Bass distortion actually corroborates peoples' subjective impressions that the K812 has more bass presence. The D7000 and TH900 FR would suggest otherwise, but when you see the distortion measurements for the bass on both, it makes sense that the D7000 is subjectively bassier because the TH900 has very clean dynamic bass despite the quantity.

When properly amped however the HD800 has a much more visceral and punchy bass to my ears. The K812 simply doesn't have the same slam and impact, and that contributes to its somewhat more distant character to me. I'm a stickler for well controlled bass.

Could you please write down some headphones that, in your opinion, provide HQ bass ( + reasons what exactly you find appealing about it)? I of course understand that there are different types of bass (TH-900 vs LCD-2 vs HD800) - interested in all of them!

Btw, I agree that HD800's bass is surprisingly visceral... Yes, I like HD800 A LOT but I have never expected this sort of quality from them. At first, I just liked how tight and real it is (not overly present, not boomy, not lacking in texture)... But there is some sort of visceral feeling I didnt feel even with headphones like D7000 or LCD-2s - not really sure why though.

I'm such a pussy.


BTW Funk, I already dropped the link in this thread. 

I'm of the mind that many people out there aren't hearing the HD800's full capabilities because they aren't amping it well enough. The HD800 is still one of the pickiest dynamic headphones on the planet when it comes to upstream choices. This is what I most commonly suspect when I hear someone say the K812 has a better bass response, more resolution, and better imaging compared to the HD800. Everyone seems to focus on the HE-6 being hard to drive from a sheer power standpoint, but honestly I think the HD800 is harder to "get right" from a synergistic one.

snip

When properly amped however the HD800 has a much more visceral and punchy bass to my ears. The K812 simply doesn't have the same slam and impact, and that contributes to its somewhat more distant character to me. I'm a stickler for well controlled bass.

This!
In Spades…
And if you MUST have Mo-Bass, a small +4 to 6dB boost down low will amply tickle your fancy.
But when the howitzers, or cannon, or bass from an organ kicks in, there is no lack of visceral impact.


And I agree they must be fed properly, all the way thru the system.

JJ

i was excited reading about these one day on my phone but, finding out the price and the distortion measurements i saw i was disappointed. they measured close to no difference than the k701/2 in distortion which in my opinion is very bad. they would be the type of headphone that is required to listen at low levels to get decent clarity but once cranking up you can hear the k701/2's start to fall apart badly(only thing i was annoyed with them).

 if i heard these though, i probably would like them good amount still though. i enjoy my 702's good amount but at low volumes only or just basic phone/portable use. i still find my sextetts lp and DF's better option though for my home use and think sound better too. they don't fall apart and handle high spl lot better as well unlike the 702's.