My comparison review of Stax Omega 2 mk2, LCD-2, HD650, and M50

[VALIENTE]

Lunatique, you're a real headfier, a music lover.
You're successful in comparing headphones. Time is gold, and you hit it on time!
Congrats! Bravo!

 

[shane55]

Great write-up, Lunatique.
I went back and re-read your review of the D7000 as well. Nicely done. Do you ever regret selling them?
 
There is a lot to chew in this comparison, and it say's a lot about the M50 to be so favorably compared to these others.
Makes me all the more interested in the LCD-2's... Someday.
 
shane 

 

[DavidMahler]

Lunatique.....This review is one of the most "to the point" I've seen on head-fi.  I really enjoyed it and I hope you don't mind if I PM you some questions in the near future?
 
-Dave

 

[Lunatique]

Thanks--I'm glad you guys found it helpful. I certainly learned a lot from fellow head-fi members so it's nice to give back to the community.
 
Quote:

what's your take on the t1's ??  

I haven't had a chance to experience the T1 yet. I hope to one day, but I'm not going to go out of my way to do it like I used to.

 

[yooss]

 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Lunatique /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
The treble is articulate and detailed, with a more etched presentation than most other headphones, which is what contributes to the slightly “metallic” treble that M50 owners often refers to. Personally, I’m not especially offended by it, but I also don’t like it either, and it’s something I wish could be fixed.

That was exactly what I wanted to say for a few months, but I wasn't able to find the word. I don't like it either, but I got used to it (except for a few songs).

 

[kboe]

Awesome write up.  Thanks for taking all the time to give us your well thought out opinions and reflections.  Very 6moons-ish in your readily apparent honesty.  Simply great!

 

[wuwhere]

Nice review and comparison. Very informative for me.

 

[Lunatique]

Quote:

Lunatique.....This review is one of the most "to the point" I've seen on head-fi.  I really enjoyed it and I hope you don't mind if I PM you some questions in the near future?
 
-Dave

 
I don't mind at all Dave.
 

 

[VALIENTE]

Quote:

 
So where does the 007mk2 fit into my current headphones collection? In general, I would say that if you prefer a more delicate and elegant sound, the 007mk2 is for you. If you prefer a creamier and fuller sound, the LCD-2 is for you. If you don’t need substantial deep bass and want a neutral sound with enough detail but not excessively bright, the HD650 would be for you. If you need a pair of sealed-cans for isolation, and want powerful bass with deep extension, enough brightness and detail but not fatiguing, and have a very modest budget, then the M50 is for you. At this point I do not recommend the Denon D7000 (or its younger siblings, the D5000 and D2000) unless you intend to use EQ to make them more acceptably neutral.
 
 
For all the endless hours I could spend on chasing after that elusive ideal pair of headphone or amp–reading reviews, forum debates, traveling to audition candidates in person, doing extensive comparison tests…etc, I could be spending that time and energy composing and recording new music, writing my novels and screenplays, working on new paintings, snuggling with the Mrs. and enjoying some movies, or just playing video games. What I have in my collection is good enough already, and I have learned a lot about headphones in the last few years during my journey to find the most ideal pair of headphones. It was never my intention to “collect” headphones, and in fact I don’t “collect” anything--I much rather be creating something. The only luxury pair of headphones I have is the Stax, and the rest all serve practical purposes. Between the 007mk2, LCD-2, HD650, and M50, I have all my bases covered–from audio production to leisurely listening. The RP-21 and DJ5000 are for guests in my studio who will be collaborating with me on recordings, and the Westone 3 is for when I’m traveling (although I plan to swap the W3 for an IEM that’s closer to my ideal sonic signature though, so I’m not totally done yet, but since I don’t travel all that much anymore, I’ve been putting it off).
 

These two paragraphs caught my attention. Yes, every headphone created has its unique feature that will suit someones preference. No headphone is perfect-even the Stax, as I perceived in your comparison. I'm just happy cos there are headfier out there like you Lunatique who took the chance of experiencing the more expensive headphones. And then sharing honestly your thoughts to us especially newbies. Me, I just have 2 headphones, but only 1 is used most of the time. As I upgrade, I can't see the use of my cheaper headphones but in your opinion, every headphone be it cheap or expensive has a role to play in our ears. There maybe a point in time that I could afford to buy a Stax Omega and I could foresee that more or less we will have the same experiences of comparing these headphones. In the end, I still believe in what makes me happy, I enjoy using any gadget be it headphone or not in my life as long as I use it daily...I mean everyday. I'm happy cos I use my K701 everyday...Back to your review, you're still great you were able to hit the jackpot!

