HE500 or LCD2 or both? (please share your impressions) Mini Review and POLL (please vote) - Page 28

Quote:

Originally Posted by LNCPapa 

I've read through all 400 posts in this thread and I'm still having problems deciding on which pair of headphones I should get out of these two.  It's kind of funny that I stumbled across this thread as I was just about to make one and before I could even search to see if one existed it popped up like some sort of suggested threads thing.  Anyway, it may help to know what kind of music I currently listen to:

 

35% Neo-Soul (all of this is CD quality)

25% Jazz (Dizzy, Miles, Coltrane, etc. - most of these are old recordings and don't sound as good as I'd like anyway, even though some are sourced from SACD)

20% Soul/R&B/Hip-Hop (almost none of this is hd audio - maybe 4-5 albums)

5%  Classical (a decent portion of this is hd audio)

15% Everything Else (includes Rap, Electronic, Latin)

 

I typically enjoy just putting my entire library on random play as it helps me remenisce on my older albums.

 

Now for a flurry of questions... What version is the LCD-2 that is available at WooAudio?  Which is the version most people actually want?  I keep seeing everyone talk about the 2.2 but is that the best option for someone just getting into realy audiophile territory?  I read many things about wood splitting and updated designs but I'm still a bit confused.  I'd like to establish a relationship with WA since I plan to purchase a WA7 from them in March or April so I'd like to purchase both from there if I go with the LCD-2. I do not have the funds to buy both headphones and still get the WA7, so I can't go that route.  My current DAC is probably not up to the task of running either of these cans so I will definitely be getting a replacement DAC/Amp.  I'm using a TubeMagic D1 with upgraded OpAmps atm - fine for powering my current headphones but not on the right scale for these two.

 

I currently have and old pair of K240 and a pair of AKG Q701 that I really like except that seem anemic on the lower end.  I then added a pair of Denon AH-D600 that were very difficult to listen to because they were so bass heavy.  I couldn't listen to jazz at all with those 600's and the bass was always overpowering no matter what genre of music.  I tried burning them in for over 100 hours but it didn't seem to change anything.  Don't get me wrong, I love bass, but I like the rest of the frequency range too so I didn't like that it was so in your face that I couldn't focus on anything else.  I listened to some M50's and they were just "meh" for me.  Something I would buy for my eight-year-old daughter if she asked for it, but just not my cup of tea.  FYI - nothing will make me take off a pair of headphones faster than sibilance.  I've found that my 701s calm right down in that area after they've been playing at a decent volume for a few minutes.  When I first got those cans it was so bad that I thought they were defective.  After a couple hundred hours of burn-in they are much better.  Weight of the headphones is a non-issue for me as I used to listen to those giant earcup Pioneer headphones back in the 80's and even those never bothered me.

 

Foobar is my tool of choice and I only do flac for music.  I won't be EQing any sound out or making any other change to sound behavior other than maybe new tubes, though I hear that's pretty difficult with the WA7 at the moment.  I may watch a movie now and then from my PC but typically I'll go to my home theater to do that so it's not an important factor for the headphone choice either.  Please help me out guys, I'm getting really distracted in my daily activities trying to figure out which of these cans I should go with.  I love listening to my music with my current kit but always feel like there is something missing that would bring tears to my eyes if I could just hear it.  I'm not big on returning items so I don't want to get one with the expectation that I'll return it and try the other and there is no place in my area (Raleigh) to audtion either of these.  I'm sure I'll also be too scared to do any type of modding to either pair of these cans so consider that in your recommendation.  I won't be doing any jerg modding or anything like that unless I happen to get a free extra (as in third) pair of cups or I find some for sale.  They will most likely remain stock once I get them other than eventually BUYING a new cable.  I'm too much of a n00b to make my own cables.  I'm also hoping that these will be the last set of cans I buy for several years (except maybe a decent set of closed ones).

 

Sorry for the long first ever post... I've been lurking for a very long time now and just recently decided to join formally.

Welcome to head-fi, officially 

Alright, let me break it down. Both headphones will do great with either genre. I'm sure others will say that they have a preference for certain genres, but overall it really doesn't make too much of a difference. Not in the sense of sonic similarity, but rather the enjoyment you'll get. After getting used to the sound of each, both will sound fantastic. 

Bass is killer on both, but the LCD-2 has more of a kick. Although the HE-500's bass seems a bit faster. Both go deep and have enough quantity for every genre, except maybe rap - for which I recommend Denon's.

I think most people that want to get a LCD-2 or HE-500, usually have to make a difference between the two. Also after getting one of them, I would suspect people either end up getting the other or plan on getting it in the future. No matter which one you get, eventually you'll want the other.

