Sennheiser HD 800 Redux

[wink]

http://www.swamp.com.au/archives.php?ch=14&c=10117

http://www.swamp.com.au/archives.php?ch=14&c=10219

http://www.swamp.com.au/archives.php?ch=14&c=10221

[postjack]

The HD800 is awesome though. Make music sound good.

[Audiojunkie]

Girl comes around and everybody tapes a pillow to the shovel.

Funny boys.

 

Did you happen to notice her avatar? 

[Riotvan]

I know this has been discussed before but i'm wondering how many of you are still running these on a higher output impedance. I mean there's this lower treble grittiness that completely goes away when i run these on a 120 Ohm output. Gives it the same liquid mids as with the Crack.

 

Maybe i can eq it out but making an adapter was faster

[grawk]

I made a minor edit to the thread, I apologize for my derailing the discussion earlier

[tin ear]

tickety-boo guv

[morphsci]

I made a minor edit to the thread, I apologize for my derailing the discussion earlier

Actually, you got it back on track sooner.

[nikongod]

I know this has been discussed before but i'm wondering how many of you are still running these on a higher output impedance. I mean there's this lower treble grittiness that completely goes away when i run these on a 120 Ohm output. Gives it the same liquid mids as with the Crack.

 

Maybe i can eq it out but making an adapter was faster

 

I may be weird, but I do both. 

 

Parametric EQ per the instructions in the "how to Equalize your headphones, a tutorial" thread on head-fi, and a stoopid-high-output impedance amp. 

 

It may have something to do with my amp having 6 double triodes but people always say they like it at head-fi meets. I think its both things. 

[Riotvan]

I may be weird, but I do both. 

 

Parametric EQ per the instructions in the "how to Equalize your headphones, a tutorial" thread on head-fi, and a stoopid-high-output impedance amp. 

 

It may have something to do with my amp having 6 double triodes but people always say they like it at head-fi meets. I think its both things. 

Haha nah you're not weird, i do the same. I also used that guide to find my ears resonance frequency and i further reduced the 6k ish peak and added a little boost to the low end Just curious how high is the output impedance on your setup? 

Edited October 4, 2014 by Riotvan

[nikongod]

Just curious how high is the output impedance on your setup? 

 

It is balanced, which doubles the output impedance - so about 450ohms at the end of the day. Kind of a lot  

 

The only thing I am sure of is that 0ohms is wrong

[dsavitsk]

I've been using mine with an amp with an output impedance of around 40,000 Ohms ...

 

I tend to think it is lack of feedback and not high impedance that matters more.

Edited October 5, 2014 by dsavitsk

[Tyll Hertsens]

Izzata current source amp, Doug?

[dsavitsk]

Yup. Great combination. The one I've been playing with lately is tube, but I also did one using Gary Pimm's solid state "pentodes" which was fun.

[Riotvan]

It is balanced, which doubles the output impedance - so about 450ohms at the end of the day. Kind of a lot  

 

The only thing I am sure of is that 0ohms is wrong

Aha so mine is like 240 ohms since i also run balanced? Going a bit above my paygrade here haha, but maybe ill go play with it when i have some spare time. But i agree 0 ohms is wrong to my ears as well.

Doug is that one of your new designs? If it has an option for a remote count me interested, yeah i'm a lazy fuck when i sit down for a listen

[dsavitsk]

There is likely a current source amp in the future. It is not first in line, though, as I am always hesitant on it as it is in the realm of probably too weird to sell. And I just got some crazy custom made (amorphous) iron from Lundahl which is part of the next project. I am hoping to have a prototype of that one at the NYC/CT meet on Nov 15th ... maybe.

[nikongod]

It is not first in line, though, as I am always hesitant on it as it is in the realm of probably too weird to sell.

 

This has never stopped you from making awesome things before

[ironbut]

 And I just got some crazy custom made (amorphous) iron from Lundahl which is part of the next project.

 

$$$ stuff.

I've always wondered how the difference would sound.

Let us know what you think.

[TMoney]

Senn. factory tour focusing on the HD800 assembly line.

 

[blessingx]

Slightly different than the Grado tour.

[Audiojunkie]

Senn. factory tour focusing on the HD800 assembly line.

 

 

Now compare that to the Grado factory tour video...quite the contrast to say the least!  

[Grahame]

Very impressive, QA, attention to detail, process, staff conditions etc.

As said above, other audio / boutique / jewelry manufacturers take note. Hand made does not need to mean variable / crappy / unjustifiably expensive.

Look for a DIN standard / QA sticker on your next purchase

Edited December 3, 2014 by Grahame

[Audiojunkie]

I've worked in electronics manufacturing for about 15 years now and I am impressed with the Sennheiser facility and processes.

[Tyll Hertsens]

I've been there...astoundingly cool. They've got a top notch facility and staff.

 

The fact they don't make great headphones every time just shows how hard it is to make good headphones.

They're better than most though, for sure.

[justin]

do you think they want every headphone they make to be great?

[Tyll Hertsens]

Dunno. But you'd think there'd be a consistent FR within reason.