Hello Head-Fi,
It is about time I registered here, especially now that having a floorstanding stereo setup is no longer feasible for me and am restricted to headphones only.
I am currently trying to decide what purchase would be best for me, debating between three headphones: Ultrasone Edition 5, Audeze LCD-3, and the Final Audio Design Pandora X.
I am not completely new to the world of headphones; I have owned the Sennheiser HD595, Denon AH-D2000, Shure SRH1540 with various DAC and head-amp combinations, and currently own the Denon AH-D7100 with an iFi Nano iDSD DAC and Schiit Magni. Only both Denon headphones have left a positive impression on me. Not necessarily due to a superior quantity of bass, but because the headphones sound more "exciting" and less dry or clinical. The Shure and Sennheiser just seemed to produce sound to me, and were not daring in any way. If i just take Blu-ray movies as an example with lossless audio tracks, the Denon AH-D7100 can go from crystal clear controlled highs to low Hz output without any trouble whatsoever. It is especially the crisp highs and mids that continue to impress me in the Denon.
My music preference is 100% 24-bit classical music and lossless instrumental soundtracks along with the occasional movie--absolutely nothing else. I have no distinct preference to what I am searching for right now, as long as the headphones have the ability to give that "WOW" factor, and are somewhat comparable to full-range floorstanding speakers. Which is why I am veering towards the Audeze LCD-3 right now, but I would also want to consider the Ultrasone Edition 5 and the Final Audio Design Pandora X, but neither of them have much info on them, especially in relation to other headphones. What are the strengths and weaknesses of either in comparison to the LCD-3. Money is not a factor; I would just like the best headphone for me possible (yes I know there is always the Stax-SR009 but truth be told I do not think that one will satisfy my taste) and would be glad to hear input from anyone. Other headphone suggestions are of course also welcome.
Based on my experience with the Magni I will more than likely be purchasing the Schiit Mjolnir to accompany the headphone and will keep my excellent North Star Design Impulso as a DAC.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Regards.
EDIT: I think I might add that I have no possibility of testing any of these headphones myself prior to purchase.
It is about time I registered here, especially now that having a floorstanding stereo setup is no longer feasible for me and am restricted to headphones only.
I am currently trying to decide what purchase would be best for me, debating between three headphones: Ultrasone Edition 5, Audeze LCD-3, and the Final Audio Design Pandora X.
I am not completely new to the world of headphones; I have owned the Sennheiser HD595, Denon AH-D2000, Shure SRH1540 with various DAC and head-amp combinations, and currently own the Denon AH-D7100 with an iFi Nano iDSD DAC and Schiit Magni. Only both Denon headphones have left a positive impression on me. Not necessarily due to a superior quantity of bass, but because the headphones sound more "exciting" and less dry or clinical. The Shure and Sennheiser just seemed to produce sound to me, and were not daring in any way. If i just take Blu-ray movies as an example with lossless audio tracks, the Denon AH-D7100 can go from crystal clear controlled highs to low Hz output without any trouble whatsoever. It is especially the crisp highs and mids that continue to impress me in the Denon.
My music preference is 100% 24-bit classical music and lossless instrumental soundtracks along with the occasional movie--absolutely nothing else. I have no distinct preference to what I am searching for right now, as long as the headphones have the ability to give that "WOW" factor, and are somewhat comparable to full-range floorstanding speakers. Which is why I am veering towards the Audeze LCD-3 right now, but I would also want to consider the Ultrasone Edition 5 and the Final Audio Design Pandora X, but neither of them have much info on them, especially in relation to other headphones. What are the strengths and weaknesses of either in comparison to the LCD-3. Money is not a factor; I would just like the best headphone for me possible (yes I know there is always the Stax-SR009 but truth be told I do not think that one will satisfy my taste) and would be glad to hear input from anyone. Other headphone suggestions are of course also welcome.
Based on my experience with the Magni I will more than likely be purchasing the Schiit Mjolnir to accompany the headphone and will keep my excellent North Star Design Impulso as a DAC.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Regards.
EDIT: I think I might add that I have no possibility of testing any of these headphones myself prior to purchase.