This is good advice, thank you. I was thinking the same. I should sit with my 560S for a while so I can really get to know this pair of cans inside and out. I think that’d make the upgrade that much more worth it.

I’m willing to EQ the 800S to fix the bass falloff (I did the same with the 560S and love the sound). Do you think EQ would fix this rolloff as it does with the 560S?

try to get them used. hd800s goes for around 1000 and hd800 goes for around 800. i bought all my TOTL headphones used and havent had a ton of issues other than needing a pad change sometimes.

I'd disable APO or any other audio effects/eq applications first. Then check if the outputs (hardware) are fine or not. Check in sound settings too, the sound device properties, make sure to disable all effects.

Those pc/laptop headphone outs should just work as long as the driver is installed. It's something they figured years ago...

The holy grail of answers!

for me my cans all of a sudden started sounding better one fine day , now call it what you will, its like voodoo, and im a software developer

Makes sense

Fascinating. I’m curious as to in what circumstances you switch? I assume they are good headphones for different types of music?

I didn't think it made sense given how they're made and what materials they're made of

I’d definitely say it IS my life. When I was younger, I played in concert band. I’ve been in a jazz band. I’m the type to sit in my room until 2am (which I did last night) and get lost into music because it’s just so enjoyable.

I don’t think I’d ever regret spending thousands for audio considering I live and breathe it. I’m a “I’m here for one life, not gonna waste it” type of guy.

By the looks of what everyone has been saying - I should try to get my hands on a demo. Because I am more than willing to save (thankfully it won’t affect my quality of life if I were to save for these).

Lol and don't get me started!

Yes! Totally right, thanks. I realized the packaging is actually just their new “environmental packaging”

Thanks!

Hmmm noo i think hudu6xx

> You cant go wrong with anything in their lineup tho.

As an owner of Auteur OG and former owner of Aeolus, Atticus, Eikon and Ori, you can definitely go wrong with ZMF headphones.

Use a bunch of DSPs -> "Oh yeah! There is a bit more ORGANIC NATURAL warmth..."

LMAO, just LMAO.

I’d say I like EQ’ing. I’ve EQ’d my 560S’ with the oratory1990 presets and heavily enjoy that, so I have no issues with EQ’ing the 800’s. Though, I’m now considering the HD8XX since that’d save me $500 where I live (Canada). Not sure if $500 is worth the marginal change in sound quality though.

Bull shit to make you pass return windows

It's just a popular myth

It's more like your brain gets used to the sound signature of a headphone, which is why for many people it's hard to tell the difference between some headphones, especially people new to the hobby

You will never find a controlled frequency response graph of a headphone before burn in and after burn in showing any difference, because there isn't.

What does exist:

Brain burn in - where you get used to how a headphone sounds and start to notice the intricate details it can present, or the low end that you thought was lacking but is actually just a little recessed but better quality than your previous headphones.

Pad burn in/wearing out - if you use a headphone for a long time, the pads will wear down which will change the sound of the headphones. It is not the driver itself burning in.

Changing how you wear the headphones - if you increase or reduce the clamp, start wearing glasses, have a lot of hair cut off or grow a lot of hair, these can all change how your headphones sound.

I'd appreciate if you guys can also guide me how to solve this, or at least find a way to solve this. Thanks in advance

£80 is the price uk, would've thought it to be similar over the pond. the coiled cable looks really legit, as does the jack end. as you said, sound/build quality is great so i wouldn't worry if i were you

Asio and Wasapi are superior to Windows Direct Audio.

in wav. for sure. Tried a compressed codec?

Wondering why you benchmarked flac encoding and not something computationally advanced such as opus or e-aac3