Help me pick! HD800 LCD2 possibly more..... - Page 3

My advice is to buy both to have an extended 25+ day audition with your exact setup. This is certainly worth the price of return shipping for the headphone that "loses" the audition.

I spent over an hour the other day comparing the HD800 and LCD-2 (rev2) side-by-side. I used a good (not great) Redbook CD player plugged into a Burson 160 HA-160D via RCA for most of my listening.

At first, it was hard for me to tell the difference between them. It took a while for me to start to tell the difference. I'm fairly new to headphones so that may be part of it, but my conclusions are that the HD800 is slightly more airy and sibilant and the bass is slightly leaner. Ultimately, I ended up preferring the LCD-2 a little bit because it sounded ever so slightly smoother and fuller - although on a few of my darker recordings, the more recessed treble became more obvious. The LCD-2 is also $500 less expensive, which must be factored in. On the Sennheisers side, the HD800 are much more comfortable to wear.

Also, maybe I've been listening to loudspeakers for too long, but I just don't hear "soundstage" or "imaging" with headphones. I really prefer listening to speakers, but I enjoy headphones for different reasons. For me, headphones put the music between my ears. Period.

I still haven't decided between them. I've spent the last 2 weeks living with the HD650 trying to make myself like them, and like some others have said, they just sound too muddy with too many recordings. So now I'm thinking that, since I'm not hearing this "out of head experience" with any headphones, maybe the HD600 is the better choice for me. When I first heard the 600, I immediately heard a leaner and brighter 650. And the other day, I couldn't help but be reminded of the 600 while listening to the LCD-2 and HD800 (they still sound more similar than not to me).

I really love the look and sound of the LCD-2, but if I'm totally honest with myself, I think the HD600 might be 90% of the LCD-2 sound at 30% of the price. I need to compare them side by side to know for sure.

Congrats! That is the best way to go. Look forward to your impressions...

that was always the correct decision.

Quote:

Originally Posted by snaps11 

I said the heck with it and ordered both.  Impressions will come when they show up .

Can't wait for the impressions!

I would get the Beyerdynamic Tesla T-1 over the HD800's.  That being said if you do get the LCD2's, the latest and greatest is the best.  That being the rev2 that Audeze sells on their website currently.  There have been improvements all around: earpads, driver, cord, and they offer the leather headband now as well.  They didn't make these changes without reason.  Check the rev1's for sale on the FS:Headphones boards here.  My bet is they are getting the new version.  If you are not getting planar I would get the T-1 over the Senn's.

the T1 did not impress me. have heard it many times on different setups. whereas the HD800 and LCD2 seem to be a clear step forward in sound quality over prior offerings, the T1 just seemed more of the same.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vcoheda 

the T1 did not impress me. have heard it many times on different setups. whereas the HD800 and LCD2 seem to be a clear step forward in sound quality over prior offerings, the T1 just seemed more of the same.

I've never heard the LCD2's but to say the HD800 sounds a clear step ahead of the T1's is bogus imo. They're around the same level, and you find people who prefer one or the other all the time. For example, the guys at Headfonia prefer the HD800 (except with faster music) and the guys at 6Moon Audio prefer the T1. The T1 has a lot more in line with the HD800's than the LCD-2's, sharing similarities in certain sonic areas (both quite detailed with strong highs), they also have quite airy wide sound stages, and sound that compliments articulation and pin point accuracy. From my brief listening I'd say the HD800 had a slightly more open soundstage, but the T1 had more punch and better speed. Imo the T1's are a better all rounder (suiting all kinds of music) whereas the HD800 is a lot more picky, and not as capable at dealing with pop or modern music.

I've heard many people say the T1's are sort of like a half way house between the HD800 (more open, airy and precise) and the LCD-2's (more textured, creamy and full bodied).

I have listened to the 650's, 800's and LCD-2 and there is no doubt that the LCD-2 is simply much better in just about every category.  The sound is pure and full of life with the LCD-2.

The LCD-2 is much easier to drive as well.

