[HiFiChris]

Imo neither is correct as there is no absolute opinion and everybody's perception of sound is different. If someone says that the LCD-X doesn't sound relaxed, it is his/her perception. Only because others may disagree doesn't mean that it isn't true for that person. As ear anatomy, hair, HRTF, mood, personal tastes and preferences play an important role a single headphone won't sound identical for everyone.
 
 
At least I can say that (compared to the neutral Etymotic ER-4S and almost neutral UERM) to me the HD 800 has a moderately recessed midrange, as well as moderately emphasised highs and a hump in the bass region, whereas the LCD-X has got the more full-bodied sound signature with evenly emhasised bass and ground tone, prominent midrange which is rather on the dark side, as well as a recessed presence area. That's what I perceive.

 

[Moonhead]

Old new, but to those who loves the Blues be sure to check out..
 
Muddy Waters - Folk Singer
 
Mesmerizing with HD800

 

[rogerthatmand]

  Old new, but to those who loves the Blues be sure to check out..
 
Muddy Waters - Folk Singer
 
Mesmerizing with HD800

 
I know exactly what you're talking about 

 

[heart banger-97]

  Imo neither is correct as there is no absolute opinion and everybody's perception of sound is different. If someone says that the LCD-X doesn't sound relaxed, it is his/her perception. Only because others may disagree doesn't mean that it isn't true for that person. As ear anatomy, hair, HRTF, mood, personal tastes and preferences play an important role a single headphone won't sound identical for everyone.
 
 
At least I can say that (compared to the neutral Etymotic ER-4S and almost neutral UERM) to me the HD 800 has a moderately recessed midrange, as well as moderately emphasised highs and a hump in the bass region, whereas the LCD-X has got the more full-bodied sound signature with evenly emhasised bass and ground tone, prominent midrange which is rather on the dark side, as well as a recessed presence area. That's what I perceive.

That was my problem too.
 
Quote:

   
 
I think that my problem is with the way that they present music especially in the mid and upper mid (in comparison of my westone 4r+75ohm resistance). I feel there is a thin mask between me and the guitar or cymbals. Music is not as aggressive as I like. Maybe it's the hd800 that I'm listening to is defective (its SN is 8XXX) or maybe I accustomed to inear's sound too much.
I used different songs from guitar centric (like Joe Satriani) to drum centric (like Tool) to good mastered (like Porcupine Tree)

That was why I went to T1 and it was better for me.
Quote:

   
 
Honestly, I was in this point too. Deciding between T1, HD800, HE560 is a hard choice. Especially for someone like me who accustomed too much to w4r and sony z1000 midrange.
I tried hd800 for 2 days, but honestly, I couldn't get connection to it. Then I went to T1 and it was a better choice.
I can n't compare them in depth. But, my main problem was that they were not focused in the midrange and I couldn't get emotionally involved with their midrange.
I found their midrange not clear enough. I felt that there was a thin skin between me and their midrange. What I've found very interesting, is that a dip in 500hz (and peak at 3khz) can remove that feeling.

 

[mikoss]

I don't find the midrange to be recessed myself... where the HD-650's bring about a warm, holographic midrange with a good OTL amp, the HD-800's replace midrange warmth with tonal accuracy. I do agree that the HD-800's tend to have an emphasis on treble (especially stock), however modded, they sound fairly linear to me. Driving the 800's from the Zana Deux, I am certainly satisfied with the accuracy and warmth... I think they can sound much different depending on the source. For a lot of genres, I prefer the 800's imaging to the 650's magical mids.
 
As for preferring the T1's; I personally prefer the DT-880's. I think Beyer produced a fairly neutral sounding headphone with the 880... I don't know what they were after with the T1.

 

[listen4joy]

i think hd800 is not  evaluated enough. look among the high end headphones its the most popular headphone its has 1278 pages in headfi. its got in 2009.
7 years old and still kicking and fighting this newer high end headphones (dharma, mr speakers ether, lcd, hifiman stax and on and on... 7 years, maybe its no longer the "king" but still very exellent all arounder and give hard fight to all this new players around. kudos to Sennheiser  i love my hd 800 (-:
with proer amp like dna stratus it will give fight even  hifiman he-1000. 

 

[ubs28]

  The HD800 actually has a mild depression in its presence region in the upper midrange-lower treble.  That region (3-5khz) is where a lot of the harmonics for acoustic instruments, and the snap of percussion is, it's what I consider to carry most of the energy in the audio range.
 
