Audeze LCD-X

Overview:

Up for review today is the infamous Audeze LCD-X 2020. This is the professional version of the LCD-2/3/4 series and as such costs less. It is also the open-back brother to the LCD-XC – though I prefer the sound of the X to the XC, which I think most people will agree that’s true with most open-backs. Just like the XC, thee come with “Ultra-Thin Uniforce™ diaphragms, Fazor waveguides, and powerful neodymium magnets to deliver extremely accurate and detailed sound. The sophisticated planar magnetic drivers achieve a high efficiency with low impedance.” So…planars. On with the review!

Accessories/Earpads/Eartips (2/10):

Just like with the XC, the accessories are Meh. They came with…nothing really. Literally, there was a cable in the box. The ear pads are pretty nice though – comfy. They CAME with ear pads, but every over-ear should do that. Yes, I’m grasping at straws – I literally cannot give more than 2 points here because all it came with are decent ear pads and a foam-padded cardboard box.



Cable (2/10):

The stock cable sucks. I’m just going to be blunt here. The Sennheiser HD600 has a nicer cable and it’s ~$300. The 6.35mm cable included with this is tangly, has memory retention, and feels cheaper than the $20 cable I got off amazon. Also, based upon how much changing the cable from the stock to a 4.4mm balanced improved the sound, I can honestly say this is the first stock cable that I really think made the headphone worse – to the point of wanting to throw it away. At least it came with a cable…that’s the only positive thing I have to say about it. Replace immediately.

Build Quality/Comfort (10/10):

These are great build quality. Very solid, and a little lighter than the XC. No carbon fiber cups like the XC has, but it obviously doesn’t need them with the open back. Keep in mind, the newer version actually removed 2/8 fazors, so the newer version has a different sound, and it’s not necessarily better. Look up comparisons between the two and pick the sound you want.

Sound:

I am running these off of a Cocktail Audio HA500H DAC/amp on low gain with tubes disabled on an unbalanced 6.35mm. I’m running these at around 40-45/100 volume. I don’t have a balanced cable to use with these, but if the LCD-XC is any indicator, a balanced cable will improve these exponentially.



Lows (8/20):

Starting off with the Mid-bass/Sub-bass test I’m using David Guetta’s “I’m Good (Blue).” These are not basshead headphones and the impact on the intro kick drums has a weird level of reverb – it sounds pretty unnatural. The sub-bass is decent quality, but low quantity. Bass is definitely not the strong suit of the LCD-X. That said, it’s not going to offend anyone I suppose, but it’s definitely not the highlight.

Up next is Demon Hunter’s “I Am A Stone,” which I use to test whether the bass is too strong and overwhelms the mids. Guess what? You can hear the bass in the background, but it definitely doesn’t overwhelm the mids here. The vocals and mid-strings are definitely the stars of the show here. They sound great, full-bodied, and clean. Great ability to not overwhelm here.

Mids (15/20):

Weaving The Fate’s “The Fall” is a test song for guitars and vocals. Yeah, this sounds great. The guitars come in really strong and the vocals are super clean and clear. You can easily tell the different layers of this song quite easily. Again, the bass is discernable but doesn’t overwhelm the mids which are the highlight of the song on the LCD-X. If I had any complaints here, it’s that the clean guitars sound a little flat compared to the dirty guitars.

Staind’s “Something to Remind You” has clean electric guitars and wonderful vocals. The LCD-X manages to pull off a good presentation on the vocals here. The clean guitar in the background sounds good as well, but the vocals feel like the highlight of this song. Better yet, you don’t lose out on the bass guitar like you can on some bass-light headphones. Mids are definitely where these headphones are at.

To test classical mids, I’m using The Piano Guys' “Code Name Vivaldi.” Each instrument in this song is clearly represented with no bias one way or the other. Pianos, strings, and bass -they all play well together to present a good, if not top-tier, representation of this song.

