Fostex TH900 Impressions & Discussion Thread - Page 123

HMMM... to buy the TH900 or LCD-3????

Any comments?

Quote:

You can read some of my comments here, mostly comparing it to the W3000ANV (thus in that thread) but also mentions the LCD-3. The TH900 is nice by itself, but very colored in comparison to the LCD-3 which has almost flat response across the spectrum in comparison. Graphs are available and while they don't tell the whole story, I think they are clearly representative of what can be heard.
 

So based on your past listening preferences, that should be a fairly clear choice to make. They are both very good in their own way but certainly quite different in character. I'd considered this choice the most important deciding factor.

A practical consideration may be comfort (which IS important). The TH900 is the most comfortable headphone I have worn, on par with my ATH W5000. The LCD-3 is heavier but while relaxing in a chair, not such a big deal. My biggest gripe are the suction-cup leather pads. Their softness is great, but the suction effect was bad until I added a small mod, the single biggest improvement in comfort for me. Also, the leather is weird, supposedly real leather but somehow feels almost like pleather (?), nothing like Audio Technica's higher-end offerings... Actually, the TH900's "fake" leather made from eggshell membrane feels more "real" and comfortable.

One other consideration is amplification: the TH900 is easy to drive (even if some people put down some serious $$$ to get the "best" amplification for it), the LCD-3 on the other hand DOES require quite a bit of oomph and the differences are definitely audible. You can use it of course for the time being with what you have even if it is not up there, but you may have to consider putting some more money into amplification. From my experience, the differences for the TH900 are less critical (which I think is actually a big plus in its favour)

Personally, while I like the TH900, there no question for me that a properly amplified LCD-3 is the better choice. As a matter of fact, with my current tube set and recent DAC upgrade (which actually for once made a (slightly) audible difference) I cannot think of any improvement other than -maybe- a super-expensive Stax-stack (that I would not be able to afford any time soon...)

HMMM... to buy the TH900 or LCD-3????

Any comments?

Quote:

You can read some of my comments here, mostly comparing it to the W3000ANV (thus in that thread) but also mentions the LCD-3. The TH900 is nice by itself, but very colored in comparison to the LCD-3 which has almost flat response across the spectrum in comparison. Graphs are available and while they don't tell the whole story, I think they are clearly representative of what can be heard.
 

So based on your past listening preferences, that should be a fairly clear choice to make. They are both very good in their own way but certainly quite different in character. I'd considered this choice the most important deciding factor.

A practical consideration may be comfort (which IS important). The TH900 is the most comfortable headphone I have worn, on par with my ATH W5000. The LCD-3 is heavier but while relaxing in a chair, not such a big deal. My biggest gripe are the suction-cup leather pads. Their softness is great, but the suction effect was bad until I added a small mod, the single biggest improvement in comfort for me. Also, the leather is weird, supposedly real leather but somehow feels almost like pleather (?), nothing like Audio Technica's higher-end offerings... Actually, the TH900's "fake" leather made from eggshell membrane feels more "real" and comfortable.

One other consideration is amplification: the TH900 is easy to drive (even if some people put down some serious $$$ to get the "best" amplification for it), the LCD-3 on the other hand DOES require quite a bit of oomph and the differences are definitely audible. You can use it of course for the time being with what you have even if it is not up there, but you may have to consider putting some more money into amplification. From my experience, the differences for the TH900 are less critical (which I think is actually a big plus in its favour)

Personally, while I like the TH900, there no question for me that a properly amplified LCD-3 is the better choice. As a matter of fact, with my current tube set and recent DAC upgrade (which actually for once made a (slightly) audible difference) I cannot think of any improvement other than -maybe- a super-expensive Stax-stack (that I would not be able to afford any time soon...)

I felt very similarly in regards to the Signature Pro and the TH900, its a definite audio upgrade most noticeably in the soundstage / imaging and 'naturalness' of music and movies.. congrats on the new phones - hopefully it will cure your upgrade'itis for a while 

Thanks for the information. I am not worry for amplification since I own a WA5-LE fully upgraded and a Dark Star. I also have the SR-009/727II combo.

Since I got the W3000ANV I don't listen to the D7000 and DX1000 so they are targeted for the For Sale forum soon. 

Can you describe your LCD-3 mod?

Thanks for the information. I am not worry for amplification since I own a WA5-LE fully upgraded and a Dark Star. I also have the SR-009/727II combo.

Since I got the W3000ANV I don't listen to the D7000 and DX1000 so they are targeted for the For Sale forum soon. 

Can you describe your LCD-3 mod?

Quote:

You can read some of my comments here, mostly comparing it to the W3000ANV (thus in that thread) but also mentions the LCD-3. The TH900 is nice by itself, but very colored in comparison to the LCD-3 which has almost flat response across the spectrum in comparison. Graphs are available and while they don't tell the whole story, I think they are clearly representative of what can be heard.
 

So based on your past listening preferences, that should be a fairly clear choice to make. They are both very good in their own way but certainly quite different in character. I'd considered this choice the most important deciding factor.

A practical consideration may be comfort (which IS important). The TH900 is the most comfortable headphone I have worn, on par with my ATH W5000. The LCD-3 is heavier but while relaxing in a chair, not such a big deal. My biggest gripe are the suction-cup leather pads. Their softness is great, but the suction effect was bad until I added a small mod, the single biggest improvement in comfort for me. Also, the leather is weird, supposedly real leather but somehow feels almost like pleather (?), nothing like Audio Technica's higher-end offerings... Actually, the TH900's "fake" leather made from eggshell membrane feels more "real" and comfortable.

One other consideration is amplification: the TH900 is easy to drive (even if some people put down some serious $$$ to get the "best" amplification for it), the LCD-3 on the other hand DOES require quite a bit of oomph and the differences are definitely audible. You can use it of course for the time being with what you have even if it is not up there, but you may have to consider putting some more money into amplification. From my experience, the differences for the TH900 are less critical (which I think is actually a big plus in its favour)

Personally, while I like the TH900, there no question for me that a properly amplified LCD-3 is the better choice. As a matter of fact, with my current tube set and recent DAC upgrade (which actually for once made a (slightly) audible difference) I cannot think of any improvement other than -maybe- a super-expensive Stax-stack (that I would not be able to afford any time soon...)