LCD-2 (especially the Rev2 Driver) or HE-500?? - Page 11

Thanks a lot for the input, from what you guys have said I think I would end up liking the LCD-2s more with their slightly warmer sound signature, so I think I will give them a try :)
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by WNBC 
I like the build quality of the LCD-2 rev2 but I appreciate the lighter HE-500. 

Would you say the HE-500's are more comfortable than the LCD-2's then? And are there any specific build quality issues with the HE-500 or is it just that the LCD-2 is better built overall?

The LCD-2's are extremely heavy. That's the biggest complaint people have in regards to "comfort".
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuxR 

Thanks a lot for the input, from what you guys have said I think I would end up liking the LCD-2s more with their slightly warmer sound signature, so I think I will give them a try :)
 

 

Would you say the HE-500's are more comfortable than the LCD-2's then? And are there any specific build quality issues with the HE-500 or is it just that the LCD-2 is better built overall?

I had the HE-4 and now HE-500, both had scuffed-up leather headbands.  The lip of one of the HE-500 ear cushions is not flush against the ear cup.  Maybe build quality was not the proper term, cosmetic flaws would be the better wording.  The LCD-2 was heavier but fit better on my head which is close to shaved.  Somebody with a full head of hair won't have the same problem.  The clamping force and shape of LCD-2 ear pads created a more secure fit for my head.  With that said, none of the fit issues is a deal breaker.  I could put a HD600 foam underneath the HE-500 headband as I did for my T50RP to get the ultimate hold.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuxR 

Thanks a lot for the input, from what you guys have said I think I would end up liking the LCD-2s more with their slightly warmer sound signature, so I think I will give them a try :)
 

Would you say the HE-500's are more comfortable than the LCD-2's then? And are there any specific build quality issues with the HE-500 or is it just that the LCD-2 is better built overall?

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I just returned the new HiFiMan HE-400 because it did not have texture to my ears, so I am using that money into buying the HE-500 or the LCD-2. Although both are easy to drive, which one is easier ? I only have a HeadAmp Pico DAC/AMP and I am not willing to buy a desktop amp at this time. Moreover which is more forgiving to poor recordings ? Currently I am leaning towards the LCD-2 because of the textured bass and that I plan to play some electronic music well as live jazz recordings on them. Moreover, I wanted something that is different from my HD-600, so the comment that the HE-500 is like a HD-600 is pushing me to the LCD-2. Thanks, this tread has been very helpful.

I just received the HE-500 today. They sound pretty good right now, without spending much time, I can only say they sound a lot like my LCD-2.1s with slightly less bass quantity/extension but the sound overall is slightly more cohesive. They are also REALLY comfortable. The only thing I'm a bit disappointed about is the quality of the new silver cable. I was hoping it would be slightly thicker with an outer sheath.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 054k4 

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I just returned the new HiFiMan HE-400 because it did not have texture to my ears, so I am using that money into buying the HE-500 or the LCD-2. Although both are easy to drive, which one is easier ? I only have a HeadAmp Pico DAC/AMP and I am not willing to buy a desktop amp at this time. Moreover which is more forgiving to poor recordings ? Currently I am leaning towards the LCD-2 because of the textured bass and that I plan to play some electronic music well as live jazz recordings on them. Moreover, I wanted something that is different from my HD-600, so the comment that the HE-500 is like a HD-600 is pushing me to the LCD-2. Thanks, this tread has been very helpful.

I think the lcd2 would be better for you as it is easier to drive, slightly more forgiving (imo) and has less in common with the hd600's than the he500's do.

But if you ever have the chance to demo both, you should definitely do so; the he500's are worth hearing just as much as the audeze

Quote:

Originally Posted by winkyeye 

I just received the HE-500 today. They sound pretty good right now, without spending much time, I can only say they sound a lot like my LCD-2.1s with slightly less bass quantity/extension but the sound overall is slightly more cohesive. They are also REALLY comfortable. The only thing I'm a bit disappointed about is the quality of the new silver cable. I was hoping it would be slightly thicker with an outer sheath.

felt the same way about the HE500s new cable, was really disappointed in the quality.. I actually ended up returning mine because they didn't suit my taste, interesting you mentioned they sound like the LCD2.1s I haven't heard that before, usually hear the LCDs are darker and have more body to it (maybe thats because of the bass though). 

I would say the HE-500 is the most forgiving, and I wouldn't worry about them being to similar to the HD600. They are more than different enough - the LCD-2 might be just as similar...

Why do you not want a desktop amp? For the price of the LCD-2 you can have the HE-500 AND an amp...  

Quote:

Originally Posted by 054k4 

Subscribed.

I just returned the new HiFiMan HE-400 because it did not have texture to my ears, so I am using that money into buying the HE-500 or the LCD-2. Although both are easy to drive, which one is easier ? I only have a HeadAmp Pico DAC/AMP and I am not willing to buy a desktop amp at this time. Moreover which is more forgiving to poor recordings ? Currently I am leaning towards the LCD-2 because of the textured bass and that I plan to play some electronic music well as live jazz recordings on them. Moreover, I wanted something that is different from my HD-600, so the comment that the HE-500 is like a HD-600 is pushing me to the LCD-2. Thanks, this tread has been very helpful.

