Higher end audio....starting with cans

[Lays]

Was looking forward to the Alpha Dog, then I saw someone advertising a used Audeze LCD 2.2 (non-Fazor) for about 580USD, worth it? I've not quite sealed the deal with the AD seller coz he wants to retain the AD headphone stand, if I want it, I'd have to pay ~30USD more, so we've hit an impasse of sort.

580 for lcd2 is stupid cheap, buy it.

[GamerDude]

580 for lcd2 is stupid cheap, buy it.

Really? What do they usually go for brand new and used?

[BoredErica]

They still heavy.

[BoredErica]

I think unless GamerDude wants to go into audiophile land he should've just stuck with HD650s tbh.

[GamerDude]

I think unless GamerDude wants to go into audiophile land he should've just stuck with HD650s tbh.

That's a lucid and rational advice....I don't want to lose my head like I did with keyboards.  The AD seller has not backed down, neither have I.....I guess I'll have to pass on the AD. I'm giving the Audeze seller a chance to contact me, but will contact the original HD650 seller if the AD and LCD 2.2 sellers don't get back to me by tomorrow. Man, going into the audio universe is quite a challenge.

[MayflowerElectronics]

Yeah that's a stupid cheap price for those 2.2's. They will destroy the alpha dog.

 

Hell if you don't buy them  send me the link I will.

[BoredErica]

:huh:

 

Not much better than the $800 HD800.

I feel a normal person won't get their bang for the buck from a $500 headphone that's heavy. Not everybody in the universe cares about sound THAT MUCH, we just hang out in the audio sub too much to realize that. In fact, most people don't give a damn after a certain point. Bear in mind he's considering all of these without every trying any of them. Lots of eggs in one basket. Could be the best thing he's ever heard, could also be disappointing.

[MayflowerElectronics]

:huh:

Not much better than the $800 HD800.

I feel a normal person won't get their bang for the buck from a $500 headphone that's heavy. Not everybody in the universe cares about sound THAT MUCH, we just hang out in the audio sub too much to realize that. In fact, most people don't give a damn after a certain point. Bear in mind he's considering all of these without every trying any of them. Lots of eggs in one basket. Could be the best thing he's ever heard, could also be disappointing.

Hd800s are way overpriced. Yes they are heavy but that comes with the planar driver and not using plastic in the headphones. And as long as youre somewhat bigger guy/older the weight shouldn't bother you.

[GamerDude]

Well, the LCD 2.2 is moot, someone snagged it already....I just found out when the seller informed me of the sale. Oh well..... :unsure:  Now, should I relent and go for the AD, or do I seek out the HD650 seller?

[MayflowerElectronics]

Well, the LCD 2.2 is moot, someone snagged it already....I just found out when the seller informed me of the sale. Oh well..... :unsure: Now, should I relent and go for the AD, or do I seek out the HD650 seller?

Forgive me I'm on mobile and I'm too lazy to look back, but are you going to game with these? I prefer open headphones for gaming but if sound leakage bothers you I would go for the dogs. Also don't worry about the stand, you can get other ones for cheaper. Plus if you are good at negotiating you can talk him into giving it to you with the deal.

[GamerDude]

I may go back to the HD650 because I intend to get an iFi iCan V2, heard they go well together. Been scouring the Garage section, I see Beyerdynamic T90, Final Audio Design Pandora Hope VI (never even heard of this brand and model) and even an Audio Technica ATH-AD2000. Now, I must decide between the AD and the HD650.

[Lays]

Really? What do they usually go for brand new and used?

 

 

They're $800-$1000 new.  ~$750 used.

[Lays]

Hd800s are way overpriced. Yes they are heavy but that comes with the planar driver and not using plastic in the headphones. And as long as youre somewhat bigger guy/older the weight shouldn't bother you.

 

I'm about 220 with a really thick neck(probably from supporting my big giant brain), and the weight is ok with me up until I'm really tired or have a headache, or if I've had a long day they are slightly heavy.  Some days it's annoying, some days I don't notice em at all.

 

I notice it most if I slouch in my chair, because it puts more strain on my neck.   It's ok with me for about ~4-5 hours of continous use, then I usually get up and go get a snack or do something IRL, so most of the time the weight is totally OK.

 

 

I'm probably going to write a review about the HD800 when I get them, since the LCD-2 will still be fresh in my mind and I already wrote a review I can compare with.  I'm mostly looking for dat soundstage + a bit more comfort for when I have headaches/neckaches.

[ShearMe]

At the very least, wait for the HD 650 seller to get back to you. I wouldn't buy the AD'S from a guy being a prick about the stand.

[GamerDude]

Thanks for all the great advice, I've bit the bullet hard this time and am going to meet the HD800 seller. Will be back with pics of my new baby!

[MrGoat]

Thanks for all the great advice, I've bit the bullet hard this time and am going to meet the HD800 seller. Will be back with pics of my new baby!

