Sennheiser HD800S: TOTAL OVERKILL Gaming Audio

Watch me struggle to articulate how CRAZY the Sennheiser HD800S sound!
If SOUND HACKS exist, these would be it lolol
More experienced audiophiles here:
/ dms3tv
/ joshuavalour
/ theheadphoneshow
/ zeosreviews
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Introduction
00:44 - Unboxing
02:05 - What's in the box?
04:20 - Self-reflection, down the Rabbit Hole
05:23 - My thoughts on past headphones
06:24 - Small rant
07:36 - Comfort & Build Quality
09:10 - Sound Quality
11:50 - Quick comparison to HIFIMAN Arya
12:47 - Silly proprietary cables!
13:35 - Closing thoughts
Current main setup:
Mouse - Finalmouse Starlight-12 Zeus Medium
Mousepad - Skypad Glass 2.0 XL
Keyboard - Ducky x Varmilo MIYA Pro EC2 Sakura
Monitor - Acer Nitro XV252QF
Headphones - HIFIMAN Arya/Sennheiser HD800S + Topping A90/D90 Amp & Dac
Testing: Xtrfy MZ1, Vaxee PA Mousepad
~
/ korg_y
/ korg_y
#Sennheiser #HD800S #Audiophile #Headphones

[@korgy]

Drinking game: Take a shot every time I say HD800’s as opposed to HD800S.

[@crownless236]

did you buy the accessories or did it just come with the headphones. im on the page and idk if i need to pay for the accessories

[@mrsisig7443]

I've had the HD800 since 2016. There was a time before when I was accused of cheating because I can hear foot steps so clearly they thought I was cheating in Overwatch. My amp is an HDVA600.

[@korgy]

That’s so funny!! Glad you understand!

[@pk.002]

I got a pair of HD 800 S in an Amazon Warehouse deal for $900. They were described as "moderately damaged," but when I received them, that only applied to the box. The headphones themselves were mint. I love them so much that I'm tempted to sell off the rest of my collection. I would be happy using these and my Momentum 3's for travel headphones exclusively. It's the best investment I've made for audio.

[@chefref5027]

What other headphones have you tried?

[@CsTruth]

Would you change your Topping A90/D90 or you like the synergy with HD800s now?

[@kyuu_09]

great review

[@korgy]

Thank you for your time! 🙏

[@DannyoRaiden]

Do i benefit from buying them when having hd660s?

[@blitzki8468]

Great review I subbed

[@korgy]

I appreciate the support, thanks for your time! 🙏

[@blitzki8468]

@@korgy i still cant believe you have so less subscribers the content and review is great

[@korgy]

@@blitzki8468 thank you so much for the kind words! Made my day honestly

[@konna200]

Lucky here too :D I love my HD800S&MA Mini-i Pro3 and filter option 3 :D Slow-roll-off , linear :D Just a tad more warmth! Keep up the good work!

[@korgy]

Nice combo!!

[@konna200]

@@korgy Ty! It really shows the HD800S power to adapt really! I mean in a good way with a synergy

[@GooderBen]

Excuse me left Cover net extra one what is it?

[@TylerD1995]

Yo, would you happen to know any amp that could be paired with the GOXLR that could power these headphones? Bought the Aune s9c but since it’s usb it won’t connect to the GoXLR. My mistake.

[@saint_snow]

I'll straight up tell you how it is. Yes people can use any headphone to perform well in games as you can see with the examples he gives, however the games they play also have very good audio design, especially tac shooters. Audio plays a major role in these games so the developers go to great lengths to make it correct. So because the audio is great by design, you can get away will playing on any headphone. However, what worse headphones won't do, is help you in games that don't have good audio by design. These headphones however will help you hear better even in games where the audio is not the best. It is pretty insane. I have gone through a few different headphones and before these I had the HD560s. Also a great headphone for the price and I would say the best for the majority of folks. But the HD800s are literally the endgame if you want the best headphone for competitive play. Emphasis on competitive because you can just "game" in any headphone as long as its sounds good to your ears.

[@RealSpyduh]

Hey do you use an amp or add one to the headphones if so what do you use?

[@saint_snow]

@@RealSpyduh yes I use a monoprice monolith thx 124459. Great dac/amp all in one unit that is unfortunately discontinued. However there are many current dac amp combos or all in one units available that are very good. I strongly suggest using one as it will provide much more power to drive the headphones. Also if you really want to go down that rabbit hole, certain amps can change the sound signature a bit as well.

