Sennheiser HD800S V Beyerdynamic T1 V2

Hi-Fi Corner
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When I wanted to upgrade my headphones from the Beyer Amiron, I was undecided between the HD800S and the Beyerdynamic T1 V 2 (The V3 seem to have bad reviews everywhere).

In the end I got the HD800S with a good discount in Milan. Sound wise they, are on another planet compared to the Amiron’s, but I was curious, and have just found a pair of T1 V2’s second hand at a good price. I am still waiting for Bayer to send me some new earpads, I washed the earpads that arrived with the cans, and decided to see which I prefer.

My Lehmann Audio headphone Amp has two outputs so I could compare side by side in real time. Bad Idea. The HD800S sparkle, the T1’s sound dull, swapping between cans.

But listening to some music with just one or the other is a different experience. The HD800S have a brighter sound and yes the soundstage is wide. Bass seems detailed, but does not punch hard. Pat Metheny’s Moon Dial sounds fantastic. Watch the Sunrise, on Silver Pony by Cassandra Wilson, whilst doing a great job with the vocals, lacked the deep bass drum punch on this track.

The T1, sounds really good with the things I have played so far. The Bass is better on these headphones. Watch the Sunrise, on Silver Pony by Cassandra Wilson has much better low bass.
The soundstage is more bunched.

Quite honestly everything sounds very good with both these headphones, as it should considering the price. I think I will be using the HD800S most of the time, but the T1 will be on my ears when I have a CD where bass is important. Phase Space by Steve Coleman & Dave Holland, proves the point. Holland’s bass is so full bodied with these headphones.

One thing about the HD800S. the exposed silver foil casing behind the drivers is easy to damage, if by accident you poke it. I really have to handle these headphones with care. The T1’s are built like a Panzer.

A curious point. I did a quick try out with the T1’s when they arrived, whilst I was still in the return window. I am pretty sure washing the earpads in water with a little soap and then rinsing well, improved the sound by quite some margin. Having ear pads in good shape seems to make a difference.

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Have you tried the Meze 109 Pro Nigel?
I tried them yesterday and was very impressed.
I am listening to Beyerdynamic Amiron Home and T1 V3 on Wednesday. I have also read a series of reviews on the V3 and it seems that most agree that Beyer have ruined them in this version. :man_shrugging:t2:

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No, I have not tried the Meze. I live in a bit of a HiFi desert and have to buy blind. So I try to read as much as I can and sum up the reviews and forum posts concerning various pieces of kit. It works, generally, but I am sure I miss some good gear.

The Amiron home is very similar to the T1 V2. I was very happy with them. I wanted a change in tuning and went for the HD800S, which for classical and Jazz are wonderful. Maybe not for Rock.

You have to go second hand for the T1 V2. My flea bay pair are quite well used, reflected in the low price, but I might buy a new headband unit, as well as the earpads.

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Where are you based Nigel?
Testing Beyerdynamic products with Naim equipment is a real challenge here🫤

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The Amiron Home’s Are a very very good set of headphones . What they do need though is a very long run in time to give there best. I know this because i have used them to not only run in themselves , but also to run in interconnects as well.

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I live in Northern Italy.

I was able to test my Naim amp, but headphones have to be bought blind.

I have my Lehmann Audio headphone Amp plugged into the tape output on my XS3. I had to have DIN to RCA connectors made.

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I have a set of Amiron Home headphones, which I really liked for several years. I wanted to try something new. For me the T1 V2, has a bit of an edge over them. The HD800S is a different type of tuning, which for most stuff I prefer.

Once you get over a certain level headphones are a matter of personal taste, as well as the music you play.

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The Meze headphones look great but I found them a little “dark”

I ended up with HIfiman xs edition but for phones it’s certainly worth the effort to go and listen to a few to get the comfort and sound that works for you.

Gary

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These grade of head-fi/headphones do really come alive with amplifier matching.

I had some Beyer T90 for years that I could never make ‘truly shine’; turns out it was just a lack of amplifier matchup.

A mate with the Sennheiser HD800s, who has run a slew of amps with them, including the Sennheiser HDVD800 amp, and a Lehmann amp, as well as various parts loaned and trialed from elsewhere prefers the Burson Conductor (V2) over the aforementioned amps, which, given both his present deskamps are tailored for the Sennheiser HD800(s) - is pretty impressive.

That being said- his primary use for cans is ‘gaming’ and so soundstage width/depth and HEIGHT are paramount over tonality and timing etc.

For me, when I got the Burson Conductor, I finally realised what I had needed, all along, to make the Beyerdynamic truly shine.
Also having access to a range of headphone amps, there are a few headphones over the twenty or so trialed on a selection of ‘high shelf’ amp purchases, that truly pull away from the pack when given a BETTER amp…
Sometimes it is about circuit matching/equipment matching…
and
Sometimes it is about having equipment that scales to deliver top tier performances into TRICKY parts.

Equipment matching might allow something to sound ‘right’
Equipment tier matching allows the extra quality you paid for to reveal itself.

I might have accustomised to the HD800S for gaming, but for music I preferred ‘other sets’. (and I like Jazz and orchestral genres)
For gaming AND music I vastly prefer some Ultrasone Edition 5 cans’, and for both gaming and orchestral music (/and piano ie Amos/Krall/Joel etc) I LOVED the Beyerdynamic openbacks…

…but…
required a seriously GREAT AMP to match the Beyerdynamic quality profile.
top tier deserves top tier…

TL:DR- the OPs amps are known for matching the Sennheiser HD800s profile and are considered terrific partners… if an amp that equally matched the Beyerdyanmic T1 profile was used the experience may have leaned ‘the other way’.

a full set of matching ‘head-fi’ for those ‘flagship’ grade cans’ becomes worthwhile… (ie ladder DAC/ lossless masters etc etc)

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I took a look at the Burston, and indeed it is a good amp. The review on “The Headphoneer”, sent me down another rabbit hole. When I read these reviews, and when we get to the comparisons section, I notice it is always very dependent on the music being played.

Basically I have come to believe that there is no “best” amp or headphones for any of us.

When I was rebuilding my main system. I decided to buy an integrated Naim XS3 and avoid all the trouble of matching a pre and power made by different vendors.

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That’s what I concluded too, £1000plus head phones weren’t doing it for me….and I was underwhelmed with some of the forum favourites from Focal, Meze and Sennheiser….

After lots of demoing and research I bought a used Lehman and some HiFiman XS edition’s on an Amazon deal day for a few hundred pound and I’m all set.

Don’t get me wrong those Focal and Meze are beautiful headphones to look at but to my ears just a tad underwhelming for their cost.

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I think it depends what you listen to. Some types of music are more demanding. I listen to a lot of Jazz, where detail counts. I have experienced a small step forward from my Amiron Home cans. Both the T1 V2 and the HD800S headphones resolve slightly more and the Sennheiser’s have a wider sound image.

My Beyerdynamic headphones were bought second hand for €450. I have ordered new ear pads, and I might upgrade the worn headband. The used market is worth exploring. But due to the fragile nature, I would not buy HD800S cans without checking the silver foils on the rear.

The Lehmann Audio Drachenfels amp punches well above its cost in my opinion.

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