[Rocker UK]

For some time I have been thinking about buying some Planar Magnetic headphones but, must confess, have never heard them so don't know how different or better they sound. I have a number of what I consider to be excellent headphones in Denon AH-D7000, Beyer DT-990 Pro and Shure SRH1540.

I have read a lot about the HiFiMan HE400i and HE5660 as wel as the Audeze LCD2's and Oppo's. For the setup I have, through a Burson HA-160 headphone amp and the hardware listed in my sig, are they worth the cost over and above what I have today? What are their advantages?

Ironically and just for reference, of all the cans I have I still tend to reach for the DT990's first and they are the least expensive but I find them to be an excellent headphone and always have done. The Denons and Shures are sublime in their own right but for some reason I always reach for the Beyers first. Odd. That's what is making me hesitate about a layout of c.£700 for planars.

For rock music is there a particular contender I should look at above others?

Thanks very much.

 

[Music Alchemist]

I owned the HE400i and liked it with rock, metal, and pretty much everything else. I later auditioned the Abyss, HE1000, and HE-6, which are far more expensive. Let's just say the HE400i holds its own for the price. Didn't get to hear the HE560 although it was right next to me, and I've also never heard Audeze and OPPO. You should try hearing before buying. If that isn't possible, at least make sure you are covered by a good return policy.

 

[Rocker UK]

Thank you. Would be interested to hear 400i vs 560 views and also of the others plus are they a massive improvement on normal cans?

 

[Music Alchemist]

are they a massive improvement on normal cans?

 
Not really; just different. You'll have to hear them to know which you prefer.

 

[Rocker UK]

Yeah but thats not possible so am after as many views as i can get please.

 

[BadPiggy]

LCD-2s are very laid back with treble IMO so I wouldn't recommend them for rock.

 

[Music Alchemist]

Yeah but thats not possible so am after as many views as i can get please.

 
Which comparisons are you looking for specifically? You can look on my profile to see headphones I have owned.

 

[paradoxper]

Originally Posted by BadPiggy 
LCD-2s are very laid back with treble IMO so I wouldn't recommend them for rock.
 
Have to disagree. The LCD-2's are just very agreeable to listen to. I thought they were pretty great for rock/metal. They have very good extension and impact 
in the lower registers which make for an excellent 'synergy' with that type of music. What they won't offer is much layered detail nor any kind of stage. They're blobby.
 
I'd surmise this is a presentation many would love. Flying blind, that is. I think those who demand neutrality truly understand exactly what it is they want and have been
exposed to enough gears to draw their own conclusion for what sounds best to them.

 

[imran27]

I mostly like headphones that are neutral, good soundstage and detail with lots of texture and tonally very natural.
 
Keeping that in mind when I first tried LCD-3 I was totally put off. I didn't like it at all. Though it had good detailing and bass was excellent, well extended and had a very impactful experience with every bass hit. But it was very dark, some spike in the treble IIRC. LCD-X was better, I guess I felt that LCD-X are more balanced and natural, soundstage is also a bit more compared to LCD-3.
 
I tried HE-500 too, it became my favorite. It is an amazingly detailed headphone, has a good soundstage and bass is very tight and natural. I have to mentioned that all headphones used different setups. LCD-3 were off of HRT-Microstreamer + Schiit Asgard, LCD-X with Dacmagic XS + some tube amp (don't remember) and HE-500 was with my phone (HTC Desire 820U) + FiiO E11k.
 
If you're after HE-500 then totally recommended, I liked it a lot. Audeze gave me headaches with it's very deep bass thumps, I'm never gonna wear an Audeze again.

 

[Music Alchemist]

Keeping that in mind when I first tried LCD-3 I was totally put off. I didn't like it at all. Though it had good detailing and bass was excellent, well extended and had a very impactful experience with every bass hit. But it was very dark, some spike in the treble IIRC. LCD-X was better, I guess I felt that LCD-X are more balanced and natural, soundstage is also a bit more compared to LCD-3.

 
Which LCD-3 did you try? I heard the newer Fazor version is actually less dark than the LCD-X, but who knows...

 

[Liu Junyuan]

 
I tried HE-500 too, it became my favorite. It is an amazingly detailed headphone, has a good soundstage and bass is very tight and natural. I have to mentioned that all headphones used different setups. LCD-3 were off of HRT-Microstreamer + Schiit Asgard, LCD-X with Dacmagic XS + some tube amp (don't remember) and HE-500 was with my phone (HTC Desire 820U) + FiiO E11k.
 
If you're after HE-500 then totally recommended, I liked it a lot. Audeze gave me headaches with it's very deep bass thumps, I'm never gonna wear an Audeze again.

I would recommend the HE-500s as well, as an owner of them for over a year. They make an outstanding introduction into planars, I think. The HE-560s are also very good, too, but I prefer the HE-500s most of the time.

 

[Rocker UK]

Thanks for the replies and it's always interesting to read varying opinions.

After reading so many reviews I have actually taken a bit of a gamble and ordered the Fostex TH-500RP which will arrive this week. I considered the HiFiMan HE-400i but the Fostex looked to have far better build quality and got rave reviews across the board.

I'm really looking forward to receiving them.