[@luckyluk3r]

Great review! Any chance of running them with a SoundblasterX G6?

[@TheBuccaneersFootbal]

What’s the best amp/dac for these headphones? Mainly using for fps/hearing footsteps

[@korgy]

You have a couple of different options: 1. If you’re looking for a decent all-in-one solution, I’ve tried the Monolith THX788. It’s both the AMP and DAC in one, gets two birds stoned at once. If buying amps and dacs separately (more relevant if you care about music listening, I think): 2. Best AMP is still the Topping A90 for me. After that THX 789/887 are awesome amps too, had those for awhile. I have also heard others recommend a tube amp like the crack bottlehead but this is more to bring back some of the bass that’s missing and probably makes music sound great, still looking into tube amps myself. 3. Best DAC again is the Topping D90/SE. You could look into other DACs also from Schitt or JDS Atom also which are good. Anyway hope that helps you get started.

[@SweetLead]

do you recommended amp topping a90 for HD800S to listen music and gaming or just gaming ? I'm interested in it but I hear from other audiophiles it's just sterile and boring combo. They recommended me amp singxer sa-1.

[@korgy]

Hey. I really like the Topping A90 for both music and gaming. It is true what people say, it’s very clean, very sterile listening experience but I prefer this. If I wanted something with more bass or treble, I will EQ this myself or buy a more specialized amp. But to start, I think it is best to have a solid baseline/foundation amp and then collect more as I can afford it lol. Hope that makes sense 👍

[@Joseph__K]

Hey man, i just want you to know that this is a great review! keep it up and someday your channel will blow up subs!

[@korgy]

Thank you very much!! I appreciate the kind words and hopefully see you around in future videos! 🙏

[@razmspiele25]

He didn’t keep it up. 😢

[@iXzenoS]

Hey I'm currently using a meager Astro A40 typical gaming headset and looking to make a big upgrade in gaming and movie/video content audio. I don't really play competitive gaming anymore and usually just like to sit back and enjoy single player games with immersive stories and graphics, so I'm looking for a headset that will give me the perfect immersive experience within the gaming world as well as something that would compliment 4K HDR movies & videos. Although I have the budget for a HD800S, what would be your recommendation for my use case above? And what would be the best dac/amp to drive your recommended headset? I just want to buy something that will give me the full immersive sound experience from deep rumble bass to the high end clarity while still being able to clearly hear voices and such in the mids.

[@korgy]

Hey, that Astro pair is nothing to sneeze at. I think based on your preferences, I hear a lot of great things about the Focal Clear. These headphones are on my list next to purchase because of the “impact” they provide for sound which would probably serve well for movies and immersion in games. I think these would be very enjoyable, with great immersion and rich bass. HD800S is almost the complete opposite: very a analytical and detailed set of headphones which I think would be opposite of just trying to sit back and enjoy movies and games. On the other hand, a pair of headphones like Hifiman Arya would give just enough immersion in games and just the right amount of punch for movies and especially good impact for music. Those Hifiman sound eerily similar to HD800S but not as advantageous for gaming in my opinion, the Hifiman are like the HD800S for pure enjoyment. You could also consider HD800S for the detail and great sound staging, then pair it with a nice tube amp like Bottlehead Crack (which requires assembly) and add a nice sounding DAC like the Topping D90 I own. For amps and dacs, I would have to say I’ve been pretty happy with the THX 789 and the Topping A90, coupled with my Topping D90. I know there are newer versions out for the Topping combo but these have treated me very well (and were terribly expensive for me at the time). Lots of options out there, hopefully the ones I mentioned are a good starting place for you. Let me know what you end up getting!

[@jamesmoore4827]

Which is better for music of all varieties from hip hop to classical between 800S or Arya's? And which has the better soundstage? Not necessarily wider but overall best soundstage with width and depth etc? I guess which is the closest to a really good speaker set up?

[@korgy]

Strictly for musical enjoyment, I think Arya is better. Soundstage is surprisingly close to the HD800S, perhaps not as incredibly vast/wide as HD800S. But the impact and imaging for Arya is better than HD800S when listening to hip-hop, R&B, classical and even acoustic. I do think the HD800S is better suited for more general reference audio so like gaming, audio reproduction, and even music. Strictly for music though, Arya definitely has the edge. I’m really surprised how similar these headphones are with one another though.

[@jamesmoore4827]

@@korgy Thanks! The only thing that makes me hesitant about the Arya is QC and longevity which I've heard not so good things about as compared to 800S which is supposed to last a lifetime.

