[Mgear]

I've recently saved enough money to buy something relatively good with a budget of $500-750, $750 being the maximum I can go.
Unfortunately I don't have a very powerful amplifier, just a FiiO E10 that I've had for a year or so, I do love it though, but I've been told to get the best headphone I can get now and then scale it with an amplifier late on, rather than spend $300 on a headphone and an amplifier which won't scale as well into the high end.
 
I've had my eyes on a second hand (from the classifieds) LCD-2 or a new HD650, however the HD650 doesn't look as luxurious as the LCD-2 however I have heard it scales extremely well, but I'm still unsure. My music preferences are very varied so going for neutral with a little warmth is a safe bet but everything is on the table, there's a lot of choice at this price so it's a little daunting, the only headphone I'm not interested in is the D7000 after hearing it, I was not very impressed, plus I'd prefer an open headphone.
 
Thanks a lot, all the best.

 

[olegausany]

Since you want open one consider he-500

 

[Mgear]

Quote:

Since you want open one consider he-500

Would these not require more amplification than my FiiO E10 until I can spring for a good one? I heard they need 1 watt to sound good.

 

[olegausany]

Sorry don't know about it but read that they are much easier to drive than HE-6. Have no clue why you don't like D5000 cause i'm enjoying mine  when driven by headphones amp built-in into Xonar STX without any external one and now waiting for D7000 to check if they worth a little bit more money

 

[Mgear]

Quote:

Sorry don't know about it but read that they are much easier to drive than HE-6. Have no clue why you don't like D5000 cause i'm enjoying mine  when driven by headphones amp built-in into Xonar STX without any external one and now waiting for D7000 to check if they worth a little bit more money

With it being closed and generally a little loose on the low end I wasn't very satisfied, I'm more looking for something with fantastic mids which is why my first choice was the LCD-2.
 

 

[jerg]

Quote:

With it being closed and generally a little loose on the low end I wasn't very satisfied, I'm more looking for something with fantastic mids which is why my first choice was the LCD-2.
 

HE-500's have a much more natural-sounding mids than LCD-2's, which have a more lush (which is a slight colouration that many favour but is, of course, still a colouration) mids. In fact not many cans save for the very top ones like HE-6's and electrostats have mids that are on the level of naturalness to HE-500's.
 
The specialty of LCD-2's that nothing short of LCD-3's could match is bass.

 

[Dubstep Girl]

hd 650 scales very well, very similar to lcd-2 but a tad warmer and more bass impact. imaging and detail are less but the hd 650 on a good amp comes really close to the lcd-2 performance. the lcd-2 is still on another level though.

 

[MalVeauX]

Quote:

I've recently saved enough money to buy something relatively good with a budget of $500-750, $750 being the maximum I can go.
Unfortunately I don't have a very powerful amplifier, just a FiiO E10 that I've had for a year or so, I do love it though, but I've been told to get the best headphone I can get now and then scale it with an amplifier late on, rather than spend $300 on a headphone and an amplifier which won't scale as well into the high end.
 
I've had my eyes on a second hand (from the classifieds) LCD-2 or a new HD650, however the HD650 doesn't look as luxurious as the LCD-2 however I have heard it scales extremely well, but I'm still unsure. My music preferences are very varied so going for neutral with a little warmth is a safe bet but everything is on the table, there's a lot of choice at this price so it's a little daunting, the only headphone I'm not interested in is the D7000 after hearing it, I was not very impressed, plus I'd prefer an open headphone.
 
Thanks a lot, all the best.

 
Heya,
 
I would try to save a wee bit more and go big. You could get a Hifiman HE-500 and something like the NFB12.1 for $900 new. Used would let you get in closer to your budget, but more difficult to find.
 
Either that, or I would just suggest something like the HD650 with a much better amplifier, Beyer DT990 with a better amplifier.
 
Or you can just go Hifiman HE-400 with your current setup. And I'd highly recommend it.
 
Very best,
 
 

 

[jerg]

Quote:

 
Heya,
 
I would try to save a wee bit more and go big. You could get a Hifiman HE-500 and something like the NFB12.1 for $900 new. Used would let you get in closer to your budget, but more difficult to find.
 
Either that, or I would just suggest something like the HD650 with a much better amplifier, Beyer DT990 with a better amplifier.
 
Or you can just go Hifiman HE-400 with your current setup. And I'd highly recommend it.
 
Very best,
 
 

Hey Mal by chance I saw you tried to buy the HE400's off wje, did you end up getting them?

 

[telecaster]

The HD 650 is a better value, has better reputation and reliability than lcd2 and it scale very well! I use it with a tube amp and it's the bomb!
Best comfort, better sound in my eye too. Find a good deal on the HD 650 and you can buy a good amp to go with it!

 

[MalVeauX]

Quote:

Hey Mal by chance I saw you tried to buy the HE400's off wje, did you end up getting them?

Yeap,
 
I think they content very well with the mid-fi heavy weights. 
 
Very best,