mickeyvee said:

Hey David, thanks again for the wonderful work and as far as I'm concerned, one of the best the review/comparisons on the net! (and I do spend too much time surfing tech and audio stuff)
 
Quick question for you. I have the HD700's which I really do like and have been looking for a complimentary set of cans. I've narrowed it down to the HE500 and the LCD2r2. I've had the HD600, HD650 and HE400 and prefer the HD700 over them (open, airy, fast, solid bass but a little sharp at times). I liked the fullness of the HE400 but there seemed to be something missing. From what little I've heard of the LCD2r1, I really like them. A little less polite with some good slam. I've read so many good things about the HE500 though but will not have a chance to hear them. Basically looking for a can with some more (good) bass slam, fullness/richness in the mids and a little less sharp.  Any thoughts between the two as a compliment to the HD700?
Thanks! M.

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cdewey said:

I want to say thanks for such an in depth review. I can only imagine the amount I've time invested in this.

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lugbug1 said:

Pleased I'm not the only one who listens to their music in high heels. (only when the wife is out

Of course this is for the damping factor you understand. Don't want any unnecessary vibrations traveling from my headphones to the floor. *Cough*

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hifimanrookie said:

Maybe an alternative to wearing high heels.

i just got myself a set of baby footies for my dap and a set of ultra firm tender feet from herbies audio lab for my amp..i didnt believe my ears after putting them on first time so i took them off and listened without...and put them on again..geesh..guys..am not kidding..those little feet are magical! Bass more deeper and more impact..sounds more real also...tremble got somehow so more velvetly..soundstage a bit more wide..just a bit...dont know how this happens!..i can now listen to music on higher level because of the tremble being so smooth now without getting headaches..and the feet are deadcheap compared to other vibration thingies for ur amp/dap. Am now tuberolling..and as soon i know which one pairs to keep..i will certainly be buying their tube rings also for my amp from them.maybe even try their connector rings!
.best buy i did in years (except for the supercheap comfy overband thingie for my he500)..guys just try it..its not flashy..but it works! Imho

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davidmahler said:

Thank you Hubert.  That would explain a lot because the problem was partially fixed when I taped the perimeter of one of my K1000s with electric tape to keep the grills still, but the problem wasn't fixed entirely.  It's too bad I wasn't able to properly diagnose the issue because the tape sure doesn't look so hot
 
Hi Foxy, it depends what you want to spend.
 
I think the best amp that I've heard is the Neo Classic 300B by Manley Labs.  It's one of the best pairings in my whole collection I think.  That's a very expensive amp though.  There are Lebens that people swear by but I haven't heard them much.
The Ray Samuels Raptor sounds very very good with the HD800.
 
If you wish to go Solid State, I think the SPL Phonitor OR Auditor is a tremendous pairing.
 
I have not heard the AKG K550 yet (at least I can't remember having heard it)

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davidmahler said:

I think the HE-500 may be the way to go because it is not quite as full as the HE-400, has a little more of the snap of the HD700.  The LCD-2 Rev 1 (not heard the Rev 2) is fuller than the HE-500 and you may like that as well.  I would probably go with the HE-500 in your case though.
 

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kolfer1 said:

Thank you David for your project of love. Both informative and exceptionally helpful.
 
One aspect that I personally find to be the most important in deciding on headphones, is how well the human voice sounds on them. You do address it on some of the reviews in the "vocal" category. However, not in all reviews. (For example the HD-800 or the LCD-2 or the Grados.) Is it not there on a specific review, because you don't find that aspect to be a strength?
 
I wonder if that was an area you found hard to categorize on those headphone, or if there is another reason?
(It is subjective and I understand that in a way it is on the review in categories like "Transparent" etc.)
 
If you have an opinion you'd like to share about that "category" (vocal) (I guess i would define it as human voice sounding most engaging) on which of the top 'in production' headphones like The LCD-2 & 3, HD-800, Grados, HE 6 & 500 you find to excell in that category.  That will be highly appreciated.
 
Other opinions will be appreciated as well.

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mickeyvee said:

Thanks David.  That's been my thought event though there seems to be more love for the LCD2.  As a bonus, I still have a gorgeous Q cable from when I had my HE400. 

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davidmahler said:

If for some reason I don't mention vocals, it doesn't necessarily mean that it doesn't handle vocals well. It may just mean that it didn't stick out as much for me.  Vocals come forward when the sound is slightly thick and I feel someone who really likes to pay attention to the vocal specifically would benefit from a headphone which possesses this quality.

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kolfer1 said:

Thanks David.
If that is something you feel comfortable discussing, which head phones, did you find to posses and excel in this quality?

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kolfer1 said:

Thanks David.
If that is something you feel comfortable discussing, which head phones, did you find to posses and excel in this quality?

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hifimanrookie said:

He500?

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sniping said:

Can't wait for the HE-400 review!

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davidmahler said:

sure, although the deeper voice (typically male) tends to occupy (and take prominence in) a slightly different frequency range than a higher voice (typically female) and for that reason it's not always definitive that a headphone can be equally flattering (or unflattering) to all voices.  As a rule of thumb, if I suggest that any headphone is neutral-ish, then its, at the very least, not going to over-color the voice.  This is a good thing.  If a headphone has a forward midrange then it will tend to bring the voice forward - if the low mids are forward, it may add a sense of richness to voice, especially the male voice.  So for instance, I think that the HD650 sounds great with the male voice (and yes the female voice too).  That's just one example.  But if you can use my "rule of thumb" here, it may help.
The HE-500 really doesn't do anything poorly, except perhaps it wouldn't satisfy a self-proclaimed bass-head, so yes, it does excel with vocals for sure.
it's a-comin'

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streetdragon said:

Hi David, any idea how a HD598's vocals compare to the HD650?

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