[@michaelmcgehee5932]

Hmm can't find a comparison anywhere between the 800s and the Epos H6 Pro. Yes...of course the 800s are much more expensive, but that doesn't stop me from being curious. Standing by. Great review on these. :-)

[@weetjewatikwil1]

You can do wonder with these with EQ to boost the bass and they handle that verry wel!! I cant listen anymore without the EQ. Now i have really nice subbase.

[@korgy]

That’s actually really interesting and something I didn’t consider now that you mentioned it. Thanks for the advice!

[@TerrifyiN_]

Hey man, good review but you didn’t mention unless I missed it but, what dac amp are you using? I’m getting a pair soon and I wish to have everything I need for them!

[@korgy]

Still using both a Topping A90 and D90 combo!

[@vTek678]

How do these compare to the DN ?

[@korgy]

Deez nuts on your ears 🥜

[@BlatantThrowAway]

Should I use Dolby Atmos with this? Or is it better just out of the box?

[@korgy]

Hey I actually avoid using any external software with these; just so it doesn’t “color” the sound in anyway. So just out of the box I have the headphones -> balanced cable -> into the amp/dac, that’s it for me.

[@BlatantThrowAway]

@@korgy OK. I just want good positional audio for Tarkov you know?

[@Loot_Train]

Sennheiser HD800 s or Focal Clear MG for 70% gaming/ 30% music that wants to avoid harsh sibilant headphones?

[@korgy]

Hey so I think if you’re doing about 70% gaming, HD800S would give you a competitive edge - in my honest opinion. If you’re gaming for pure enjoyment for example, I know the Focal Clears give great “impact”. For enjoyment alone, I was considering picking up those Focal headphones. They’re “heavy hitting” headphones I hear. If gaming to win and you’re OK with airy-sounding, analytical, clinical, sterile sound HD800S is my pick. I wouldn’t say HD800S is very sibilant but it’s controlled enough, I feel. Also I think there’s a lot of fun in picking out individual sounds in all recordings whether in game, in music etc with HD800S. Like I mentioned though some find this type of listening experience pretty boring. Hope that helps. Let me know what you end up going for.

[@Ravenshield.]

@@korgy spot on advice. I have both these headphones and can confirm the hd800s are much better for gaming vs the Focal Clear MG. I absolutely love the Focals for music slightly over the HD800s in my humble opinion. Yes the bass response magnificent. Not overwhelming street car bass but more luxury car bass.

[@kimcheegaming6509]

What do you use for your in game mic? Awesome review by the way!

[@korgy]

I use a modmic; it’s OK, does the job!

[@teighan7829]

Man, I gotta get my hands on one of these+ a good tube or hybrid tube Amp one day...

[@korgy]

One day! Maybe Santa could hook you up this season lol! Thanks so much for checking out the video 🙏

[@robertkirkpatrick1826]

So if i were mainly an rpg and mmorpg gamer vs competitive..would you go with the more well rounded arya or the slightly better soundstage of the hd800s?

[@prigggggg]

I'd go with the HD800s purely cause I have an undying love for soundstage. I fucking adore when something feels huge

[@kickin123]

Get the HD80s... you can actually equalize them nicely so that they they do become a lot more fun in the low end. Probably not to the same degree as the Arya's but enough where with their unmatched soundstage/imaging you wont want anything else.

[@kwicksandz]

Do you prefer these or your Arya’s for gaming? And which is better for music?

[@korgy]

Overall - and this may sound silly - but personally I prefer the HD800S for gaming and the Arya’s for music. Although HD800S sounds pretty similar to Arya’s for music with HD800S maybe lacking some impact, I find the Arya’s kinda stink for gaming. This is a REALLY good question though, damn haha!

[@kwicksandz]

@@korgy im a recent HD800s owner myself considering the arya but i have never tried a planar and their bass is supposedly much better than equivilent dynamics. why exactly do you think aryas are bad for gaming? poor soundstage, boomy bass?

[@korgy]

To me the Arya’s sounded a little muddied in game. Arya’s weren’t as airy and detailed in game as the HD800S for some reason and overall kind of ruined immersion for me. It’s very strange because soundstage and imaging is on-par with HD800S for music, but gaming with Arya’s just sounds tinny/wrong. At least that’s what I felt anyway. People have commented that HD800S and Arya’s are lateral upgrades and I have to agree. I think I would have saved up and preferred Diana V2, Focal Utopia or even Hifiman Susvara upgrades instead. Going from HD800S to Arya’s didn’t feel like an upgrade at all sadly.

