Owned LCD-2 rev1 for two weeks and thinking of selling it... already. Advice on what next?

Before I elaborate on the matter at hand, let me just say that the previous headphone that I spent all of my time listening to was the HD650.  I love the sound of the HD650, I just thought maybe the LCD-2s might be better due to all of the talk around here.
 
So naturally, I thought the LCD-2 was the next step up from the HD650s.  I thought that since I have a wide genre of music, the LCD-2s might be for me.  I have been listening to my LCD-2s ever since I got them (paired with the HA-160D) and thought they were amazing (but very uncomfortable) for this duration.  Everything seemed so much more lively, and the bass extended very deeply.  The problem is, I was too focused on the technicalities of the headphone, and failed to realize that to my ears, it lacked musicality.  
I listened to my HD650s for the past few days, and I believe these still suit me better.  Along with this, the amount of fatigue on my ears is far less, even at higher volumes.  Even when listening to the HD650s on the HRT MSII+/Valhalla combo, I felt much more relaxed and felt like the music flowed better vs the HA-160D/LCD-2 combo.  
 
Most members described the LCD-2 as a pair of headphones with very lush mids, but coming from the HD650, it's hard to find the mids lush and warm.  I feel like the vocals are much more distant compared to the HD650.  This could be what people would call 'neutral' or 'natural' music, but perhaps that means that I prefer my mids to be colored?  That's when I realized mids were quite possibly the most important thing to me in music.  
 
Along with this, the treble roll off wasn't an issue at first, as I thought that I hated treble... However, I began to notice songs were missing music as I switched back to my HD650s.  Songs where the female vocalist would hit a high note would be missing the magic due to this.
 
To all of those that say the sound signature is very much like the HD650... I vote not.  The laid back presentation of the HD650 allows it to have its lushness and extremely warm vocals.
 
The one thing I will miss about the LCD-2s is the amazing reproduction of bass quantity and quality over the HD650.  It does not seem like the LCD-2s produce more bass, but the lows, deepness, and extension of it is unreal. 
 
I guess after all of the complaining above, my question to you all is this... Advice for either an upgrade to the HD650s: a pair of headphones with truly similar sound signature to the HD650, OR take the plunge and invest in the La Figaro 339 with some tube rolling that many HD650 lovers have been ranting about?
 
If I go with the second option, and I enjoy the HRT MSII+/LF 339 combo, I will probably sell my Burson (even though I do thoroughly enjoy its pairing with the HD650).

Why not to try T1 which you can find in for sale forum right now. I heard LCD2 at the meets and can't find anything special with them. Yes LCD-3 are totally different story but they are $1900 and I don't think sound quality improvement can justify so huge price difference over T1 or now discontinued D7000

I went from the HD650 to the LCD-2 Rev1 and had a similar reaction to you--similar at least in that I felt at first that I was missing something and that maybe the Audeze wasn't for me. Now it's over 12 months later and I can't imagine what I was thinking, or rather hearing. The LCD-2 is just a much better headphone, period. The HD650 is seductive and you can get very used to that creamy wodge of sound it sends into your eardrums, but trust me, the LCD-2 is just a more neutral, more natural phone in every way. Give yourself time, mentally compare the LCD-2 to whatever memory you have of the sound of live music; don't do any comparing with the 650 or any other headphone; just listen and ask yourself if it sounds like live music. I found with the LCD-2 that, compared to the 650, it separates the strands of the music and lays it all out for you, and that takes some getting used to. You don't say how long you've been listening to the Audeze but I suspect it's not nearly long enough.
 
Two further points. The 650 is more comfortable and nothing can change that. Comfort is the one legitimate reason for remaining with the 650. Also, the LCD-2 does not have treble roll off. The treble is maintained to a quite high range. What it has is shelved treble, but that's intended to counter the unnatural brightness of having a small driver right by your ear. I found that with a reasonably lively amplifier and maybe a silver aftermarket cable (no need to spend more than $150) the balance is very neutral.   

maybe you can get a tube amp for the lcd2 and get a more romantic sound People seem to recommend it with a wa6se

Quote:

vc1187 said:

The problem is, I was too focused on the technicalities of the headphone, and failed to realize that to my ears, it lacked musicality.  
 

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Yep. With you on this one OP, though I suspect many won't understand. There's no questioning the LCD-2 is superior technically, but that never translated to the same level of engagement I experienced when listening through the HD650.
 
 

pp312 said:

You don't say how long you've been listening to the Audeze but I suspect it's not nearly long enough.
 
Comfort is the one legitimate reason for remaining with the 650.

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12 months with the LCD-2 rev.2 could not sway my preference away from the HD650. And comfort being the only legitimate reason to remain with the HD650? No. See above.

Quote:

pp312 said:

 You don't say how long you've been listening to the Audeze but I suspect it's not nearly long enough.
 
Also, the LCD-2 does not have treble roll off. The treble is maintained to a quite high range. What it has is shelved treble, but that's intended to counter the unnatural brightness of having a small driver right by your ear. I found that with a reasonably lively amplifier and maybe a silver aftermarket cable (no need to spend more than $150) the balance is very neutral.   

