UntilThen
Headphoneus Supremus
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- Jun 16, 2015
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...or this (I normally use the T+A HA200 DAC amp, but today feeling like being a bit more home-mobile, thus the Shanling M30). I will hopefully test and compare the HEKse to both Solitaire P and P-SE in two weeks time. But I am especially hyped about the M30 and HEKse pairing...I agree. If you want punch and slam, get this ....
having said that, I still love the He1000se. It's that good.
I agree. If you want punch and slam, get this ....
having said that, I still love the He1000se. It's that good.
that’s awesome! I can’t stand sitting still though. Have you tried the 4z?
That’s too bad people are such zombies. My lifestyle is a bit different. I don’t personally know anyone that’s into headphones. Just me in my own world. i could see their purpose on a loud subway thoughI on the other hand would only sit down when using any full size open back headphones... even the light weight He1000se. Though I spend a lot of my time listening to music in my study, I would not do that when I am out and about. I don't even use an IEM or portable when I go out. When I go out, I just want to connect with real life so I will put aside my music gear.
On a trip to Tokyo in 2010, on the Metro trains, I notice just about everyone had their earbuds to their ears and staring intendedly on their mobile phones or daps. I marvel that the world has changed so much that there's no more interactions with others when you go out.
However when I'm home after work and having done all the necessities (like dinner and a bit of workouts) I need my alone time with my music , headphones, tube amps....
I've gone through (owning them) LCD2f, LCD3f, LCD-X and now LCD4. I read about the 4z and also the MX but for the last trip up Audeze's mountain, it has to be the LCD4 for me. Maybe one day I might get to hear a 4z but if I don't I'm not too concerned. Last night a friend who has never heard the LCD4 came over but he has heard the other lower range of Audeze planar headphones. After he had spend some time with the LCD4, he told me that he now understands why it's the most expensive of Audeze line up (well that honor is now shared by the 4z) because it's easily the best sounding.
right now it’s still between hekse, Meze, and lcd4.
Having said that, I'm still of the opinion that I make the right choice of having He1000se and LCD4.
I am not a real metal-head but listened to and still listen to some, like Nile, Necrophagist, Mercyful Fate, Cynic, Aghora and some old Megadeth. When you consider recordings of these: Last album of Nile has bloated bass and more prominent cymbals, Necrophagist Epitaph (one of my favorite albums ever) is a bit two dimensional and veiled, Cynic's Focus album is similar to Epitaph but Traced in Air (remix) has close up cymbals which might sound a bit of in-your-face and is very clear, Mercyful Fate albums are all great .I wish I could meet up and try different setups. All I can go off is word of mouth.
so after reading what you said about the Meze, in the metal forum someone said they are too laid back and slow for metal music. Would you agree with that? Makes me think maybe that individual didn’t have a linear or precise amp maybe?
I always though the planar magnetic technology was specific to being fast
...just as a side thing: How do you like the HEDD 07s? Is it MK2? I had KRK V8S4 connected to my Axe FX but they are too powerful and have a slight hiss. Are the 07s hiss-free? I previousl had Type 20s as our room listening setup and I hugely loved them but for our listening distance they were not suitable. Now I am selling the V8S4 for something like 07 or even 05.perfect stereo equilateral triangle on my hedd 07
mk 1 and I like them. I think they do a great job at not being fatiguing. For mixing and recording, I would have went with something maybe a bit nastier which could be a trade off because my ears (used to be) are sensitive to high frequencies. But if you want speakers that won’t kill your ears and will give you more fidelity, they are great. Absolutely hiss free...just as a side thing: How do you like the HEDD 07s? Is it MK2? I had KRK V8S4 connected to my Axe FX but they are too powerful and have a slight hiss. Are the 07s hiss-free? I previousl had Type 20s as our room listening setup and I hugely loved them but for our listening distance they were not suitable. Now I am selling the V8S4 for something like 07 or even 05.
I am not a real metal-head but listened to and still listen to some, like Nile, Necrophagist, Mercyful Fate, Cynic, Aghora and some old Megadeth. When you consider recordings of these: Last album of Nile has bloated bass and more prominent cymbals, Necrophagist Epitaph (one of my favorite albums ever) is a bit two dimensional and veiled, Cynic's Focus album is similar to Epitaph but Traced in Air (remix) has close up cymbals which might sound a bit of in-your-face and is very clear, Mercyful Fate albums are all great .
All these albums have different mastering engineers behind with different equipment, different targets. so, one might be OK with one setup (headphone + amp + DAC) and one might not be. So there is no "one fits all like a glove" HP.
People in such cases would recommend different HPs or different amps. You might end up chasing something that you cannot catch. Recommending different amps or HPs is in the end for altering the sound., which is a way of EQ'ing. Many here would suggest you to stay away from EQ'ing and stay with the "original recording", but at the same time suggest to alter the sound by changing your amp, your HP or even your cable. This is a pseudo-perfectionism.
While buying a HP, I would always keep the EQ option in mind and use it whenever I feel like, and experiment with it to find out what I like. The HPs you mention are all capable HPs and would respond to EQ'ing very well. I would also add another extremely good HP to the list: D8000 Pro.
Second thing that is important is how you would like to listen to. Not just now, but maybe in the future. Would you want a HP that can be driven only from a desktop setup, or would you like to listen to on the move (even at home) sometimes? That leaves out the LCD-4. I wouldn't choose that, because I don't want to be stuck to my desk, and sometimes listen from my DAP while moving around. All of HEKse, Empyrean and D8000 Pro are easy to drive but scales well.
And then comes the comfort. Again, I would leave out the LCD-4 as it is for me far too heavy. As much as I love the speed and the base tonality of D8000 Pro, if you want comfort with long term (several hours) listening, it might not be the best option. But otherwise would be at the top of my list for its technicalities. HEKse and Empyrean are both very comfortable HPs.
I might be wrong here, but a far as I remember, HEKse has a taller image and better stage compared to Empyrean, which is why I would choose the HEKse over Empyrean, but I compared them long time ago. I also value bass "quality" a lot, which I had the impression that it is a bit better with HEKse.
The rest, you can always EQ.
I personally use daily T+A Solitaire P which has Susvara level of detail but can be driven well enough from a DAP. It has "the" bass without subbass roll off I want. I like well textured tickling e-bass sound. Then there is the Solitaire P-SE which I also love (which is now with my wife, and I am getting the HEKse to replace that). These HPs are great but they have a larger image space a bit away from your ears, which might not be everyone's cup of tea.
Now, let's listen to some music...
You’ve been kind of jumping around. You really need to just audition some of these for yourself. Then make a choice based on your usage.not a real metal-head!? That is a very eclectic discography you just provided there. I will have to revisit Epitaph. Eyal Levi swears by that album in the way it was produced and I think Bob Katz mastered that one.
which leads to my next point. You were mentioning the LCD 4 but I’m thinking about the 4z (easier to drive but still needs some juice) which seems to be getting polarized reviews (bob katz had good things to say I think). There’s also the LCD 24 I’m learning about.
my uses are specifically portable. Gotta be able to walk around, so a DAP is required which is making this whole search very hard to just wing it