I’ve been listening to the HE1000 V2s for a couple days. The imaging/instrument separation is so good that the music almost sounds fake…and that’s it. It is very bright and harsh sounding, I don’t find it warm at all. I’m wondering where the lower midrange and soul to my music went, but I realize they were all taken out and tossed up above 2000khz. Have to make sure vocals sound great regardless how empty and harsh everything else sounds.
Compared to the LSA HP-2? The HP-2 wins easily. No contest. Much larger soundstage width/depth. Treble is much more refined. Better dynamics and growling sub-bass. A much fuller cohesive sound. The recessed hollow mid-range is still a better compromise than what the HE1000 compromises on: Scooped lower mids/boosted treble screeching at you. It just is the more musical headphone.
If we EQ the LSA HP-2 at 455hz & 1800hz up by 4.5dB, it completely murders the HE1000 V2 in every single facet. You have something that sounds like a Sony MDR-R10 going against an Oratory1990 EQ’d Sundara.