Chiming in on the MrSpeakers line, I didn't find the Dogs or Primes to be particularly outstanding in comparison to the other phones in the price-range I have auditioned in the past.
To be honest, the only planar that has really impressed me thus far has been the LCD-3f - no chance to hear the Abyss or HE-6 yet, so no comments on the two of them. Overall, really well rounded, very nice tone and did very well in detail retrieval on my selected tracks that I didn't miss the HD800. It does have a "closed" feel via it's narrower soundstage, but that wasn't the killer - main issue was that it was heavy and hot and it didn't last more than 20 minutes on my head.
On a side note, while listening to the Dogs and Primes, I saw the TH900 and asked to listen to it. Was instantly drawn to its very unique signature - hey, I have the IE8i and I'm not bothered by its bass.. *coughs* - and after searching for a good deal for it, I now have a pair that just arrived yesterday and is sitting beside my HD800.
To be honest, the only planar that has really impressed me thus far has been the LCD-3f - no chance to hear the Abyss or HE-6 yet, so no comments on the two of them. Overall, really well rounded, very nice tone and did very well in detail retrieval on my selected tracks that I didn't miss the HD800. It does have a "closed" feel via it's narrower soundstage, but that wasn't the killer - main issue was that it was heavy and hot and it didn't last more than 20 minutes on my head.
On a side note, while listening to the Dogs and Primes, I saw the TH900 and asked to listen to it. Was instantly drawn to its very unique signature - hey, I have the IE8i and I'm not bothered by its bass.. *coughs* - and after searching for a good deal for it, I now have a pair that just arrived yesterday and is sitting beside my HD800.