Quote:
Originally Posted by
TMRaven 
I'm not quite sure how something like the LCD-2 can be more of a 'one-note bass' compared to something like the HD800, when the LCD-2 has probably the least amount of harmonic distortion in its bass reproduction according to measurements? One note bass is usually a characteristic of dynamic drivers-- granted hd800 and its ring radiator isn't the conventional dynamic driver.
You see, it just is... And very expressively so. To my ears, at lest.
You may think now that I'm under placebo effect or anything, but i really like to A-B test a lot from time to time, and I always have the same impression (as some friends who also listened to my HP collection).
Now, my guess is... Here we go:
The bass on new planar-magnetics (talking Audez' and HiFiMan here) is truly that much "present", thick and really extended. But it is so, extended, without capturing all nuances of each chord that is producing the reproduced low-frequency note.
I'm not saying that it's punchy like a Grado (lacking almost any deepness), the LCD-2 is "deep" with it's low-frequency notes but in a very "thick" way. That thickness and impactfulness in the bass, as much as planar-magnetics may be immune to "ringing" (high-frequency resonance), makes a considerable volume of air to move and "slam" your ear (specially so with LCD-2 huge planar diaphragm). And that, my friend, makes the whole headphone resonate - which add lot's of "emotion" and, even, "texture" to the music and is quite pleasant for some people (and some music styles. Just as Grado famous treble "ringing" is considered by many as being great with electric guitars, making them sound "crunchy" and "live-like") - and that (together with the air itself and, also, the "thick and syrupy" nature of LCD-2 FR itself) ends up making the low-frequency micro-detail of, say, acoustic chords overwhelmed by such an "amount of bass" (as controlled and "tight" as it may sound like). The same goes for HiFiMan, the new planar-magnetic diaphragms are just really big and when they move really fast to reproduce the bass "kicks" they do move quite some air and you can feel (I can) them shaking in your head just a bit when it happens.
Now back to the HD800, it has it's share of anti-resonance recourses: the Leona '40% glass-fiber hi-density plastic' and the 'steel-fiber tissue' holding the driver; the ringed architecture of the whole driver itself; even the artificial 'alcantara' fiber for the earpads and headband is resonance-containing. All that makes the whole headphone structure unshakable when attached to the head no matter how low the frequency is and much air the diaphragm moves. This is great for acoustic material since it makes possible the listening of lots of micro-detail withing low-frequencies (and the whole music spectrum for that matter, without letting and detail ever get "covered" by bass impact) but turns out that this approach - as good it may sound on paper - lacks the impact needed for some types of modern music (electronic, fast rock and metal...) in the end (unless you crank the volume to some really loud levels, making the treble way too harsh and piercing. Only them the HD800 starts showing some bass impact that makes justice to fast metal tracks).
Hope this helps! Again, these is just as I see it - or hear it, should I say - not "claiming" to know anything, please.
Edited by faverodefavero - 7/21/12 at 2:06am
. I've just got my own LCD-3s now, which is fine for a while. I liked the T-1s enough to think that I will might be adding a pair at some point, but in the end I strongly preferred the LCD-3s. 
With 'stats, once you consider a source too, it is possible to spend ~$30k on a headphone rig. Insane*, but possible.
