Wow! That is a journey, but bet it was fun
I've been out of the metal world for a while. Any recommendations for something that would blow my mind from a production quality standpoint? anything intensely grand, or with vast emotional depth? I'm more of a classical music head but will take time to immerse myself in genres like metal once and while (usually once a decade) just to check in. In the past I've like stuff from Opeth, At the Drive In, Mastadon, Ruins, Slayer, Megadeth, Napalm Death, some Dream Theater. But if there is something even more psychadelic or mind-altering, even if its instrumental I'm game.
I've been going through a bit of a headphone churn. It probably (does) seem crazy to my partner, who lovingly refers to LCD2 as 'hamburgers'. But, it is the only real way to gain an appreciation for audio - in alls its subjective and objective glory.
I've just added a new headphone, one that is a real sleeper. The Sennheiser HD250 Linear. Talk about incredibly smooth, balanced yet with detail. I think its fair to say anyone that likes the linearity of the LCD2 would like the HD250. Quickly going between the two, the HD250 is more recessed in the mid range than the LCD2. Sometimes I feel the LCD2 is a bit too much mid centric. The 250 strikes a balance between the LCD2 and say a Denon AH-D2000. The mids are still flat, and overall this does sound like a Senn. Vocals are excellent on both, but more pronounced on the LCD2. The HD250 doesn't sound as stuffy as many closed headphones, hihats and snares are as good as the LCD2. Though the differences between the frequency curves makes the highs and bass stand out on the 250. The LCD2, with its more forward mids, will strike you more immediately. The 250 may be a bit, 'pillowy' (?) in comparison. I think the LCD2 is near-perfect in many ways. I'm just kinda shocked how close this old headphone is!
Soundstage is pretty much the same between these too, given their somewhat similar presentation, the LCD2 is naturally wider being open. Really, really smooth, without any loss of detail. I've read many other forum posts (mostly Graham Slee and Rockboard) talking about this set and some variations in production quality. Looks like I got a gem. Its pretty much the balanced signature I've been searching for, even more so than the LCD2. Technically, the LCD2 may a bit cleaner, but really hard to say, honestly. The HD250 is a headphone that you might right off on first listen. There isn't much missing between the two of these headphones. So if you want a closed version of the LCD2, that pushes the mid-range down, but has equally smooth and linear highs/lows with just a bit more 'air', oh and lighter, closed, but harder to drive then check these out. The result the HD250 is going to kick more, and this may be too much for some, but sounds right to me.
I have the D2000, and I it may punch a little bit lower, relative frequency curves aside, and with less distortion, but it is also a bit bright and splashy. The D2000 is an awesome headphone, but the 250 really is more accurate while having many of the same qualities. At 600ohm, you can really pour some juice into it, and turn it up without bleeding your ears - kinda like the LCD2. The D2000 ups certain frequency ranges, it gives you a bit more fun, more colour, but that can tire. Put the 250 on, turn it up and you get a thicker yet more full sound. Nothing tinny, no harshness.
I think my experience with headphones lately really underscores how important just frequency balance is. The HD250 is a few decades old, kinda like the HD25. But both still rock because they get this portion right (the 250 even more so). While I can see that there are some new technologies being introduced, its really giving me pause, that this decades old headphone is arguably as good as something from today. How much of an illusion are we under thinking we are hearing some esoteric aspect of a headphone, when really it boils down mostly to the frequency curve? The HD250 nails it. Get the distortion down, as well any resonance and it should be the most accurate headphone made. :/ Instead, it gets discontinued, then revived as the Linear II, and pushed into obscurity, then finally axed with no replacement.
I like modern headphones. HD800 and HD700 for example. I know there is something weird going on with my 700s, though, and in some ways they are totally unbalanced to pull off their weird signature (sort of like a modern fighter plane that would crash if it wasn't for its CPU controlled fly-by-wire). The HD700 has a sea-shell like chamber that does something really strange that combined with the frequency curve makes it sound like you are in large bubble of sound. I love it. But the 250 is more faithful and honest. It has arguably all the detail of the HD700 and perhaps as much as the 800! All the while being less fatiguing.
Got the HD250 for $175 Canadian, and I'm having to reevaluate some of my headphones. I knew this might happen. Don't worry, the LCD2 will survive the upcoming churn - most likely.
