AKG K701

Just enjoyed a comparative listening session to AudioQuest Nighthawk, Grado RS1000 and Audeze LCD 2. I was using the lovely new Cyrus 1 amp with Audiolab transport. Here are a few thoughts:

1. AudioQuest Nighthawk. Very smooth sounding and well made. Comfortable too, just lacking a bit of overall clarity. I think in the long term, they wouldn't be clear enough to keep me satisfied.
2. Grado RS1000. Sounded a bit thin and bright coming after the Nighthawks, but my ears quickly adapted. The extra clarity then hit home. Downsides? Just not enough bass for me. I don't really think they are significantly better than the RS2es that I already own and their lack of bass would make them a step backwards.
3. Audeze LCD2. Very well made and they had me wanting them from just picking them up and handling them. Sound was like a better defined version of the Nighthawks. Not really a great deal more clarity though and the bass was still a bit thuddy. They were insanely heavy too. Not sure I could tolerate that weight for long, although the pads were very luxurious. Given that these are planar magnetic cans, I'd expected something special with soundstaging. Honestly, I heard nothing to suggest the technology behind them was different from the Grados or AQs.

So where does this lead me? Well none of them were a step up from the RS2e that I own. But then even they aren't anywhere near as good as I want. So far I still haven't heard a pair of headphones that approach even a budget pair of speakers. Unless I find a pair of phones that are stratospherically better than those I have heard so far, I will remain a headphone skeptic. My mate has a pair of Stax Lambda Pro Signatures that he will let me try at some point, but they will have to completely bury every other headphone I have heard to raise my interest. Having the sound "inside your head" with no soundstaging just isn't "hifi" to me. I see little worth in spending more than the cost of a used pair of SR60s because the improvements from spending lots more are pretty small. Maybe I just have different priorities to people who enjoy headphones.

I will need to check out Sennheiser. The guy lettimg me have a listen loves the HD600s that you are keen on too IIRC

You're right there, I am surprised how little the improvements are between a £100 and a £1000 pair of headphones though. Most of the difference with the Grados seems to stem from the foams, cabling and the small wooden bits. None of which are exactly expensive. Changing the pads on my SR60i and SR80i brought them far closer to the RS2es and they cost me £1.70 a pair.

Do try Senn HD700's Westie, light and comfortable, and if you can't manage to get to hear a set you would be welcome to try mine.