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The title says I owned it for 2 weeks, and I listened for about 1 and a half of those weeks (at least 4-5 hours a day).
 
To me, 'shelved treble' is the same as a treble roll off.  Shelved to the point it's inaudible or barely audible in some instances does not get me excited.  Don't get me wrong, I'm sure for some the LCD-2 is a wonderful and 'natural' pair of headphones as so many mention... however, maybe that just means that I like a very unnatural, colored, creamy, warm sound.
 
How do the T1s sound in retrospect of the LCD-2s?  Also, what would you guys recommend to go with the T1?  I am leaning towards buying an LF339 since I love the HD650s so much.  How do the HD800s compare?

HE500 is a much more natural upgrade from HD650 because it retains the relatively mid-centric frequency response without over-exaggerating the bass or under-representing the treble (all relative, of course). Try that perhaps, OP.

I've been meaning to try the HE500.  How are the mids of the HE500 compared to the T1?  

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vc1187 said:

I've been meaning to try the HE500.  How are the mids of the HE500 compared to the T1?  

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The mids on the he500 are very good. I have not hear the T1, so I can't give any advice there. One other suggestion since you like somewhat darker hp and want more bass than the hd650 offers consider the Madddog by Mr. Speakers. It's a closed hp but has wonderful bass presence similar to lcd2 and nice mids. 
 
gL!!

Quote:

matttcg said:

 
The mids on the he500 are very good. I have not hear the T1, so I can't give any advice there. One other suggestion since you like somewhat darker hp and want more bass than the hd650 offers consider the Madddog by Mr. Speakers. It's a closed hp but has wonderful bass presence similar to lcd2 and nice mids. 
 
gL!!

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I'm not sure if I actually like darker headphones, I just know that I like close, intimate, lush mids, with great soundstage imaging
Generally though, that does mean darker headphones, unless there is a headphone with excellent treble extension, decent bass, lush mids, and large open soundstage imaging.  From what I've read, it begins to sound like the HD800 or T1.

Quote:

vc1187 said:

 
I'm not sure if I actually like darker headphones, I just know that I like close, intimate, lush mids, with great soundstage imaging
Generally though, that does mean darker headphones, unless there is a headphone with excellent treble extension, decent bass, lush mids, and large open soundstage imaging.  From what I've read, it begins to sound like the HD800 or T1.

Click to expand...

 
Just so you know, HE500s are much less dark than Audezes' line of headphones, it has a similar overall tonality to HD650s, except it has a much more extended bass, more treble definition, and a tiny bit more laid-back upper mids (not by much though, just enough to sound more natural).
 
So if LCD2s are a 1 on the dark~bright scale, and HD650s a 4, then HE500s would be a 3.5.

If you like that thick ortho sound this would be the way to go (or an HE6 if you have a nice speaker amp. 
Quote:

jerg said:

HE500 is a much more natural upgrade from HD650 because it retains the relatively mid-centric frequency response without over-exaggerating the bass or under-representing the treble (all relative, of course). Try that perhaps, OP.

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From my end I'd look at trying the Rev 2 as I didn't like the Rev 1 either but really liked the Rev 2. The other thing I'd look into is a better amp than the 160.
 
Overall I think the HE500 would be better as it does better with more modest amping (easier to drive). 

So how about this idea...
 
Selling the LCD2 rev.1 and the HA-160D
 
Buying HE-500 and La Figaro 339 (With some after market tubes).
 
Think this will satisfy my audio sensation?  Reading posts from users that seem to have a similar musical preference as myself, it looks to be a good idea...
 
What do you guys think?

Quote:

vc1187 said:

So how about this idea...
 
Selling the LCD2 rev.1 and the HA-160D
 
Buying HE-500 and La Figaro 339 (With some after market tubes).
 
Think this will satisfy my audio sensation?  Reading posts from users that seem to have a similar musical preference as myself, it looks to be a good idea...
 
What do you guys think?

Click to expand...

I agree that the HE500 is a better upgrade if you like the 650 sound, they are also very musical with better imaging and definition. The Figaro amp won't do the HE500's any favors though, they Ideally need a powerful solid state or hybrid. Some peeps like tubes with Orthos but I found them to sound a bit too warm and lacklustre. They need current and lots of it to open and sharpen up. Try and find something that gives out at least 2 watts into 32/38 ohms. I use the Audio gd c2.2 and it feeds them 3 watts and is quite a bargain once you've upgraded the opamps (stock is too warm). The Schitt Lyr is popular with these too, though haven't heard myself.

Quote:

vc1187 said:

 
I'm not sure if I actually like darker headphones, I just know that I like close, intimate, lush mids, with great soundstage imaging
Generally though, that does mean darker headphones, unless there is a headphone with excellent treble extension, decent bass, lush mids, and large open soundstage imaging.  From what I've read, it begins to sound like the HD800 or T1.

Click to expand...

 
Perhaps the LCD3 is closer to what you're looking for.