this is exactly how I discovered “cables matter”
and yes, this is EXACTLY what I did
It seems the path for Audeze cable upgrades is a common one…
3 Likes
Hello,
With the Lcd 2C I also bought 2 different cables on a silver basis and to be honest, for once I couldn’t hear a huge difference compared to the standard cable from Audeze.
If there was a difference, it was so minimal that it didn’t justify the expensive purchase of a cable.
The strange thing about the Audeze is that it hardly reacts to changing cables.
You can see this on the good or the bad side.
It’s reassuring, though, that you don’t have to worry about it.
But I can only speak for the Lcd2C, I don’t know how it is with the other models but I assume it is similar.
2 Likes
For me the higher up audeze have good cables. Since their mini xlr are unique to me, and getting an adapter would make the headphone plugs too long (unlike the senn 2 pins) I have not tried anything else. I do have the copper silver mix cable from the 24 i can try but i havent yet tbh.
2 Likes
So from everything I’ve gleaned… 2pf, good. 2c, watered down garbage. X, maybe as it depends on your tastes. Reason I ask is because a pretty good deal on some 2c has come my way so I was wondering if it’s worth the deep discount.
3 Likes
Hello,
I have asked Audeze about this but only for the current models.
The sound signature of the LCD-2 Classic is based on our original 2008 design, so it has no fazors and a slightly warmer tonal balance than the standard LCD-2. Many listeners tell us that they hear less energy in the upper midrange and a more spacious/open soundstage with the Classics, but less specific imaging than with the standard 2s.
I understand the criticisms that have been made.
At the beginning I had the impression that it could do more, because before that I listened to SS amplifiers.
This has since changed when I went to Hybrid and Otl amps with the Classic.
Much more free and open instead of inhibited on the SS amplifier.
I am considering myself if it makes sense to go to the current Lcd2 but it would probably only be a minimal improvement for me if at all.
So I can’t say that the Lcd2 C is watery rubbish.
It simply still has good potential to go up if you get it right.
I would just leave the EQ alone.
Even the preset on Roon was terrible to my ears.
2 Likes
I personally think the LCD 2c is not a competitive headphone in the current market, its not a bad can at all and it has the traditional audeze house sound, but really it lacks enough punch, dynamics and detail to make it not worth it.
Like deleeh said, it has good potential for scaling and tweaking with amps (like every LCD), my burson funk opened its soundstage quite a bit.
5 Likes
A quick impression:
So after a few days with the new 2021 revision, I may dare say I prefer the pre-revision LCD-X.
The newer one does have a more normalized FR off the bat but still needs an eq tweak imho. But, it just doesn’t take EQ the same. The old version had little to no impact outside of fr from EQ implementation, where the new one seems to take hits to technicalities.
Staging gets more sennheiser left, right, center 3 orbed, and is more congested with pieces stepping on each other. Everything also is lower height wise. Where the old X was a more natural head height, here things feel more floor level. There is also a loss of weight and a sense things are more flat while details from far away sounds being much less present. TLDR: Things sound more like poor recordings.
Turning off EQ doesnt resolve this but it seems that it us less present. I would go no eq but it seems voices are almost too present and grating while still having a little (but otherwise livable) wonkyness.
This is with ~10 hours of break in so i hope it changes more for the better as it already has a little. And its just not an odd unit.
I also have to note the pads on this new 2021 are deeper with a possible smaller ear hole diameter than the replacement open cells i bought for my prerevision. If i had these deeper pads i probably would have kept the old X. The cable 6.3 termination also seems different changing from a audeze labeled to a neutriks looking connector.
8 Likes
Hello,
It’s really funny.
When a new version or a revision comes out, everyone jumps on it and ends up saying that the previous version was better than the new one.
So the previous version can’t have been that bad, can it?
Do I really need an Eq for the new version of the Lcd-X?
I’m glad I don’t have to use it if I don’t have to.
I once tried the Audeze Lcd 2c for the Lcd 2C setting at Roon and found it really awful on the tube amp.
Without Eq I liked the tubes much better, but I guess it is more for SS amps the setting is meant than for tubes.
Otherwise, nice report, it was nice to read nothing compellingly negative as usual.
I would also be interested in the Lcd X.
1 Like
Also a side note.
The magnetic strength on these seem much weaker which, yes, ok, less magnets. But the old ones would pull in and stick a metal pen i had on my desk when i put it down. These ones dont even react.
I know there is much more to this but i wonder if that is contributing to the lack of control i hear.
I would say it is not 100% necessary. There are still benefits i value with eq, above what is lost. But if you dont eq there is an extra layer of texture to be had.