Yeah, that is what I have suspected. It will be one or two months before I have enough money to buy the thing, so I'll do more reading and research. But yes, I agree that I need to try both of them out... unfortunately none of the audio stores here in Chicago do not sell the HE-500 LE or the LCD-2 plus there doesn't appear to be any meet ups where I can try them out. Although head direct has a good retun policy so I will be able to buy, try it out, and return it. But I don't know Audeze's return policy and I cant A/B test them. So most likely I'll buy the LCD-2 directly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dleblanc343 

I think the lcd2 would be better for you as it is easier to drive, slightly more forgiving (imo) and has less in common with the hd600's than the he500's do.

 

But if you ever have the chance to demo both, you should definitely do so; the he500's are worth hearing just as much as the audeze

BE WARNED.

The only problem with the HE-500's is that the gimbal screws are placed into the metal housings of the earpieces with small gold/gold-plated interor fasteners. The second you put any torque on that connection the whole gold connector pops out of the metal on the back of the earpiece and you are then left with a really defective set of headphones. These fasteners seem to have a striated or "knurled" surface on them, and once they come out, there is no way that you can reconnect them mechanically.

I had them for a few days, very mild use at my computer rig sitting at a desk, always on a headphone stand when not in use. I am an engineer and do alot of design work, and while the headphones seemed substantial and well-built out of the box, I started noticing some very poor design decisions within a few days of use.

Frankly, I am now in the process of returning them and will be buying the Audez'e LCD-2 Rev.2.

Be aware that the LCD2 has its own share of quality problems as well. If you really want something bulletproof 95% of the time, look at the bigger manufacturer products.

I'm sure everyone has some design problems. However, when you are at your computer listening to music with your relatively new HE-500 headphones on, and all of a sudden hear a "pop" and you're wondering what just happened and take your headphones off to find your left earpiece hanging by one screw and the other arm just hanging there, it shows you that something in the design was critically underdesigned. 

If I wouldn't have been paying as close of attention the whole screw assembly would have fallen out of the gimbal and been lost. The female screw thread was literally held into the metal housing of the earpiece by knurls...

Very poor design.

Quote:

Originally Posted by idletime1213 

Be aware that the LCD2 has its own share of quality problems as well. If you really want something bulletproof 95% of the time, look at the bigger manufacturer products.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Androktasiai 

I'm sure everyone has some design problems. However, when you are at your computer listening to music with your relatively new HE-500 headphones on, and all of a sudden hear a "pop" and you're wondering what just happened and take your headphones off to find your left earpiece hanging by one screw and the other arm just hanging there, it shows you that something in the design was critically underdesigned. 

 

If I wouldn't have been paying as close of attention the whole screw assembly would have fallen out of the gimbal and been lost. The female screw thread was literally held into the metal housing of the earpiece by knurls...

 

Very poor design.

Agree with you both.. on the one hand, I really didn't feel that great about the build quality of the HE500s (when I had them - I also decided to return them based on the audio and build quality compared to other headphones I had owned from ultrasone, sennheiser, and denon...). At the same time, its usually the case that hand made products, including the Audeze would likely not have the overall build quality of manufacturers from the big name companies that have perfected the build/quality/cost of their headphones. I have the Audezes on order, I'll have some comments up on build quality compared to the HE500s too..

Get the T1. They can take a drop to the floor, no problem ( I know) . The LCD2 feels less robust than the HE-500 except for the male connectors, which is a really bad design. 

I believe any headphone should be designed to take a drop to the floor. Every store should let you try this for yourself before buying 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Androktasiai 

BE WARNED.

 

The only problem with the HE-500's is that the gimbal screws are placed into the metal housings of the earpieces with small gold/gold-plated interor fasteners. The second you put any torque on that connection the whole gold connector pops out of the metal on the back of the earpiece and you are then left with a really defective set of headphones. These fasteners seem to have a striated or "knurled" surface on them, and once they come out, there is no way that you can reconnect them mechanically.

 

I had them for a few days, very mild use at my computer rig sitting at a desk, always on a headphone stand when not in use. I am an engineer and do alot of design work, and while the headphones seemed substantial and well-built out of the box, I started noticing some very poor design decisions within a few days of use.

 

Frankly, I am now in the process of returning them and will be buying the Audez'e LCD-2 Rev.2.

 

 

I directly compared the LCD-2 to the new HD650. I find the LCD-2 darker than HD650, which in fact I find it neither treble recessed nor laid back. I prefered the LCD-2 for its grain free, smooth and full bodied midrange and the non fatiguing sound. However I am not prepared to pay LCD-2's price for a headphone, and while it is good, personally I think it a bit much for what it offers.

I have not heard the HE-500. From what I read here, it seemed that it sounds a lot like LCD-2, but have a tad more treble and less fleshed out overall. However, does it have the LCD-2's smooth grain free ortho sound (elsewhere I read that HiFiMAN's ortho driver are not as grain free and more like dynamic in this department). If so, I'd rather get the HD650 at about half the price. Also how do they compare in the detail department? Or other aspects?

Btw my main amp is Beta 22, which IMO sounds, very detailed, impactful at the bottom, and a tiny bit warm. My main source is Rega DAC which to me sounds fun, warm and full bodied. I am also interested in the scalability of HE-500, HD650 and even the LCD-2

Thanks.