Highs (16/20):

To test sibilance on headphones I use Panic! At The Disco’s “High Hopes. The intro trumpets are a bit sharp, which is unusual, but it’s only on higher volumes. There is a tad bit of sibilance, but nothing crazy, definitely towards the lower to mid-end of the spectrum.

The first highs test song I’ll be using is Dream Theater’s “The Alien,” which I use to test and see if the cymbals/high-hats/snare can be clearly heard and distinguished from the rest of the music. The highs here are more present than the XTC-O but worse than several lower-end IEMs. You can hear the cymbals, but just barely and there is little to no separation here between strikes with the drumsticks.

Michelle McLaughlin’s “Across The Burren” is another of my favorite highs/sharpness test songs as it can easily sound painful on some headphones. There is basically no sharpness in this song. It gets close to the edge occasionally, but there’s nothing bad enough to complain about here. It’s an overall good representation of the highs in this song.

Soundstage/ Instrument Separation (8/10):

Large soundstage – bigger than the XTC-O, good instrument separation – slightly better than the XTC-O, but just barely. The soundstage while playing Hogwarts Legacy was pretty epic on the LCD-X while on the XTC-O it’s more intimate.

Comparisons:

The LCD-X has a bigger soundstage than the XTC-O. The XTC-O has significantly more bass and slightly reduced highs. The XTC-O feels a little more ‘full’ sounding than the LCD-X, likely due to the increased low end and smaller soundstage. The XTC-O may actually be a little more difficult to drive since the volume on the 3.5mm with the LCD-X is slightly louder than the volume balanced on the XTC-O. The mids feel a little more pronounced and clear on the LCD-X than on the XTC-O. This comparison is very similar to the XTC-O vs RAD-0 comparison, which shouldn’t be surprising since Audeze and Rosson are related. The Rosson still has near-magical mids which the LCD-X gets close to but doesn’t quite share while the XTC-O still have some of the best lows available.



Conclusion:

Whether or not you get the LCD-X really comes down to your preferences. If you want a bigger soundstage and mids and highs are more your focus, then the LCD-X is tough to beat. It is relatively heavy and the cable, while functional, begs to be replaced by a more competent cable. It also pairs better with tube amps to give it a bit more warmth. The XTC-O and LCD-X don’t just share their love of acronyms, they are also very similar in design and performance – it’s up to you to decide what you prefer more.

About Audeze LCD-X 2021.​

Audeze is a high-end audio headphone manufacturer based in Costa Mesa, CA. Established in 2009, they have grown from a garage based startup to one of the most innovative audio companies in the past few years. LCD-X was first introduced in 2013. Today, the updated LCD-X, more commonly referred to as LCD-X 2021, leverages patented Audeze technologies, including Ultra-Thin Uniforce™ diaphragms, Fazor waveguides, and powerful neodymium magnets to deliver extremely accurate and detailed sound. The sophisticated planar magnetic drivers achieve high efficiency with low impedance, such that LCD-X can deliver great sound from nearly any device with a headphone output. Audeze also lowered the weight for increased comfort. It features a suspension headband for even weight distribution, and highly-cushioned premium ear pads for support.

It is offered in two package options -

• Creator Package which comes with the standard single-ended 1/4" braided OCC copper cable and Audeze's economy travel case.
• Premium Package which comes with both a 4-pin balanced XLR and single-ended 1/4" braided OCC Copper cable, a 1/4" to 1/8" stereo adapter, and their premium travel case for the toughest protection.

