects especially soundstage.
 
OG HD800 has much lower bass distortion, I would take used HD800 in good condition over HD800S and then mod/EQ the treble peak out.
 
What about my other option, the Focal Clear MG Pro.
Sennheiser HD800 is much more long lasting and durable compared to Focal Clear, especially the headband and drivers.
Clear is very good headphone, HD800 is technological marvel, the best open back headphone ever created.
While clear is nice, not a single aspect of it is best. On other hand, HD800 is headphone of extremes.

1. Widest soundstage headphone, its soundstage benchmark, its the definition of excellent soundstage.
2. Biggest deepest earcups ever. Jecklin Float were bigger but they had no pads or cavity.
3. Probably the tightest channel balance matching in production headphone.
4. Very low accoustic impedance, one of lowest FR variability due to position/head shape changes.
5. Microscale frequency smoothness, despite its treble peak, the FR and phase response is exceptionally smooth, no micro resonances.
6. Lightest most comfortable headphone in its class ( summit fi large size open backs ).

Clear MG is like Mercedes S class, its undeniably good, jack of all trades but it isnt best in any single category.
HD800 is like Formula 1, it is the best in multiple measurable categories that we use to judge headphone performance.
 
Upgraded from HD600 to an HD800S a few months ago. The sound stage is amazing and a really fun effect but not quite to the level most reviews write about. It seems somewhat track dependent. If you like acoustic music or even instrumental music they are absolutely amazing. The instrument separation isn't even comparable to the HD600, it really does sound like every instrument is in its own position in the sound field so it makes it really easy to pick them out individually. I actually prefer them without EQ but most people here disagree with that. Haven't tried the Focals but if you're going to EQ bass on either you'd be better off with the HD800S as you can boost the bass to ludicrous levels with no clipping or audible distortion, whereas I've heard the Focal will clip when boosting bass.
 
Upgraded from HD600 to an HD800S a few months ago. The sound stage is amazing and a really fun effect but not quite to the level most reviews write about. It seems somewhat track dependent. If you like acoustic music or even instrumental music they are absolutely amazing. The instrument separation isn't even comparable to the HD600, it really does sound like every instrument is in its own position in the sound field so it makes it really easy to pick them out individually. I actually prefer them without EQ but most people here disagree with that. Haven't tried the Focals but if you're going to EQ bass on either you'd be better off with the HD800S as you can boost the bass to ludicrous levels with no clipping or audible distortion, whereas I've heard the Focal will clip when boosting bass.
I own both and you are spot on about the clipping issue with the Focals. It's certainly not all the time, but for instance there are YouTube concerts (Heilung Live) that I can't wear the Focals for because the clipping is pretty constant without any base boost. This is however a small percentage. The HD800's are in my opinion everything they were advertised to be. Great sounding and with instrumental tracks, heaven.
 
Hi everyone!

I heard a lot of beautiful things about the the 800S and considering upgrading from my Aryas Stealth. What are your comments and thoughts? Was also considering the Focal Clear MG pro but the 800S seems to be better in many aspects especially soundstage.
is the 800 really an upgrade on an arya stealth??
if so please state why. not just the OP anyone?
i am considering a return to an hd800 or one of the larger hifiman arya/he1000, so interested in opinions on this.

would also like to know which are likely to respond best to eq?
 
is the 800 really an upgrade on an arya stealth??
if so please state why. not just the OP anyone?
i am considering a return to an hd800 or one of the larger hifiman arya/he1000, so interested in opinions on this.

would also like to know which are likely to respond best to eq?

Both sound great. The 800S sounds slightly "wider". Arya Stealth has slightly more bass without EQ. Maybe not quite as "wide" a soundstage. Not that much difference. I doubt if I could tell the difference in a blind test.

I slightly prefer the sound of the 800S overall. Listening to a CD with the 800S now.

I'd give the 800S a 5% better score than the Arya Steath.
 
having nowhere remotely local to audition hifimans i decided to jump on a edition xs.
only £270 so wont lose too much if i dont like it, as they seem to go for just over £200 used on ebay.
was reluctant to jump on a used arya or he1000 due to all the reported quality issues.
if i like the xs i will probably upgrade in the new year.

in the meantime i can get a home trial of the 800s to try with eq.
stupidly i sold my 800 years ago before trying eq at all. :facepalm:
 
having nowhere remotely local to audition hifimans i decided to jump on a edition xs.
only £270 so wont lose too much if i dont like it, as they seem to go for just over £200 used on ebay.
was reluctant to jump on a used arya or he1000 due to all the reported quality issues.
if i like the xs i will probably upgrade in the new year.

in the meantime i can get a home trial of the 800s to try with eq.
stupidly i sold my 800 years ago before trying eq at all. :facepalm:
Let's hope for the best. I couldn't EQ it :D
 
By Up listening to the HD800S with Adi2 and Stax 009S with a Mjolnir Carbon both equalized to Harman. Stax is warmer with less soundstage and equally revealing. I like both very much. Hard to choose a favorite for slightly different sonic presentation. For its price, the Senns are amazing.i thought the He1000 Stealths were too bright at CanJam but with the price drop I’m tempted so I can compare.
 
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