[Beagle]

The assumption we are not listening to this conversation here in the thread or in general is false. Turn that frown upside down my friend.

I know you are listening. But some questions regarding how we feel about the actual sound would have been nice. Just as important as comfort, soundstage, fit etc.

 

[headstef]

I am not qualified to participate to the survey, since I have not really owned the HD-800/800S (I nearly bought it twice but managed to resist in the end, wanting a more balanced sound). However, I have recently expressed my "wishes" in various conversations here, also in this thread more analytically:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/lets-create-our-dream-sennheiser.966818/
Nice survey @ericpalonen/Sennheiser, it is a good start if a new flagship is to be designed!

 

[cleanersonvenus]

.

 

[GoldenSound]

Hello Head-Fi!

When the original HD 800 was launched in 2009, it ushered in both a sound and design that was unlike anything we had done before. We’re seeking input from owners of the open 800 family (past and present models) in the form of a quick survey. Because the questions span a few different response types (ranked choice, check boxes, multiple choice) you'll need to click the link below to take it, however It is anonymous, quick, and does not require registration of any kind. Lastly, the questions range from acoustics to ergonomics.

The survey will close on April 3rd. If you have any questions about the survey, @ericpalonen will be here to answer them.

Thank you for your time and feedback.

>>The Survey<<

--

HD800S owner for >5 yrs, filled out the survey but wanted to expand a bit.

This might sound like a list of criticisms, but I'm a very happy owner, just wanting to give my input on the areas where the headphones could be improved.

Personally, I'd say that the questions/concerns around visuals are of least importance to me. If there is going to be a future HD800 successor it'd be nice from a continuity standpoint if it looked like an HD800 to some degree, but I'm pretty sure everyone would prefer a better sounding but different looking headphone over a worse sounding headphone that was compromised to keep a particular aesthetic.

Similarly, the question about 'seeing functional aspects' I'm a little unsure what that's meaning.
If it's meaning "Should these be included" the answer IMO is simply are they needed? The headphone should be designed in a way to achieve the best possible sound quality. Whether particular design aspects are part of that will depend. There certainly shouldn't be stuff added in just so it can be included in marketing. If extra damping isn't needed don't add extra damping. Sound quality is the goal not a feature list.
If it's meaning "Should these be clearly visible" I'd say that it really depends on whether it will affect sound or not. If a headphone can be designed to 'show off' the tuning/construction aspects whilst keeping the same sound that'd be kinda neat. But it's really somewhat superficial and if doing so will compromise sound it should not be done.

On the comfort, personally I find the HD800 to have just the right amount of clamp and due to the lightweight nature it's very comfy. The one thing I'd really like to see changed is to have a slightly bigger headband extension. I have to wear mine on the maximum adjustment and even then I could realistically do with an extra notch if possible.

The cable is fine but far too long for me and most importantly, PLEASE USE A DIFFERENT CONNECTOR.
The connectors have been a pain point for many for years, I really hope this gets changed to something like mini-XLR or 3.5mm. The less proprietary connectors or connectors only used on 1-2 headphones we have the better.

Looking forward to seeing what might be coming out!

 

[ericpalonen]

HD800S owner for >5 yrs, filled out the survey but wanted to expand a bit.

This might sound like a list of criticisms, but I'm a very happy owner, just wanting to give my input on the areas where the headphones could be improved.

Personally, I'd say that the questions/concerns around visuals are of least importance to me. If there is going to be a future HD800 successor it'd be nice from a continuity standpoint if it looked like an HD800 to some degree, but I'm pretty sure everyone would prefer a better sounding but different looking headphone over a worse sounding headphone that was compromised to keep a particular aesthetic.

Similarly, the question about 'seeing functional aspects' I'm a little unsure what that's meaning.
If it's meaning "Should these be included" the answer IMO is simply are they needed? The headphone should be designed in a way to achieve the best possible sound quality. Whether particular design aspects are part of that will depend. There certainly shouldn't be stuff added in just so it can be included in marketing. If extra damping isn't needed don't add extra damping. Sound quality is the goal not a feature list.
If it's meaning "Should these be clearly visible" I'd say that it really depends on whether it will affect sound or not. If a headphone can be designed to 'show off' the tuning/construction aspects whilst keeping the same sound that'd be kinda neat. But it's really somewhat superficial and if doing so will compromise sound it should not be done.

On the comfort, personally I find the HD800 to have just the right amount of clamp and due to the lightweight nature it's very comfy. The one thing I'd really like to see changed is to have a slightly bigger headband extension. I have to wear mine on the maximum adjustment and even then I could realistically do with an extra notch if possible.

The cable is fine but far too long for me and most importantly, PLEASE USE A DIFFERENT CONNECTOR.
The connectors have been a pain point for many for years, I really hope this gets changed to something like mini-XLR or 3.5mm. The less proprietary connectors or connectors only used on 1-2 headphones we have the better.

