Battle Of The Flagships (57 Headphones Compared) UPDATE: Ultimate Ears UERM added (4/14/13) - Page 37

Quote:

Originally Posted by kepler28nm 

why is my lcd-2 placed after hd800? I bought it after head-fiers reportedly told me audeze's were superior than hd800 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyaems 

 

preferences bro... preferences.

Quote:

Originally Posted by olor1n 

 

Head-Fi told me the LCD-2 was the greatest thing ever. Head-Fi told me the HD800 was a brittle, ear piercing analytical tool devoid of soul. Head-Fi told me the HD650 was a slow, veiled and boring headphone.

 

The HD800 remains, and continues to impress. The LCD-2 was a disappointment I lived with for 12 months. I understand the praise, but I also think it's overstated. The HD650 is gone but will soon be brought back into the stable. It may just be my favourite out of the 3.

 

Never take Head-Fi as gospel.

Yup, it's all about the preferences.

I've tried the LCD-2's at multiple meets with different amps/DACs and they continue to disappoint me. Its soundstage is rather suffocating and the highs...just seem lacking to me. As a whole, the LCD-2 just seems too dark for my personal tastes, and it seems that that sound characteristic is carried on to the LCD-3.

On the other hand, the HD800 continues to impress me as well. I will never forget how "wowed" I was when I heard the HD800 for the first time. Everything just seemed so clear, airy, and very spacious. I would go for an HD800 any time, any day over the LCD-2, but again it's a personal preference for sound.

While on the topic of Sennheiser's headphones, I'm still not completely impressed with the HD650. To me it still sounds rather dark compared to the HD800 *cough Sennheiser veil* and its soundstage isn't all that large either. It's not a particularly fast headphone too, so maybe that's a personal preference as well (in comparison I really like the speed of the K 701 and SRH940). I can definitely see the appeal for it, but it's not my cup of tea.

Quote:

Originally Posted by miceblue 

Yup, it's all about the preferences.

 

 

It is, but it's also about systems, choice of music, hearing acuity and, above all, listening level. Those who listen at a lower level are going to hear less bass and treble and thus be less susceptible to treble glare (remember the old loudness controls?). I can well understand someone tolerating an HD800 very well if they listen at well below "live" levels. Or finding an LCD-2 dim and dark. Crank the volume and the whole picture changes.

 I often think this has a lot to do with totally contradictory opinions of the same phone

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkbeat 


He has a preference for colder or more analytical headphones due to listening to a lot of classical music. That the LCD2s made it as high as they did is testament to their quality.
Personally the HD800s stabbingly bright treble and overly analytical nature is a turn-off and most people tend to prefer the Audeze's sound sig. Tyll too rates them better than the HD800 but it's all about preference. Hopefully David will add the Rev 2 in the future, but until then trust your own ears and not someone else's

I mostly listen to classical, but occasionally dark jazz.  I had ultrasone pro 900 for a month, until I decided the highs were too sharp for my ears. My portable rig is d2k, which also has ear-piercing highs, but I've gotten used to it. When i was listening to classical on both cans, the piercing highs are just too fatiguing. How is hd800 in comparison?

The LCD-2 sounds good jacked into any hole. You could probably plug your backside and get a sense of why their fans are so vocal.

The HD800 requires a bit more effort. As others have found, the harsh and grating upper registers are likely symptomatic of poor upstream components. It's cool if you prefer a warmer signature, but it's not really that helpful to perpetuate myths, particularly when you don't state what chain of components the HD800 dangled from.

Quote:

Originally Posted by olor1n 

The LCD-2 sounds good jacked into any hole. You could probably plug your backside and get a sense of why their fans are so vocal.

 

The HD800 requires a bit more effort. As others have found, the harsh and grating upper registers are likely symptomatic of poor upstream components. It's cool if you prefer a warmer signature, but it's not really that helpful to perpetuate myths, particularly when you don't state what chain of components the HD800 dangled from.

Already pulling the insufficient amping rabbit out of the hat? $2k tube amps CAN tame the HD800 treble, but most people advise EQ'ing a straight -3 or -4db in the highs regardless. Subjective reports of harsh treble are also backed up by objective measurements and headphone data. The HD800 is cold, analytical and not what I define as an enjoyable listening experience.