[@dredgenwinchester9653]

Great review of the headphones! I subscribe. I've been deciding between 800s and the Aryas, I'm going to be using them for PC gaming 98% and listening to music using Spotify 2%. I was going to buy the 800s, and then someone said (known audiophile reviewer) that the imaging on the Aryas (not the stealth version) rivals or almost the same with the 800s. that made me very confused. what's your take? because I know that you're a gamer so your opinion/suggestion means a lot.

[@korgy]

Wow thanks so much for the kind words! So I actually owned the Aryas just recently (non-stealth version) and absolutely loved the sound! But after comprehensive listening, I agree with what some of my commenters mentioned; it’s pretty much a lateral upgrade from HD800S. Arya to me is pretty much a HD800S with a nice IMPACT for music. In the end, I couldn’t justify keeping those Aryas over HD800S. I’m saving for Susvara or Focal Utopias instead. To your point on imaging, I would agree that Arya is pretty much on par with HD800S. Weirdly enough I found that the HD800S image way better for games, but Arya sound better for music. Based on your preferences, I would say HD800S would be great for you. Consider pairing these headphones with a great amp/dac as well - the shopping doesn’t end with just the headphones!! HD800S are so friggin great, one of my all-time favourite purchases ever!

[@Ravenshield.]

The HD800s for sure. Overkill for gaming. However to maximize the potential of these headphones I would recommend a hifi subscription with Tidal for your music listening.

[@CodExemic]

Hey! Thanks for doing the review, I’m looking into these but I’m a loyal console gamer…will these work on Xbox series X/S? I can’t find anything online on compatibility…😅

[@srdeath117]

They would work fine. You may need to find a dac that supports mic in.

[@miyamotoyamazaki1760]

Will the plug directly into my xbox controller and play untill I get my dac amp set up

[@korgy]

Unfortunately, this is not a great idea. It’s not really worth buying such an expensive pair of headphones if you’re not able to power them adequately. Not to mention, you’ll also need a 3.5mm audio adapter from 1/4 inch AND the headphones will probably drain your controller batteries like crazy. Hope you’re able to get your amp/dac right away, it really makes a difference! All the best to you and happy new year friend!!

[@miyamotoyamazaki1760]

@@korgy well I already bought them ha. I'm not just going to use ot6for gaming so it isnt a waste. I have a surround sound for my tv and I can plug my sennheiser hd800s Into my reciever and play that way. So it worked out no issues. Thanks for the help and advice. Happy new year!

[@fahimishungry5865]

Do you think a magni modi stack will be able to handle these good?

[@korgy]

Hey so the magni modi stack could power these headphones but might not be the best choice. For slightly more you could get the monolith thx 887 one piece (DAC and Amp all-in-one) instead which is really good. These headphones are power hungry so getting a good amp is a must. I say if you can only afford headphones first, save up for a better amp later. Magni and modi will be fine but maybe not the complete experience for the headphones in my opinion. Hope that makes sense.

[@pk.002]

I use that combo with my 800 S, they power them well and they sound great. Sure, there are better options, but a Magni/Modi combo are more than enough for most use cases. The good thing is that Sennheiser headphones scale very well as you upgrade, so if you do get another dac/amp combo, they will benefit too.

[@calvin3941]

Hey Korgy, another freat video. Quick question, when you say "incredibly unfair" at 12:40 in the video. Are you referring to the advantage you get in-game, or are you alluring to the fact they maybe overkill for gaming and so premium haha?

[@korgy]

Haha thanks for tuning into another ramble!! I actually meant how much of an in-game advantage it gives you - so unfair, feels like I have cheats toggled lol. Having these headphones are a great advantage but if you still have poopy aim or slow reflexes, $1500 headphones are not going to fix that. I still use these headphones though and can confirm this is endgame for me.

[@calvin3941]

@@korgy I enjoy your ramblings haha. Your channel is genuinely underrated, it's a shame you don't post videos anymore. That's awesome! I've been thinking about getting a pair myself for ages, but the lack of bass has always held me back. I enjoy playing a mix of competitive and story-based games. With Black Friday around the corner though, I might bite the bullet if I can find a good deal. Have you ever tried using EQ to slightly boost the bass without diminishing their other qualities? The Aryas you own sound like a solid choice for an all-rounder. For the past year, I've been tempted to treat myself to a pair of Meze Elites haha. They look gorgeous but also seem like a great option for music, movies, and gaming, plus they look super comfortable, which is a must for me when it comes to headphones. By the way, I've always wondered if you use Dolby Atmos with your HD800s and high-end headphones in general. Personally, I like the perceived increase in soundstage it offers with my current headphones. However, considering how good the HD800s are already, I've wondered whether features like Atmos are necessary.

