£800 speakers or HD800s?

[malg]

My system is built from what I could afford at the time, hence a top end headphone amp (Lehmann Black Cube Linear) alongside the MF XT100 (also the XRay V8 CD player and PS Audio DAC). Never mind, I'll hopefully be able to upgrade to the HD800s from the 650s I have at the minute, and get the most from the headphone amp.

I have been on here previously asking about speakers, but couldn't act on the advice as my wife withheld the funds (I do get the feeling that I'm Britains answer to Doug Heffernan from King of Queens)! I now have clearance to spend up to £800 on a pair of speakers. I currently have the B&W601s. Someone previously asked if they were doing the job, and I have to admit that I get what I need from them, but am also aware that an upgrade would probably improve the system. Therefore, my question to all you audiophiles out there is this, would you spend the £800 on a pair of speakers, or hold out for another £200 and go for the HD800s? I have been told by someone who has heard the HD 800s that they are like listening to a high end system. However, would that be the case with the stuff I have, or would you need higher end hi-fi kit to get that sound?

PS - has anyone got hold of the remastered Kraftwerk stuff yet? Just got Autobahn from Amazon, and I can't believe how much better it sounds (on the speakers and the headphones). The clarity is exceptional, and the bass is absolutely incredible.

 

[matengawhat]

i don't care how much you spend on headphones to me they will never replace speakers - something about feeling the vibrations through your body that headphones just can't create - i only use mine when want to listen to something and gf is busy working otherwise its speakers all the way.

have you got the x170 psu for your amp? that's prob the first upgrade i would make if you don't as increase the power of the amp to 85w from memory - more power more control and better dynamics

 

[Anonymous]

I'd love to hear a pair of HD800s to see how much they impressed me. I guess sometimes people are either into headphones or speakers more

Also depends on personal circumstances - you mention a wife - if you have young children or might in the next few years then that could influence you. You don't get 'vibration through your body' at the volumes you listen to when a baby's gone to sleep ;-)

Rob

 

[malg]

I haven't even considered the upgrade to the x170. I'll have to see what the cost is to that, and I probably should have gone for that in the first place. My local hi-fi shop would be able to set that up for me.

I know exactly what you mean about the 'feel' of the speakers. The good thing about headphones is that you won't annoy the neighbours, or more imporantly the wife, and I've been realiably informed that you do get some of that feel from the HD800s. However, when i do get the chance to play my music as loud as i like through the speakers, there's nothing like the feeling you get from a speaker. Just listen to some of the tracks on Prodigy's 'Fat of the Land', or anything by Leftfield and that's enough.