I also find the silver cable wanting, I switched to the stock cable for HE560 and find a huge improvement in all regards

Nice review, having had the RS1i for a long time I echo your sentiments on the HE-500. Focus pads and a new cable are pretty much, must have accessories.

Nice review, one of my favorite headphones last year.

In a comparison to LCD-2, I guess you did one with a pre-Fazor version... My LCD-2F's treble is not overly smooth and the bass is definitely not overwhelming.

Not even close to the hd 650

@madwolfa  actually I've heard both and still find the treble very polite. The bass isn't overwhelming, but I do think that powered sufficiently, it is a little abundant to say the least.

Still one of my favs... just too much of a engaging listen, smoothhhh

Love the HE-500, one of the best ever and easily best in price. But LCD-2F wins in all areas except being balanced. More effortless and textured bass, magical vocal reproduction, and treble is crystal clear without sibilance or that wierd tizz found in hifiman cans. differences between the two are quite marginal though. My wife thinks they sound exactly the same.

Love the HE-500, one of the best ever and easily best in price. But LCD-2F wins in all areas except being balanced. More effortless and textured bass, magical vocal reproduction, and treble is crystal clear without sibilance or that wierd tizz found in hifiman cans. differences between the two are quite marginal though. My wife thinks they sound exactly the same.

I had the same feeling, but LCD-2F won in comfort for me, despite the weight. I have vegan pads on mine.

@kernel8888 you can solve the weird tizz by doing the fuzzor mod. That solved the tizz for me, check out the Hifiman fuzzor mod thread for more details.

Hmmm.  I know your taste and preferences a little, and this makes me want to try them!

Nice review! I can agree on the most points regarding the headphone, absolutely great for the price! The pads really do change as you said though

Hmmm...this is an interesting review as I owned the HE-500 and personally opted for the LCD-2 (pre-razor) for the following reasons:
- bigger bass presence (the HE's bass was too 'polite')
- more comfort
- overall fuller and more 'live' musical presence.
 
If all I listened to was classical, I might have stayed with the HE-500 but the overall balance and musical presence favored the LCDs.  Of course, I have upgraded cables (silver poison) on my LCDs and they sound very good.
 
Just my two cents.
 
CJ