Official Website - Audeze LCD-X 2021 | Available for sale from authorised retailers like Bloom Audio

The product was provided to me free of charge for the review in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Technical Specifications.​

• Style - Over-ear, open-back
• Transducer type - Planar Magnetic
• Magnetic structure - Proprietary magnet array
• Phase management - Fazor
• Magnet type - Neodymium N50
• Diaphragm type - Ultra-Thin Uniforce
• Transducer size - 106 mm
• Maximum SPL - >130dB
• Frequency response 10Hz - 50kHz
• THD - <0.1% @ 100 dB SPL
• Sensitivity - 103 dB/1 mW (at Drum Reference Point)
• Impedance - 20Ω
• Max power handling - 5W RMS
• Min recommended power - > 100mW
• Recommended power level - >250mW
• Cable - 1.9m (6.8ft) length, Single ended 1/4" (6.3mm) termination
• Wire material - 20 AWG high-purity OCC audio-grade copper
• Weight - 612g

LCD-X 2021 Updates.​

Audeze say that the critical thin film they use for their diaphragms has been revised and improved. "From the original thicker film we started with, to the much thinner
film we started using a few years ago - even the chemical composition has morphed
over time", says their rep on Head-fi. The updated LCD-X 2021 has new ear pads as well as refined and newly optimised magnetic circuits. They modified the ear pad material to get a better seal around the ears on differently shaped heads for a more consistent sonic experience.

Build Quality and Design.​

For me, Audeze headphones have always had an eye catching high end boutique design and are built link tanks, with LCD-X 2021 being no different! The ear cups, grill, headband and headband adjusters are all made of metal, while the ear pads and suspension are made of high quality leather - which are extremely comfortable, breathe quite well and don't feel sticky even on hot days. I do have some minor complaints though. Even though I love the headband adjustment design, the adjustment mechanism isn't the smoothest and the 612g weight is substantial for you to always be aware of them sitting on your head.




Cable – Audeze include a very nice premium 20 AWG high-purity OCC cable that has a 1/4" jack and mini-XLR connectors. It is 1.9m (6.8 feet) long, tangle-free and non-microphonic, that works perfectly with desktop setups. The downside is that it isn't a balanced cable and audiophiles who want to use it with a DAP or desktop amp with balanced ports either need to buy the $1700 Premium package which includes a 4-pin XLR balanced cable and 1/4" to 3.5mm adapters or invest in buying a 3rd party cable. The $500 up-charge for the Premium package is a little too steep in my opinion and I would rather recommend buying a nice balanced cable from a cable manufacturer instead, some of which can be had for as low as $40-50.





Case - LCD-X 2021 comes in a really nice heavy duty hard shell case which fits the headphones as well as the cable really well in a stable foam cut out inside. I'm really impressed with Audeze including their Economy LCD Travel Case even in their cheaper priced Creator Package option. The Premium package however comes with the Premium LCD Travel Case.

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Fit and Comfort.​

LCD-X fits really well with ear cups that encompass the whole ear and ear pads that are extremely well padded for the ear to not touch the driver assembly and remain comfortable for hours. Even though this now weighs 50 grams lighter than the previous iteration, its 612 grams weight can still feel heavy after a couple of hours of usage, but I do find the suspension head strap and cushy ear pads distributing the weight better than the previous iteration. Now if Audeze somehow manage to reduce LCD-X's weight by a couple of 100 grams, it will be a big time win for them!

Sound Analysis.​

Drivability - With an impedance of 20Ω and sensitivity rating of 103dB/mW, LCD-X 2021 is extremely easy to drive from most sources, even smartphones.




Sound summary – LCD-X 2021 improves on the previous iteration, particularly in the bass and midrange. It extends deeper and doesn't have as sucked out an upper-midrange as the previous version. It has a very minor sub-bass roll-off around 40Hz but a very well done neutral bass tuning otherwise. It has a fairly neutral lower-midrange, except for a very tiny bump around 800Hz, better ear gain than the previous version but one that is still south of neutral, and very well balanced treble tuning which is fairly neutral in lower-treble but excitingly sparkly and airy up top.

Technical performance - I'm going to switch away from my regular format and talk about LCD-X 2021's impressive technical performance first because that is the first thing that grabbed my attention. It has a very nice soundstage, very good detail retrieval and even better left to right separation. It not only makes you aware of every little nuance in the song since everything is so well separated, spaced out and cleanly presented but also makes for a very interesting and exciting listen since the signature is very musical.

Let's dig in deeper...

