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.

Love my LCD2C but they’re also tiring for me. Less to do with frequency and more with the pressure they produce. Ymmv.

Let me clarify, I was talking about the in-ear pressure from the massive diaphrams and insane seal on the ears. It's the reason they tune so well and have such awesome bass; they have best in class sealing and move around a lot of air. Unsurprisingly though, that also means more pressure on your eardrums. The weight isn't much of an issue for me.

Not sure why nobody has mentioned the Audeze LCD lineup yet, but they should feature high on your list of options. LCD-2C or LCD-X. Amongst the best bass you can ask for, very warm and if they’re not bright enough, can be EQ’ed to whatever you’d like them to sound like as if it was their house tuning.

I am not sure this type of post belongs here, but after seeing so many people asking about the same thing with similar budgets in mind, I thought I'd create one big list of headphones for people to look and chose from that I currently own, have owned in the past or have at one point had them on my head (at a friend's place or in an audio store) so I can speak from experiences. I've also looked up the current prices, as some prices today differ from the ones I saw some time back. These are just my picks, so take them with a grain of salt; just because I like them doesn't mean you will too, but they are all solid picks. If you think I've left any out, please do add them. I might not have tried the ones you think are worth a shot and I might try them myself in the future. Also, if I've messed up a price of any (which I sincerely hope I haven't), do please correct me if you spot a mistake. EDIT: I wrote down which are open backs and which are closed backs. **Under 100€** * Sony MDR7506 *(Closed back)* * Grado Labs SR60x *(Open back)* * Samson SR850 *(Semi-open back)* * Superlux HD681 *(Semi-open back)* **100€-200€** * Beyerdynamic DT 770/880/990 Pro *(Closed back, semi-open back, open back, respectively)* * Audio-Technica ATH M40X/M50X *(Closed back, both)* * Audio-Technica ATH AD700X *(Open back)* * Grado Labs SR80x/SR125x/SR225x *(Open back, all of them)* * Sennheiser HD6xx (Open back) * HiFiMan Sundara *(Open back)* **250€-300€** * Sennheiser HD600 *(Open back)* * HiFiMan Ananda *(Open back)* * HiFiMan HE400 *(Open back)* * Beyerdynamic DT700/900 Pro *(Closed back, open back, respectively)* * AKG K712 Pro *(Open back)* * Grado Labs SR325x *(Open back)* **350€-400€** * Sennheiser HD650 *(Open back)* * Audio-Technica ATH-R70x *(Open back)* * Audio-Technica ATH-M70X *(Closed back)* * Beyerdynamic DT1770/1990 MKI Pro *(Closed back, open back, respectively)* * Sennheiser HD660S *(Open back)* **500€-600€** * HiFiMan Arya Stealth (Insane for the price btw) *(Open back)* * Focal Bathys *(Closed back)* * Focal Azurys *(Closed back)* **Expensive€** * Sennheiser HD800S *(Open back)* * Audeze LC2C *(Open back)* * Audeze LCD-2 *(Open back)* * Audio-Technica ATH-ADX3000/ADX5000 *(Open back, both)* * HiFiMan HE1000 *(Open back)* * Focal Utopia *(Open back)* * HiFiMan Susvara (dream planar. one day perhaps, when I'm rich...) *(Open back)*

My favorites in terms of "bank for your buck" are definitely the Arya Stealth. If you spend a bit more, you get the LC2C which are also absolute beasts. Focal Utopia stunned me by how good it sounds for dynamic headphones and it made me reconsider how I view dynamics. As for immersion, I'd pick Susvara any time of the day, they were the best sounding ones and the most resolving ones I've ever tried (if I had the budget ofc). Other than that, the ADX5000 are brilliant and if you can't afford them, the ADX3000 is a cheaper model but still sounds amazing.

Susvara, but from the ones I actually do own I'd have to go with LC2C or Arya/ADX5000

Audeze LCD 2c's are perfect this. I use them for black metal exclusively.

I can only recommend what I have and use as a producer. Mobile use -Sony 1000 xm4’s. In ear mobile use Airpod pro3. Producing closed backs- Steve slate vsx, audio technica m50x. Open back ( more holographic 3D sound) audeze lcd 2c( eq’d and paired with a headphone tube amp) and hifiman edition XS( not unveiled) . If you have never heard dnb on open backs you’re missing out.

I can’t speak on the 2 but the 2C does great for metal as well. To my ears the 2C’s mid bass and mids are a little warmer than the X. I go for the 2C when I’m wanting to listen to some grunge, stoner metal. Music where the guitars aren’t doing as much technical playing. As for gaming I love both the X and 2C. I don’t really play any competitive games. Mostly single player story. I get lost in the soundtracks with both headphones. The X has a bit more punch in the sub bass which I find more immersive. Both my X and 2C are the 2021 versions

Arya stages wider to my ears. It has a bit more going on in the treble as well. Bass is great on both but I feel like the LCD-X has more impact. I find myself using the Arya when I want to really listen to a song where as the X is my go to for “fun” listening

A lot of Hifiman and Focals do sound harsh. I'm guessing you unfortunately tried the Audeze LCD-5, which deviates towards harshness moreso than its predecessors (2,X,3,4). I recommend trying the LCD-2c or LCD-X as I'm sure you will them less harsh.