Just spent a week with my LCD2's and now have the HEX on my head as I go through my customary friday new releases on Qobuz. (my favourite time of the week)
All my comparisons with the HEX have been with the HD800, so thought it might be helpful comparing them to another well established planar. I've known and loved the LCD2.2 for a long time and now own my second pair. I'm not interested in any of the fazors as I don't see why you would fix what isn't broken. The Audeze are great at what they do, they are not a versatile headphone like the HEX but what they do good they do very good! Electronic music foremost is spot on - the lower registers, the balanced mids and rolled off treble is perfect for this type of music. I also love jazz on the LCD2 too. The intimate but still big (big as in instrument size and large sound) soundstage capped with the rich chocolatey sound has always charmed my ears.
The HEX to my ears now, is like putting the HD800 on after a week of the HD650 in comparison. Much more airier and open. Everything is a notch brighter. But the biggest improvement is the control and decay. The Audeze spill warmth out the bottom up through the mids which is nice - but not technically great (some may argue this point, but compared to the HEX this is what they do!). The controlled detail in the mids of the HEX is on a different level. Also is the realism again, I'm still to hear anything that sounds as realistic as the HIFIMAN's with natural timbre and vocals, both solo and choral.
The bass of the LCD2's is something else. This is a fact - who cares if its neutral when it is this much fun! The HEX in comparison gives a healthier dosage of low end and a more realistic one. Both are as tight as each other but the Audeze is pronounced more prominently at the lowest registers. Electronic music such as 'Rone' new release "Mirapolis" (been listening to this all week - fantastic producer) sounds much more effective and "fun" on the audeze in general, apart from the ambient parts where the HEX larger breathing space sounds more effective. The mids and treble of the Audeze also wins here. The HEX can pronounce sharper edges - 'sharper' with synthetic sounds. The HEX is clearer with more detail - but just not as easy on the ears.
However, with the exception of Electronic music (and the fun factor that comes with LCD2) the HEX is on another level. The price new here in the uk is a couple of hundred pound difference. I would put the HEX as double the difference in sound quality overall. Unlike the difference between say, the HD650 to the HD800 where some may prefer the darker friendlier sound of the former. The difference between the HEX and the Audeze is much more a case of technical superiority. Both headphones are trying to do the same thing; to be neutral but with a little "fun" added at the expense of purist technicalities.
At this stage - the HEX is my best buy to date. Expensive, but worth every penny. (even if I can hear my wallet quietly swearing in the background )
Happy listening HEXERS!
