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Planar Magnetic choice

post #1 of 44
1/14/12 at 11:25pm
Thread Starter 

Looking for a new sound.  I currently have the T1 and ED8.  Love both of these headphones for different reasons.   I don't really need isolation and on the odd occasion I do (in bed next to my sleeping wife) I use IEMs (RE-ZERO), so the ED8 being closed is not something that is necessary.  I do like the ED8 as a contrast to the T1, however the T1 gets about 65%-80% of my head time.  I have put my Edition 8s up for sale (not really sure I should sell them but if I want another top tier then there is no other choice -see wife) and I thought it was time to taste the planar magnetic sound.

 

So the question is, which one will best contrast with the T1?  I won't go $2000 LCD 3 (see wife again), so the players are:  LCD 2, HE6, HE500.

 

I will be driving them via CDP and V200.  I am leaning toward the LCD2 as reportedly it is a bit "darker/bassier" and should be a change from the T1.  However the HE500 is either very similar to the LCD2 (at 2/3 the price) or a fair bit brighter and more analytical, dependent on who you believe and therefore possibly just a slight variance on the T1.  I can pick up the LCD2 locally, whereas I will need to get the HE500 from Head direct.  The HE6 seems to be the analytical detail can of the three and again I am not sure I would get great contrast to the T1 and having to pump up the gain on my Violectric amp will mean that it is not as user friendly as the other 2 (would like to use the same gain setting for both headphones as I currently do  with T1 and ED8).

 

Living in Tassie, means that I have to buy blind, no opportunity to hear any of these headphones prior to purchase.

 

Options are then- HE6, LCD2 Rev2, HE500, keep the Edition 8, or left field ATHW3000 or even HD800

 

It must offer a sound variation to T1. Music taste is fairly varied, but primarily- Acoustic (rodrigo y gabriela), folk/indie (Mumford and sons), female vocal (too many to single one out), classic rock (Dire Straits,Beatles etc.etc.) electronic (Block Party, Shpongle) Male vocal (Ben Folds, Leonard Cohen).

 

Any opinions?


Edited by Kernmac - 1/15/12 at 12:29am
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post #2 of 44
1/15/12 at 1:41am

LCD2 rev1 should be very different from the T1.

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post #3 of 44
1/15/12 at 6:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kernmac View Postthought it was time to taste the planar magnetic sound.

 

 

 

 

Options are then- HE6, LCD2 Rev2, HE500, keep the Edition 8, or left field ATHW3000 or even HD800

 

It must offer a sound variation to T1. Music taste is fairly varied, but primarily- Acoustic (rodrigo y gabriela), folk/indie (Mumford and sons), female vocal (too many to single one out), classic rock (Dire Straits,Beatles etc.etc.) electronic (Block Party, Shpongle) Male vocal (Ben Folds, Leonard Cohen).

 

 


Owning the T1 and having  owned the LCD2 and theHE6 and now the hE500 and based on your musical preferences the HE500 would be better suited as will the LCD2. I find the HE500 neither bright nor anayltical. it offer a bigger sound stage and warm sound and for vocals is a best buy also has more air than the LCd2 and a bigger soundstage and excellent bass. i would say based on your preference of music you would be happy with either the HE500 or LCD2 the He6 is similar to the T1 except it need a bear to drive them and the other two are not as detailed nor as focused and have the spatial imaging of the T1 but the HE500 is nice with acoustic music and very good with most types of music.

 

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post #4 of 44
1/16/12 at 5:55pm

Kernmac,

 

I think the HE-6 is the best of the three when matched properly, but the V200 isn't up to snuff to drive the HE-6, and I think it would be pretty silly to buy something just for the HE-6...

 

So I would say the LCD-2.  If you have a local dealer, I would drive in, listen to a few pairs and pick the one with the signature you like most.  They vary.

 

The HE-500 is good too, but a step or two shy of the LCD-2 overall, in various departments.  

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post #5 of 44
1/16/12 at 6:06pm

Seeing that the OP already owns the T1s, I wouldn't recommend the HE-6s (quite similar IMO), instead, I'd go with the LCD-2s.

