Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Battle Of The Flagships (57 Headphones Compared) UPDATE: Ultimate Ears UERM added (4/14/13)
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Battle Of The Flagships (57 Headphones Compared) UPDATE: Ultimate Ears UERM added (4/14/13) - Page 198

post #2956 of 3743
2/21/13 at 4:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by korzena View Post

Also I am not sure if HE-400 is such a good complementary headphone to LCD-2.2. I think the sound of both have quite a lot in common. I appreciate HE-400's greater aggresiveness, however I don't think it's much faster than my LCD-2. At the same time the 'tizziness' in treble annoys me a bit and 'forces' me to consider using EQ (which I am not a big fan of).
 

Will my brain/HE-400 burn in to the point where the treble won't be an issue or I should come to the conclusion HE-400 is not for me? If so, what is a good alternative for a complementary headphone to LCD-2.2 that will be used mainly for listening to 'spacious' electronic music?

I would like such headphone to:
- have more air and feel of spaciousness in depth, width and height
- more aggressiveness and speed
- sound that has good weight (not thin)
- very engaging and emotional



To a great degree I find my Westone 3 (IEM) such a headphone. If I could find this kind of sound in full-sized, I would be very happy:)

I'm enjoying the K701's as a nice compliment to the Audeze at then mo.  Give them plenty of juice and you can get a very balanced, open and engaging sound. Warning though, under-amp these and they will sound a little thin. They may sound wamer with certain amps but may still be under amped and woolly sounding with not enough current. There is also the treble peak. Problem is at this level, big soundstage and treble peaks go hand in hand - can't have one without the other unless you want to go high Stax territory. Even my old K702's had bigger soundstage albeit the extra treble/less warmth. Equaliszing isn't too bad if you always subtract rather than add. I've been playing around with the foobar equalizer and a couple of notches down at both 2 and 10khz sorts it out in an instant. You haven't added anything so there shouldn't be any added distortion.

Or you could go for the Annies wink_face.gif 

But I don't think there is much else for you that ticks all the boxes above in the price range, maybe a 650 with the driver foam mod? but even then the soundstage is nowhere near as good as the AKG's. As regards to 'emotional' don't think that you can do better than the LCD2's. I attribute warmth and body to bring out a close and more intimate sound that can be much more emotional than a large articulate sound.

Some peeps like the new Philips X1's as a kind of mix of 650 and KXX with compensations like not as good timbre.. but could be an option.  

Reply

Gear mentioned in this thread:

post #2957 of 3743
2/21/13 at 5:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by LugBug1 View Post

There is also the treble peak. Problem is at this level, big soundstage and treble peaks go hand in hand - can't have one without the other unless you want to go high Stax territory. 

 

Get yourself a pair of new HD800, my friend... No harsh peaks, extremely defined soundstage and no need for tube amps in order to enjoy their sound (at least with newer batches). Keep LCD-2 to complement them. You're done!

 

Look at my signature - if a treble-sensitive person like me can fully enjoy them with modern genres and on neutral SS amp, you definitely would as well!

Reply
post #2958 of 3743
2/21/13 at 5:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by RustA View Post

 

Get yourself a pair of new HD800, my friend... No harsh peaks, extremely defined soundstage and no need for tube amps in order to enjoy their sound (at least with newer batches). Keep LCD-2 to complement them. You're done!

 

Look at my signature - if a treble-sensitive person like me can fully enjoy them with modern genres and on neutral SS amp, you definitely would as well!

Ok then you win... Erm, can I borrow some cash please bigsmile_face.gif

 

I'm sure I'll get to try them some day, but the only way I could buy a new HD800 would be if I sell my LCD2's.. And I'd rather sell my ass hahah

 

Actually...?

 

 

Any sailers frequent here..? One ass for sale! good rates, well looked after etc :D


Edited by LugBug1 - 2/21/13 at 5:47am
Reply
post #2959 of 3743
2/21/13 at 12:01pm

This makes me a very proud HE-400 owner, finally they get the credit they deserve!

 

However I would not place the HE-400 beneath the HD650, in terms of sound quality or value. The HE-400 is able too shine with some simple modifications, that do not cost anything.

While the HD650 needs a premium amp to shine, which will probably cost you more than the headphone itself.

Reply
post #2960 of 3743
2/21/13 at 12:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by LugBug1 View Post

I'm enjoying the K701's as a nice compliment to the Audeze at then mo.  Give them plenty of juice and you can get a very balanced, open and engaging sound. Warning though, under-amp these and they will sound a little thin. They may sound wamer with certain amps but may still be under amped and woolly sounding with not enough current. There is also the treble peak. Problem is at this level, big soundstage and treble peaks go hand in hand - can't have one without the other unless you want to go high Stax territory. Even my old K702's had bigger soundstage albeit the extra treble/less warmth. Equaliszing isn't too bad if you always subtract rather than add. I've been playing around with the foobar equalizer and a couple of notches down at both 2 and 10khz sorts it out in an instant. You haven't added anything so there shouldn't be any added distortion.

