Friend looking for an $800 (more or less) planar

So a friend is looking for a Set of planars in the $800 price range and asked me for advice. Unfortunately I don’t have a ton of experience in this area. I’ve got a pair of Aeon Flow Closed, but frankly I like the LCD2 classic better. Any recommendations? He doesn’t have a high power amp so efficiency is good.

 

My vote would be for LCD2 Classic. Even with my current sets (clear and auteur) I sometimes miss the LCD2C. Will probably snag a pair to have around one of these days if some pop up at a good second hand price. Other than the he560 the LCD2C are the only other planars I have personally heard so not the best person to be making recommendations here. They just have so much going for them, depending on the synergy of the system your friend is pairing them with, would be my pick. I ran them with GumbyA1 / Jot and loved it!

 

Your tastes sound similar to mine

 

I'd also say hunt for a second hand LCD 2 Classic Open and go for the Vegan pads! They make a worthwhile difference, they cost around $150 new but if you score a good deal second hand the total package is imo better than buying it new!

 

I just picked up my LCD2c from the Black Friday sale they have every year. $499 and tho it was "bstock" they sure looked brand new to me when i got them. Even smelled new. If you can wait till November you can have a pair at $499. It actually took me 3 years, year 1 I found out too late. Year 2 didn't have the money but this year was the year!!

 

Personally, I didn't like the LCD2C after borrowing a pair from @Azimuth for a while. It's hard to explain what I was hearing, but they felt stuffy to me...something about the bass combined with the staging. The Aeon Opens had the same issue and I ended up selling that pair as well.

I ended up enjoying my HE-5XX over both of them for far less money. So, just throwing that out there. Trying to hug that $800 ceiling won't necessarily result in more enjoyment depending on their preferences.

 

If leaning towards Audeze I'd just nab the LCD2. I have older ones but damn I love them. I have never listened to the classics. Pick 'em up 2nd hand if possible.

 

Couple good lcd2c deals

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649810133-audeze-lcd-2-classic-headphones/

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649789279-audeze-lcd-2c-headphones-like-new-in-upgraded-case/

I never did love the lcd 2 classic and favored Ether C, and other dynamics like Elex more.

The ether c flow is one of my favorite planars, but does demand power ands is closed. This price is unbeatable to get into it. Could use the rest of the budget to pick up a Jot2 or something. The other option i would most recommend is the HE500. Needs power, but does well on a modest amp and he can always plan to upgrade down the road. Used they are usually in the 400$ range.

Ether deal
https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/fs-miscellaneous-audio-stuff.11844/

i have not tried the 5xx but great deal here

https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...e-beloved-gear-wa6se-laux-afo-and-more.11873/

 

I've never heard it but maybe someone around here has and can comment: the HE6SE can often be found at Adorama for ~$600 new.

 

Take a look at Hifiman Ananda, at least try it I just had a short listen on it but liked the tonality and the level of details.

 

Hard to give specifics without knowing taste.
I've owned the MrSpeakers(Now DCA) Aeon Flow Open, Hifiman Edition XX, and Audeze 2C Closed.
Audeze wins on pure technicalities & detail. HFM was probably my preference tuning wise as it was the least 'home theatre' sounding(my phrase for over intense/tactile/tactile planar sound.) The Aeon had the best bass but it's also the weirdest sound if them all.

There's something to be said for the Sundara at a lower price class. It gives a taste of what better planars can do at a lower detail level. Don't go any lower though, I just took in an X4 after reading multiple reviews claiming it's 96% of the Sundara, it's not. Good starter can but it'll disappoint if your friends heard better/your gear.

 

If he likes the HFM sound, order your favorite HFM model from China or Hong Kong directly (taobao, alibaba, and similar Chinese shopping sites) - way cheaper even with currently crazy international shipping costs.

I also say HFM b/c I don't think most Audeze and MrSpeakers sounds that great without a higher power / current amp to drive them. A lot of the newer HFM models can sort of get away with it though. FWIW - I sold my LCD3 and EFO1.1 after I got my Stellaris as the Stellaris IMO does not drive either one very well. This is despite me originally thinking EFO didn't need the extra power / current but once I heard it on the "right amp", I couldn't go back. I may reacquire another Audeze of DCA headphone now that I have a Liquid Crimson though.

There are also some "smaller" mfgs out there (I've heard maybe 2-3), but I'm not sure how easy acquisition would be right now.

 

This is quite hard to recommend without having some more information tbh. I do quite like the LCD-2C (lush mids = immediately higher on my list) but they really aren't very good technically for their price (detail is quite lacking and bass is slop city, I do still like them though). Just for my personal value judgements, I don't realy feel comfortable giving just a nice general recommendation (as in without knowing specific tastes and hates) to any planars between sundara and 2021 LCD-X. Since it doesn't seem like $800 is a hard line I would try and bump that budget just a hair and get a used 2021 LCD-X. Without knowing source gear or music/sonic preferences I think thats probably the safest planar bet

Just as a heads up, the 2PF, 2F, and 2C all sound fairly substantially different. Much much more so than X silent revisions (which were already fairly substantial changes IMO)

I would avoid the HE-6SE without knowing exactly what OP has to drive them. While not the absolute worst to drive they are still quite difficult at 83dB/mW @ 50 ohm.

Also, just call your dealer. Even if its a big website based one, just give them a call/shoot them an email. There is a price that they aren't able to advertise under in most of the world and as you get higher up the price tier list that starts to reflect the actual street price a dealer will give you less and less. Sometimes there is just 0 margin and the price is what it is, but it doesnt hurt to just shoot out a few emails seeing what people can do