In that sense, I find the midrange of the HD800 a little laid-back in of itself, but LCD-X is way more extreme in that regard.  HD650 and HD600 are actually quite full in that region, thus quite snappy.  They don't quite have the mid-upper treble presence though.
 
That's just the way I personally hear things.

The HD800 sounds a bit little warm due that small dip (and a small peak in the treble region), no energy is lost in my opinion. It's actually quite pleasant. 

 

[Arnotts]

Thanks to everyone that offered advice on whether I should stick with the HD800's or not.
 
I've decided to pick up a Valhalla 2 as well as a balanced cable to drive them balanced from the M-DAC (to use when I feel like using my reference system).
 
Gustard X12 + Valhalla 2 ---> HD800's
 
VS
 
Audiolab M-DAC ---> balanced outputs ---> LCD-X's
 
Should be interesting to see which setup I prefer. The M-DAC and LCD-X combo is absolutely amazing.
 
I might also pick up a pair of HD650's, depending on how much I enjoy the DT880's from the Valhalla 2 compared to the Gustard H10.

 

[potkettleblack]

 

[pearljam50000]

I'm thinking on getting the Apogee Groove as a DAC/amp for my HD800, but i'm not sure if it is powerful enough, can anyone tell me if it is enogh for the HD800?!
Specs:
Features:
USB 2.0 connection to Mac and PC
Up to 24 bit / 192kHz audio
ESS Sabre DAC
Enhances your iTunes, Tidal, Spotify, Pandora or other music listening experiences
Constant Current Drive™ provides smooth frequency response with any headphones
Quad Sum DAC™, 4 DACs per channel for highest dynamic range and lowest distortion
Asynchronous clocking
Multi-color LEDs for status and level indication
Powered by USB
Top panel buttons adjust and mute volume
Compact and portable (95mm L x 30mm W x 16mm H)
Premium aluminum build quality
Built in the USA
D/A conversion :
THD+N: -107 dB with 600 Ohm load @ 16 dBu
(-109 dB with 600 Ohm load @ 16 dBu-Anniversary Edition)
THD+N: -100dB with 30 Ohm load @ 10.5 dBu
(-101dB with 30 Ohm load @ 10.5 dBu-Anniversary Edition)
Dynamic Range: 117dB a-weighted
(119dB a-weighted-Anniversary Edition)
Frequency response: 10Hz – 20K +/- 0.2dB
(10Hz – 20K +/- 0.1dB-Anniversary Edition)
Max output level:
225mW into 30 Ohm
40mW into 600 Ohm
8 channel ESS DAC (4 DACs per channel)

 

[skeptic]

Per your question, in terms of power alone, it has more than enough to hit 115db peaks (although not with huge amounts to spare like most desktop amps would).

On the whole though, I suspect you could do much better for the same money. Do you really need a portable solution? What in particular is drawing you to the apogee product?

 

[pearljam50000]

Thanks!
I want the Groove because i belive pro studio gear is always better than "Hi-Fi" and also i like the form factor and being able to move my laptop to different locations with no problem, unlike with a desktop DAC+amp, but i am not 100% sure about it.
How do you think i can do better with the same money?
Thanks

 

[Sorrodje]

How much money are we talking about? For what use? Sedentary or on the go?

 

[koiloco]

Thanks!
I want the Groove because i belive pro studio gear is always better than "Hi-Fi" and also i like the form factor and being able to move my laptop to different locations with no problem, unlike with a desktop DAC+amp, but i am not 100% sure about it.
How do you think i can do better with the same money?
Thanks

I have used a fair share of pro studio recording, mixing, DAC, and other equipment.  I can tell you that these days, IMO, your statement might not hold true as often as it used to.  For other HPs, I would say give it a try but for HD800, don't.  I just compared the HD800 on my WA22 vs Roland Octa-Capture.  The SQ from the Roland was actually surprisingly pleasant.  I never use Apogee products so I am not sure how they are in comparison to Roland products which are usually known to be quite clean and smooth.

 

[pearljam50000]

300$-350$
I just don't want to be stuck at one desk and be able to move from room to room(not take outside the house)
I currently have a Geek Out 720 but not sure about the synergy.

How much money are we talking about? For what use? Sedentary or on the go?