[Rob80b]

I really like artic cables. What do you recommend hybrid? From my understanding silver makes the tonality brighter and cooper warmer. Thanks.

I think the "color" copper or silver affects people's hearing, the electrons that move the voice coils don't care one way or another and by the time the driver membrane excites the air molecules to set off a cascade of vibrations that eventually reach our ears to then be deciphered by our brain as music, well your guess is as good as mine, IMHO cooper will be just fine.

 

[bertwaffles]

Hey all, new to this thread. I posted one about looking for headphones and these HD820s really just speak to me. I mainly listen to blues, rock, some jazz, hip hop all that but my primary is gaming. I am working my way through all 290 pages but wanted to get some thoughts. I am really just down to this with a mojo 2 or WA11 or I am going to go IEM CA supermoon. I may be moving countries but still want a closed back or somethign a bit more private. I just want to live in my music. I dont mind learning to eq or whatever it takes. I game on a laptop and legion go and have apple music to endulge.

 

[bertwaffles]

I think if the money comes in I am going to do the HD820 and a Mojo 2. I will pick up a case to put it in for travel and can at least use them in a hotel. I can always use the Airpods Pro Gen 2 for my airplane travels. I have went back and forth on IEMs and other things but I just feel like the 820 is what speaks to me.

 

[lauthoerer]

I think that’s a solid choice. The HD820 was my first „serious“ headphone, coming from an Ananda and checking through a large number of other HPs that were all not comfortable enough on my head, no matter their sonic qualities. Still love it, although the relationship has definitely „evolved“ over time… (see my post on the previous page)

 

[bertwaffles]

I’d like to add my thoughts on the HD820 here, a HP that is very dear to my heart and ears.

• They don’t work equally well for everything and, here I agree with a number of reviews/posts which said this as well, they work especially well with a muscular amp and/or some tubes.
• The pads, indeed, were a liability. I’m using Dekoni Elite Hybrid, which greatly improved the seal, comfort, and to a smaller extent also the overall sound (because of the better seal).
• By far, the biggest, most impactful change, though, was switching to the WyWires Platinum, which added a weighty, organic, textured quality to the base that had me stop in my tracks. One of these rare AHA moments in this hobby of ours, when it’s not a little this or that or better or worse but a different dimension altogether.
• All this considering that the reason I bought the HD820 in the first place was that they were the ONLY ones at the time, that I could accept as “comfortable” to wear while giving me a good enough sound, even in their original state.

So definitely not one to dismiss as fast and easily as done by so many…

Any way you can DM me or paste links to the cables and pads? I am still a noob and not sure I would pick the right ones. I just looked up the price of that cable, that may have to wait a bit. How are the ones at Hart Cable, Cable Corpse or what not?

I will probably use the mojo 2 or gryphon initially. I wasn't sure what the best end would be for the cable as a connector. My devices all have a 3.5mm or usb-c

 

[lauthoerer]

Sure:

https://wywires.com/collections/wywires-heaphone-cables/products/headphone-cable-platinum

https://dekoniaudio.com/product/elite-hybrid-ear-pads-for-sennheiser-hd800-headphones/

Haven’t used any other cables on the HD820, so wouldn’t know how any of them perform. Also think that you can’t really transpose from other headphones to what pairs well with them…

 

[onawing]

Bit of a long shot here but has anyone tried the HD820 and also the Beyerdynamic T5p 3rd gen? I own the latter right now and use it to watch movies and I love the soundstage. I'm thinking of getting the HD820 for an even better movie watching experience while I save up for a smyth realiser a16 but I can't find any direct comparison between the two re: imaging and soundstage, and whether the difference will be noticeable.
edit: ended up buying the HD820 so I'll know in a bit

 

[Figjam]

Bit of a long shot here but has anyone tried the HD820 and also the Beyerdynamic T5p 3rd gen? I own the latter right now and use it to watch movies and I love the soundstage. I'm thinking of getting the HD820 for an even better movie watching experience while I save up for a smyth realiser a16 but I can't find any direct comparison between the two re: imaging and soundstage, and whether the difference will be noticeable.
edit: ended up buying the HD820 so I'll know in a bit

What was the verdict?

 

[bertwaffles]

Are the wywires worth it for these?

 

[bertwaffles]

Are the wywires worth it for these?

I ended up picking up the HD820 and while I am new to the audiophile world I am really enjoying the sound. Mind you I don't know better and would love some advice on understanding it a bit more.

I am powering them with the ifi Gryphon and stock cables. I am on the fence with upgrading the cables and ear pads. Overall really enjoying them.

