**Hifiman HE-400 Impressions and Discussion Thread** - Page 497

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Lust Envy 

Listening to some bamboo LCD2's that I just got from Headamp's loaner program.

First impression on sound: HE-400 bass + HD650 mids and treble + refinement = LCD2.

So if you love both the HE-400 for it's bass, and everything else on the HD650, the LCD2 is for you.

Hate the pads though. Seriously. UGH. And it has that airplane pressure feel when you put them on. Not the greatest feeling. The weight of the bamboo LCD2 doesn't feel much different from the HE-400, so that's not really a concern.

Really wish I had the vegan pads.

Not gonna lie, I would sell the HE-400 and get the LCD2 + Vegan pads, as endgame. Can't afford it though, and I wouldn't give up my Annies for the air, soundstage, gaming prowess and comfort.

So basically

LCD2 + Annie = I'd be done.

Interesting stuff MLE. I've long been fascinated with the LCD2 and would only consider it if it were a clear step above the HE400 which you seem to think it is. I got a couple of questions if you don't mind. 

First and foremost, how does the fit and finish compare to the Hifimans? I would assume it's on another level. Secondly what do you make of the clamp? If it's anything like the HE400 I'd be happy with it. It's also good that you don't find it heavy.

Detail retrieval... how does it compare to the HE400? I guess this is partly related to the treble which you say is like the HD650, so in other words recessed and smooth. Wouldn't this give the impression that there is less detail being resolved?

I also find your comment on air/soundstage being similar to a closed can to be interesting. I've read many times how the LCD2's soundstage is small, but many counter that by saying it's more realistic, and presents a wider soundstage when it's present in the recording. I've also read that there's plenty of air between instruments, but you don't agree there. How does it compare to the HE400 in that regard?

Sorry for the question overload, color me curious.

You should stop making positive reviews of headphones i can't afford

Is that loaner program valid for Brazil too?

For those of you who want an endgame sound but don't want the LCD2 (dis)comfort and prices, there's always HE500 . I prefer HE500 over LCD2 anyhow, so that more than saves $300 for me.

For what LCD2 offers in bass quality, HE500 offers as much in treble and openness.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Lust Envy 

I wouldn't say it's a clear step up. It just has a tonality that I feel is better than the HE-400s, which doesn't have those LCD2 mids, and a bit too much treble. If the HE-400 had a similar frequency curve, I think the HE-400 would definitely be most of the way there.

Fit and finish: I don't particularly care for the LCD2's finish, and I feel they are about as comfy as the HE-400, pad differences aside, and a few extra point for the HE-400 for not hurting the top of my head. I am starting to feel pressure on the top of my head though, which isn't exactly comfortable. The HE-400 has it beat on that regard. The clamp doesn't seem problematic to me. I don't care for the pressure/suction that is like tight/closed headphones on the LCD2.

Detail retrieval: I'm not too keen on these things without direct comparison, but the mids are more upfront, which is where most music is at, so it has the HE-400 beat on that. The treble is smooth, but I don't personally find them to be laid back or anything. Treble aids in air, but it's not the final word. The HE-400 is definitely more airy and spacious sounding. The LCD2 has very good instrument separation, and I honestly can't say which is better as I don't have the HE-400 on hand right now. Better to ask Raven who's about to get his soon-ish.

There are things the HE-400 and LCD2 have in common, but the mids and treble differences make them not exactly comparable. Too much of a difference in emphasis between the two in that regard to truly compare, IMHO. The best thing to compare between the two would be the bass, DEFINITELY.

The LCD2 is definitely sound first, everything else second. I don't like the way it looks or feels, at all, but the sound alone warrants purchase, as long as vegan pads really help in comfort around the ears without sacrificing sound.

Interesting thanks. If I ever upgrade my HE-400s I would want something that's better in all aspects, not just some, and since you say the HE400 is more airy and spacious sounding that would be kind of a bummer since that's important to me. I'm now curious as to how the LCD3 performs here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Lust Envy 

The LCD-2's bass is a definite thing of beauty. I'd obviously have to hear the HE-500 though. I don't see the need for more treble and air, at least for music needs, but the LCD2 is definitely not perfect or even an all rounder. Can't get away from that wall of sound the LCD2 has which is engaging, but not realistic, IMHO.

LCD2's tonal balance in the treble region is definitely south of neutrality, but is within the margin for "naturalness" still. Same with HE500's treble quantity. I'd say if neutrality is at 0, and naturalness dictates treble has to be arbitrarily between 1 and -1, then LCD2 is at -1, while HE500 is at maybe -0.3.