[@Chrai0n]

I'm about to get the Creative G6 + the HD660S but people say that even though they are great the soundstage is mediocre. I got tired of all the research and the vs stuff and all the "Get the Sundara get the Sundara get the Sundara" that I'm now thinking on sacrificing other things and get these for gaming (single player mostly, Halo, Elden Ring, etc...), movies and classical and instrumental music. Please tell me that I'm crazy and it's an overkill and I don't need them.

[@korgy]

Total overkill and unnecessary, these HD800S!! You would absolutely be crazy to buy these hahaha! If these headphones are within your budget and you can properly drive them through an adequate amp/dac, I might recommend the HD800S. But I absolutely LOVED the Sundaras. There are even times I crave the Sundara sound even with these headphones! Not the greatest headphones when it comes to gaming in my opinion but incredible for music! HD660S sound really good too, I just talked about the HD6XX in my most recent video. Should sound very similar to HD660S and might also come at a cheaper price. Although lately I’ve been leaning more towards recommending the HD560S as I hear these are a better all-rounder. Particularly for gaming, I think HD560S or perhaps a DT1990 from Beyerdynamic could be a good option. I hear the Beyerdynamic have a bright, unfiltered kind of sound though. In the end, my recommendation for similar headphones go: HD560S/Sundara > HD660S > HD6XX > HD800S The HD800S is the absolute best headphones in the pile and it’s going to cost you everything to get these cans. I would probably only recommend the HD800S as a last resort and again if price is no object and you don’t want to do this dance of which headphones to buy: you’ll buy it once, love it forever. At least that’s how I feel about them, the HD800S are true endgame headphones for me but after owning them, I’ve been slowly thinking about future headphones (Susvara, Focal Utopia, Diana V2, etc), my craving is real! You don’t want to end up like me!!

[@Chrai0n]

@@korgy Hahaha you make it sound like a virus. 😁 I want something very smooth, gentle, very open and not aggressive or harsh so I don't think the DT1990 would do for me. I heard the Sundara have quality consistency issues and are very sensitive so I think I'll go for the 660S. I might get the 560S now that you mentioned them as a second pair since they are much cheaper than the others. Thanks for all the information, appreciate it. 👍🏻

[@GhostZodick]

What audio settings do you use in video games? I know some video games have different settings such as "TV Speaker", "Headphone", or "Home theater". In this case, which one do you pick? Do you actually make sure 5.1ch or 7.1ch sound comes to your headphone?

[@chefref5027]

I highly recommend using even budget headphones in stereo. I went on the simulated surround sound bandwagon. I can tell you it foils not only the sound design of the game you play, but also the tuning of the headphone themselves. ESPECIALLY on the HD800s. You are paying top dollar for the tuning and sound stage, so why would you want simulated surround? The HD800s take extremely well to EQ, but I recommend using them stock before you mess with it.

[@ih_manx]

Acer Nitro XV252QF review coming? how is it?

[@korgy]

LOL perhaps. I’m thinking about how I might be able to review this thing with my camera setup. It’s an INCREDIBLE monitor that completely blows my old ASUS 360hz monitor out of the water. Doesn’t have as good colours but just way better for gaming and without issues. A steal for less than half the price of regular 360hz monitors honestly.

[@ih_manx]

@@korgy i am thinking between this and the zowie xl2546k, did you try zowie dyac? so many people say its good. i already have a 240hz monitor idk which one to get, is the black strobbing good on the 390hz like dose it make a diffrence?

[@korgy]

I previously had the Zowie XL2740 and I think the zowie crispy image is really nice, don’t get me wrong. For myself I couldn’t justify moving from TN panel to IPS and potentially moving back to TN panel again (I was also considering moving to the XL2546k from the asus 360hz). Luckily this Acer monitor came out at a really convenient time and I haven’t looked back. Bijan Jamshidi posted a great review of the monitor and he’s totally right, pick up the Acer and be done for. So long as you can drive 360-390hz it is absolutely worth it, and you get decent IPS colours. Total win in my opinion.

[@ih_manx]

@@korgy i think i will go for the acer too cant wait for your review on it.

[@garth56]

Most people don't understand the 800's because they think of them a grown up 600/650 they are not.. You need a chord amp dac to drive these and it has to be the Dave...Yes it has to be that good and then magic happens that not even planar mags can do..🙂

[@vincentskadi955]

Do I need a soundcard, dac or amp????

