[savettage]

Hey all. I'm new to the forum. This is my first post. I recently picked up a pair of Audeze LCDXs. I LOVE them. I simply run them with a Dragonfly Red and they sound tremendous. I actually did run them through my Schiit Valhalla but I like the sound through the Dragonfly better. Other headphones include Sennheiser Momentum, Sennheiser 650HD, Audio Technica ATH-50 (of course), V-Moda Crossfade wireless and Shure 435 earbuds.

In any case, what I'm LOOKING for is a final destination can. And I felt I'd found it. UNTIL, an audiophile friend suggested I check out the Hifiman Edition Xs. Grrrrrrr. Does this NEVER end??? So now I'm sorta confused. I read all the reviews I could find of the HIfiman...the thing that seems to keep coming up is that the Audeze X is an EXCITING powerful can and the Hifiman X is ULTRA-CLEAR. I know all the jargon about transparency and how "reference class" cans should be invisible. But does anyone have any advice/thoughts? I love my Senns, but when I heard the animal thickness of the Audezes I was pumped. I'm afraid that the Hifiman is going to sound technically AMAZING but boring.

 

[buke9]

No it doesn’t end ; ) I’m not a big fan of HE-X for me wouldn’t bother with them HE-1000 V2 different story but they are not animal thick either. Though the Red is a nice little unit maybe a better amp would be nice upgrade in time the Red does a nice job as a dac only just a thought.
I think final destination can be different for each person though just relative to how much strain you want to put on the wallet. They keep making new stuff all the time and seems like there’s always something a bit better around the corner but sometimes you have to take a break and just listen to music the reason for the headphones in the first place.
Another suggestion is go to a meet sometime there you will find a lot of different gear to evaluate for yourself. The guys in DC have a couple of meets a year I believe and have met a couple of them at other meets I’ve attended very good people and some really nice gear just another thought.

 

[savettage]

Ah! Thanks buke9! The meet thing is a good idea. That IS one of the frustrating parts of loving this higher end equipment---it's almost impossible to find a brick and mortar store to test things out.

Thanks so much for your recommendations. I realize, ultimately, that you're right about an "end destination." It will keep going. But I'm a teacher, and so the wallet strain IS an issue at some point. That's why I'm agonizing so much over this comparison...it's a huge purchase for me...the last I'll be making for a WHILE when it comes to audio equipment. So I'm trying to it "right." I DO have the Schiit amp I mentioned. I use it with my Senn 650s because they're harder to drive.

Do you mind explaining why you wouldn't bother with the HE-Xs? Are they neutral/laid back to the point of boring?

 

[buke9]

Had a Valhalla 2 before I got the 6xx’s (same as the 650’s just different build and color and cheaper) and didn’t like it much with the HD-700’s but I’m sure would have been fine with the 650’s but agree with you not so much with my planars. My preferable amp with the 650’s is a Bottlehead Crack and don’t think you have heard them until you hear them from a Crack they are a thing of musical beauty from it.
As for why I’m not a fan of the HE-X just have to be honest and say that it was over a year ago when I heard them so memory’s fade a bit and I need to start writing this stuff down. I found them comfortable and a good sounding headphone but as you thought found them a bit boring compared to your X’s a reason I said I wouldn’t bother . I also like my highs on headphones and they just seemed to be just a bit rough around the edges so to speak. This is what I remember so take that for what it is worth. You know when you tried some food or beer or bourbon and you at the time didn’t like it and a year later you were offered it again and you say no had that and didn’t like it that much same here with them can’t give a definitive answer to it just know it wasn’t my favorite .
Not a HiFiMan hater as I have the HE-400,400S and HE-500 one of I think the best headphones for money .
These are just my opinions and as with all audio YMMV as I always say I and me in my recommendations for the most part.

 

[savettage]

That makes sense. Thanks for taking the time to answer. And YES! I know exactly what you're talking about when you have a memory of something that's registered somewhere in your unconscious...but it's THERE.

 

[buke9]

Yep . And also with you’re avatar Alex is one of my favorite guitarist.

 

[savettage]

Yes! He’s gotta be! Well now I REALLY trust your recommendation. You’ve obviously got taste.

 

[buke9]

2112 is just one of the greatest rock albums ever in my opinion..

 

[HBen]

... UNTIL, an audiophile friend suggested I check out the Hifiman Edition Xs. Grrrrrrr. Does this NEVER end??? So now I'm sorta confused. I read all the reviews I could find of the HIfiman...

As buke already mentioned ... it never ends ... well it actually can end if you end it. Or you finally find what satisfies you.

Reading forums doesn't help ... everybody hears different and personal preferences and prefered music styles are so different so it just confuses you more.

The only thing that helps is going out there and listen to the phones yourself.

I personally mostly buy used, test it out properly at home and if I don't like it sell it again.

...it's a huge purchase for me...the last I'll be making for a WHILE when it comes to audio equipment.

Don't overspend on audio gear ... really don't. The improvement for what you pay is so small after a certain point it's pretty ridiculous.
Audio heaven is important but not more important than wife, kids and mortage

 

[savettage]

2112 is just one of the greatest rock albums ever in my opinion..

Absolutely. I love their whole catalogue as they sorta taught me how to listen to music. But 2112 is definitely excellent.

 

[savettage]

As buke already mentioned ... it never ends ... well it actually can end if you end it. Or you finally find what satisfies you.

Reading forums doesn't help ... everybody hears different and personal preferences and prefered music styles are so different so it just confuses you more.

The only thing that helps is going out there and listen to the phones yourself.

I personally mostly buy used, test it out properly at home and if I don't like it sell it again.



Don't overspend on audio gear ... really don't. The improvement for what you pay is so small after a certain point it's pretty ridiculous.
Audio heaven is important but not more important than wife, kids and mortage

Thanks HBen! Ultimately, I know that you're right. As Buke said, spending some time listening to music, which the reason for the phones in the first place...that's right on. When I was talking to a friend yesterday about the dilemma, he said "is your life made better with these headphones? are they b ringing you enjoyment?" And I realized that the answer to both was yes. A simple yes. A thing can't do something a thing can't do. That's an anti-advertising, anti-consumerist thing to say, but it's true. I teach my students that every year. That's why I said this is pretty much it for me. I realize that once you get caught up in it, you can just keep going forever. I just want to enjoy listening to my music very very deeply. Thanks for the feedback!