Air is always good, air means distance between sound cues, aka spacious 3D separation/imaging.

As for degree of engagement, LCD2 and jergpadded HE500s are on par I think. Velours on HE500s make them a bit more HE400-like in tonality (sharper treble, more spacious but less lush midrange).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Lust Envy 

Well, the LCD2 is very, very well known for it's sound, so it shouldn't be surprising that I like them a lot based off that, but comfort leaves a bit to be desired, and I think they are ugly headphones, personally. Also don't think they'll be great gaming cans either aside from casual/fun gaming.

I doubt the LCD2 not being good for gaming is something anyone would worry about.

I had a Stax SR-007 in mind for a future update, but i'll probably end up getting a HE-500 after all. Anyways, i'm pretty happy with the HE-400, don't feel the needing to change it right now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerg 

LCD2's tonal balance in the treble region is definitely south of neutrality, but is within the margin for "naturalness" still. Same with HE500's treble quantity. I'd say if neutrality is at 0, and naturalness dictates treble has to be arbitrarily between 1 and -1, then LCD2 is at -1, while HE500 is at maybe -0.3.

 

Air is always good, air means distance between sound cues, aka spacious 3D separation/imaging.

 

As for degree of engagement, LCD2 and jergpadded HE500s are on par I think. Velours on HE500s make them a bit more HE400-like in tonality (sharper treble, more spacious but less lush midrange).

I would say so.

Quote:

Originally Posted by beaver316 

 

Interesting thanks. If I ever upgrade my HE-400s I would want something that's better in all aspects, not just some, and since you say the HE400 is more airy and spacious sounding that would be kind of a bummer since that's important to me. I'm now curious as to how the LCD3 performs here.

Air is better with the LCD-3 and all aspects are slightly more refined. Still by many considered to be not worth their 2000 USD price tag. The improvement is not that big.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Lust Envy 

Well, the LCD2 is very, very well known for it's sound by their owners, so it shouldn't be surprising that I like them a lot based off that, but comfort leaves a bit to be desired due to their weight, and I think they are ugly headphones, personally. I think they are great gaming cans including casual/fun gaming.

I do find the LCD-2 ugly too :/

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Lust Envy 

I wouldn't say it's a clear step up. It just has a tonality that I feel is better than the HE-400s, which does have similar LCD2 mids, and a bit too much treble. If the HE-400 had a similar frequency curve, I think the HE-400 would definitely be most of the way there.

Fit and finish: I don't particularly care for the LCD2's finish, and I feel they are about as comfy as the HE-400, pad differences aside, and a few extra point for the HE-400 for perhaps slightly hurting the top of my head sometimes. I am starting to feel pressure on the top of my head though, which isn't exactly comfortable. The HE-400 has it beat on that regard. The clamp doesn't seem problematic to me. I don't care for the pressure/suction that is like tight/closed headphones on the LCD2.

Detail retrieval: I'm not too keen on these things without direct comparison, but the mids are more upfront, which is where most music is at, so it has the HE-400 beat on that. The treble is smooth, extended and I don't personally find them to be bright back or anything. Treble aids in air, but it's not the final word. The HE-400 is definitely more airy and spacious sounding. The LCD2 has very good instrument separation, and I honestly can't say which is better as I don't have the HE-400 on hand right now. Better to ask Raven who's about to get his soon-ish.

There are things the HE-400 and LCD2 have in common, but the mids and treble differences make them not exactly comparable. Too much of a difference in emphasis between the two in that regard to truly compare, IMHO. The best thing to compare between the two would be the bass (IMO), DEFINITELY.

The LCD2 is definitely sound first, everything else second. I do like the way it looks or feels though, but the sound alone warrants purchase, as long as vegan pads really help in comfort around the ears without sacrificing sound.

Hint: http://www.head-fi.org/t/650912/hifiman-he-6-ultimate-review-write-up

NOT promoting! Okay maybe slightly :)

(those posts are the property of their respective owners. I do not own them, merely borrowed a certain amount of form or shape and altered it. :D)

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattTCG 

 

I didn't find the lcd2 and he500 to be voiced very similarly. The tone of the hp's are pretty different. I'd compare the new MD to the he500 and say that between those two the MD sounds better, is more comfortable and cost $400 less. 

Didn't say the two have the same voicing, just that their tonal balance in terms of treble quantity with regards to the lower end of the FR are both south of neutral (to different degrees).