[@korgy]

I think if you are getting this headphone, getting a good DAC and amp like THX 789 is important. Forget the sound card, get a good dedicated dac and amp!

[@vincentskadi955]

​@@korgy Thanks!!! I just broke my 8 years old sennheiser hd 598 and looking for a superior one. I hope that hd800s isn't too overkill for just roaming youtube music videos and netflix!!!

[@samtheham3187]

Could you make a guide on how to set them up for gaming? New to this audio sh*t and all i see is people saying eq, peaceeq, blah blah blah but I know what a dac and amp is by now. Sorry in advance just really wanted to pick these up. If you need any form of payment to make the guide I could make a donation?

[@korgy]

Hellooo! To be honest, there isn't much of a guide to it. You'll just need the basic equipment: 1. Your headphones (having balanced cables is a bonus) 2. A DAC to connect to your source, probably your PC 3. An AMP to amplify your audio 4. RCA cables to connect your DAC and AMP 5. A USB cable to connect your DAC to your PC Regarding EQ, I think it's mostly about tweaking the sound to suit personal preferences. I don't use any EQ because I like the sound as it is naturally delivered - perhaps that's just me being a noob. Anyway, I wish I had more time to create more content for you all. Life's just been crazy right now. Thank you so much for your comment and kind gesture!

[@hawaiian-cerveza]

I need the hd8xx. The akg q701 spoiled me with its wide sound stage and everything else jist sounds congested to me lol.

[@korgy]

Oh brother, I know exactly what you mean! Need more air!

[@hawaiian-cerveza]

@@korgy I mean, I should be getting the tygr 300 this week but Im afraid it won't provide that clarity and wide soundstage like the q701 gave me. Ill just have to save up.

[@thierryfaquet7405]

mini XLR is not a proprietary cable connector... Anyone can sell those, even if they are less common.

[@philipp594]

Pros use in ears under hearing protection. It maybe look like a sponsored headset. But they are not using that. But headphones don't matter. I like nice ones for comfort and sound quality. But you can hear footsteps on the cheapest junk once your ears got trained for it. Takes about 5 years, after that you hear everything.

[@stefanmitov]

Overall, the video is good. A little more serious, not like you're drunk.

[@korgy]

Haha maybe a little booze could make me a better headphone reviewer. Thanks a lot for your time!!

[@jaycranmer2001]

Do these have a microphone

[@averyboccella2390]

No. Why would they have a microphone?

[@joemomma707]

Looking to get these for CSGO. I currently use earbuds and end up dying due to not being able to hear where footsteps are coming from. I am using earbuds because I am sensitive to clamp force. So I need a pair that is easy on the clamp force. I need them to be super comfortable and not clamp hard at all. How would you describe the clamp force? And what exactly do I need to buy with these? I know nothing about amps. It’s on sale right now so I’ll buy them tonight.

[@korgy]

Hey friend. I would say the HD800S has a pretty noticeable clamping force. It’s not extreme where it feels like your eyeballs are going to pop out but it’s apparent. The plus side is the suede ear cups on the headphones cushion the clamp force a little bit. My ear cups are pretty worn out by this point (over 2 years of moderate use), but overall it’s a pretty balanced clamp - almost a touch tight. But I also have a big head (~59 cm circumference). Lastly you’ll need an AMP/DAC all-in-one combo or separate amplifier and DAC like I use. These amps deliver power to the headphones and ensure sounds are heard at an acceptable level. DAC converts the signal from the audio source (like your PC) to your headphones. So in summary you might need the following: 1. Amp or Amp/DAC all-in-one combo (ie. Monolith 788 combo, JDS Labs Atom, etc.) 2. DAC 3. RCA cables to connect DAC and amp 4. USB or Optical cables from DAC to PC/source In the end, it’s a lot of gear and total overkill for just casually playing games. I don’t recommend going down this path because it’s a lot of money wasted. But it sure is a lot of fun LOLL!

[@joemomma707]

@@korgy Thank you! I bought the HD800s yesterday. What do you think about the jds element 3?

[@korgy]

Considering I initially started off my headphone journey with the OG Objective2, that Element 3 is going to be just fine! Enjoy your new HD800S!!

[@dgozalie]

change your amp... use tube amplifier with speaker out directly to balanced xlr to hd800... you will thanks me later...

[@DeathbyBambi]

What are you thoughts on pairing these with Valhalla 2 specifically for gaming?