Mini-shootout: LCD-X x HD800 x L700 (feat. GMB + Master9)

More pics here: http://imgur.com/gallery/DEdZ3

Yes, this is a repost from reddit but I added more content for the sake of this site.

Testing rig:
FLAC files on VOX on OSX(USB) > Schiit Gungnir Multibit > Master 9 > HD800/LCD-X OR STAX SRD7 Energizer(modded to pro bias / XLR inputs > L700

Notes: The HD800 has a serial of 28xxx and modded with the Shure tip mod + OJ Cork’s mod. The LCD-X was recently RMA’d, received around March 10, 2016 or so. The L700 was imported from PriceJapan directly. The Master 9 was produced in 2014. It should also be known that the Master9 is known to be a very smooth, warm amplifier with a vast amount of microdetail. I personally prefer this over the Schiit Ragnarok which has more aggressive treble and hard hitting bass. I owned the Mjolnir 2 prior to the Master 9 and I felt like the Mjolnir 2 + LISST was just the Rag with less details so I skipped it. Anyway, for me, not all headphones react to amplifier differences equally but I found it to be important and noticeable for all my 3 headphones. Perhaps the HD800 being the biggest offender.

Test Tracks:
Dayme Arocena – El Ruso
Stevie Wonder – Ribbon in the Sky
Eric Clapton – Layla
Odesza – All We Need
hyukoh – Comes and Goes

Sennheiser HD800(dynamic/reference):

• Best strength for me is the large soundstage that actually has depth and width associated with it. The midrange is smooth with a slight peak at the top end but it’s tolerable with the cork and DuPont mod. It does lack bass if you compare it to a planar but the cork mod helped a lot for my setup and other AGD+HD800 users have reported the same. It’s clinical, analytical and can be boring at times but definitely has a purpose in (my*) rig. I would recommend this as a main can though you may find yourself wanting another headphone or reverting to speakers for more easy listening. Also be warned that it is slightly difficult to pair with amps. I don't have much to say to this can, I feel like everyone's pretty much said everything that needs to be said about the HD800. It's great though, in terms of TOTL headphones, this is your best bang for your buck. Just be prepared to spend a good bit of time deliberating on your amp/dac choices, imo.

Audeze LCD-X(planar/fun):

• This headphone is veiled in the treble area and even though it’s open, it feels like it lacks air. The midrange is nothing to write home about, I am really not pleased with guitar when it comes to the X but it’s the most musical headphone I’ve ever owned. It's opposite to two of the other cans but this can perhaps appeal to the consumer sound that people are used to. Almost v-shaped with midbass and peaked treble with textured bass is its (only**) strong point. I think this headphone makes very good first impressions though sometimes the bass is too overdone as it bleeds into the midrange which makes it a love it or hate it can. I prefer these over the LCD-3’s which I found a bit too tamed though I know that people who prefer the 3 tend to hate the X too. I do like the LCD-4 above the both of them though I felt like the LCD-4 is not something you'd compare to a STAX or an HD800/s. If you like well textured bass and don't mind the treble imperfection then the LCD-X or even the LCD-4 are great choices. I would no doubt upgrade my X to a 4 if I could get it for a reasonable price though I wouldn't sell either of my cans just to do that either.

STAX L700(electrostatic/reference):

• My first foray into electrostatic headphones and I am not disappointed at all. I have heard a few estats(SR007/SR009/baby Orpheus) in the past, but I’ve never had anything for extended listening. This was a blind buy as I was curious with estats and considering that it was the same price as the old can I have sold, the Ether open. So with this, I decided to take a gamble and I am pleasantly surprised. They are very quick and nimble to the point that the music can sound a bit too artificial. I would say this quickness definitely contributes to the liquid mids that people talk about when they mention electrostats and it's quite addicting. Unlike other headphones, I feel like it's a bit hard to keep up with the decay because it's so nimble. They do lack the soundstage that the HD800 has but they are fully neutral along with having insane amount of detail. They also do not have much subbass but I'm not surprised though perhaps it can be the seal. I have long hair (girl) so they may not be sealing properly. Perhaps others would find them a bit too light but I do not regret owning the L700 at all. Quite easily makes genres with midrange/treble focus shine while sounding so effortlessly on top of detail.

As of now, in terms of enjoyment I rank my 3 headphones as:

L700 > HD800 > LCD-X

The LCD-X is definitely my fun pair while the other two are more for serious and grander experiences in listening. While I can say that there is an overlap between the HD800 and the L700 in certain cases, they are very different at the time you listen to them.

Footnotes:
*HD800 serves as a sort of easy listening can for me now. I like the STAX but there are days I don't feel it. Also it's kinda annoying to use when voice chatting. It's probably my least used can out of the bunch too but it's very versatile.
**heard the LCD-4 and the treble on it was just so much better than my X.

P.S. OJ can I be a Friend now?

 

That's a nice picture

Oh, and good review

 

I would have thought the HD800 would have won out with the Master 9 & Gungnir Multibit combo.

 

I think this high up in the game it really is a matter of preference. I can't say the STAX sound is for everyone.

 

Would you mind elaborating on the mids of the L700 vs the HD800?

 

L700 was a blind buy for me too. I liked my old combo SR202/SRM212 so much that I decided to sell all my headphones to fund the Stax.
While they are truly fantastic headphones with unbelievable mids, I'm sometimes offended by the trebles, especially today since I'm a bit tired.
I owned HD800 for more than 1 year. I see some similarities between both but from my memory I would say I like mids better on the Stax and L700 are overall more realistic with effortless representation.