8XX Review - the anti-hype?

[@pokrog]

the changes the sticker mods makes is colossal. you still haven't heard the 8xx if you've only heard the sticker mod.

[@keith9388]

I have serial number 0100. Unmodded, and they are great. I have ZMF 8XX pads (lambskin) on them currently, and they are great with the stock Drop tuning. A lot of haters early on from audio snobs.

[@henryy400]

After picking up a HD8XX based on your review, I agree with you about the HD8XX. I guess everyone is different in expectations. For one that never heard HD800 and HD800S, I find HD8XX fantastic in sound. The bass is fairly generous and tight, treble is much enjoyable than some of my Beyerdynamic. The soundstage is great, better than Beyerdynamic T1. I found it enjoyable and worth the price. The hater reviews now makes no sense to me, I guess it is because of my listening preference or they have fantastic ears that requires spoiling by a better headset.

[@kerryvanderkamp5051]

Great review as usual and I really appreciate the completely opposite take from most reviewers. This makes me wish I had pulled the trigger on that Zeos fire sale. Btw, the thumbnail made me chuckle.

[@pandapv]

You can still get them used for pretty cheap!

[@quijada12345]

Love it love it love it! This is why you always gotta try it for yourself. It's awesome that you found this gem.

[@Nuevo_El_Nagual]

Stock HD8xx are my favorite headphones ever. I use them with Dekoni Fenestrated pads. And they do need tubes.

[@hifihillbilly4843]

I really like the 8XX. I bought them new with the Z code and they haven’t been moded. I love them on my echo and dark voice. I don’t understand why they get all the negative and mediocre reviews.

[@Alxtorr77]

mediocre reviews comes from dog reviewers from rival sellers....

[@sauhamm3821]

imho they get negative reviews because naturally the dip in the frequency response is a very unique thing and it’s a changed tuning from the test mules they sent out… it’s not so much “just” the finishing product but more so the rug yank from what people expected and wanted and told they were getting. stock it’s not terrible, but it’s not what the 6xx was to the 600. people are easy to rile up…

[@canonlon311]

If the modded 8XX is close to the 800s then under $700 for these headphones is an incredible deal.

[@timbrehead9466]

Thanks for the heads up! The Elegia got a bunch of bad reviews too and I’ve been really impressed with them at a discounted price with pad swaps. I’ll definitely be looking for discounts on the 8XX as I imagine the mod may have something to do with it. I’d probably be more inclined personally to EQ a discounted version as people seem to be having good results that way as well.

[@dasninjastix]

All the headphones I'm presently enjoying the most don't seem to be the darling of the audiophile reviewer community. I tend to watch headphone/amp/dac reviews more so from the standpoint of trying to infer the build quality, packaging, and use case of the device at this point. I just traded for a Meze Empyrean and it doesn't fit most reviewer depictions I've seen or read. The same would be true with the Arya v3. While I'd never argue that sound preference and experience isn't subjective, I'm starting to believe that once a brand or product gets a reputation or a moniker that labeling will just spread its way (even subconsciously) throughout the audio enthusiast communities if it takes root with a popular reviewer. I don't consider reviews, takes, or opinions as useless or untrustworthy but any prospective buyer needs to be aware that audiophilia isn't immune from the influence of group-think.

[@MrAyrit]

Well said.

[@garygarlucialuciani9794]

I agree, well said. Group think. Yep, a lot of times that's so true.

[@MrChinabear]

Forget the bad reviews these are actually DAMN GOOD HEADPHONES!! I cannot for life of me understand the hatred the people have toward this headphones I’ve been listening to them for a couple of months now and combined with my Schiit Valhalla headphone amplifier these have become my favorite headphones. And that by the way is without the modification. Now my two other headphones are the Grado PS 2000s and the Audeze LCD3’s. And while I love both of these headphones even though they are polar opposites the Sennheiser 8xx are surprisingly just as good not only that they are much more comfortable than the previous two I’ve mentioned. Are they perfect headphones no.. primarily because there is no such thing as a perfect headphones. But I have to admit these headphones are surprisingly especially for the price a great deal. Now the only downside for these headphones is the fact that they are 300 ohms and at least for me they only really sound good with a tube amplifier. Will I be modifying them in the future as you have suggested maybe… I’m not sure at this point because at least for me these headphones At least for my poor ears sound good enough.

[@Nr48]

Interesting, Oratory1990 measured it with and without the stickers and it seem to barely change at all. Still a big dip in the mids at around 1.5k. Maybe You just like the stock tuning.

[@MrAyrit]

Could be the case.

[@bensolorio76]

Oratory1990 didn't remove the adhesive as he clarified in the post. Someone else did a measurement where they did do that, most likely with acetone because that is what I did to remove it and it did help that hollowed out sound due to that dip. The measurement said person took also reflected it as well.

