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jeffers
10
May 10, 2016
Just joined the drop. Hoping the hype train will not let me down on these. Have the X2's, HD600s and DT990 Pros as my "premium" headphones i own. Also own the Audio Technica Pro700mk2s with HM5 pads as my "basshead" HPs which i actually quite like but has nowhere near the detail of lets say the DT990s in the highs. I'm Hoping the TH-X00 will bring a bit of everything from the above headphones into the one "end game" for me. Have my O2/ODAC combo and a Schiit Vali 2 to drive them.
Love my female vocals (such as Grimes and Lauren Mayberry from CHVRCHES) and they shine on the 990s, will the X00s do the same you reckon?
CliffCri
45
May 10, 2016
jeffersJeff, I've joined the purple version and hope too this is awesome. Now I'm in the lookout for opens. Hows your HD600 compare to X2? I'm leaning towards HD650, but just can't let go of the X2. Could probably buy both if only both goes on sale. If not I have to choose one.
spressa
43
May 10, 2016
CliffCriI know you asked Jeff but I've owned all 3 pair of those headphones. In the end, I actually prefer the HD600 to the other 2. for that "sennheiser sound" I think that the sennheiser does analytical listening better and the hd650 and the x2 are more colored. However, as an overall open headphone, depending on your budget, would you be open to pushing your budget to say the LCD2's or the upper Hifiman's? I'm still in love with my he500's (hifiman, i would say aren't too consistent though so some sound better than others.) and have opted to keep these as my open headphones over other one's like hd800s, the lcd2's and even the newer he560.
rhineth
16
May 10, 2016
jeffersI received my X00s yesterday and both Grimes and CHVRCHES were among my first listens. I was very pleased.
I used to have the TH900s and they were impressive, but for me, there was a little too much bass and they were also a little too intense in the upper female vocal range (Grimes, Joanna Newsom, etc.) - even with Moon Audio cables matched in part to counteract this . So far, the X00s seem to have 95% of the TH900's positive attributes, without the abrasiveness/fatigue that I experienced. I will say, however, that I found the TH900s earcup to be more comfortable, as the opening of the X00s is a little small. The X00s are quite tolerable, however, and as I imagine the X00s earcups are partially responsible for the sound, I will keep them.
I also briefly owned HD650s, of which I had no complaints. In fact, they were very good, but at the time, I was also demoing LCD-XCs, LCD Xs, and LCD-3s, all of which I preferred sound-wise (though not comfort-wise).
Ultimately, the LCD-3s ended up my favorite of any headphones I've ever listened to, but I couldn't justify the cost at the time. The XCs were a close second (and even on top at times), but the weight was an issue. The TH900s were amazing with some types of music, but almost unlistenable with others. If I had the funds, I would love a pair, but I would rather have X00s, HD600s or HD650s if I could only have one. The 650s were good, but in the end, I decided to dump them all and go with the X00, with a plan of eventually adding an HD600 and a planar (most likely Audeze, but I have not heard HiFiman planars yet).
Obviously, with headphones YMMV, but long story short, I like the X00s with female vocals, especially those backed with fun synth arrangements, such as Grimes and CHVRCHES. They also did well with another favorite test track of mine, The Doors' "Riders on the Storm." I will give them the "Joanna Newsom squeal test" (which I just made up, and mean no offense to the awesome Joanna or her hilarious husband) tonight. I'll probably try some more analog indie rock, classical, bluegrass, and other genres, as well.
jeffers
10
May 10, 2016
rhinethThanks so much for the detailed reply!!! That means heaps and it's good to know that I can have opinions first hand on those 2 amazing artists. Glad I joined the drop now! Thanks again Jeff
jeffers
10
May 10, 2016
CliffCriI would overall definitely prefer the HD600s compared to the X2s. All the descriptions of the HD600 is exactly correct IMO. As Zeos Pantera puts it, it is that straight line audio wise where it does everything very good but nothing absolutely great. My 990s beats it in the rich highs but loses to it in the mids, the X2s beats it in soundstage and bass impact (for opens) but will never beat the HD600s in control and overall resolution in the other frequencies. The X2 however is definitely a more fun headphone especially with EDM, man it is good on EDM.
However if i was to choose one it will definitely be the HD600s. They are just an overall amazing buy for its price.
CliffCri
45
May 11, 2016
jeffersAppreciate it Jeff... Thanks.. If I can only choose one, then HD600/650 it is...
CliffCri
45
May 11, 2016
spressaAppreciate it Spressa.. I'll listen to HD600 and HD650 again. Either should be fine. I'm now more at ease not getting X2 :)
I love to get those LCD2.. If only they 're a gran or less I'll get them instead. Hifiman I'm kind of avoiding because or poorer build.
spressa
43
May 11, 2016
CliffCriThe lcd2 is on sale for 700 at adorama. I believe they fixed the fazor issue too. I like my he500 a good amount, as I chose to keep it over other high-end headphones. With the he500 and these, I'm happy with my choices for endgame.
CliffCri
45
May 11, 2016
spressaCan you give me the link? I checked Adorama and they're $995. My bad, I'm at down under and so USD$995 is like AUD$1400.. $700 though will be amazing.
