[Navyblue]

Personally, I do find the frequency balance similar to HD600, but may be better extended at both end. Bass is punchier and stronger, and midrange has more body. I can't comment on the detail and veil aspect, I find neither of them veiled, at least when properly fed. Disclaimer: this is based on memory, I have not compared them back to back.
 
Compared to the K701, the HE-500 has more body and weight and presence, bass is also stronger and punchier. Sound stage is more typical of headphone, the ultra large sound stage of AKG is atypical IMO.

 

[Navyblue]

Btw, after 50 hours, the sound stage has opened up and the sparkle came. The treble is smooth and very clean, it might be the best treble I have heard out of my headphone rig. It sounded like what I have heard when I auditioned it, except the treble is much smoother and cleaner and less piercing that what I heard out of my portable rig.

 

[WNBC]

Agreed, somehow I am growing to love the HE-500 more and more everyday.  That could be burn-in or mental adjustment.  In any case, it's a fine headphone.  Airy and detailed.  Would like to hear the HE-500 with a tube amp.
 
Quote:

Btw, after 50 hours, the sound stage has opened up and the sparkle came. The treble is smooth and very clean, it might be the best treble I have heard out of my headphone rig. It sounded like what I have heard when I auditioned it, except the treble is much smoother and cleaner and less piercing that what I heard out of my portable rig.

 

 

[ardilla]

I have the HE-500 running out of a Cary SLI-80 sig and simply love it. 
 
If the HD600 is like the HD650 (which I assume) it is very am-dependant. I think people compare HE500 to the HD600 because they feel HE500 to be more similar to HD600 than HD650 if they had to choose one. Both are often used as references. You shouldn't worry about that. HE500 is a different beast. 
 
Quote:

Getting closer and closer to purchasing the HE-500.  Quick question though:  I see some comparisons to the HD600, which I did not like at all (too dark and veiled, inarticulate/mushy bass), how much is that true?  Also, how do they compare to the AKG K701's?
 
I'll be running them out of a Cary SLI-80 Signature F1, DC, All Triode int amp.

 
 

 

[Kojaku]

So I'm in this boat too...and this is a bit of a bump, but I've been following the measurements on both of these....and I've noticed that the HE-500 and other headphones that people have labeled as having nice treble...actually have less square highs. The measurements have a significant treble overshoot in the 300 Hz square waves. So is hotter treble better? Or is it simply presentation? I listen to jazz, hip-hop, funk, r&b, and classical about equally...so I'm really stuck...


Kojaku

 

[MEDO]

2 weeks ago i was confused which one is better, after a lot of research and reading it seems that LCD-2 has edge over the HE-500 in some genre like rock,hip-hop, pop, and modern recording in general which tends to be on the bright side. and some may prefer the hifiman sound in jazz and classical due to the spacious soundstage and less dark sound. so i went for the LCD-2 which suits my need perfectly.
 
good luck with your choices

 

[Matt head 777]

I also did alot of research and was considering the HE-500 and the LCD-2 r2 I decided to go with LCD with preference for rock music. I am not regretting it, love the sound. sharp, punchy fast, treble dances on your brain and plays louder without bordering on distortion. These planars go loud! Very clear spacious headphones...

 

[kindasonic]

Can anyone offer an opinion on the "glare" or "ringing" effect that some have experienced (including myself) with the HE-500. Does the LCD-2 exhibit this characteristic or is it a general trait of the technology?
 
Thanks

 

[pataburd]

I had a transitive experience with [upper midrange] glare when the HE-500 were breaking in--at about 100 hours, but it went away.

 

[hun009]

headphones.com black friday sales
http://www.headphones.com/Promotions-Headphones-Promos-15-off-BFCM.html
 
Luckly, I didn't wait for its 15% off for LCD-2 which seems happened last year.......

 

[ardilla]

Auch - I though that headroom aka http://www.headphone.com had done a scary redesign. Luckily I was wrong

 

[JB North County]

HE500'S ARE MY CURRENT FAVORITES WITH ACOUSTIC MUSIC AND SURPRISINGLY WITHA LOT OF ELECTRONICA.....IT SOUNDS REALLY DIFFERENT WITH DIFFERENT AMPS THOUGH (SCHITT LYR IS NICE).....CHANGE TO CARDIS CABLES HELPED ALSO.....AS NOTED ELSEWHERE THEY SOUND A TAD DARK

 

[JB North County]

200+ HOURS BURN IN IS A MUST

 

[ardilla]

CLI ? (Caps Lock Issue) ?
 

 

[SgtE]

Ardilla, with your otl wa2, which one do you like best - the he-500 or lcd-3?