The HD-650 or HD-800 are going to always leave you wanting more especially in the bass category.  I could listen to the LCD-2 for hours whereas listening to the 650 or 800 only lasts minutes.

On paper the LCD-2 is much more neutral.

The LCD-2 is much less expensive.

Like purrin mentioned try both and return the one you do not like.  If it were me I would order the LCD-2 and a pair of AH-D2000's and not worry about the HD-800's as you already understand the upper tier Sennheisers.  Return the one you do not like between the LCD-2 and AH-D2000.  You will have no regrets after that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icenine2 

I would get the Beyerdynamic Tesla T-1 over the HD800's.  That being said if you do get the LCD2's, the latest and greatest is the best.  That being the rev2 that Audeze sells on their website currently.  There have been improvements all around: earpads, driver, cord, and they offer the leather headband now as well.  They didn't make these changes without reason.  Check the rev1's for sale on the FS:Headphones boards here.  My bet is they are getting the new version.  If you are not getting planar I would get the T-1 over the Senn's.

I would too even the LCD-2 made me sell mine.

I am selling the HD 800 too. Didn´t impress me as much as the T1 but well I would much rather start hording planars :p.

T1 and HD 800 is in the same league I feel. LCD-2 on my receiver on another planet. All subjective of course but I don´t understand how after a year every day is still the first day...

+
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naim.F.C 

I've never heard the LCD2's but to say the HD800 sounds a clear step ahead of the T1's is bogus imo. They're around the same level, and you find people who prefer one or the other all the time. For example, the guys at Headfonia prefer the HD800 (except with faster music) and the guys at 6Moon Audio prefer the T1. The T1 has a lot more in line with the HD800's than the LCD-2's, sharing similarities in certain sonic areas (both quite detailed with strong highs), they also have quite airy wide sound stages, and sound that compliments articulation and pin point accuracy. From my brief listening I'd say the HD800 had a slightly more open soundstage, but the T1 had more punch and better speed. Imo the T1's are a better all rounder (suiting all kinds of music) whereas the HD800 is a lot more picky, and not as capable at dealing with pop or modern music.

 

I've heard many people say the T1's are sort of like a half way house between the HD800 (more open, airy and precise) and the LCD-2's (more textured, creamy and full bodied).

 

All being said about the LCD2's is interesting and they are great headphones.  However there is so much buzz and Snowball-rolling-down-the-hill-effect that I believe some of these guys are just going along for a ride in it's praise without even knowing what's going on because they have a poor source, amp, or both.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NA Blur 

I have listened to the 650's, 800's and LCD-2 and there is no doubt that the LCD-2 is simply much better in just about every category.  The sound is pure and full of life with the LCD-2.

 

The LCD-2 is much easier to drive as well.

 

The HD-650 or HD-800 are going to always leave you wanting more especially in the bass category.  I could listen to the LCD-2 for hours whereas listening to the 650 or 800 only lasts minutes.

 

On paper the LCD-2 is much more neutral.

 

The LCD-2 is much less expensive.

 

Like purrin mentioned try both and return the one you do not like.  If it were me I would order the LCD-2 and a pair of AH-D2000's and not worry about the HD-800's as you already understand the upper tier Sennheisers.  Return the one you do not like between the LCD-2 and AH-D2000.  You will have no regrets after that.

Why the D2000? It's nowhere near as good as the LCD-2. Even the D7000 can't touch it, and yes I own/owned them all.

Talking about the D2000 or the AD2000 in the context of flagships makes no sense IMHO. One has too low SQ and the other is too weird sounding, strangely flavored in the midrange like most Audio-Technica's. The T1 and the Edition 8 are good recommendations. The HD800 is further from overall neutrality and monitoring preferences than these two. But there is one more solution - Shure SRH-940. It's a moderate investment with high return. Very good and transparent headphone without bass emphasis or other typical closed headphone issues. They respond to the amplifier quality very well but are very efficient so you can drive them as easy as the Ultrasone E8.