rcbintn said:

Have you considered the LCD-X?  Very easy to drive - they sound good to me with only a computer + dragonfly DAC.

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Haven't considered them maybe as much as I should...The weight kind of concerns me. It seems these are 100g heavier, and the weight/comfort of the LCD2's is the biggest reason I'm slow to decide. It's reassuring to me when a headphone is around for a little while- earned it's reputation over the course of years. Also LCDX is more expensive. All that said, LCDX is probably a better headphone, and I might enjoy it more.

Hey everyone,
 
Recently built a Beta22 and feel that my weakest link in my source are my headphones-- ATH-AD900's. While I love them, I know that it's time for an upgrade (and my girlfriend will get my 900's for her setup and my friend will get her 700's for his setup!). I was originally going to go for the ATH-AD2000X's, but truthfully I'm overwhelmed with the choices available. I love the comfort factor of Audio Technicas and the overall sound profile, but there are so many cool cans out there (T1, HD800, LCD-3, HE series, etc.) that I'm having a hard time deciding. The Beta22 revealed a level of audio in music that was studio-presence revealing and I'd love to see what headphones would do it justice.
 
This is my last.fm if anybody can make a suggestion based off of my listening preferences: 
 
http://www.last.fm/user/Xovaan
 
I listen to a pretty varied collection of genres so it's hard to make a real decision here. I have my headphones on 4-6 hours a day without fail so comfort is a huge factor-- weight not so much, as long as they're lighter than my motorcycle helmet.
 
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 
 
Thanks!   

xovaan said:

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 

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Visit a Head-Fi meet.

Damn, one seems pretty close, pretty soon. Thanks for the heads up! (no pun intended)

xovaan said:

  Hey everyone,
 
Recently built a Beta22 and feel that my weakest link in my source are my headphones-- ATH-AD900's. While I love them, I know that it's time for an upgrade (and my girlfriend will get my 900's for her setup and my friend will get her 700's for his setup!). I was originally going to go for the ATH-AD2000X's, but truthfully I'm overwhelmed with the choices available. I love the comfort factor of Audio Technicas and the overall sound profile, but there are so many cool cans out there (T1, HD800, LCD-3, HE series, etc.) that I'm having a hard time deciding. The Beta22 revealed a level of audio in music that was studio-presence revealing and I'd love to see what headphones would do it justice.
 
This is my last.fm if anybody can make a suggestion based off of my listening preferences: 
 
http://www.last.fm/user/Xovaan
 
I listen to a pretty varied collection of genres so it's hard to make a real decision here. I have my headphones on 4-6 hours a day without fail so comfort is a huge factor-- weight not so much, as long as they're lighter than my motorcycle helmet.
 
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 
 
Thanks! 

 

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If comfort a factor, definitely HD800. You can wear it forever pretty much. Just worry about the amp, DAC and source or else it will disappoint. I never found the Audeze or Hifiman cans comfortable enough to wear for periods of time (Audeze's clamp pretty bad, hurt my jaw after about 15 minutes...Hifiman is better, but you notice them after an hour or so). Can't comment on the T1, but it should be fine if anything like the DT660. Audio Technicas are comfortable if you can get them to stay put on your head...I HATE their headband design.

goldfishx said:

   
If comfort a factor, definitely HD800. You can wear it forever pretty much. Just worry about the amp, DAC and source or else it will disappoint. I never found the Audeze or Hifiman cans comfortable enough to wear for periods of time (Audeze's clamp pretty bad, hurt my jaw after about 15 minutes...Hifiman is better, but you notice them after an hour or so). Can't comment on the T1, but it should be fine if anything like the DT660. Audio Technicas are comfortable if you can get them to stay put on your head...I HATE their headband design.

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mmm i wear the he400s all day long & i don't have trouble with comfort or clamping. i really like planar magnetic headphones heh
 
edit: btw, hifiman has come out w/ new HE400i & HE560s that have an improved headband design & decreased weight for increase comfort! coming soon to a store near you in march

money4me247 said:

  mmm i wear the he400s all day long & i don't have trouble with comfort or clamping. i really like planar magnetic headphones heh

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A few nights a week, I'll wear the HE-6 all night and sometimes overnight without discomfort or clamping issues. The design may never land the cans onto a Parisian Catwalk but comfort is not an issue.

money4me247 said:

 
edit: btw, hifiman has come out w/ new HE400i & HE560s that have an improved headband design & decreased weight for increase comfort! coming soon to a store near you in march

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Any difference in sound? xD

Congrats to anyone that can wear most planars on the market for extended periods of time. The current crop is definitely not for me. All the more reason to save up for an electrostat setup.

goldfishx said:

Congrats to anyone that can wear most planars on the market for extended periods of time. The current crop is definitely not for me.

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Weight?

sinocelt said:

Weight?

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Audeze - Clamp (probably weight too, but I cant wear them for more than 15 minutes without getting a sore jaw, so moot point)
Hifiman - Weight (not noticeable until after I take them off after at least an hour, hurts the ears)

The pair of LCD2 I had clamped less than the HE-400, Mad Dogs and Sennheiser line of headphones I've tried.  The big leather pads probably go a ways in reducing the clamp.  I don't see how anybody can complain about Audeze clamp when there's some serious deathgrips out there in other headphones.

An excellent work DavidMahler

tmraven said:

  The pair of LCD2 I had clamped less than the HE-400, Mad Dogs and Sennheiser line of headphones I've tried.  The big leather pads probably go a ways in reducing the clamp.  I don't see how anybody can complain about Audeze clamp when there's some serious deathgrips out there in other headphones.

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It's the shape of the LCD2 pads. They are big and bulky and angled. They press against my jaw when the headphone is worn, even though they are soft. 15 minutes, tops, is all I can wear them for. I slept with them once and woke up with intense jaw pain. It seems to vary from person to person.
 
No comment on He-400 or non-HD800 Senns (HD800 = super comfortable, although pads are a little harder than I would prefer) and Mad Dogs with Shure pads I can wear for hours on end (I have heard Alpha Pads are less comfortable). Just frustrating when something as basic as fit becomes an issue.

goldfishx said:

  It's the shape of the LCD2 pads. They are big and bulky and angled. They press against my jaw when the headphone is worn, even though they are soft. 15 minutes, tops, is all I can wear them for. I slept with them once and woke up with intense jaw pain. It seems to vary from person to person.
 
No comment on He-400 or non-HD800 Senns (HD800 = super comfortable, although pads are a little harder than I would prefer) and Mad Dogs with Shure pads I can wear for hours on end (I have heard Alpha Pads are less comfortable). Just frustrating when something as basic as fit becomes an issue.

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HiFiMAN HE-400i and HE-560, both newly announced at CES, will weight around 350g... You might want to check it out - http://www.head-fi.org/t/698831/fresh-outta-ces-the-hifiman-he-400i-and-he-560/270