It's just a better tool. I don't understand how anyone can argue the HD800 can surpass the detail and refinement of Stax.

Detail maybe, but it doesn't seem able to sustain that detail without graininess.

 

It's pretty obvious, especially once you're used to the grain free sound of most stats.  Lots of comparisons between the two are done within 60 seconds, in the middle of a loud trade show, while sipping scotch...not the most reliable impressions (but definitely fun ).

Edited January 31, 201511 yr by n3rdling

HD800s treble issue a feature? (skip to 12 minutes)

It's pretty obvious, especially once you're used to the grain free sound of most stats.  Lots of comparisons between the two are done within 60 seconds, in the middle of a loud trade show, while sipping scotch...not the most reliable impressions (but definitely fun ).

 

I'm a bit surprised how so many headphones just sound tonally dead compared to the ESL63.... actually I don't think I've owned a single headphone that could match them. None of them can match their bass or treble on acoustic instruments or vocals, and it's not even remotely close. I never tended to notice it until I started to pretty much just listen to the ESLs. In constant heavy rotation has been Annie Fischer's Beethoven piano sonatas, if the Quads just had some more lower fundamental richness it would probably sound damn close to that Bosendorfer.

If I can get my TAD CD and whatever lower mid (Altec/TAD/Supravox) to match the tone of the mid and bass of the 63 I will be pretty damn happy. I may even have to get a 57 for reference comparison

That's funny, just yesterday morning I was thinking in the shower how the 57s have a certain 'it' factor in tonality that I've never really heard in a headphone before.  R10 and Orpheus probably closest in that regard.

Older ears can also have that effect.

Dunno. I always compare you to Jesus Christ and his ears took a dive during that year.  

I think I'm significantly less sensitive to brightness than I was say ten years ago (33 now, 34 in a week or so). In fact cans or speakers without a nice, sparkly treble are kind of boring to me. This could be age, could be hearing loss from live music, but it is a trend I've definitely noticed.

I think I'm significantly less sensitive to brightness than I was say ten years ago (33 now, 34 in a week or so). In fact cans or speakers without a nice, sparkly treble are kind of boring to me. This could be age, could be hearing loss from live music, but it is a trend I've definitely noticed.

You're way too young to start noticing that. Have your hearing professionally checked and if there's a loss, take protecting measures, otherwise you might be a good candidate to use hearing aids in the future.

You're way too young to start noticing that. Have your hearing professionally checked and if there's a loss, take protecting measures, otherwise you might be a good candidate to use hearing aids in the future.

10-4, thanks for the suggestion. My Dad has terrible hearing, and he didn't go to a crapload of concerts like me, so I wonder if it is somewhat genetic?. Having said that, I have been using earplugs at shows since 2009, and rarely go to any superloud club shows these days, so I have been taking protective measures, at least since 2009.

But I will go get my hearing professionally checked. Thanks again.

Some types of hearing loss may have a genetic component. Good for you having your ears protected at such loud events  Keep us posted on the results.

Oh fuck.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/785577/sennheiser-hd800s-unveiled#post_12018462

It looks so much sexier in black! 

If its under 2k I'm in no question.

I'm thinking it'll be definitely 2k or more since they're including the balanced cable they charge $300+ for.

The current HD800's MSRP is $1600 now as well. Maybe they can drop the price back down to $1300 or whatever it debuted at.

Edited October 24, 201510 yr by dcpoor

If it has none of the treble peak the HD800 has which can only be reduced via modding, sign my ass for 2 of these. But the price I think will be within the vicinity of $2-2.5k. 

That's why I'm better than Jesus, as my ears didn't.

 

Damn it do I need to get back into headphones again? Sounds like the perfect can for me. 

Can't wait to hear it. Too many $2-3k things I want lately.

I knew this day would come.  I have dreaded it.

it's been a long time coming tho. i'll definitely be giving these a listen and hope that sennheiser doesn't jack the price up too much with the balanced cable inclusion.

I hope they're excellent.  I fear they're a black HD800 with the anaxilus mod and a useless cable.

could be as it's not a major revision - more of a tweak and cosmetic refresh by the looks of it, with an extra cable that i don't need

I think they will price it at $2295 to steal some thunder from the Hifiman HE-1000.  Nice one Sennheiser!

I'm still happy with my un-modded HD800 from the earliest batch in 2009 (picked up from Todd at CanJam), and a Locus-Design Hyperion Cable (or Moon-Audio Black Dragon).

That's more or less what I figure they are.

and it has 4G LTE