I personally got the HE-500 first due to price. With the HE-500, things are going to be quite exciting off the start. It has far better treble overall in comparison to LCD-2. HE-500 has better imaging and is more wide and airy. The LCD-2 will give you more depth, and a better center stage. It's a bit more smoother sounding overall than HE-500. The mids on both are equal to me along with vocals.

Also based off your current collection, the HE-500 will blow completely blow you away. The LCD-2 is also very good, but takes time to get used to, especially if you have been spoiled with a HE-500 or similar.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LNCPapa 

I've read through all 400 posts in this thread and I'm still having problems deciding on which pair of headphones I should get out of these two.  It's kind of funny that I stumbled across this thread as I was just about to make one and before I could even search to see if one existed it popped up like some sort of suggested threads thing.  Anyway, it may help to know what kind of music I currently listen to:

 

35% Neo-Soul (all of this is CD quality)

25% Jazz (Dizzy, Miles, Coltrane, etc. - most of these are old recordings and don't sound as good as I'd like anyway, even though some are sourced from SACD)

20% Soul/R&B/Hip-Hop (almost none of this is hd audio - maybe 4-5 albums)

5%  Classical (a decent portion of this is hd audio)

15% Everything Else (includes Rap, Electronic, Latin)

 

I typically enjoy just putting my entire library on random play as it helps me remenisce on my older albums.

 

Now for a flurry of questions... What version is the LCD-2 that is available at WooAudio?  Which is the version most people actually want?  I keep seeing everyone talk about the 2.2 but is that the best option for someone just getting into realy audiophile territory?  I read many things about wood splitting and updated designs but I'm still a bit confused.  I'd like to establish a relationship with WA since I plan to purchase a WA7 from them in March or April so I'd like to purchase both from there if I go with the LCD-2. I do not have the funds to buy both headphones and still get the WA7, so I can't go that route.  My current DAC is probably not up to the task of running either of these cans so I will definitely be getting a replacement DAC/Amp.  I'm using a TubeMagic D1 with upgraded OpAmps atm - fine for powering my current headphones but not on the right scale for these two.

 

I currently have and old pair of K240 and a pair of AKG Q701 that I really like except that seem anemic on the lower end.  I then added a pair of Denon AH-D600 that were very difficult to listen to because they were so bass heavy.  I couldn't listen to jazz at all with those 600's and the bass was always overpowering no matter what genre of music.  I tried burning them in for over 100 hours but it didn't seem to change anything.  Don't get me wrong, I love bass, but I like the rest of the frequency range too so I didn't like that it was so in your face that I couldn't focus on anything else.  I listened to some M50's and they were just "meh" for me.  Something I would buy for my eight-year-old daughter if she asked for it, but just not my cup of tea.  FYI - nothing will make me take off a pair of headphones faster than sibilance.  I've found that my 701s calm right down in that area after they've been playing at a decent volume for a few minutes.  When I first got those cans it was so bad that I thought they were defective.  After a couple hundred hours of burn-in they are much better.  Weight of the headphones is a non-issue for me as I used to listen to those giant earcup Pioneer headphones back in the 80's and even those never bothered me.

 

Foobar is my tool of choice and I only do flac for music.  I won't be EQing any sound out or making any other change to sound behavior other than maybe new tubes, though I hear that's pretty difficult with the WA7 at the moment.  I may watch a movie now and then from my PC but typically I'll go to my home theater to do that so it's not an important factor for the headphone choice either.  Please help me out guys, I'm getting really distracted in my daily activities trying to figure out which of these cans I should go with.  I love listening to my music with my current kit but always feel like there is something missing that would bring tears to my eyes if I could just hear it.  I'm not big on returning items so I don't want to get one with the expectation that I'll return it and try the other and there is no place in my area (Raleigh) to audtion either of these.  I'm sure I'll also be too scared to do any type of modding to either pair of these cans so consider that in your recommendation.  I won't be doing any jerg modding or anything like that unless I happen to get a free extra (as in third) pair of cups or I find some for sale.  They will most likely remain stock once I get them other than eventually BUYING a new cable.  I'm too much of a n00b to make my own cables.  I'm also hoping that these will be the last set of cans I buy for several years (except maybe a decent set of closed ones).

 

Sorry for the long first ever post... I've been lurking for a very long time now and just recently decided to join formally.

Do you live in the states?  If so IMO this is the best program running at the moment.  So sign up for both before it's to late:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/645941/headamp-headphone-demos-audeze-hifiman-stax-sign-up-now

I would recommend buying from Justin as well.  But - to each is own with that..

