This, and also I think a lot of non-audiophile types expect too much when trying out a pair of high-end headphones (high-end to them, mid-fi to most of us).

Usually this is because an audiophile has hyped up their gear before having their friend try it out. They expect to be blown away, but that hardly ever happens.

Unless all they’ve known is super crappy headphones, and you’re having them tryout a flagship set like HD800S, their reaction is probably going to be something close to OP’s.