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The HE-500 is generally considered one of the more balanced and accurate HFM orthos.. but keep that in context, it's balanced for a HFM ortho. If you don't mind a closed back headphone, the Paradox is as flat as any headphone I've heard, costs less than the HE-500, and is excellent with metal. It's forgiving enough to not make most typically lousy metal recordings unlistenable, and the better then recording you feed it, the more it responds. Headstage is really it's only flaw, but with metal that's not really a big deal, and I doubt it's any worse than the LCDs which are hardly known for their headstages despite being open.
Interested in this thread....but I'm going to flip it....I'm considering adding the HE 500 as a second set of cans for a variety of listening, but specifically targted to non metal.
I auditioned some HE-500's last weekend. I liked them. But, I'm not sure they would be my top choice for metal. However, I'm open to the idea that with time, I could be wrong about that.
Some refer their sound akin to B&W British speakers-"polite" sounding, while the 400's while not as highly regarded are more fun and immediate. The 400's have a base presentation that's popular for EDM and hip hop-two of my least favorite genres, but many like the 400's for rock & metal as well.
I have some Grados that feel more immediate and aggressive.
I listen to a fair amount of non metal at home w/ HP's, often preferring metal on my Ipod or in my car, or on speakers in the house....but when on the computer, for instance, often gravitate to something more mellow. I find when I want to be productive on a computer, extreme metal isn't always the best match for me.
But, while driving, working out, screwing around in the house....being more active-love it! And, one edit, one of my favorite things to do, when I have the time at the end of the day, is pop a beer, put on a good metal CD, and listen attentively via my dedicated HP or speaker rig to a good metal/rock recording in a more "dedicated listeining" way. I'm really enjoying hearing things I haven't heard on disc w/ both my HP and speaker system that I've been assembling since joining Headfi this year.
When listening to the two-my Grado 225i and the HE-500-the HE's clearly were more high end...more refined and more comfortable. The difference between my unschooled ears would be:
- My Grados-aggressive, bright-feel like you're on stage with the band. Also, I know Grados illicit strong responses-love or hate.
- HE-500-larger sound stage, better over all audiophile sound-but more laid back and removed-as if you are in the audience of a large concert hall vs being in the first row or even onstage with the band. Less fatiguing.
Funny, while the HE's were clearly better audiophile sound, my Grados have a clarity in my face quality that I sometimes prefer for metal. It's left me wondering if "audiophile" quality sound-whatever that means to you-is necessarily better for listening to metal which we all know isn't always recorded that well....I'm still trying to wrap my head around these concepts.....
I'd welcome other thoughts on the HE's as well having only limited time with them.