[Windsor]

Just did another comparison between the HD 800 and LCD-3 and have to admit that pretty much every time I've done that the HD 800 gets my vote. On the occasions that the HD 800 seems a bit bass light to me, the HD 600 has not yet failed to step in and saves the day. 

 
Then I switch back to the HD 800 and can't help but affirm how awesome it is. Bliss!

 

[brokenthumb]

I was wondering if the HD800 present a black background like planar magnetic cans or does the HD800 sound similar to the HD650 in that regard?

 

[Windsor]

Quote:

I was wondering if the HD800 present a black background like planar magnetic cans or does the HD800 sound similar to the HD650 in that regard?

 
To me, planars such as the LCD2/3 present a much blacker background than the HD 800, which by comparisons sounds very, very clear and a definite step up from the HD 650 (and LCD-2/3) in clarity.

 

[TMRaven]

What describes a 'black background?'   Is it very fast decay?  If so, HD800 should have faster decay than LCD-2.  Is it raw speed and detail?  I thought everybody has said HD800 is more detailed than LCD-2.

 

[Shahrose]

I feel people use the phrase "black background" intending different meanings. I have yet to see a proper definition of it. 
 
For me? It's the effect/quality of subtle sounds being produced out of thin air in the soundstage...and in this regard, the HD800 is tops IMO.
I'm not sure what others mean by a "black background" except in the context of amps and DACs, where it refers to a low noise floor.

 

[Windsor]

Quote:

I feel people use the phrase "black background" intending different meanings. I have yet to see a proper definition of it. 
 
For me? It's the effect/quality of subtle sounds being produced out of thin air in the soundstage...and in this regard, the HD800 is tops IMO.
I'm not sure what others mean by a "black background" except in the context of amps and DACs, where it refers to a low noise floor.

 
To me, when used in relation to headphones/audio equipment, 'blackness of background' refers to the apparent perceptiveness of silence when listening. The LCD-3 to me has a darker/blacker background sound which for me points to silence more closely and readily than something like the relatively brighter/'whiter' HD 800. 

 

[TMRaven]

I can't see it meaning any other thing besides fastest decaying vs a certain noise floor or signal/noise ratio of noise floor of an amp.
 
As to why people use 'black background' for those hard to dampen planar magnetics is beyond me.

 

[Windsor]

Update from earlier - switching between the LCD-3/HD 800/HD 600, my ears and gut keep pointing me to the HD 800 for pretty much everything I feed them. My appreciation for the prowess of the HD 800 is growing by the moment. 

 

[MacedonianHero]

Quote:

Update from earlier - switching between the LCD-3/HD 800/HD 600, my ears and gut keep pointing me to the HD 800 for pretty much everything I feed them. My appreciation for the prowess of the HD 800 is growing by the moment. 

I love both headphones, can't go wrong wither way with the HD800s or LCD-3s. But have you considered whether your Lavry DA10 is not optimal for power hungry orthos?

 

[preproman]

Quote:

I feel people use the phrase "black background" intending different meanings. I have yet to see a proper definition of it. 
 
For me? It's the effect/quality of subtle sounds being produced out of thin air in the soundstage...and in this regard, the HD800 is tops IMO.
I'm not sure what others mean by a "black background" except in the context of amps and DACs, where it refers to a low noise floor.

 
This was my thoughts as well - like the Gilmore amps ie GS-1

 

[MacedonianHero]

Quote:

 
This was my thoughts as well - like the Gilmore amps ie GS-1

As black as they come.

 

[Windsor]

Quote:

I love both headphones, can't go wrong wither way with the HD800s or LCD-3s. But have you considered whether your Lavry DA10 is not optimal for power hungry orthos?

 
Honestly, no. But I'd sure love to hear what a more powerful amp could do for the LCD-3. FYI: I'm not listening above ~70-75 dB due to ear-ringing I've experienced in the past, which I want to keep to a minimum. I might give the LCD-3 another quick listen at a louder level before returning it though. 

  
 
It's mainly the LCD-3's relative lack of treble prominence that keep pointing me to the HD 800. They're both incredible headphones but for me the HD 800 is definitely my consistently current favourite.

 

[MacedonianHero]

Quote:

 
Honestly, no. But I'd sure love to hear what a more powerful amp could do for the LCD-3. FYI: I'm not listening above ~70-75 dB due to ear-ringing I've experienced in the past, which I want to keep to a minimum. I might give the LCD-3 another quick listen at a louder level before returning it though. 

  
 
It's mainly the LCD-3's relative lack of treble prominence that keep pointing me to the HD 800. They're both incredible headphones but for me the HD 800 is definitely my consistently current favourite.

Power doesn't just give you MOAR dBs, but can drive the headphones better too. Tighter bass, more liquid mids and can extend treble. Just something to consider too. And orthos really respond to MOAR power. Can the LCD-2/3 sound good under 1W, sure...but they do improve with more.

 

[Maxvla]

As black as they come.

With my short time having this amp, I'd have to put the Bryston BHA-1 up there with the Gilmore amps in this department.

 

[MacedonianHero]

Quote:

With my short time having this amp, I'd have to put the Bryston BHA-1 up there with the Gilmore amps in this department.

Cool....looking forward to hearing one.
 
Do you find the blackness doesn't change even when you crank the volume to 100%? (Obviously without any music playing

).