Yea fazor issue too I've read. How do you know the version your buying is the newer ones without the fazor.
spressa
43
May 11, 2016
CliffCrihttp://www.adorama.com/AULCD2LATC.html?emailprice=t&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_source=rflaid62905
That's the link to the $700 price. The aluminum model is newer and an adorama exclusive. I remember reading that they fixed the issue, it didn't have to do with fazor but with their production quality at the time. I auditioned to a pair with the issues and I think ppl made it out to be a bit bigger than I thought they were, although it wasn't me shelling out 1100 USD out for them. As for my he500, I've a&b-ed 2 other he-500s and mine sound better... I keep trying to convince myself to upgrade but nothing has been worth while to me. I thought about going back to the hd800 and asked my friend to bring his over. The end result was him buying a pair of he500s and him seeking his hd800s.
CliffCri
45
May 11, 2016
spressaNice... There is an headphone store just two blocks where I live and I'll audition this baby as soon as I can. I'll try those hifis too just to compare. Thanks Spressa...
caliphonia
65
May 11, 2016
spressaI was agonizing over picking one of these LCD-2 from Adorama earlier this week before this drop hit. I haven't heard the LCD-2 but I have auditioned the LCD-3 and LCD-X and really want that Audeze sound. However, every review I read says the LCD-3 is a significant upgrade to the LCD-2. That's a little worrisome. While I really liked the LCD-3, I found the LCD-X to be better to my ears, and the 3 didn't respond to all music equally well. Also, the fact that Adorama has a special link for the $700 model and the regular link still says $995 is highly suspicious. It's gotta make people wonder if they are trying to get rid of a batch from the problematic production run. Anyway, I settled on these Fostex, as I don't own any audiophile close back headphones. Saving my money for a quality desktop amp before jumping on a Planar, hopefully, a higher quality one than the LCD-2. My HD 650 and these THX-00 will serve me fine for the time being. Ever since I upgraded my portable dac/amp, my HD650 sounds like a much improved headphones, and I'm really enjoying it now.
obsidyen
6
May 11, 2016
caliphoniaThere are many people who prefer TH-X00 over LCD-2 so you did the right thing. I think HD650+TH-X00 will serve any musical need.
spressa
43
May 11, 2016
obsidyenI think it's a completely different sound though. It's a preference of open versus closed at that point (I know these are semi-open but I feel they're more closed then open). I originally preferred closed but prefer open way more now but I do miss that lower end that open headphones tend to lack. Hence my preference for the colored lower end of my he500 over the hd800.
To your point though, I think that once you're in this category ($400-500+) you're at preferential/diminishing returns category. Even though I think an LCD-3 sounds better than the LCD-2, I personally don't think it's worth $1,250 more. For, $1,250 - you can get the LCD-2 and a very good DAC/AMP, or you can get these THX00 + the LCD-2, and have $150 leftover for cable mod or something.
I'm rambling but I personally think the LCD-2 sounds better than the HD600/650 but the price of the LCD2 reflects that but if it came down to it, I'd choose a set of HD600/650 + THX00 over a single LCD-2 if i was completely budget constrained.
rhineth
16
May 11, 2016
caliphoniaAdding to spressa's very "sound" comment - with you already owning the HD650, and with you liking the LCD-X over the LCD-3, I think going with the X00 for now is a good choice.
Eventually, though, you may want try the LCD-XC - it is closed but sounds astonishingly open (having the sense of space and imaging that the X00, while very good in other respects, is somewhat lacking) and has that "Audeze sound" in spades. It is very heavy, but if you can deal, the XC is also different enough from both the HD650 and X00 that you wouldn't feel like you wasted purchases.
For those of you reading this who may be a bit jealous of caliphonia because they don't already have an HD600/650, you can often pick up an HD600 with a $150 gift card from the U.S. Amazon site (you'll use it eventually) for only $399 (Steve/Will, can I post price info like this on Massdrop?). So, for under $650 (taking into account the gift card), you've got two great and very different phones.
caliphonia
65
May 11, 2016
rhinethThese TH-X00 and the HD600/650 are the best bargains in audiophile headphones. It's really hard to get better than any of those 3 for less than $1k. The day will come when I acquire a much higher end headphones, but that day will be well after I acquire a really nice desktop amp that can drive said headphones. I currently own portable amps and no desktop amps. A quality desktop amp looks to be in the range of $1k and above, which Massdrop could help out on (hint, hint). Something like a Woo Audio WA7 or a Schiit Mjolnir 2, both of which are reputed good mid-range desktop amps.
spressa
43
May 11, 2016
caliphoniaI think that there are plenty of amps that are able to power high-end headphones. I know I've somewhat rambled on but usually, my methodology of upgrading/downgrading/end-game is to buy something near the very top and slowly downgrade to where I don't necessarily miss the best-out-there. It's ultimately how I let go of my HD800/HDVD800 and slowly trickled down to yulong d100 mkii & he-500 for every day use. I still buy other items out of impulse but I generally only wait for deals that I know will either be a flip where I'll get all my money back or even make a profit. I love selling stuff and also have no problems returning items I don't enjoy which I know a lot of people don't have a stomach for. This is how I treat all my hobbies (i.e. computers, collectible figurines, shoes, watches, etc.).
qu11355
169
May 12, 2016
spressaI have a pair of HE 500s, they just do vocals so well
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