Sony - LCD-2 Classic (LCD-2C)

I got and returned the 109 Pro after few weeks. They are super comfortable, nice sounding and that is it. They are nice they didn't do much for me no complaints it just OK. I found my self going back more and more to my older Arya Stealth and 6xx. Obviously everyone is different but I think under $1000 there is much better at least objectively better headphones and you can listen to them first. Focal Clear, Arya Stealth, LCD-2C (used) I would even throw in 660S2. All these to me sounded better than 109 Pro.

The LCD-2C have a good but not great bass, more shy and mellow than i would like, but they are very good. Something i generally dislike about Audezes is they are HEFTY and weight a ton. Not a problem for short listens but if you sit like 3-4 hours straight for work then it might be an issue. Those are also expensive, so i would say try to audition them before buying of course. As for the amps, the K7 is great but the K11 (or K11 R2R) have access to the new Fiio control app that lets you do simple EQs and the K7 didnt, unless you are ok using Equalizer APO or other EQ apps. But the K7 is GREAT dont get me wrong, and can be found relatively cheap these days. Plenty of power too. The Fosi with the mic input is great if you plan to use "headset" styled microphones. If you want a full sized microphone in your desk is ok to skip and go for the K7 or other alternatives.

Audeze is even better. Had A pair of open back for at least 10 years. They are good NG to cost you $800+, but they work just like the day I pulled them out the box.

Grado SR-225 about 23 years ago were the first *headphones* that made me care about *headphone* sound. I already cared about speaker sound long before that (although couldn't afford really good gear until more recently). Mids were great, highs were ok, but I quickly came to realize that they had basically zero bass, and were exceedingly uncomfortable in so many ways (bad headband, bad pads (open-cell foam coated with some heavy-duty rubberized shit like plasti-dip? wtf?) and REALLY bad cable...) 3 years later I snagged a Sennheiser HD600 for $50 and my eyes were REALLY opened to just how good headphones could sound. Stuck with those for 13 years, then hopped to the LCD-2 for 6 years (which have oodles of bass, probably too much, but their treble response sucks donkey nuts), and just recently sold them and yoinked an HD820 for less than half price. Edit: yikes, major typo! hope nobody noticed... 😬

For the love of all that's good and holy, avoid those bell-shaped headphone stands at all costs, especially where planars are concerned. They look nice, but they can denigrate both your pads, and drivers. >To me, headphone is more like personal preference than money game(e.g. more expensive gear = better sound) This is spot on. Perfect example, I vehemently dislike the 800S and strongly prefer the HD 490s. Same with the Utopia; I prefer the Radiance and the Stellia. Prefer the LCD-X and LCD-2 to the LCD-5. Meze 109 Pros over the Elites, the Liric II's over the Empyrean IIs. The Bokeh Closed and Atrium over the Caldera. The list goes on. Most brands are obsessed with focusing on technical performance as they push toward summit-fi, prioritizing upper mid and treble clarity and detail, soundstage, etc. I need low frequency energy in my headphones; not just extension, but emphasis. I've learned, the hard way, that, with a couple of exceptions, anything from that 3.5-5k region is not going to be tuned to my preferences.

I’ve had the Audeze lcd-x and sold them for both the lcd2 and lcd2 closed. LCD X are fantastic but I can get what I like outa the lcd 2 for 99% of what I use my headphones for, they sound so similar for most things just a little less bass imo, and the other 1% the lcd2 closed does its job (stupid lots of bass lol) I’ve had the sennheiser 660s and gave them to my best friend, I always felt like I was going to break them, But they sound great. I have both the hifiman sundara and sundara closed, these were replaced with my Audezes. They sound good for the price you can get them today but I like my audezes more. I also have the Moondrop Venus, those sit on a stand and I don’t use them. They weigh a damn ton and are no better than a sundara in sound but they’re beautiful lookin lol.

I use the 599s for general gaming and pc use with some music listening as well when im at my pc. I think they sound very natural and work well for general use like that. No real musicality to them in terms of music sounding amazing, but they arent bad either. The big draw for me aside from their comfort is that they are very natural in terms of sound stage and tonality. Sometimes things sound like they are happening in the room with me and thats really appealing to me. My more fun music headphones for pc use are the fiio Ft-1 but those are a lil dark sounding sometimes. Im really interested in buying eventually one of the new audio technica headphones and using those for music as well. On the higher end tho i do have the Audeze lcd2 which are phenomenal to listen to and i use for really dedicated music listening but i dont always want to pull those out.

Interesting question. I own roughly 17 headphones from low to high end. It’s maybe an obsessive hobby for me that turned into a collecting endeavor. I’ve owned the older DCA Noire, the DCA E3, Audeze LCD2, HiFiman Arya V2 and HE1000V2, ZMF Atrium and Aeolus, Beyerdynamic T1 and DT1990 and DT880, Meze 99 Classic, both Aune AR5000 and SR7000, Sennheiser 6xx, and some bass cannons like the Modhouse Argon and Harmonicdyne Eris. And a bunch of others that don’t really meaningfully stand out. I tend to notice a disparity between my “best” headphones and the ones I listen to the most. The DCAs and HiFimans are objectively excellent, but I rarely pick them up. For me, personally, I’m in love with a rich, full-bodied and impactful sound. The ZMF Aeolus on an OTL Tube amp takes the win for me every time. It just makes every single song sound so enjoyable. It is soulful and “weighty”. Many of my headphones are technically better in many categories, but if enjoyment is the most important factor then the ZMF Aeolus hits the mark every time. It is just so well rounded and engaging with every type of music.

For me endgame was Sr Omega and 007mk2, sold 1266 and LCD2 after listening to estats

I have Audeze LCD2s that are making a buzzing sound specifically at vocal/saxophone ranges. Some Airy-er synths as well. Generally they work fine, and I can hear bass/other frequencies well. The buzzing sound is really annoying while I'm trying to listen though, and I can't quite predict when it will arrive. Audeze has informed me that my headphones are out of warranty, and they are prohibitively expensive to replace the drivers on them. Is there any advice that can be offered here?