Good luck. I hope you like them, the sound stage is really something else. Seriously though, it may be exactly the sound you are wanting, but, if you can find a place near you to listen to different headphones I would recommend it. I was always really interested in the HD800 until I finally got to listen to them and compare them to other headphones side by side.

[creatip123]

Thanks for all the great advice, I've bit the bullet hard this time and am going to meet the HD800 seller. Will be back with pics of my new baby!

 

HD800 is a kind of 'love em or hate em' thing, due to its distinct sound signature. Well, I don't think anyone would actually hate it, but perhaps deems it not worth the price. 

 

In my experience, it's also 'amp picky'. Not that it won't work with particular amps, or won't work without a dedicated amp. I mean, it's quite sensitive to the amp used. Plug it to amp A, and then plug it to amp B, it could sound quite different (not necessarily better or worse, but different). It's actually a good thing, though, as you can find an amp that suits your preference best, later on. 

[BoredErica]

HD800 is a kind of 'love em or hate em' thing, due to its distinct sound signature. Well, I don't think anyone would actually hate it, but perhaps deems it not worth the price. 

 

In my experience, it's also 'amp picky'. Not that it won't work with particular amps, or won't work without a dedicated amp. I mean, it's quite sensitive to the amp used. Plug it to amp A, and then plug it to amp B, it could sound quite different (not necessarily better or worse, but different). It's actually a good thing, though, as you can find an amp that suits your preference best, later on. 

No, some people actually hate it.

And no to the amp picky part. 

 

 

Good luck. I hope you like them, the sound stage is really something else. Seriously though, it may be exactly the sound you are wanting, but, if you can find a place near you to listen to different headphones I would recommend it. I was always really interested in the HD800 until I finally got to listen to them and compare them to other headphones side by side.

 

r u rlly a goat?!

[GamerDude]

Got it, put it thru its paces with both my Marantz SR7001 vis headphone out and on my 2ng rig with the Asus Xonar Phoebus Solo which drove the cans quite easily. All I can say is.....wow! It sounds quite transparent, pretty good soundstage though I suspect a good dedicated DAC/AMP would really bring it on. I was expecting anemic bass from what I've heard of reviews, it's there and has present when the need calls for it, very controlled and tight though. Highs is great, and surprisingly, does not sound harsh, not in the least bit irritating. I'd been listening to a number of tracks ranging from Linda Ronstadt's Cry Like A Rainstorm, The Eagles and some Kenny G. This is just the initial impression, I think I need to get a DAC/amp though....

[GamerDude]

A couple of pics to show the cosmetic defects that were on the HD800, minor defects but would certainly drive someone anal up the wall.

Basically, a little of the paint had been scratched off, no indentations, the headphone jack has some scratches on it as well....nothing deal breaking for me.

[swifty7]

Considering you saved $600,  the cosmetic damages are negligible as long as there isn't any kind of audible damage.  I don't know how close the sound signature of HD700 is to that of the 800's,  all I know is the Audio Technica's I recommended and listened to, is substantially better than the 700's......well!!  at least to me.  I've listened to both cans in Best Buy's Magnolia section using my iphone 4s.   What I love about the audio Technica's is that it has a very balanced sound not to mention extreme comfort and build quality.   Go to Magnolia and try it yourself.  My next headphone upgrade will be either the Audio Tech's or the Hifiman HE-500.  I only wish I had the opportunity to test the He-500 myself.

 

 

all you'll need now is a nice amp/dac combo.

[GamerDude]

all you'll need now is a nice amp/dac combo.

On that front, I'm set to get an iFi iCan + iDSD combo in a few days' time.....I wonder if you guys have heard of iFi. Thoughts?

 

Links:

iFi iDSD Nano - http://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/nano-idsd/

IFi iCAN v2 - http://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/micro-ican/

 

Difference between the iCAN v1 and v2 is the gain setting/adjustment for IEM's....not a concern for me as I'd be using it mainly for my HD800.

[ShearMe]

>$1500 headphones

>paint comes off

 

 

Glad you're enjoying them, though that was never really in question.

[MrGoat]

... though I suspect a good dedicated DAC/AMP would really bring it on..... I think I need to get a DAC/amp though....

Yes you do, seriously. Enjoy!

[NannerBeans]

On that front, I'm set to get an iFi iCan + iDSD combo in a few days' time.....I wonder if you guys have heard of iFi. Thoughts?

 

Links:

iFi iDSD Nano - http://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/nano-idsd/

IFi iCAN v2 - http://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/micro-ican/

 

Difference between the iCAN v1 and v2 is the gain setting/adjustment for IEM's....not a concern for me as I'd be using it mainly for my HD800.

 

Can't find the pricing for those but I would stay away from it. Their graphs make them look like they don't know what they're doing. They're comparing the power output to a macbook and an ipod. Also that graph of "dampening factor" makes zero sense to me.