Thanks very much for your explanation, greatly appreciated! Yes I will stick to the +12dB setting as it sounds cleaner and more "in the zone" than the "overdrive" sounding +24dB setting. But I have to admit that albums with lower recorded volumes do benefit from the added gain in the beefier...

I just got an iFi iCan SE headphone amp which has both a +12dB and +24dB gain setting. I'm driving a 20 ohm Audeze LCD-XC and am very happy with the sound quality. One question though, using the +12dB setting I listen at 12 o'clock volume, whereas at +24dB I put the volume at 9 o'clock. I don't...

I have been using my XC with the Cayin C5 for months and found the pairing to be perfect. The XC definitely needed the extra low frequency heft that the C5's bass boost gave, while the added volume and spaciousness from the C5's gain and 3D features were the icing on the cake. I actually...

Strange you find the clamping force too loose, I thot it was perfect and I've got an average sized head. Did you adjust the length of the headband by moving up/down the notches on the metal rod at the earcups? I don't think the earcups are rotatable to the point that they can lay flat on a surface.

Do not under-estimate the closed-back value factor when choosing headphones. I've tried both the EL-8O and LCD-2 before settling on the XC. The LCD-2 has a thicker bassier yet curtailed treble sound signature, whereas the EL-8 has good mid-bass slam but a slightly prominent treble, both of which...

I'm using an Audeze LCD-XC + Hifiman HM650 DAP + Cayin C5 portable amp. I auditioned the Deckard with my setup and it sounded very open, clean and transparent with good instrument separation. What I feel it lacks is grunt, if you listen to mainly vocals and soft jazz quartets maybe it'll shine...

Dadracer, would love to read your article but unfortunately am unable to as it says I "do not have sufficient permission to view the article".

I don't see any issue using the XC outdoors - they isolate well, sounds superb with portable amps and are very comfortable (despite the weight). Turning heads that's inevitable, they are huge(!) but as long as you're minding your own business enjoying the music I don't think there's any issue...

Rynsin, Yes you have nothing to lose, the shops let you try cables, if it doesn't give any improvements just say "Hmm I don't hear any difference", they're problably just chuckle it off knowing that different strokes for different folks. It helps to be fully aware of yr headphone's tonal...

Relic, I totally have to agree with you Relic! It sounds so lush, full-bodied and goose-pimple inducingly gorgeous after 2 months with them now! I never knew headphones can sound so good until now. I used to hate horns and strings which are hard to play nice but on the XCs gosh they sound so...

  For me, Norah Jones Come Away with me album, some of the songs sound 'honky' or scwawky, its like her voice in certain segments of a song just grates on your ears. Not surprisingly, I've read another forummer here say the same thing about her recordings, and its apparent in ALL the headphones...

Please bear in mind that the perceived differences are subjective. If one is intolerant to brightness, any minute amount of improvement in brightness control would be perceivable. I wouldn't say its a night and day difference, which is why I said the treble is still piercing, but in a less rude...

Yes it's all relative, that's the beauty of it. Less headache for headphone manufacturers too lol. I would like to think my previous EL-8s were defective but I don't think they were. As mentioned, its relative, the guy I sold it to found it wonderfully detailed and sparkling (the treble was...

Strange to hear that as most had complained about its overzealous treble. Just goes to show there is no perfect headphone. My friend is looking to add more highs and air to his LCD-2 while I'm looking to thicken up the upper mid hump on my LCD-XC. We are not as lucky to be able to use EQ to...

Rynsin, I'm glad you brought that up :) I was a cable-sceptic like you for many years, each time my hardcore audiophile brother or friends go into cable recommendations and pep talk, my mind automatically closes it's door or just filters them off, so I know where you are coming from. I actually...

Cool! I have the LCD-XC which at 20 ohm are relatively easy to drive, but I'm hoping for more headroom as I hear the bass bailing when I pushed the volume for orchestral music on my 800 mw portable amp. I've tried other 4 watt desktop headphone amps but I'm really missing the bass boost (for...

It certainly did! Very glad to hear about the Xbass feature, that is very useful for me when I switch from gentle music to something more upbeat (I love audiophile music but I'm also a basshead!). They seemed to have gone for a more energized/fun and highly configurable sound signature from your...

Lucky you, would love to hear your impressions. Deal breaker? Nah, the specs and features look promising, looking forward to its release, just disappointed at its launch timing. Will wait for your impressions, enjoy!

Wow how did you manage to get one? My local retailer informed that it'll only be available soonest end Dec/early Jan. Why would any company choose to launch a new product AFTER the festive season is really puzzling.

I just discovered how much improvements a cable upgrade can make to the sound, gosh really cleans up the overall sound; the already black background got even darker and cleaner with mids made richer and bass thickens up nicely with a slight increase in full-bodiedness in the overall sound. And...

Thanks for your reply. I have an LCD-XC which are relatively easy to drive at 22 ohms that even my Cayin C5 portable amp @ 800 mw can drive. But they lose steam when I ramp the volume higher. As you said, a portable amp's internal battery can only do so much. I want portability but there are...

It has a nice sparkling treble, just that for certain songs it can seem overzealous. The EL-8 has more mid-bass slam compared to the LCD series which has more sub-bass slam. I actually preferred the looks and comfort of the EL-8. I agree that they are very versatile for indoor and outdoor use. I...

I had the open-backed EL-8, the soundstage is small yes but I wouldn't call it muffled. The high frequencies were in full force, my ears are very sensitive to brightness so I sold it although I love the bass. My brother told me my threshold for treble is very low, when I commented that a certain...