The HD6XX are terrific headphones, and the next step up is a jump. you’re looking about $1000. There are options in between, but not worth it. Take the plunge or wait until you can. I have high dollar headphones, but still enjoy returning to my HD650’s from time to time for a variety of reasons.
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I am looking into my first proper purchase. My everyday listening (and production) situation for the past 10 years has been a desktop set up of iMac with KRK VXT6 monitors through a Native Instruments KA6 audio device. Recently i’ve dug out a very old pair of Bose QC3’s and have made the switch to only listneing to these in the evening and with some EQ in Roon they are pretty enjoyable. I have a huge local library of FLAC and Qobuz and I use Roon. You can see where this is going 
I live quite rural and don’t have transport so I can’t really get a shop to audution so I’d love to get some advice for a first time buyer to suit my musical tastes, if possible, please!
I’ve been enticed by Audeze and I really like the look of the LCD-2C or the LCD-X. I’m really looking for something that does bass very well as I mostly listen to electronic/dance music. I’m comfortable with the parametric EQ in Roon and trying out different settings.
My price range is: £800 to £1200 max. I will probably buy the Fiio K7 Pro and see how it goes from there.
Here’s a small cross section of what I like to listen too:
Jazz (Sun Ra, Coltrane, Mingus, Coleman)
Psych, Garage and Krautrock… Can, Beefheart, Velvet Underground, Doors, Residents, Funkadelic, Parliament, Eno, Kraftwerk, Radiohead
Synth and Art Pop… Japan, OMD, Talking Heads, YMO, New Order, Cocteau Twins, Art of Noise, Propaganda, Yello, Bjork, HTRK
Ambient… lots of this for late night vibes.
IDM, Detroit Techno, Dub Techno, Drum n Bass, Reggae & Dub, Bass… the deeper side of dance and club music.
I will be using them for: Home listening. Maybe for watching movies too with a Pioneer amp.
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Just to clarify, 800-1200 for the headphones only? Also, LCD-2C, i. e. (C)lassic, or (C)losed?
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Yes, for headphones only. I plan to run them from my audio device initially while I save up for a K7 Pro. And LCD2-Classic.
Planars typically have great bass extension and take EQ well, but they aren’t the most blammy headphone drivers; Focal and ZMF dynamic drivers seem to excel better at slam characteristics. The former do perform well regarding instrument separation, though, particularly during busy passages.
Hopefully that helps you narrow the field based on your desired listening preferences. I personally prefer to have a decent headphone utilizing each driver technology, as that way I can switch transducers depending on what I’m in the mood for at that time.
Oh, and go for the Audeze LCD-2F over the classic; it’s noticeably more resolving IMO.
Happy hunting!
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I owned the LCD-2C and own the LCD-X 2021, so I’ll try to help!
The LCD-2C is delicious for rock because it has good bass and decent sub-bass, with aggressive, forward mids. The bass isn’t super punchy, but it’s far richer and less thin than HiFiMan bass, for example. The only deficiency is a lack of detail in the treble, which is rolled off. Still, the imaging and soundstage are solid.
The LCD-X is more neutral than the LCD-2C, with solid bass but not as prevalent as the LCD-2C. The midrange honk also is tuned down, and there’s considerably more detail. Imaging and separation also are good.
LCD-X 2021 is my daily driver because while it does nothing extraordinarily well, it depicts all areas of the sonic spectrum quite well, especially with EQ. It’s the most “balanced” headphone I’ve owned, with the best blend of tonality, soundstage, imaging, separation and detail.
Soundstage on both the Audeze models are decent. Not mind-blowingly wide but not claustrophobic, either.
Three things to consider with any Audeze headphone:
One, they’re among the heaviest headphones on the market. The LCD-X are 612 grams; that’s 1.35 pounds of headphone on your head. The LCD-2C’s are 544 grams – more than a pound. Compare those weights to the venerable HD 6XX, which weigh only 260 grams.
Thankfully, the suspension band distributes the weight well, but neither of these cans EVER will “disappear into your head.” You’ll know you’re wearing them at all times.
Two, they need an amp, especially the LCD-2C. The LCD-X 2021 are easier to drive, but they – and all planars – benefit from the extra power of a real amp. Elicits more dynamics, detail, etc.
Three, both the LCD-2C and LCD-X 2021 take EQ very, very well. I think EQ is almost required for both of these cans to get the best sound due to Audeze’s unique take on midrange tuning.
Build quality is one thing you don’t need to worry about with Audeze cans, other than the plasticky LCD-1. They’re built like tanks. Tons of metal and almost no plastic to be seen anywhere. That’s one of the reasons they’re so heavy.
