Went through 3 different songs that I’m familiar with and took notes for both headphones. Here’s what I’m hearing:
I like this track for testing bass. I listen up to 1:28.
LCD-24:
Instruments and vocals seem to come from far left and right when they come in. Stage is tall. Bigger stage in all directions compared to 4.
Imaging seems more precise compared to 4. Clearer transitions as things pan around the stage.
Punchy, percussion is fast and has good air to cymbals.
Strong sub bass extension, rumbles but doesn’t sound overblown, less bass than 4.
LCD-4:
Bass has more quantity, same texture to 24.
Left and right size is smaller, sounds more intimate.
Percussion has decent air but is less than I’d like.
Still punchy but things sound a little slower.
Summary:
On this track 24 sounds a bit more tame in that it sounds even and not overdone in any specific area. I think it wins here in making the drums sound most realistic.
The 4 has more bass energy which is fun but can sound a bit too much at times.
I like this track for seeing how a system reacts to sibilant vocals. It’s also just a nice acoustic cover
LCD-24:
Guitar has more plucking and other string sounds, more pronounced than 4.
Vocals are borderline harsh (perhaps more realistic I guess not saying harsh is bad in this case) but not overly sibilant like it can sound on other systems. More lip and breath noise on the 24.
Vocals are clear and forward. Guitar and vocals are separate in the mix but in a nice natural way. The recording leans more to the right channel but it’s not bothersome.
LCD-4:
Closer in, both guitar and vocals have more smoothness to them.
Sounds smoothed over compared to 24 but it’s nice on this track since the vocals can sound shrill at times.
Guitar still has good twang but it’s not as pronounced.
More of a romantic sound here.
Summary:
On this track, the 4 is soothing and relaxed while still retaining most of the detail.
The 24 sounds clearer but is a tad more bright on this track which is more engaging but also a bit more fatiguing here.
Just a fun high energy electronic track.
LCD-24:
There’s this weird cricket sort of sound in the beginning of this track and it’s more pronounced on the 24.
Vocals smooth and forward.
Sounds faster with a bit more energy pushing things forward if that makes sense
Less bass bloom than 4 but still good punch.
Percussion hits sound more around me and moving in and out then they did on the 4.
There’s some vocal reverb effects at the edge of the stage that I’m hearing more clearly in the 24
LCD-4:
Nice cymbal air, good vocal presence. Bass has good weight but not the most speed.
A bit soft and not as grand as I’ve heard it. Still good fun though.
Sounds rolled in the top vs the 24
Kind of losing interest in the track on the 4. Music sounds like it’s dragging in parts.
Summary:
I prefer the 24 on this track, just sounds slow and boring on the 4. First time in this brief comparison where I would take one headphone definitively over the other.
Sorry that’s a bit long, just trying to translate my notes over to the forum post.
