Those who dismiss the HE-500 when compared to 'flagship' Beyer T1 will be very wrong indeed. To me, the HE-500 is way better.

I'd also take the HE-500 above the LCd-2.

From memory. The HE500 does bass just fine, spite being open. The HE-6 does it even better!!! The brilliant part about orthodynamics is that they can more air easily and quickly, thus won't have much problems with the bass. LCD-2s and -3s are also just as wonderful with the lows.

However, if an orthodynamic would be made into a closed headphone, when ported or dampened well, the bass = monstrous.

I've only heard the AD2000 once. And I have to disagree on the bass slam part.

You previously just mentioned that open headphones lack bass presence and all. Then now backtrack saying that the AD2k has.

The slam on the HE-6 and LCDs are stupendously good. And will satisfy all but the biggest bassheads, where the closed Fostex 'Thunderpants' TR50p will do.

The AD2000 does go really low I have to say. The extension is great, but the power is nowhere close to an orthodynamic, IMHO.

Your opinions seem to be very 'coloured' and biased towards your darling AD2000. I can understand. Everyone gets used to their own prized possession and the longer one uses these, the more they're familiar with the sound and the more they think its a world beater. Which is why I try my best to stay neutral.

I've had this friend who owned the A2000x and claims its one of the best he's ever heard. He traded them for a Beyer T5p, and now the T5p is the best headphone in the world. Unfortunately for the online community, he's got quite a robust following. And as such, his tribe all seem to think that nothing he says is wrong (he does have a vast knowledge of headphones and earphones).

That being said. I think the AD2000s are a great great piece of investment. They'll hang around really well with the likes of the HD700, Shure SH1840, RS1s and even the HE-500 (although I'd take the hifiman anyday). But their packaging itself shows that Audio Technica did not intend for these to compete with the absolute top rung. BUT, such is audio that if the sound signature matches your preference, the AD2000 will be more preferred than even say the STAX-sr09.