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Also, beware of Audeze’s thick pads before the LCD-5. I got rid of my LCD-2C not because of its overall weight, but because of side pressure. The combination of weight and downward leverage literally popped my jaw in its socket and caused serious pain.
I kind of wanted to keep them around because the build and feel is very ‘rock & roll’ and reminded me of driving a 4x4 truck.
Try before you buy.
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We’re opposites: I love the older, “chunky” pads on the LCD-2C, for example. Super comfy, plenty of depth to fit even the most protruding ears. The pads on the LCD-X 2021 are thinner and not quite as deep or comfortable for me.
Different strokes!
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Thank you @Nuance, @pk500 and @generic. Lots to think about here. Appreciate it.
I can see this happening down the line. Would be great to have all angles and genres covered.
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I want to ask an odd question. I’m using Galaxy buds pro and I want to switch to kz ast, my purpose of switching is just what kind of sound performance the 12 luminaire will give. Do you think there is a difference between Buds pro and it is worth going through?
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The AST is generally considered to be another failure of KZ to break into a higher price range with a larger number of balanced armature drivers per shell. I don’t care for it much myself. I much prefer the sound their hybrid dynamic driver + balanced armature (1+7) offerings like the ZAX or the CCA CA16 (non-Pro). And they fit better than the mammoth and heavy AST.
If you want to get a decent all-balanced armature set from KZ, the CS16 Pro has been very well-received and it is half the price. I have it, too, and it is much better than the AST in my estimation.
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I want to see what headphone/s you recommend for listening to piano solo music. Had experience with HD800s and Grado gs1000x. HD800s sounds far away, maybe due to its large soundstage. GS1000 sounds like piano is in the water. Not really satisfied with their sound for piano music. Any recommendations from this forum? any price range is ok for me.
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In the any price range category, I can recommend the ZMF Auteur. I grew up with a piano, and love the way it portrays the instrument.
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Welcome.
The HD 800 S sounds closer/narrower to my ears if I boost the bass and/or use a tube amp, but yes it is inherently very wide.
I found solo piano to be striking on the Focal Clear and Utopia, as they are narrower, punchy, clean, and defined. The Utopia in particular can be too intense with other genres, but its nuances highlight the dynamics of solo instruments.
A wee bit off topic: I’ve purchased a Focal Clear MG Pro but there’s a tinny rattle in the left can. Any suggestions on where to go to potentially have it serviced?
TIA
I really dig piano with the focal utopia and mysphere. Mysphere is more natural but utopia has a bit more contrast (a bit exaggerated) imo. That being said, both are picky with source gear so if you’re not willing to spend the money on it to get the best out of them, i like the focal clear in that regard
First, welcome to the forum! Lots of good advice/thought here.
Second, maybe a dumb question, but you’ve got a good source and amp in front of these, right?
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Please clarify whether the rattle is in the chassis or coming from the driver. Unfortunately, chassis rattle was/is the norm for the OG Clear. My OG Clear creaks if too much cup extension makes the cups loose against my head. If the rattle comes from the driver and is synced with music, then I’d send it in for service.
Focal has official service centers, and I don’t know where else to send them.
I can’t help but think it’s from the driver. I had bought it mint from someone who had less than 100 hours’ use on it, but it’s so bad that I find I’m automatically reaching for a different set of headphones to work on… which is a far cry from what one thinks of $1000+ headphones…
Thanks, I’ll look into the Focal service centers.
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I really like the Rosson Audio Design RAD-0 for piano in a conventional headphone. I also like the Nectar Hive (which I own) and most other e-stats that I’ve heard for piano. They are very “fast” and do a good job of capturing the initial sound of the key being struck by a hammer.
I grew up with a small piano in the house, and we have a large upright now. The next door neighbor, with whom we are friends is a piano tuner and jazz pianist. So I do know what a piano sounds like.
Note that many people seem to like the RAD-0 for acoustic music, and it is a very good all-rounder. I do not have experience with ZMF, but elsewhere on the forum people who know both seem to think that there is some similarity between the RAD-0 and the ZMF Auteur that others have recommended to you.
As @Lou_Ford points out, a good source and amp will help substantially. I use the Schiit Bifrost 2/64 and Lyr 3 stack, usually with the LSSST “solid state tube”, or alternatively the flagship FIIO K9 Pro ESS DAC/AMP for the RAD-0, and the Bifrost 2/64 with a Mjolnir modified STAX tube amp for the e-stats.