I havenāt listened myself, but typically recommended also is the Bottlehead Crack + Speedball; might wanna check that out as well.
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I canāt speak anything about the MKII or MLP. But the Tuba remains my favorite amp for the 800S. Though I use the 800S almost exclusively with my āaudiophile musicā playlists. So depending on what kind of music youāre listening to, I can see something like a MLP possibly being a better option.
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Ok, so Iām using hpa-21 on hd800s and I have no idea at all why no one brings uo current drive with hd800s. Its like they were tuned for this shit. Fr changes entierly (same fr change on 13r, hpa21, and hpa-01m). Obviously different amps have different voicings but just the fr change alone is enough to be amazing. With the vast staging but sweetness of the hpa21 it becomes an incredible experience
Likely because thereās not many out there that are still currently made, but my favorite pairings with current drive stuff have always been the 800s. But yeah it really transforms the headphone overall, similar effects with a beyer t1.2 as well, takes on characteristics youād not find on most all other amps. But stuff like the hpa21/hpa01, qes reference, and re leaf e3 hybrid DC are pretty insane with the hd800. (Also while not exactly current drive the cma800r also somewhat has this effect too)
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I am planning to purchase an amplifier for the 800s. I am concerned about the power requirement and the amp picky nature of the 800s. What would be recommended
Singxer sa1
Topping a30 pro
Topping l50
Topping a90
Aune x1s get
Can also purchase others around the same price. Any suggestions?
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Hi.
I am planning on getting these by the end of the year. Got the iFi Zen 6XX Stack Signature. Would these be ok with my stack? Thanks. 
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For 300 ohm headphones like the HD800 the Zen Can is very good. It delivers a high voltage and You get about 650mW over the 4.4mm jack. The Xbass is also very welcome for the bass light hd800s
Thanks!!! Canāt wait to get a pair soon.
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Do cables influence the sound of these headphones? Iām thinking of replacing this bulky stock cable with a HAC.
To preface this, Iām not someone who thinks cables meaningfully āimproveā upon sound quality with things like staging, resolution, etc. , but having gone from stock to a HAC myself, it is a necessary upgrade. I found the stock cables to be a bit cumbersome with the length and weight. I didnāt find the new cables ādowngradingā the sound quality from stock, and they made the headphone a lot lighter feeling, no longer tugging at my head.
Another thing is that the HD800S with interconnects is a blessing since you no longer have to yoink the headphone connections out going from SE to Balanced (or having to lube them from what Iāve read.)
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Glad to hear thisā¦ thank you!
By the way, these proprietary cables are a nightmare. Itās baffling how so many high-end headphones come with crappy cables. This was a different kind of problem, though. Iām literally afraid of breaking my HD800s every time I yank them out, and I physically cannot yank them out with my bare hands.
So yeah, Iām with you on the convenience factor of HACs in this case 
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Okay, I started listening to my new used HD800s, I have to say I am blown away, I may be in the honeymoon stage, but at the moment it is maybe my favorite dynamic headset, giving the radiance and OG clear a serious run for the moneyā¦ Its much better than expected, my favorite senheiser for sureā¦ The detail rivals my planars, the arya, maybe not quite the he1000v2, but very goodā¦ the airy soundstage is really fun and it sounds full, I actually dont find the highs too bright which is something I expected - Running it off even my schiit modi magni stack, and then EQing a bit with the Loki to add a more bass and little lighter on the highs, it sounds awesome, big stage, fun and energetic, balanced and detailed. Was not a huge fan of my 6xx, that set feels kindof dry to me so it doesnt get that much play but this hd800s I loveā¦
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Any recommendations on replacement pads and cable on the HD800s?
No dekoni pads. They make the already bass light and bright 800s even more bass light.
These pads dimensions are close to the stock ones while providing a more ānormalā pad feeling.
Also available in a fenestrated version.
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No one would recommend these headphones for Hip-Hop and R&B, but with the below EQ profile (tweaked to my preferences), I couldnāt be happier with what Iām hearing.
Spotify ā WA7 ā> HD800S 
My bass prefs donāt seem to align with many, but I love eqād 8xx with Yosi and Daft Punk and such.
Oratory1990ās EQ settings for the HD800S are amazing!
I just keep finding reasons to fall in love with this headphone 
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Sennheiser HD 800 S Headphones are they still the King of Soundstage for the money in 2023?
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