[@JTB--]

I wish there was a video of someone doing the mod on the 8XX. The greatest HP deal going is the HE6se V2 on Adorama. Recently got them New for $550. When amped properly it competes with headphones 3-4x more expensive.

[@MrAyrit]

HE6 is great. I'd like to see the 8xx mod as well. It would be nice to see what an original looks like an actually mess with it myself.

[@timbrehead9466]

As you mentioned in your video, I think perception of value maybe playing apart in your evaluation as well as it seemed you weren’t particularly fond of the HD 800 S as I recall from your review of that headphone.

[@MrAyrit]

Yes, I think that is definitely true. I just rewatched my 800s review and I say a lot of the same things. The same headphone, but for half the price… it changes things.

[@largefatherbassmusic]

Sticker mod is a night and day difference. I'm using it with the Drop 789 and a focusrite 8i6. Take off the third sticker ;)

[@MrAyrit]

I’m pretty content with it right now. But I may experiment down the road (or buy another set if I can find them at the right price).

[@Jeremy-xe9vs]

They're amazing headphones for the price. Basically, all the 'big time' headphone reviewers on youtube got together and decided that the headphones suck, and everyone else followed suit (most of whom never actually listened to them.) Are the 800S better? I'm sure they are, but I paid HALF the price for my set vs what the 800S goes for. I truly dont understand how everyone just immediately hated them simply because they weren't a carbon-copy of the HD800, especially given the price difference between the two.

[@sauhamm3821]

i just scored my 8xx on the bay for 687! can't wait to get this thing in house and get to fiddling!

[@turbomustang84]

I liked the original HD800 .... They did thing's no other headphone did .... Use a decent EQ and Taylor the sound to your preference

[@AlumarsX]

Your sticker mod looks like it still has a lot of the adhesive still on the driver. Apparently getting rid of all of it really brings the 1-3khz range back up to 800S levels.

[@Tallnerdyguy]

It's cable is so long because you can walk around your Amp and not have to sit close, I actually buy my custom cables at 9 ft

[@ippothedestroyer]

With all these positive reviews of the 8xx coming out now expect the price to be inching up. A lot of people expected the 8xx to just be a 800s for a cheaper price that's why you have a lot of negative reviews. Its a pretty good headphone especially if you can get it for $600-$700.

[@Reeeepicheep]

I thought you disliked the 800s. What made the 8XX work for you versus the 800s?

[@MrAyrit]

Not sure exactly. Tastes changed maybe, or perhaps the amp and dac made the difference, or maybe it was just the price that made it less appealing for me. I feel like no matter how you slice though, the 8xx is a tremendous value.

[@mtnmankeith9069]

Is it worth the $1100 asking price on Amazon? Drop is sold out.

[@bigmo6907]

I bought mine from Amazon last week. I can tell ya for that price your not gonna find a headphone with a soundstage this wide at $1100. That being said, if your ok with buying used products it would save you some dollars, of course. But I love them and I think they are worth it.

[@MrAyrit]

I’d say no, since you can get them used under $700.

[@damnyanletter2627]

Check ebay for open or damaged box ones

[@musicxxa6678]

8xx vs he6 se v2 ? similar prices.

[@MrAyrit]

It’s probably more of a preference thing. They are both great. Currently, I’m leaning more towards the 8xx. The 8xx definitely isn’t as picky as the HE6 is. Build of the 8xx is better. Comfort is better. Soundstage is bigger. The HE6 has more bass slam and sub bass. Timbre is good on both. You should probably be able to get an HE6 for $400 or so on the used market.

[@JTB--]

I recently got the HE6se V2 on Adorama new for $550. I'd take the HE6se over the HD 8XX. I had the HD 800s and sold them once I got the HE1000se. Just know the HE6se V2 needs a powerful amp to drive them properly

[@musicxxa6678]

@@JTB-- Can it compete with Arya ?

[@JTB--]

@@musicxxa6678 I liked the Arya Stealth a lot, but I'd try to snag a NEW HE6se V2 at Adorama for $550. The fact that they are very competitive with headphones 3-4x their price speaks extraordinarily well for their sound quality.

[@timbrehead9466]

Thanks, good to know. I already have the he6 v2 and after trying on a bunch of different amps the only thing I like it with is my liquid platinum which also provides really great separation too. Didn’t like it’s planar timbre on anything else :(

[@shawnpwatsons1]

They screwed the Edition XX the same way with anti-hype. It was all bullshit. XX was fantastic value at the time.

[@MrAyrit]

I also loved the XX!

[@krucacing]

no comparison section? arya se

[@MrAyrit]

That would be a worthy comparison. I’ll try to do one in a couple of weeks. I also have the OG Clears, so that will be a good comparison as well.