I spoke with one of the big website operators for headphones who provides remarkable measurements of everything under the sun. He was very good and sent a passive filter just around 4.5khz - 9khz that drops this range around 4.5db...bringing the 800S measurements more in line with their HE-1 reference. Works extremely well. We could theoretically do one to drop the WHOLE range by 5db above 200hz...which then result in the sub-200hz frequencies being 'boosted 5db' relative to the rest of the frequency range. This would nearly exactly mimic the HE-1 measurements. But I am not sure that we are going to go there. The bass with the EAR Yoshino is quite good.Have you tried EQ for the 800s? Headfi is full of various EQ to make the 800s more enjoyable. Schitt has a very reasonable EQ unit.
I spoke with one of the big website operators for headphones who provides remarkable measurements of everything under the sun. He was very good and sent a passive filter just around 4.5khz - 9khz that drops this range around 4.5db...bringing the 800S measurements more in line with their HE-1 reference. Works extremely well. We could theoretically do one to drop the WHOLE range by 5db above 200hz...which then result in the sub-200hz frequencies being 'boosted 5db' relative to the rest of the frequency range. This would nearly exactly mimic the HE-1 measurements. But I am not sure that we are going to go there. The bass with the EAR Yoshino is quite good.
I will look into the Schiit. Thanks.
Audaze have released the lcd5 new planer reference headphone.I think im gonna buy a pair of these.I haven't been very active in a while now - lost interest in hi fi discussion in favour of listening - but am curious after reading your experiences - do you feel it might just be time for a different headphone - like the D8000 or Meze or something?
Sounds like alot of work to cure alot of compromise.
A good point worthy of its own thread.Text omitted
Sounds like alot of work to cure alot of compromise.
I hear you, and frankly, i got a superb price on a new set of Senn 800S, and it is literally the first audio acquisition in 30 years where I found something that does not work. After all the reading, speaking with owners and owning 4 pairs of Sennheisers (incl the 650 which is awesome) or bought them for family, I did not think the risk would be high of a mistake.I haven't been very active in a while now - lost interest in hi fi discussion in favour of listening - but am curious after reading your experiences - do you feel it might just be time for a different headphone - like the D8000 or Meze or something?
Sounds like alot of work to cure alot of compromise.
Agree...i felt confident it would be for me. And i have a few more things to look into before I choose a different direction. What I can say is...I know why a lot of people consider it a true flagship worth of being compared with far more expensive flagship headphones. However, those 1-2 areas are standing in the way (for me) at the moment. More to come.A good point worthy of its own thread.
It would be arrogant of me to think Senheiser would design a product suited uniquely to my taste. Nor is this review an endorsement
Of the product.
My research revealed there were many who were enamored of the hd800s right out of the box. Indeed there were those who were not only not offended by the texture of the earpads but preferred them.
Essentially the hd 800s is a speaker. Finding the correct amplification is par for the course. Tweaking for my preference is not required of others.
That’s a very good combination at a excellent price.Hmmm. All good points and well made.
Personally I'm still considering a higher end headphone set up - but frankly at the prices of the higher end headphones, and the front end + amplification - I am drawn back to a simple HD6xx / DT 880 etc, and half decent converter/streamer like a Naim HP4.
Best wishes to everyone.
That’s a very good combination at a excellent price.
Which Meze? Elite has less upper bass emphasis than the Empyrium but keeps that Meze sumptuous sound.So after 8-10 weeks the headphone cable arrive...the Transparent Ultra Gen 5...it is stupendous. Thanks to those who provided guidance on this as few have heard it let alone compared with some other great options. A definite keeper.
As for the 800S with the 6khz filter, it is materially ameliorated with the cable. That said, I also am borrowing a Meze...no, does not appear to be as linear, particularly in upper bass which sometimes feels to roar over the lower mids. But it does have excellent detail while being absolutely sumptuous to listen to.
As some have said, I have given the 800S every chance..and having only just arrived with the transformationally good cable (certainly relative to stock)...I will not rush. But the Empyrean is such an easy headphone to listen to while working late in the evening for hours...
...more to come.
Thanks for that Heihei...I have been listening to the Empyrean original. As for your comments about Elite, that is exactly what I have read about the 'linearity'...but naturally, one always wonders what the end result is. After all, the 800S Sennheiser sounds nothing like almost any other Sennheiser I have ever heard (bought/owned at least 5 over many years)...and that includes everything I have hread about their own flagship HE1/Orpheus which apparently is voiced much more like an insanely well executed HD650 (which we also still own and like, despite its [slightly] gentle shortcomings in relation to today's reference level performance).Which Meze? Elite has less upper bass emphasis than the Empyrium but keeps that Meze sumptuous sound.
I was just about to inquire re cables. I will check those out.Thanks for that Heihei...I have been listening to the Empyrean original. As for your comments about Elite, that is exactly what I have read about the 'linearity'...but naturally, one always wonders what the end result is. After all, the 800S Sennheiser sounds nothing like almost any other Sennheiser I have ever heard (bought/owned at least 5 over many years)...and that includes everything I have hread about their own flagship HE1/Orpheus which apparently is voiced much more like an insanely well executed HD650 (which we also still own and like, despite its [slightly] gentle shortcomings in relation to today's reference level performance).
I will give some thought to Elite, but for now, am really trying to figure out if we are going to keep 800S and make it work. The treble is ameliorated dramatically by the much higher quality TA Ultra cable...so that is something I just want to test over the next few weeks.
What else have you heard that sounds more like Empyrean? I do like the overall style/sound presentation, despite its imbalances.
Excellent...extremely happy with the cable.I was just about to inquire re cables. I will check those out.