Don't understand the LCD-2 Rev. 2 Hype - Page 2

I came from the LCD-2 rev1/rev2 and currently using the HE-500.  I definitely understand the copper cable preference for the HE-500.  I am not as fond of the silver cable it came with.

 

I actually like the LCD-2 and HE-500.  I don't feel one blows the other one out of the water.  Each one has its strengths.  It's subjective so while I respect your opinion, my feeling is that these two headphones are on equal footing.  Maybe I had a spectacular LCD-2 rev2 and you got an amazing HE-500.  Sample to sample variation?  I could easily say (though I wouldn't) that "I can't see how anyone thinks the HE-500 blows away LCD-2".  Would I be right?  Yes to me but each person will make their own opinion.  I spent 9 months with the LCD-2 and just a couple weeks with the HE-500.

 

My previous LCD-2 had better resolution, imaging, and focus than my current HE-500.  My HE-500 is more transparent, has a wider soundstage, sweeter midrange, and a slightly brighter signature that I like.  In the end I could be happy with either headphone because of their individual qualities.    

 

 

 

At most, I see people preferring the LCD2 slightly better. In fact, I've never read any opinion here that states that one blows the other out of the water. Most people agree that it's close and comes down to personal preference.

 

No need to get all uppity because some people prefer one over the other.

They all do. The supplied graphs are smoothed to the point of being nearly useless.

 

The LCD-2 is fairly free of treble peaks, compared to other headphones including the HE-500 (check the graphs on Inner Fidelity, for example). For some people (like me) this seems to work quite well. For others, not so much. You might like a treble peak, even ignoring "bright" vs. "dark".

I never had the pleasure or displeasure of hearing the flat stock cable.  I eventually went for the copper Litz cable but that is another story......

 

 

Cables of any kind have never been shown to make a repeatable and audible difference. So I really, really don't think that's going to be the problem and if you're thinking of throwing money around to fix it, don't.

Seems like Hifiman and Audeze try a lot of different stock cable configurations with the goal of making them better with each version.  My LCD-2 rev2 was from June with the rounder cable.  Decent cable.  Don't know about the flat cable.    

 

 

i noticed a change from when i got the LCD-2 to now.

 

at first they sounded very flat and boring while being veiled. the bass was practically nonexistant

 

they really open up after about 50 hours

Can't wait for my amp to show Fri/Sat, it'll be the weekend at any rate! I love gettin' my stuff from Thursday to Saturday. Oh, what to do... obviously I should wait for answers. But I always have a Plan B. Which is why I'm preparing myself for a second premier headphone in the event 25ohms falls flat with the OTL.

 

Sure, it'll work, but we like things optimized.  Hesistantly, giving pre-owned LCD-2's the EYE!

 

Edited by Silent One - 2/23/12 at 12:38am

I too am interested in giving LCD-2s a try. I've been getting antsy about waiting so long for Thunderpants (5 months) so I might give the Audezes a monthlong audition and see why they are so recommended as compliments to the HD800s.

Can't wait for the review of your new nameless amp SO
Edited by Draygonn - 2/23/12 at 1:02am

the flat cable is terrible. the split section looked very weak and the overall quality of the cable was low for a headphone of this price. i was worried about the cable breaking so  i ended up getting something from double helix cables to upgrade.

+1

They sound awesome but I could never get past the looks or how it felt like car tires clamped to my head. I should give the HE-500's a try some day.