HD 800 S

Has been dailying the HD 800 S for a few years.

Their HD 800 S is more comfortable than the AR9000 with an expansive soundstage, but the AR9000 is more enjoyable thanks to its low end.

The HD 800 S has been their daily driver at home for almost 10 years.

Of the many headphones they've had, the HD 800 S is their absolute favourite.

Loves their HD 800 S; ZMF suede pads fixed the loose fit without hurting the sound.

After two weeks the HD 800 S is incredible; its presentation is truly special once you adjust.

The HD 800 S sounds natural and organic and has become their main headphone over the HE1000 Stealth.

Had both, sold their HD 800 S; they never liked its sound.

The HD 800 S gives them an addictive soundstage for classical, EDM and jazz, with a hint of midrange warmth.

Sold their HD 800 S after eight months.

Their HD 800 S sounds noticeably warmer and softer than most HD 650s they've heard.

Bought the HD 800 S for maximum soundstage, only to get better soundstage from kilobuck IEMs.

The HD 800 S is still their favourite for long listening sessions.

Owned two HD 800-series pairs and found the HD 800 S anemic in bass, with even their HD 600-family sets having more.

Has owned the HD 800 S for about four years with light EQ and has no wish to upgrade.

Previously owned the HD 800 S; it beats their FiiO FT7 for soundstage and detail, but they prefer the FT7's balance.

Finally got their dream HD 800 S after four years with the DT 770 Pro and spent the whole evening listening; they sound great.

With a big bass EQ, the HD 800 S becomes a bass monster for them; one of their best purchases ever.

Their HD 800 S takes large bass EQ without distortion or clipping when pre-gain is matched.

The HD 800 S is always their favourite.

Their HD 800 S has lasted about eight years and survived several drops without issue.

Fell in love with their HD 800 S again after returning to it.

Sold their HD 800 S because its bass could not match their MDR-Z1R and Atriums.

Says the HD 800 S ruined everything else for them.

Just returned their HD 800 S: no crazy bass, and humbled by some demanding James Blake tracks.

Finds the HD 800 S lean for music, which EQ doesn't fully fix, and moved on to the HE1000 V2 and Susvara, but considers it amazing, maybe the best, for games and YouTube.

Has loved their HD 800 S setup for close to 7 years and has never thought about upgrading.

The HD 800 S is the only headphone where they attribute every flaw to the recording; it's transparent to them, paired with a Bifrost 2/64 and Jotunheim 2 that tame harshness and fill out the bass.

Owned the HD 800 S and never thought it was the best headphone.

Listened daily for a year and found the HD 800 S lacked bass with strident treble even after PEQ; the Centro-Force mod made it reference level, paired with a tube amp.

Prefers the HD 800 S without EQ, since tuning it toward Harman loses the big soundstage.

The HD 800 S is their favourite headphone without EQ, preferably on R2R or tube amps.

Owns the HD 800 S but likes their Focal Utopia 2022 and a demoed Susvara Unveiled more.

Owns the HD 800 S and Focal Stellia; prefers the HD 800 S for jazz, rock, blues and folk.

Struggled with HD 800 S stability: the clamper accessory was finicky, a Capra strap helped a little and thicker pads worked best.

Their HD 800 S had a creaking headband and very short-lived pads.

Tried the HD 800 S and found it no better than their premium closed-back for staging or imaging.

With 20 mm ear gauges, the HD 800 S is the only headphone big enough to fit their whole ear without discomfort.

Didn't mind the HD 800 S bass but it sounded off for music; great for movies and gaming.

Finds the HD 800 S comfortable for hours on end; coming from the Edition XS it blew them away at first.

Daily drives an HD 800 S bought used for about €750: only marginally better than the Arya Stealth in resolution and soundstage, and it lacks the Arya's low end, which EQ can't fully recover.

Daily drives the HD 800 S for orchestral, vocal and soundtrack music and gaming: the expansive soundstage and imaging work well for Counter-Strike, and with a big head it's the most comfortable headphone they've tried.

“Plus I have a big head (1 notch from maxing them out) but these are perfect for me - the most comfortable headphones I've yet to try.”

Calls the HD 800 S the king of comfort and soundstage, but the bass is too recessed for them and EQing it up eventually hurts the stage.

Would keep the HD 800 S: the most comfortable headphones they've worn, and they take EQ well to fix timbre issues.

Owns an HD 800 S and finds it the least versatile headphone they've owned: weak bass, an artificial, detached stage and treble peaks that make metal messy; great only for classical and vocal music.

“I also have an HD800S, and out of all headphones I’ve owned, I’d regard it as the least versatile. I don’t like its bass extension;”

After owning at least eight $1,000-plus headphones, sold the rest and kept only the HD 800 S for mixing and mastering: fantastic imaging, better slam than planars and great mid and high detail despite limited bass extension.

“When trying out many other brands, I always found myself coming back to the HD800 and eventually sold all my other headphones and kept the 800S alone. Imaging is fantastic, dynamic slam is much better than on planar headphones”