For those which have heard both is there a clear winner? HE-6 / LCD 2 - Page 3

David, thanks for the beauties but something is not consistent with the theme.  The Ferrari is more spirited than the Rolls as is with Merilyn Monroe.  How did you do it?  I really like the nonverbal expression though, great job.

I keep looking at the images of M. Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor. When I got married my wife looked like Elizabeth Taylor. Rather than rely on memory, which can be corrupted I have photo of her just before we got married that I look at from time to time. Nice description of the differences. 

I went to the Chicago meet just to determine if the HE-6 was as good or better than the LCD-2. I think that they both are very good headphones and wouldn't mind owning either one.

TheWuss summed up my impressions perfectly in post #14.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab 

After much deliberation, while I think both headphones are absolutely outstanding, I slightly prefer the LCD-2 overall. But I prefer both over every other commercially available headphone I have heard.

Well unless something changes with the Ed. 10, you may have saved me a bunch of money. Yes, since I can't hear them, I trust what you hear and are saying. I would still love to get the Ed. 10 but not if they are not better as in a true reference. 

I must say that the LCD-2 is the only headphone that I've tried that can successfully find the low end on my vinyl copy of ELP's Brain Salad Surgery. But I don't have the HE-6/amp plugged into my vinyl rig ATM.

I still don't find the LCD-2 to be as comfortable to wear and I spend more time with the HE-6.  But I think both are very good.  My HE-6 sounds so clear and balanced at the low volumes I use in the bedroom at night, so it's the first one I grab.  With the LCD-2 I feel like I need to turn them up louder to hear all the nuances and details.  I think which phone is best will change depending on your rig, and finding the right amp/phone synergy is most important, assuming you have a good source.

Quote:

Originally Posted by grokit 

I must say that the LCD-2 is the only headphone that I've tried that can successfully find the low end on my vinyl copy of ELP's Brain Salad Surgery. But I don't have the HE-6/amp plugged into my vinyl rig ATM.

I use "Lucky Man" and particularly 3:30 and 4:10 mark in the song.There is a synth. that comes in with very low end information. The only headphone I've been able to hear the full details at the bottom is the LCD-2 and HE-6. Most systems will lose focus.

Wuss hit it on the nail on the head. It will all come down to preferences. I look forward to hearing the production and protype again of thee HE^ at my mini meet on 1/22. For me I preferred the LCD2 by a wide margin over the proto I had in the loaner program. But now I have the Taboo speaker amp that was made for my LCD2 so I can hear it with some power to see if 6W is suffcient for the HE6.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict 

I still don't find the LCD-2 to be as comfortable to wear and I spend more time with the HE-6.  But I think both are very good.  My HE-6 sounds so clear and balanced at the low volumes I use in the bedroom at night, so it's the first one I grab.  With the LCD-2 I feel like I need to turn them up louder to hear all the nuances and details.  I think which phone is best will change depending on your rig, and finding the right amp/phone synergy is most important, assuming you have a good source.

Amazingly I find the LCD2 more comfortable for me than my T1. I have a big head and after a couple hours the T1 start to hurt my ears. he pads and cups on the LCD2 are bigger and more comfortable for me.

I owned both of these for about two months.  Finally sold the LCD-2, as after a while I just never reached for them.  HE-6 won for me (slightly) but like others say, they are both great.

Both are good, the HE-6 sounds more natural though, I don't like the reverb of the LCD-2.

Strange. I do not get the reverb that is written about. I have listened for it on different types of music. I listened to it in the mid range, lower mids and upper bass but nothing. I wonder if it is amp dependent? I do use them balanced. 

I can't decide which planar I like better overall. The LCD-2 is more musical sounding to me, but isn't as versatile as the HE-6 because of its warmth, which is really nice with the right recording. I resented having to go to a separate rig to power the HE-6 at first, but because it goes with pretty much all genres it is working out well for me as a stand-alone system on the bedside. OTOH, the warmth of the LCD-2 provides for an excellent contrast to the HD800 on my balanced tube amp system. I feel fortunate to really like all three headphones, as I am not bothered by the HD800's treble on my system one bit.

The HE-6 isn't as clinical as the HD800 or as warm as the LCD-2, and it is in between the two regarding soundstage as well but excels at instrument placement. These planars definitely have differences; the first question to answer objectively is do you have the power for the HE-6, as the LCD-2 is easier to drive. Then you need to find out whether or not you prefer the warmth of the LCD-2 or the balance of the HE-6, which is entirely subjective. IMO, IME, etc. If you're looking for a single headphone to "rule them all", I think that the HE-6 comes closest, with the right amp of course.