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JTB888
78
Feb 19, 2021
I was close to pulling the trigger on an HD 8XX Pre Order as I felt the early bird $1100 plus the $200 credit was a pretty decent deal worth rolling the dice on... especially with Free Returns in the US if you don't like them. Then I looked at what's included with the headphone... and they REMOVED the Balanced cable being included with the HD 8XX!! This will be a total deal breaker for many because now the pre order of $1100 & $200 is actually just basically the price of an HD 800s without the Balanced cable which can go for around $300 bucks on its own. So for those thinking the HD 8XX would be the same type deal as the HD 6XX... sadly it isn't whatsoever. You could be better off buying a used 800s and EQ them for Bass
(Edited)
Nomos
1068
Feb 19, 2021
JTB888The original Sennheiser balanced cable could be considered expensive for sure, but there are many many alternatives from 3rd party manufacturers at nice prices (or virtually any price point, the sky is the limit), so I would not dismiss the 8XX solely based on this aspect.
c_dubb
20
Feb 19, 2021
JTB888One thing to note, the balanced cable that Sennheiser provides is 10ft long, and the sleeving material they use makes it very stiff and cumbersome if you don't need anywhere close to 10ft. Mine is sitting in the box and I had custom 6 Litz copper modular cables (5ft) made for $90 and it looks WAY better and does not kink at all. Non-modular is closer to $70. There are a number of people that make it that you can find on various headphone forums and there are sites like Hart audio or on Etsy that you can find for that price. Also, you can find a Chinese-made one from Aliexpress for $50 or under.
kiwifocus40
74
Feb 19, 2021
NomosHuh? Boy, I'd like to see some balanced cables at, 'any price,' but I've only seen them in the $50 range and up. Mind sharing some links? :)
Nomos
1068
Feb 19, 2021
kiwifocus40$50 is dirt cheap for headphones of this caliber and price point, no issues here.
(Edited)
kiwifocus40
74
Feb 19, 2021
NomosYou said ‘any price’ and that’s the piece I inquired after :)
gtb75
340
Feb 19, 2021
JTB888Based on what I've read the OEM Sennheiser balanced cable isn't great. I have had really good luck with Venus Audio (https://www.venusaudio.net/) cables with my other headphones... Made in the USA (WI) and he uses quality components. His Canare based HD800 balanced cable is $130 and the Cardas based version is $270. That is probably the route I will end up going.
c_dubb
20
Feb 19, 2021
kiwifocus401) $55 (Used Balanced XLR)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Balanced-XLR-Cable-For-Sennheiser-HD800-HD820-HD800S-/184658057784?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

2) $85 (Balanced XLR 1.25M)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Cable-For-Sennheiser-HD800-HD800s-HD820s-HD820-Enigma-Acoustics-Dharma-D1000/224356257460?hash=item343cacceb4:g:CI8AAOSw5udf5TgB

3) $55 (4.4 balanced, will need an adapter for XLR ~$20-$30 on Amazon for Adapter)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/HiFi-BALANCED-OCC-Audio-Cable-Cord-For-Sennheiser-HD-800-800S-820-Headphone-1-2m/174357670845?hash=item289886ebbd:g:vGEAAOSwEqlfF9XI

4) $26.25 (Starts at $26.25 (.5m) and goes up to $48.75 (3M)Balanced XLR 1.5 M)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001785788658.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.c9c51de9DPaZ1S&algo_pvid=0673a6c0-fa20-4e56-9cca-b3eca08810c6&algo_expid=0673a6c0-fa20-4e56-9cca-b3eca08810c6-0&btsid=0bb0623a16137713733414907e6488&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_

5) $98 (Custom balanced XLR cable from Hart Audio 4.5ft non-modular config)
https://hartaudiocables.com/collections/headphone-cables/products/hc-13-dual-lemo-push-pull-utopia-balanced-headphone-cable?variant=32618112843857

6) $52 (Balanced XLR 1.2M)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001889555716.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.c9c51de9DPaZ1S&algo_pvid=0673a6c0-fa20-4e56-9cca-b3eca08810c6&algo_expid=0673a6c0-fa20-4e56-9cca-b3eca08810c6-3&btsid=0bb0623a16137713733414907e6488&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_

7) $32.40 (Starts at $32.40 (.5M) and goes up to $72 (3M) based on length Balanced XLR)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001167537958.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.c9c51de9DPaZ1S&algo_pvid=0673a6c0-fa20-4e56-9cca-b3eca08810c6&algo_expid=0673a6c0-fa20-4e56-9cca-b3eca08810c6-19&btsid=0bb0623a16137713733414907e6488&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_ It's really not expensive if you search around and there are custom cable makers on various audio forums/subreddits that will make it for $100 or less.
(Edited)
Zev51104
56
Feb 19, 2021
c_dubbYou're not wrong, but I think it just rubs people the wrong way. Besides, you don't get a $200 credit towards aliexpress, hart audio or ebay :(
gtb75
340
Feb 19, 2021
Zev51104How about this then? https://drop.com/buy/sennheiser-hd-800-zy-cable Something tells me a lot of people will be requesting it soon! If Drop is smart they will bring in a bunch of HD800 cable options.
asleepwithinwaves
0
Feb 20, 2021
JTB888I purchased HD800s from Sennheiser Factor Outlet on Ebay for 1275 included both cables plus 2 year warranty
kiwifocus40
74
Feb 20, 2021
c_dubbYou’re so sweet, thank you!!
Zev51104
56
Feb 20, 2021
gtb75"If drop is smart..." I would assume they'll wait another year or two after they stop pumping the 8xx out to release a cable...after everyone blows their points. Kinda how drop usually does things.
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