Hey man..  Lets trade some Neo-Soul stuff 

The LCD-2.2s are the only version available now new. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by LNCPapa 

I've read through all 400 posts in this thread and I'm still having problems deciding on which pair of headphones I should get out of these two.  It's kind of funny that I stumbled across this thread as I was just about to make one and before I could even search to see if one existed it popped up like some sort of suggested threads thing.  Anyway, it may help to know what kind of music I currently listen to:

 

35% Neo-Soul (all of this is CD quality)

25% Jazz (Dizzy, Miles, Coltrane, etc. - most of these are old recordings and don't sound as good as I'd like anyway, even though some are sourced from SACD)

20% Soul/R&B/Hip-Hop (almost none of this is hd audio - maybe 4-5 albums)

5%  Classical (a decent portion of this is hd audio)

15% Everything Else (includes Rap, Electronic, Latin)

 

I typically enjoy just putting my entire library on random play as it helps me remenisce on my older albums.

 

Now for a flurry of questions... What version is the LCD-2 that is available at WooAudio?  Which is the version most people actually want?  I keep seeing everyone talk about the 2.2 but is that the best option for someone just getting into realy audiophile territory?  I read many things about wood splitting and updated designs but I'm still a bit confused.  I'd like to establish a relationship with WA since I plan to purchase a WA7 from them in March or April so I'd like to purchase both from there if I go with the LCD-2. I do not have the funds to buy both headphones and still get the WA7, so I can't go that route.  My current DAC is probably not up to the task of running either of these cans so I will definitely be getting a replacement DAC/Amp.  I'm using a TubeMagic D1 with upgraded OpAmps atm - fine for powering my current headphones but not on the right scale for these two.

 

I currently have and old pair of K240 and a pair of AKG Q701 that I really like except that seem anemic on the lower end.  I then added a pair of Denon AH-D600 that were very difficult to listen to because they were so bass heavy.  I couldn't listen to jazz at all with those 600's and the bass was always overpowering no matter what genre of music.  I tried burning them in for over 100 hours but it didn't seem to change anything.  Don't get me wrong, I love bass, but I like the rest of the frequency range too so I didn't like that it was so in your face that I couldn't focus on anything else.  I listened to some M50's and they were just "meh" for me.  Something I would buy for my eight-year-old daughter if she asked for it, but just not my cup of tea.  FYI - nothing will make me take off a pair of headphones faster than sibilance.  I've found that my 701s calm right down in that area after they've been playing at a decent volume for a few minutes.  When I first got those cans it was so bad that I thought they were defective.  After a couple hundred hours of burn-in they are much better.  Weight of the headphones is a non-issue for me as I used to listen to those giant earcup Pioneer headphones back in the 80's and even those never bothered me.

 

Foobar is my tool of choice and I only do flac for music.  I won't be EQing any sound out or making any other change to sound behavior other than maybe new tubes, though I hear that's pretty difficult with the WA7 at the moment.  I may watch a movie now and then from my PC but typically I'll go to my home theater to do that so it's not an important factor for the headphone choice either.  Please help me out guys, I'm getting really distracted in my daily activities trying to figure out which of these cans I should go with.  I love listening to my music with my current kit but always feel like there is something missing that would bring tears to my eyes if I could just hear it.  I'm not big on returning items so I don't want to get one with the expectation that I'll return it and try the other and there is no place in my area (Raleigh) to audtion either of these.  I'm sure I'll also be too scared to do any type of modding to either pair of these cans so consider that in your recommendation.  I won't be doing any jerg modding or anything like that unless I happen to get a free extra (as in third) pair of cups or I find some for sale.  They will most likely remain stock once I get them other than eventually BUYING a new cable.  I'm too much of a n00b to make my own cables.  I'm also hoping that these will be the last set of cans I buy for several years (except maybe a decent set of closed ones).

 

Sorry for the long first ever post... I've been lurking for a very long time now and just recently decided to join formally.

I broke into Orthos with the HE-500 - I got an open box refurb that just made them the orthos I could afford.  The ortho sound is just something above and beyond the dynamics I've heard (note: I haven't heard the HD800 yet).  I remember just plugging them in and listening to an ALAC rip of Sonic Youth's 'Experimental Jet Set Trash and No Star' and feeling like I was in a small studio with the band.  This is an album I'm quite familiar with, so it was such a surprise to have it feel so intimate and 'real'.  I moved up from the HD650 and there's just no comparison.  So much of the energy that was missing from the HD650s for rock was suddenly 'there' again, but cleaner than anything I'd heard before.  At the same time, the HE-500 do put you at a certain distance from the music, mostly because of the detail retrieval - likely I was at a distance because I was actively analyzing my music so much more - the HE-500s just sort of invite it.  There's so much air!  But you get used to it and you sort of 'reenter' your music again.