2 Likes
I dont think I’ll ever fully understand the love for the LCD-X. It isnt awful or anything, but I feel it has some issues, especially with the recessed mids. Add to that the bass roll off at 35 Hz-ish and peakish treble and very intimate soundstage that lacks frontwards and backwards depth.
Granted, I havent heard the 2021 revision, but I can’t imagine that all of those issues have been corrected (maybe a few have though). Also, for those who don’t EQ or use the reveal plug-in, such as myself, those issues are compounded.
1 Like
For me on the prerevision EQ fixed these. A bass shelf gave me plenty of bass, mids got unwonked (to a respectable level) and the highs never bothered me outside of other peoples mics. Without eq i would not use them.
The stage didn’t feel huge but was average to what i expect. I do agree it was more wide than deep but once again not so to the point of bothering me. IMHO it also used the space well and had good seperation.
It delivers a drier but thick and weighty sound with a bunch of detail you dont get before spending $1.5k+
This was also all on the bf2 → rnhp which is a premier matchup for the X.
2 Likes
Having a loaned LCD X 21 pre rev again I agree with a lot of the points here
I really like the pleasing nature of the headphones as they come, I enjoy them very much as something opposed to my collection of bright ass headphones
LCD X takes EQ with extremely low distornion, but I dont find it detailed (on the top end) no matter how much EQ you use, ive seen a lot of people putting crazy amounts and being like “now the details came out and its great” which is not my experience, the X is not a very resolving headphone for its price, its a little more resolving than hifiman anandas.
Everytime Ive had it (LCD X) I tried several EQ configs and it always ruins the experience for me, specially when I matched it to how the new revision is supposed to sound lol, its still as resolving but the sweetness and body of the mids is recessed.
To me, yours will vary, these are pleasure cans, the pre rev is likely better, the X is not for detailed listening and If someone wants resolve better go for something else instead of massively EQing these.
The same way I like them with no EQ, other ears may like a little bit of it, but I would shy away from +14 treble shelf oratory EQ. Also they do take bass shelves like champs but thats not my taste.
On the other hand the XC pre rev come brighter out the box and those I do heavily bass shelf, they are very very fun.
I find the X and XC very good for their used price, Ive really liked them tho they are loaners, not mine
1 Like
For their used price of $800-900 i find the detail retrieval to be pretty darn great. Much better than my Radiance of the same price.
For the full $1200-1500 ill have to see. I feel the hd800s is probably the best to give it a run for the money but there is more competition, even used MX4s. For a little more you start seeing 4s and 4zs now.
3 Likes
i want to note but not sure where. The Old X seemed to be a bit more natural and presented low level detail better. New X seems to lose this and has just more attention in emphasizing “oh look these pieces are just extremely panned left and right.”
Im only 12 hours in and want to break it in more as it does seem to help. But i feel like i miss my old pair, just not the oddly more shallow replacement pads that had the fazors sit on my ears
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I just wasn’t a fan at all. I have the opposite opinion as I feel it is one of the worst headphones I’ve heard at that price range. It’s all about preferences though…I prefer things to be much more linear and I despise treble that is all over the place and peaky. I also am anti-EQ, so that just makes this a no go for me. I felt that the Focal Clear OG is a much better sounding headphone for my preferences at the same price point, and more comfortable too.
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This is a difficult price range to compete in because its where most audiophiles, or at least the ones on my circle have to pick a path
Like picking a class
Hd800s
Clear/mg
Lcd x
Arya
Are the common obs and they are all quite different, for me the clear og did
As much as I like the X I wont buy one, im expecting a 2pf though as audeze sound is special for me
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I mean, the Sendy Aiva has a very similar sound signature to the LCD-X but at half the cost. Though to be clear, I disliked those as well, lol.
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I’ve been hearing recently that there’s great synergy b/w audeze and chord products. I was wondering what you guys think about this pairing in general? Agree/disagree?
Btw, been mostly hearing this w/ lcd5 and tt2 together…
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LCD 2 pf arrived today
Sounds absolutely awesome on every genre thrown on my random songs
Its so relaxing and engaging at the same time, this is one if the best headphones I have heard
Keeping in mind I dont mind detail as much as dynamics, timbre and stage
I thought the bass would be overdone but its not at all, its perfectly balanced (not linear)
11 Likes
Hello,
Would have a Lcd 2.2 pf near my home with forza cable for 700€.
Am still torn whether to pull the trigger or not.
The condition is really good in the photos.
I still have the Classic from 2020.
I’m actually saving up for a Zmf headphone but don’t know which one yet.
Aelous or Auteur.Auteur would be objectively better for me although I haven’t heard a Zmf yet.
But not available because of a driver update that is only available again in the summer, then the question is at what price it will be.
Questions about questions…
1 Like