 

Wives can really get in the way can't they? Otherwise, I'd say LCD-3. smile.gif

 

But for half the price, you'll get much more than 1/2 the LCD-3s in performance with the LCD-2s IMO.

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post #6 of 44
1/16/12 at 6:34pm

Go for the LCD-2 r1/r2 - will provide a different signature to your T1 and in a positive way.

I have the LCD-2 r1 and enjoy it immensely.  Be sure that you have satisfactory amplification to drive these orthodynamics.

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post #7 of 44
1/17/12 at 12:30am
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the replies.  Yes it would be simple to drive down to the local HiFi store plug these orthos in and make a decision on which one I like better and also complements my T1.  How I envy you guys that can do that.

 

Without jumping on a plane the best I could listen to locally would be a Senn 598, Beats pro, Bose OE2, and maybe a Skullcandy Aviator, and most of those would be after a 2 hour drive.  Not a chance of listening to any ortho.

 

I am leaning toward the LCD2, as it seems to be a great headphone and should contrast with my T1 (which I absolutely love).  I get the point that the HE500 is probably the better match with my music genre preferences, however the T1 covers those.  Having a contrast is important.  The HE500 at $699 must be bargain of the century though and the LSD2 LCD2 will cost me $1080 locally (interstate postage).


Edited by Kernmac - 1/17/12 at 12:58am
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post #8 of 44
1/17/12 at 12:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sphinxvc View Post
but the V200 isn't up to snuff to drive the HE-6



Almost 3 watts into 50 ohms is not enough?

 

edit: I think it is.


Edited by anetode - 1/17/12 at 2:17pm
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post #9 of 44
1/17/12 at 3:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by anetode View Post



Almost 3 watts into 50 ohms is not enough? Bull****



It wont get the best out of the hE6 and my friend thats fact but if you want buy the pair.

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post #10 of 44
1/17/12 at 4:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by anetode View Post



Almost 3 watts into 50 ohms is not enough? Bull****



I believe Fang (the creator of HE-6) said that it needs about 15W to driven properly.

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post #11 of 44
1/17/12 at 7:02am

Do you have any direct experience ?

 

What is your justification for this comment ?
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by anetode View Post



Almost 3 watts into 50 ohms is not enough? Bull****



 

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post #12 of 44
1/17/12 at 7:10am

No love for the HD800? It works great out of the same amps as the T1 and is a decent bit different. Just a thought. 
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by hawkhead View Post

Do you have any direct experience ?

 

What is your justification for this comment ?
 


Nobody actually puts 3W into the headphones. 

the specs are typically given as 3W into 8ohms... 

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post #13 of 44
1/17/12 at 7:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nikongod View Post

No love for the HD800? It works great out of the same amps as the T1 and is a decent bit different. Just a thought. 
 


Nobody actually puts 3W into the headphones. 

the specs are typically given as 3W into 8ohms... 



I do. I am using the HE-6 with an amp that puts out 22 watts@50ohms that gives this result

 

http://www.element-acoustics.ca/audio_visits.php?aid=44

 

http://www.element-acoustics.ca/audio_visits.php?aid=46

 

Other impressions can be found on the Vancouver meet thread.


Edited by gurus - 1/17/12 at 8:00am
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post #14 of 44
1/17/12 at 8:35am

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by gurus View Post

I do. I am using the HE-6 with an amp that puts out 22 watts@50ohms that gives this result

 


Have you measured how much voltage you actually use and calculated power used based on that? The fact that a you have **w on tap does not mean that you will use them, its just nice to have overhead. I would be very surprised to hear that more than a few people use more than 1/2w to drive orthos. On that note, I do agree that orthos sound best simply driven from a speaker amp. 

 

If you have an AC volt meter or an osciloscope, do it up. I need to see at least 12.5vrms to cede defeat.

 

At the end of the day you don't actually put 22w of power into your headphones. I would be very surprised if you put 1w into them and most likely much less into them using an amp that has the ability to put 22w into them. 


Edited by nikongod - 1/17/12 at 8:38am
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post #15 of 44
1/17/12 at 8:43am

Didn't you know the HE6 defies physics Ari? tongue.gif

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