Quote:
I saw in your page you like prog metal, it it's my favorite genre, how do the HD-600 handle this genre?
Sorry, missed this post - I'd say among those I've tried only the LCD-2 handles prog better* since the sound is more "fluid" and effortless. Also, I haven't tried a K701/2(or Q701) with fresh pads recently**. Do take note that I define "prog" more liberally, and I might add some in this list that aren't very strictly prog, or have elements of prog with much of other sub-genres:
Dream Theater : has a lot of impact in the drums but without getting in the way of the guitars ; nice attack on guitars with good decay, really screaming when they should be, soft when they need to be
Kamelot : textures are detailed and well-rendered ; the comfort is a bonus for listening to Epica and The Black Halo in one sitting ; and regardless of technical disadvatages of live recordings, One Cold Winter's Night is one of the best albums to listen to on the HD600 - the blonde choir sounds nearly as alive and audible without getting in the way of Roy Khan ; and
Ditto for Nightwish and Therion (and Kamelot feat. a female singer) : plus female vocals are beautifully rendered - not as good as the LCD-2 but tonally natural, with a lot of "air" without being sharp or at the cost of how male vocals should sound like ; presentation feels "alive" and "huge," just not speaker-huge or wide and deep as on K701
Iron Maiden and Judas Priest : as enjoyable as on SR225, but without the rough edges of the SR125 and below models ; not as "in your face" of course as the SR225 ; percussion has good detail and guitars are screaming but still a hint of warmth - just enough that you won't wonder too much why playing it at home/in the garage with your casual band sounds better than the recording (at least that's what friends with bundled earbuds always observe)
Mudvayne : most listeners gravitate to them more for the darker elements, ie the growling/death grunts, but the real versatility of Chad's vocals are his (sometimes even remarkably quick transitions) from the rap-like death grunts/growls to very soft and melodious sections (as on LD50 and The End of All Things to Come)
After Forever : Decipher is a truly enjoyable listen on this - Monolith of Doubt, Decipher, Estranged have a "groove" to them that is best enjoyed on systems that have good PRAT ; that YouTube recording of Floor Janssen and Epica performing Follow in the Cry deserves a real recording just to be enjoyed at home and specifically for systems with good PRAT, plus Floor taking over from Mark sounds less like darker metal genres and more like the groove you associate with Motley Crue and Pantera but with much of Iron Maiden mixed in it
Fuseboxx : PRAT and detail work together to really present an aural attack (more like a fast fencer than an artillery barrage, of course) but some of the percussion isn't as audible or lacks some "meat" or reverb to them (must be the recording but I can't be certain - I have no idea what monitors they use)
*Stax are a bit too thin, can't evaluate K1000 properly since meets have a lot of background noise for it, haven't tried the HiFiMans
**they sound
almost identical to the HD600 when both have squished pads, if a bit thinner