What makes your dilemma difficult is that you could likely be happy with either.

I do live in the US but it seems I'm too late to get on that list.  All is not for naught though as it seems someone here saw my post and gave me a possible contact in the area to maybe audition both of these headphones.  I'm going to follow up on his suggestion this week and see where I land.  Thanks guys!

I have the HE500s and I was able to compare them to LCD-3, T1 and HD800. Unfortunately, the HE500s were certainly bested by all three, but they are still great and I enjoy them everyday. I just got the WA7 amp and the the HE500 are much more lively and enjoyable to listen to compared to my hybrid desktop HP amp. I was not able to compare to them to LCD2.

I think I've mostly decided on a WA7 + LCD-2 setup - though I decided to order the WA7 first.  Once that arrives and I feel it out with my current gear I'll order the LCD-2... unless I change my mind before then.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3Pillars 

I have the HE500s and I was able to compare them to LCD-3, T1 and HD800. Unfortunately, the HE500s were certainly bested by all three, but they are still great and I enjoy them everyday. I just got the WA7 amp and the the HE500 are much more lively and enjoyable to listen to compared to my hybrid desktop HP amp. I was not able to compare to them to LCD2.

Sixmoons reviews on both the orthos are pretty biased I feel. It's one of the most common readings when shopping for end-game level cans. It's really dependent on if you like that certain tonality that it leans heavily towards. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by rezolver 

This is how my HE-500's sound to me while powered by the SPL Auditor amplifier which if fed by an Audio-gd Reference 5.2 DAC (in contrast to the LCD2v2's).

 

Anathema (whole album) but if you need a song, listen to - Untouchable Part 1, at 2:55 in, the distorted guitar kicks in and sounds outright menacing.  Then at 5:10, what the hell is that sound on the left?

 

On Song 2, Untouchable Part 2 sounds superb with well balanced piano to vocal placement.  

 

The LCD2's, the vocals are pushed too forward, killing the ability to hear the piano clearly.  

 

Female vocals send me chills on the HE-500's and trail off so beautifully.  The music to space ratio is 50/50.  Breathtaking.  At 3:45 into the song...  The drums are clear and snappy.  But I can't 'feel' them.

 

Follow that up with, The Gathering of the Clouds (its song 3 on the B-side).  Lightening at the start, thrilling.  Acoustic guitar speed is precise like a needle.  This is a very taxing song of your gear.  You will either get separation or a wall of sound.  HiFi's CHEW through this song like its nothing.  Acoustic speed, double vocals, violins, piano, drums, female vocals.  It all comes in one, by one, by one.  Stunning layering.  This song is a masterpiece.

 

On the LCD2's, it sounds like a "wall-of-mess".  Hate to say it -- that's how I hear it.

This album has been my go to listen since it was purchased and I am very familiar with it. From my stock car stereo, to my gym mp3 player with senn buds to my headphone setup to a b&w speaker setup, that's how many different ways I've heard.

 

If you want chilling female vocals that involve some fantastic 'throat flubber' (???, hahha), move onto song 4.  YOUZA!

 

HE-500's are a clear winner when matched with an SPL Auditor and a Audio-gd ROC SA but I'll give a HUGE nod to the Auditor.  That is my amp of choice for precision and has become my favorite amp.  RAZER SHARP and yet musical (thanks to the Reference 5.2 maybe?).  The Audio-gd ROC SA is the "safer sound choice" and will be more likable by most as the sound is more inviting.  very middle ground.  The SPL will feed your ears precision.

 

Happy Listening.

 

P.S. This album is mastered beautifully and layered so perfectly.  A+++ (I'd like to get LFF's opinion of this album's mastering.  LFF, if you are reading, drop an opinion and let me know how it sounds on your ears)

Wow! I listened to all these compositions and they sound awesome on the LCD2.2s. Mjolnir/Gungnir motivating the cans with strength and grace as always. Cool turn on this music. Buying for the collection. BTW the LCDs handled everything superbly. IMHO...

Quote:

Originally Posted by korzena 

I suspect that the people who enjoy LCD-2s are so happy that they haven't bothered buying HE500 hence they cannot compare hence are not eligible to vote:)

 

But honesty, I think this really may be the case - some people have only LCDs, some only HE500, not so many have both. This is also the reason I couldn't give my vote.

I have never heard nor do I own a pair of the HE500s (would love to try them though to compare) so ineligible to vote BUT if I could the LCDs are purely awesome paired with the Mjolnir/Gungnir balanced all the way through. This rig may not be the absolute best, but for me it is just smokin' hot. Totally a pleasure to get inside the phones and listen for hours. Really.