Agree with this, though for me it's gaming on the 6xx vs the Sundara. The Sundara have a wider soundstage but it's very thin and vertical, like two walls of sound to either side of your head. They're fine for regular games, but for fps I also cannot tell where anything is lol. I find the 6xx much better for gaming, and the 660s2 even better.

They're amazing and can certainly be considered endgame. For me, the HD800s have that 10% extra on the Sundara that make them my personal endgame. Just a bit better soundstage presentation, better mids, less harsh treble.

Are they $1300+ dollars better than Sundara. Absolutely not. Again it's like a 10% improvement. I wouldn't say it's wise to spend $1600 on a single headphone, especially when a $300 Sundara is like 90% as good. But sometimes some of us get caught chasing that dragon lol.

I came super close to buying them when they were on sale for $279 during black Friday. I should have done it....

I can relate. After years of chasing the dragon up to and above $1K, I think I've finally decided that the HD6xx/650 is my endgame. I'll keep the 6xx & 660s forever.

I felt largely the same both times I bought the Sundara. The sound is indeed beautiful, but somehow lifeless at the same time. I like to describe them as literally having two walls of sound on either side of your head. The walls are a a good width apart, but they're just vertical walls with seemingly no layering or depth.

I think because of this lack of layering and depth, it makes them sound sort of lifeless unfortunately. It's really obvious if you try to game with them. The lack of dynamics becomes readily apparent.

Still their sound is beautiful. The airiness is incredible, and though they are a touch bright to me I think the overall tuning is amazing.

But like you said, the comfort and build is just not for daily wear.