Most audiophiles would probably state that there is a difference, but it is small and not always an improvement.  It's at the bottom on my list of improvements, but it still makes the list.  I'd make sure you have a good pair of interconnects between your DAC and amp, that has a greater effect...

I didn't have the HE-500 and the HD 700 at the same time, but I'm listening to the HE-500 right now and it doesn't seem to have quite as much treble energy as the HD 700.  They both have very good deep sound stages.  The HE-500 I think has a midrange that is more expansive, but the soundstage of...

I've been comparing the HE-500 and LCD-3 back and forth and can't decide which I like better.  It reminds me that there's no such thing as a perfect headphone (and yes I have tried electrostatics).   The HE-500 has great soundstaging, better than the LCD-3 by a long shot.  It has that sort of...

You have great taste in music.  I've listened to a few of your recommendations and it's completely turned me on to some new stuff I would have never discovered otherwise.  Keep them coming!

  I asked myself that very same question.  Now that I have both an LCD-2.2 and LCD-3 from the headphone library I see how ridiculous it is to quantify the percent difference between the two.  The LCD-3 has significantly better treble, sound staging and is smoother (less punchy).  The difference...

Having owned the HD 700 and now the 800 I do see where some of the criticism comes from.     I think Sennheiser priced the HD 700 too high at $999 - although that didn't stop me from buying them.  Their down-costing to $849 and then to $649 seems to address this issue.  From a sound...

You can "check them out" from the Headphone Library (do a Google search for Headphone Library).  It costs 5% of the cost of the headphones, but they put that toward a future purchase.  I know because I currently have the LCD-2.2, LCD-3 and HE-500 checked-out from them     Too busy listening to...

Nice looking amp!  I have an order pending with Shawn as well for a Crack.   What tube are you using there?  It doesn't look stock.

How well do the LCD-XC pull off the, "I'm really an open back headphone" bluff? 

I'm really curious about the LCD-XC too!  I understand there's trade-offs with closed back phones, but all the places I listen would benefit from some sound isolation, either for my sake or others.  Small movements in classical really can't be enjoyed without a quiet background.   I have the...

  Wow, you're one of the first people who has out right preferred the LCD-X over the LCD-3.  Most of the earlier reports over on the LCD-X thread have said that the X falls right between the LCD-2 and LCD-3, having qualities of each.  How do you like the LCD-XC????

I had the 598s for a few weeks and although I liked them I didn't find them much different from the PC360 that I use for gaming and bedtime listening.  If you were to immediately take one headphone off and put the other on you wouldn't know they were different.  I'm sure there are differences...

I advocate making sure your Audeze are wearing their seat belts too

Interesting increase in frequency between the 1 kHz and 4 kHz on the XC.  Makes me wonder if they sound bright over time or just natural...   Great link by the way, thanks!

  Perhaps I should have clarified... I'm interested in people's first initial impression upon listening.  As in their gut emotional response within the first few seconds.  Just trying to take a different approach from other people's x versus y comparison.