Dragonmilenario
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2005
- Posts
- 345
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- 362
I don’t consider the E3 to be analytical-sounding headphones.All these references lauding E3 for studio mixing is making me (a mere music listener) less hyped about trying a friend's E3 (hopefully in a couple months when I visit during a business trip), LOL.
I "LOL" because when I started in audio (2-channel speaker as a pre-teen, and not too long thereafter joined head-fi looking for earbuds/IEMs) I was all about neutrality as it was pounded into my head by my uncle and his friends (the guys who got me interested in audio). Over my time at head-fi, and growing into my own preferences, I've distinctly moved away from neutrality for *my* music enjoyment.
I recently bought the Liric 2 and I could compare it with the E3. For me, there isn’t a clear winner; well, anyone who buys one of these headphones is a winner because both sound fantastic.
I decided to go with the Liric 2 because I needed a more ‘portable’ and easy-to-drive solution for relaxed walking and these kinds of situations.
I think most of the comparisons of these two marvelous closed-backs are very accurate. To me, the Liric 2 has more present and fun bass, the mids are very nice in both, more present in the E3 and more relaxed in the Meze’s iteration. The highs in the E3 are more mellow and musical, while in the Liric 2 they are sharper and edgier, very similar to the Hifiman profile, not sibilant or harsh but definitely present.
Also, the Liric 2 has more layering and instrument separation. To me, the Liric 2 could be the king in that regard; it’s really something worth considering. The E3 is more wide and three-dimensional and could be more easily mistaken for an open-back headphone.
I think in this price range, you could go wrong with these two, but also I think it’s important to try them because, for example, I had some issues with my glasses and the isolation on the E3, and I’ve heard some others have had this same problem, but with the Liric 2.