Looking forward to seeing what might be coming out!

Thank you for being a customer, and for taking a survey. Your feedback here is terrific so thank you for taking the time to go in-depth! We sincerely appreciate it.

 

[ericpalonen]

Treble is just too peaky on HD800s, overall the only justifiable quality the headphone has is the comfort and soundstage, everything else is demolished by a $100 headphone.
Also stop asking about cables, I get perfectly fine custom cables for $10 on aliexpress, just don't make that proprietary stuff you guys do for profit, make it 3.5mm like god intended.

What I hear is that the sound is not for you and that's okay. I wish you well in your quest for the sound that fits you. That said, we will continue to ask about whatever we want to, because cables matter a LOT to this community. We prefer to hear what they are saying and this thread is a great place to discuss it. Note: we do not make proprietary connectors on the HD 800 series. Otherwise no one else would be able to get them from a 3rd party without the maker paying a license of said technology, or not at all (they do not pay us). The fact that you get 3rd party cables with little fuss further proves that. Thx for chiming in.

 

[ralphp@optonline]

With the prices for state of the art and top of the line headphones climbing higher and higher each year, the Sennheiser HD800S has become one of the best "bargains" in high end headphones. I own a Sonoma Model One headphone and DAC/amp setup and while my Sennheiser HD800 does not quite reach the level of the Sonoma, it most certainly comes within striking distance. Unlike the Sonoma Model One, the Sennheiser's are not tied to a specific DAC/amp and have user replaceable earpads and cable.

I bought my HD800s used and they arrived with rather worn out earpads and headband padding and a very short, after market cable. I replaced the earpads with Dekoni earpads, added Dekoni nuggets (little pads) to the headband and bought a 4 pin balanced cable. The positive improvements to both comfort and sound quality were worth every penny and now I consider the HD800 to be one of best sounding and most comfortable headphones in my collection.

 

[ericpalonen]

With the prices for state of the art and top of the line headphones climbing higher and higher each year, the Sennheiser HD800S has become one of the best "bargains" in high end headphones. I own a Sonoma Model One headphone and DAC/amp setup and while my Sennheiser HD800 does not quite reach the level of the Sonoma, it most certainly comes within striking distance. Unlike the Sonoma Model One, the Sennheiser's are not tied to a specific DAC/amp and have user replaceable earpads and cable.

I bought my HD800s used and they arrived with rather worn out earpads and headband padding and a very short, after market cable. I replaced the earpads with Dekoni earpads, added Dekoni nuggets (little pads) to the headband and bought a 4 pin balanced cable. The positive improvements to both comfort and sound quality were worth every penny and now I consider the HD800 to be one of best sounding and most comfortable headphones in my collection.

Thank you for being a champ! Great feedback

 

[Beagle]

With the prices for state of the art and top of the line headphones climbing higher and higher each year, the Sennheiser HD800S has become one of the best "bargains" in high end headphones.

Pretty sad when $1600 is considered a "bargain". But you're right, that's the reality, for now anyway. I think the whole overpriced flagship thing will implode in the not too distant future.

 

[headstef]

@Sennheiser will you share the results with us? It would be quite interesting!

That would be critical info for the competitors, for free! I don't think we should expect it to happen, no matter how interesting it would be.

 

[Headeusz]

I think fenestrated sheepskin

Please - without sacrificing anyone's life. Now is super.

The size and appearance of the HD 700 was perfect. Their high tones (plus soundscape) too. Please add bass from the HD 660S2 - and that's it for me : )

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Please - without sacrificing anyone's life. Now is super.

What?

 

[IXOYE]

I filled out the survey.

The ear cups could be a bit deeper, in some situations my ears touching the drivers, and I hate that, the cable is one meter to long and the cup connectors really sucks, the steel mesh around the cups are fingerprint magnets and looks fragile to me, otherwise I like my HD800s.

 

[Beagle]

That would be critical info for the competitors, for free! I don't think we should expect it to happen, no matter how interesting it would be.

The “competitors” don’t know how to do it.

 

[ralphp@optonline]

Pretty sad when $1600 is considered a "bargain". But you're right, that's the reality, for now anyway. I think the whole overpriced flagship thing will implode in the not too distant future.

The Law of Diminishing Returns hits the high end headphone market. With so many flagship headphones now selling for well north of $3000, which is around double the cost of the HD800S, that does indeed make the HD800S somewhat of a bargain.

I attended this year's and last year's NYC CanJam. At last year's CanJam the closed back Dan Clark Audio Stealth was all the rage and it sounded wonderful but at $4,000 it was way beyond my price range. I listened to the Stealths and was thoroughly impressed. So the first thing that I did upon returning home was to listen to my Sennheiser HD820s. After a few minutes of listening I was very relieved to realize that the HD820s are the equal of the DCA Stealths and that I could put that $4,000 to some other use.