i have a hd 800S. im powering them with the asus stx II. they're fun for dolby headphone and when eq'd with the bass turned up a bit they sound amazing. they have punchy crystal clear bass. the micro details sound super delicate and refined, and the rumble of the lower frequencies are satisfying. according to audiophiles though im supposedly not getting the most out of the headphone. they're ever so slightly under powered and above optimal impedence. i was waiting on a better dac/amp but bills and stuff always come up so im probably never going to afford it. i mean, they already sound amazing enough on the sound card (which im using a titanium power supply with, idk if that helps)

so should i just sell these and get a pair of hd 600's? thinking with 600's or even 650's they're easier to maintain, replacement ear pads/cables/headbands are everywhere. hd 800 S replacement parts cost too much then i would like. i want a pair of cans to wear every day i can eat in, be a greasey turbo virgin in etc without being squeemish. however with the hd 800 S im getting something pretty unique that the majority of headphones aren't able to do. all of my source material is flac so no problem there, but most audio you come across daily isn't taking full advantage of the cans. sort of like how 4k is sort of pointless outside bluray or animal/nature videos or something (and certain AAA games, but the graphics arent good enough to warrant 4k yet imo). most of the internet isnt 4k, torrents etc arent 4k, 1440p is still the sweet spot

the other problem with the hd 800 S is that each sound and insturment in the music doesn't "blend" together, its as if each instrument stands out on its own and demands i pay attention to each, it "doesn't let me relax" and draws my attention to it. this is bad for my adhd brain that likes to zone out. in that sense it is "fatiguing"

anyway...thoughts? help me decide

>>105909138 (OP)
>so should i just sell these and get a pair of hd 600's?
no and that's a massive step down, the pads aren't that bad for cost ($100 cad here) and shouldn't need to be replaced every year or even every other year, if you want to cheap out you can replace the headband pad with one from egay for like $10.
>i was waiting on a better dac/amp but bills and stuff always come up so im probably never going to afford it.
no need to worry anon, you get there when you get there. There are some good budget amps and you can always use an apple dongle and if you still hear noise you can deal with that when you get there
>but most audio you come across daily isn't taking full advantage of the cans.
unfortunately a lot of music wasn't recorded or/and mastered that well and you will definitely hear it, but that's true of any good headphone. They are still awesome for gaming,movies,tv shows and listening to people talk. Very comfy and built with good materials (leona plastic, Alcantara pads/headband pad).
Overall if you don't like them you can always get rid of them, but you will definitely not find love in the 600 line if you are use to the 800

>>105909138 (OP)
all dacs and amps are scams, your hd 600 will sound just fine plugged into your phone or laptop

>>105909274
dang are 600's really such a step down from the 800? hmmm. i've read some people prefer the 600's for daily driving. i guess i was thinking it wouldn't be THAT big of a difference, but i haven't gotten to try some 600's. have to say the 600's do look sort of cheap

yeah the headband i know i could get a cheapie with (since it doesn't affect the sound), main problem was the earpads which i'd want to get the sennheiser ones for 1:1 sound with the original. they cost like $150

>Overall if you don't like them
i love them, they're just monsters is all lol. maybe too much power to be wasted on a pleb like me lol

>>105909369
>dang are 600's really such a step down from the 800?
unfortunately yeah, anything that the 600 does well the 800 does better. The 600 line has essentially no soundstage, pretty horrific bass and it's distorted enough where you don't even want to eq it up. I have a pair of 6xx next to my 800's so if there is something you want a b tested i can do that. There are good things about the 600 line but it's just not the 800 and rightfully so, it's massively cheaper and probably for a lot of people makes more sense as the buy

>>105909317
TRVTNVKE
FUCK AUDIOFAGS

>>105909395
yeah i'm getting the overwhelming sense i should hang on to them. i guess they are a technical and engineering marvel. thanks anon i think i've made my descision :)

>>105909594
>tfw occultists and jews run society but you dont care

>>105909138 (OP)
You can pick up an Apple USB-C dongle for $10 and a used O2 or Atom amp for $50, anyone who tells you that you need more than that is either lying or coping.

>>105909138 (OP)
>the other problem with the hd 800 S is that each sound and insturment in the music doesn't "blend" together, its as if each instrument stands out on its own and demands i pay attention to each, it "doesn't let me relax" and draws my attention to it. this is bad for my adhd brain that likes to zone out. in that sense it is "fatiguing"
This is the thing that HD800 people love the HD800 for. If HD800s aren't for you (and they're not for most people), you might be happier with DCA Aeon RT, either open or closed (and they're enough cheaper that you can probably get some cash on top if you sell your HD800). You should probably see if you can line up an opportunity to listen to whatever you ultimately decide to change to before selling what's arguably an endgame set of cans at a loss.

I have both HD 650 and HD 800. I prefer HD 650 for daily use, it is less fatiguing for me to listen for long periods of time. If I'm going to sit and really listen to some music, the HD 800 is better.
Your sound card is not bad even for HD 800 desu. It's not state of the art or *hifi approved*, but there's no real need for you to upgrade.
You can get HD 6XX if you want an alternative that is (IMO) more comfortable and easier to wear in long stretches, but considering you're accustomed to the 800S I think you will find it lacking overall.

>>105909637
>You can pick up an Apple USB-C dongle for $10 and a used O2 or Atom amp for $50
i love how the story of the o2 amp being made is just so nwavg could btfo schiit for being lying niggers, i hope that guys doing well

>>105909637
>If HD800s aren't for you (and they're not for most people)

haha, i love them, but it's just "bro let me relax". all the sounds are like all up in my face saying "PAY ATTENTION TO ME". i suppose it takes some getting used too. i've been with them everyday for a week so far. i've noticed IRL outside of using my headphones too i'm like...hyper focusing on sounds i never cared about. interesting effect from using these

>>105909758
>oo i'm like...hyper focusing on sounds i never cared about. interesting effect from using these
probably something to do with this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frequency_illusion
It happens with pretty much anything you spend a lot of time thinking about, or at least it happens to me a lot with autism
I do love the 800 though, especially for instrumental tracks but it takes a bit to get use to. Honestly i wasn't really into them for the first week but my headband pad was toasted, i got a $10 and it is pretty terrible so i finally ordered an oem that comes within a week

>>105909786

yeah, probably the way the headphones sound, how they direct your attention to listen carefully, that carries over outside of headphone use. so you end up focusing on sound alot more. stuff like cars and birds chirping your brain normally filters out as background noise, but i've been paying attention alot more. hd 800 has done something to my virgin ears and has made them more delicate and sensitive. that effect/feeling will probably taper off as i get used to it