Regardless, no need to crusade for your favorite headphone. The HD800 is fantastic and worthy of it's position on this comparison. I personally prefer the LCD-2 and a majority of others do as well, but that shouldn't change or effect your listening experience at all, it certainly hasn't for David. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkbeat 

2. That David favors cold or analytical headphones only goes to show how natural, transparent and outright awesome the LCD2 and LCD3 really are, at #12 and #8 respectively.
 

I think it also shows his open-mindedness about the lattitude of sound a good headphone should have. I don't doubt from his comments that he is very tolerant of certain phones that might have some of us running for the nearest exit, but he doesn't dismiss other approaches to fidelity either. It's also interesting that he can hear and acknowledge how much detail the LCD-2 provides despite "lacking air" (and remember, this is a Rev1). He truly does seem to have the mythical "Golden Ear" that Jason was seeking (oh no, sorry, that was fleece).   

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkbeat 


You're prone to sibilence/harshness in treble, like many (myself included). You would probably not like the HD800s.

What do you think about the T1s?

I've tried them out of the C2.2 & Schiit Lyr with E88CCs and the treble peek bothers me a bit. (More so out of the C2.2 than Schiit Lyr.) I'm going to try some Mulland tubes but eventually I'd like to move to the WA2 and see if that solves the treble spike...

Everyone told me the HD650 was over priced here in Australia $499, and is slow, boring, and just plain dull. Was very happy to see them so high up the list. 

Anyway tried the dt880's, (which are fanastic by the way) tried the akg701, tried the HE400's Tried the shure 1440's......among other around the same price range.......put the HD650's and it was obvious from the get go, that when properly amped it sounded better than all the other ones. This list just confirms what I hear. 

Also My alessandro Ms-pros could not be beat.......well that was until the hd650's came along. When amped they are very hard to beat for the price. 

Just one thing........I find them really power hungry? Of something like an ibasso D12 they sound pretty average :/ like they miss dynamics and depth. Are there any portable amps that can actually fully power these cans?

For once it would be nice to just leave the HD800 vs LCD-x debate at the door. There's plenty of other forums on this.

Astonishing. That is all I can say. Thank you so much for this, I am sure it will be immensely helpful to all those who read it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkbeat 

Had another good read, a few things that come to mind;
1. Sound quality rightfully isn't everything. For example the HE-6 drops "points" for its lackluster design, questionable build quality and uncomfortable nature, more so than other Hifimans due to it's price. This just further accentuates why this is one of the best reviews ever
2. That David favors cold or analytical headphones only goes to show how natural, transparent and outright awesome the LCD2 and LCD3 really are, at #12 and #8 respectively.
3. The HE-500 really is the sweet spot for price/performance. I'd also like to see the HE-400 as I'd guesstimate it would make the top 30.
4. I'm buying an LCD-3 and blaming David if my wife finds out.

not sure how your wife wouldn't find out but good luck with that :D

Hi David,

A great review as well as an excellent addition to this excellent website :)

Also, I was  wondering if you prefered the HE-500 or LCD-2 and why?

I know they are very different and I ve read many things about them, but just wanted to know your opinion :)

Thanks!

Best regards, Luke

Wow, an incredible review and thread. While I appreciate it was opinion oriented, the biggest value to the review is the fact that you HAVE and USED all these headphones. Not to mention your experience. I must say it is very impressive and while many may disagree with some of your verdicts, I think EVERYONE can certainly use your review as a starting point for a place to compare and also consider the nuances as well as open the door to other considerations.

I am a total novice in the headphone space and started with some Grado SR60s. As a live music taper for decades (everything from Jazz to the Grateful Dead), I always appreciated a good set of headphones, but my money was being poured into the portable recording equipment and microphones, not headphones. I had no real idea what amazing headphones could sound like, as I focused on speakers to listen to music.

I recently received (from my wife) HE-300s and while not making your list and certainly not in the top 50, it was a HUGE step-up for me and certainly gave me a greater appreciation for headphones. I am saving for another pair (in a limited budget) and those HD-600s and HE-500s (both A+ by you) are on my list for final considerations.

Thanks again  - this was a big treat and education.

Regards...