 

[onawing]

What was the verdict?

The soundstage is noticeably bigger but the difference isn't huge. Maybe like 20-30% bigger? The overall listening experience for content that does not need a large soundstage is only marginally better on the HD 820 and I might actually prefer the more cozy feel of the T5p 3rd gen for audiobooks and some types of music. Imaging is much better on the HD 820 though and its easy to listen at unsafe volumes caus every time I increase the volume I hear something new in the audio. For what I was looking for (large soundstage) I got what I wanted so I wont be returning it. Though I do wonder if I should have just skipped it and put that money towards the A16.
I replaced the cable with a shorter one from Hart (the stock one is unwieldy). Comfort is better than the T5p (which is already a very comfortable headphone). I use the Dakoni fenestrated sheepskin on both, I havent really tried the stock ones. I'd say I can wear the T5p for about a movie's length without any comfort issues and the 820 for about twice as long. Its really big on my head though so it looks silly on video calls. I also own the AKG K702 and at least it doesn't give you the martian silhouette that the K702 does which is honestly peak clownish. The silhoeutte of the T5p is fine
They also included a usb drive. I dont have a sacrificial device handy where I can plug in random usb drives so I dont know whats in it. Apparently they've decided to unload some extra stress on their customers
Apologies I cant be more technical in my descriptions. I only bought these so I can watch movies more immersively so I cant speak to the shape of the sound curves and other hifi stuff that other people talk about
Overall if I had to do it over I'd think very carefully about whether I care about anything as much as I care about soundstage but for me I know the answer is no so I would make the same decision I think

 

[erics75]

The soundstage is noticeably bigger but the difference isn't huge. Maybe like 20-30% bigger? The overall listening experience for content that does not need a large soundstage is only marginally better on the HD 820 and I might actually prefer the more cozy feel of the T5p 3rd gen for audiobooks and some types of music. Imaging is much better on the HD 820 though and its easy to listen at unsafe volumes caus every time I increase the volume I hear something new in the audio. For what I was looking for (large soundstage) I got what I wanted so I wont be returning it. Though I do wonder if I should have just skipped it and put that money towards the A16.
I replaced the cable with a shorter one from Hart (the stock one is unwieldy). Comfort is better than the T5p (which is already a very comfortable headphone). I use the Dakoni fenestrated sheepskin on both, I havent really tried the stock ones. I'd say I can wear the T5p for about a movie's length without any comfort issues and the 820 for about twice as long. Its really big on my head though so it looks silly on video calls. I also own the AKG K702 and at least it doesn't give you the martian silhouette that the K702 does which is honestly peak clownish. The silhoeutte of the T5p is fine
They also included a usb drive. I dont have a sacrificial device handy where I can plug in random usb drives so I dont know whats in it. Apparently they've decided to unload some extra stress on their customers
Apologies I cant be more technical in my descriptions. I only bought these so I can watch movies more immersively so I cant speak to the shape of the sound curves and other hifi stuff that other people talk about
Overall if I had to do it over I'd think very carefully about whether I care about anything as much as I care about soundstage but for me I know the answer is no so I would make the same decision I think

IMO i'd skip the aftermarket cables and look for an OTL tube amp for the 820. That 300ohm driver really responds to changes in amplifier output impedance, which OTLs specialize in generally. Most solid state amps put out less than one ohm output impedance. OTLs are all over the place but tend to be much much higher, as much as 100ish OI. That creates a more optimal dampening factor for the driver. 300ohm dynamic drivers in general really thrive on tube amplification for this reason. I have an 820 and run mine at work with an old Woo WA3, and the difference between it and a solid state amp is quite noticeable. Everything sounds more spread out and separated, while also having slightly longer decay and an overall more natural sound. Just food for thought.

 

[John Buchanan]

The original SPL Phonitor should work really well with the Sennheiser HD-820 too. It certainly did so with the 600 ohm Beyerdynamic T1 Gen. 2

 

[lauthoerer]

Are the wywires worth it for these?

I very much think so (see previous page). But I also agree that a tube amp is a great match for these. Heard them on all Cayin amps and saw a linear improvement with each (incl the HA-6A I’m selling).

 

[fidgeraldo]

The original SPL Phonitor

It works great with Phonitor XE...also who wants something on a budget, xDuoo TA-26S and TA-66 and DROP + XDUOO TA-84 OTL TUBE AMP/DAC,
are amazing alternatives. I am not sure if I would dare to say that SPL is a better option, more different.

Cheers!