Or you could go for the Annies wink_face.gif 

But I don't think there is much else for you that ticks all the boxes above in the price range, maybe a 650 with the driver foam mod? but even then the soundstage is nowhere near as good as the AKG's. As regards to 'emotional' don't think that you can do better than the LCD2's. I attribute warmth and body to bring out a close and more intimate sound that can be much more emotional than a large articulate sound.

Some peeps like the new Philips X1's as a kind of mix of 650 and KXX with compensations like not as good timbre.. but could be an option.  


Thanks for the recommendation. I need to try K702 out. Actually once I listened to them for a moment at a store, but I had an impression their sound didn't have enough weight. However maybe there was no good match of the amp (Heed Canamp) and the headphones weren't burnt-in (I've heard that burn-in improves a lot in case of these cans).

Do you think K702 performs well with electronic, synthetic music? Have you maybe tried them with soundtracks like Dark Knight, Tron or Star Wars?:)

 

What about HD800? Does it work well with these kinds of music? I've heard it's better suited for classical..


Edited by korzena - 2/21/13 at 12:15pm
Reply
post #2961 of 3743
2/21/13 at 12:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by korzena View Post


Thanks for the recommendation. I need to try K702 out. Actually once I listened to them for a moment at a store, but I had an impression their sound didn't have enough weight. However maybe there was no good match of the amp (Heed Canamp) and the headphones weren't burnt-in (I've heard that burn-in improves a lot in case of these cans).

Do you think K702 performs well with electronic, synthetic music? Have you maybe tried them with soundtracks like Dark Knight, Tron or Star Wars?:)

 

What about HD800? Does it work well with these kinds of music? I've heard it's better suited for classical..

Hd800 is a wonderfull can..Big but...u need to invest big in amping to make them shine.

Reply
post #2962 of 3743
2/21/13 at 12:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by korzena View Post


Thanks for the recommendation. I need to try K702 out. Actually once I listened to them for a moment at a store, but I had an impression their sound didn't have enough weight. However maybe there was no good match of the amp (Heed Canamp) and the headphones weren't burnt-in (I've heard that burn-in improves a lot in case of these cans).

Do you think K702 performs well with electronic, synthetic music? Have you maybe tried them with soundtracks like Dark Knight, Tron or Star Wars?:)

 

What about HD800? Does it work well with these kinds of music? I've heard it's better suited for classical..


I dont believe the k702 and the hd800 are in the same price league anyways...

Reply
post #2963 of 3743
2/21/13 at 6:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dleblanc343 View Post

The HE-6 audibly has superior details across the spectrum compared to the HD800's on my McIntosh 225 besides upwards 2khz. The LCD-3 pads do contribute a lot. The velours really muddy the sound in comparison. The stock leathers are simply bad with the HE-6. The highs on the HD800 are noticeably better controlled at ~2khz point and up though.

That's not what I heard on my brother's McIntosh...sorry, to my ears the HD800s best the HE-6s with regards to detail retrieval. The only headphone I've heard better are the SR-009s. YMMV of course. 

Reply
post #2964 of 3743
2/21/13 at 8:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by LugBug1 View Post

 

Any sailers frequent here..? One ass for sale! good rates, well looked after etc :D

 

Ever see that episode of Blackadder where he goes down to the docks to sell his body to passing sailors. In the next scene he arrives home disgruntled and throws sixpence on the table. biggrin.gif

Reply
post #2965 of 3743
2/21/13 at 8:29pm
Thread Starter 

Hey guys,

 

Wanted to just come back and say that due to a death in the family (as well as some other personal things), I've been forced to take a break from the review.  I will be back in "here" soon, but I'm taking a break.  Sorry guys:(

Reply
post #2966 of 3743
2/21/13 at 8:33pm

My condolences to you, David.

Reply
post #2967 of 3743
2/21/13 at 8:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidMahler View Post

Hey guys,

 

Wanted to just come back and say that due to a death in the family (as well as some other personal things), I've been forced to take a break from the review.  I will be back in "here" soon, but I'm taking a break.  Sorry guys:(

Sorry for your loss. frown.gif

Reply
post #2968 of 3743
2/21/13 at 9:41pm

Sorry for your loss David frown.gif

Reply
post #2969 of 3743
2/21/13 at 10:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidMahler View Post

Hey guys,

 

Wanted to just come back and say that due to a death in the family (as well as some other personal things), I've been forced to take a break from the review.  I will be back in "here" soon, but I'm taking a break.  Sorry guys:(

 

My condolences to you and your most wonderful family. Your loved one would want you to thrive, so I'm wishing you well on new beginnings...

Reply
post #2970 of 3743
2/21/13 at 11:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidMahler View Post

Hey guys,

 

Wanted to just come back and say that due to a death in the family (as well as some other personal things), I've been forced to take a break from the review.  I will be back in "here" soon, but I'm taking a break.  Sorry guys:(

my condolences to you and your family

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Headphones (full-size)

Gear mentioned in this thread:

Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Battle Of The Flagships (57 Headphones Compared) UPDATE: Ultimate Ears UERM added (4/14/13)