 

[JeckyllAndHyde]

thanks for the nice review.
 
I was really suprised seeing these pads-issues on such expensive phones. I've got also diffrent feelings about the packaging - it looks ultra cheap to me:
http://cgi.ebay.com/INTEC-Metal-Make-Up-Case-Carrier-Box-Small-/170463893125?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27b0709685#ht_4511wt_1139
 

 

[Lunatique]

Quote:

thanks for the nice review.
 
I was really suprised seeing these pads-issues on such expensive phones. I've got also diffrent feelings about the packaging - it looks ultra cheap to me:
http://cgi.ebay.com/INTEC-Metal-Make-Up-Case-Carrier-Box-Small-/170463893125?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27b0709685#ht_4511wt_1139
 

 
Actually, the Stax briefcase is much classier than that makeup case you posted. 
 

 

[NapalmK]

Thanks for the review (especially the comparison to the HD650). I'm beginning to think the LCD2 may be my endgame but I'll have to wait for more HE-6 impressions (or the next meet) before I decide. Great review! 

 

[Otakusound]

Quote:

thanks for the nice review.
 
I was really suprised seeing these pads-issues on such expensive phones. I've got also diffrent feelings about the packaging - it looks ultra cheap to me:
http://cgi.ebay.com/INTEC-Metal-Make-Up-Case-Carrier-Box-Small-/170463893125?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27b0709685#ht_4511wt_1139
 

I think the 007 case is made out of carbon fiber, which makes it ultra cheap like a Lanborghini Gallardo.

 

[tonereef]

I've been comparing the O2 Mk 1 and the LCD-2 for the last few months, flip-flopping back and forth in my preferences. I've owned and loved the O2s for about 5 years, and recent upgrades to my playback chain (mainly interconnects and power conditioning) have finally convinced me that the O2s remain in a league of their own (compared to other phones I've heard, and I haven't heard any non-Stax electrostatics).
 
I won't repeat everything I've said previously in the LCD-2 Orthos thread, and generally I agree with Lunatique's assessment. Where I'd differ somewhat is regarding the highs - to me the LCD-2s just don't have enough energy there to be totally convincing, sounding rather rolled off/closed-in, whereas the O2s somehow do, at least for classical and jazz. And I'm listening to the Stax through a custom tube amp that is probably rolling off the extreme highs slightly, whereas I'm listening to the Audeze through a discrete ss amp which is very open and extended. And even though the two phones would seem to have a similar FR, as Lunatique says their sound is really quite different. For one thing the Stax are much better at resolving fine detail, and partly for that reason I think they sound more open/airy in the highs even if (perhaps) they are no more energetic or extended (also, I wouldn't use the word "etched" to describe the Mk 1 highs - certainly not compared to most high-end dynamic phones I've heard, and not I think compared to, for example, live jazz percussion).
 
The Audeze bass is something else though (this might be partly, but only partly, the different amps). It's not as detailed/textured as the Stax, but it's deeper and punchier/growlier and for rock plenty fun. Subjectively it sometimes seems a little too prominent though, and I think this could be a psychoacoustic effect - if the highs were more prominent they might balance out the bass.
 
Btw my amplifier-building friend here has completed his own no-holds-barred electrostatic amp using EL34 outputs, though unlike the Gilmore designs it is all-tube. I haven't really had a chance yet to compare this amp to his previous design (the one I have) but he says the main difference is better dynamics - tonally they are very similar. I used to find the O2 a bit "pale" and over-ambient ("misty") but this has been reduced by power-conditioning the whole chain - the lower noise-floor seems to give them a more forthright character, as sounds stand out from a blacker background with more clarity. And as an audiophile I do think these improvements are significant, giving you more of what these phones are ultimately capable of.
 
The Audeze remain the best dynamic phones I've heard, and very enjoyable in their own right, but (for me) not accurate enough in the highs to depend on for monitoring recordings.

 

[coolcat]

thank for great write up Lunatique.