Bass – Bass extends pretty well down low with a very minor sub-bass roll-off below 40Hz, which is only perceivable when listening to songs which have deep sub-bass mixed in. Since most mastering engineers introduce a minor sub-bass roll-off below 35Hz in most songs anyway, LCD-X 2021's sub-bass roll-off isn't as perceivable with a vast majority of songs. Besides that, the rest of the bass response is extremely neutral and linear. Neutral bass tuning helps present the songs very cleanly. If the song has slam and rumble mixed in, that is exactly what you will perceive with the LCD-X and if the song doesn't have much bass mixed in, don't expect it to boost any bass from its side. Technically, bass is very well separated in the centre and you can hear the nuances of the bass tone very clearly because of LCD-X's high micro-detail retrieval ability.

Mids – The lower-midrange is fairly neutral and linear till around 700Hz. It has a tiny bump around 800Hz, which adds in very slight honk but it is only noticeable when you hear it back to back after a headphone like the Sennheiser HD6XX or Focal Clear, which are more neutral in the range. LCD-X 2021's midrange is much better than the previous LCD-X but it still does not have the tonally accurate ear gain peak rise post 1kHz and is therefore recessed in the 1.5k-5kHz region. It majorly results in instruments not sounding as forward and instruments like guitars lacking a bit of bite and crunch. This has always been one of my major complaints with most Audeze headphones I've tried. I do think that LCD-X 2021's overall sound signature is better than most of the older Audezes I've tried but I personally do like EQing in a bit of the 1.5-5kHz region for a more tonally accurate presentation, especially when I'm using the LCD-X for music production or want to listen to music a bit more critically and care about the instruments sounding absolutely accurate tonally. Most of the time when I'm listening to music casually, I don't really care about EQing it as it sounds completely fine without EQ too. In fact it is quite an engaging, musical headphone. If you aren't a reference-head, I don't think any of this will concern you.

Treble – LCD-X 2021's treble is well balanced as well as resolving and exciting at the same time. The lower-treble tuning is mostly neutral, while it is sparkly post 10kHz with good air and extension up top. I perceive no sibilance (since the lower-treble is quite neutral) and the airy and sparkly character only adds a ton of excitement and resolution to what would've otherwise been a warm signature. The overall treble tuning enables excellent detail retrieval and resolution while always keeping the sound signature exciting and engaging without much fatigue creeping in in long listening sessions.

Comparisons.​

Focal Clear - Clear is a dynamic driver headphone with an M-shaped Aluminium-Magnesium driver with a solid copper voice coil. Clear has a 55Ω impedance and a sensitivity rating of 104dB/mW whereas LCD-X 2021 has an impedance of 20Ω and sensitivity rating of 103dB/mW. Both headphones are fairly easy to drive. Build quality wise, Focal Clear is no slouch but LCD-X 2021's build is definitely more impressive. Clear on the other hand is the more comfortable headphone since it is substantially lighter at around 450g vs LCD-X 2021's 612g. Sound wise, Clear comes across as the more neutral and tonally accurate headphone whereas LCD-X 2021 has better technical performance overall. Clear has slightly better sub-bass reach and slightly more bass slam. Both have similar neutral lower-midrange in the 250-1kHz region but Clear has more ear gain with a more accurate ear gain rise post 1kHz. As a result, Clear has more forward and stronger instrument and vocal definition whereas they are pushed a bit back in LCD-X 2021, which kinda helps with a more spread out soundstage presentation. LCD-X 2021 is more neutral in its lower-treble presentation as well as sparkly and airier with its upper-treble presentation. Where Clear easily takes the cake in tonality, LCD-X 2021 wins hands down in technical performance with a slightly bigger soundstage, better left to right separation, better layering as well as better detail retrieval.

Sennheiser HD800S - HD800S is one of Sennheiser's most popular creations. It is an open-back dynamic driver headphone with a 56mm Ring Radiator dynamic transducer system. Both the HD800S and LCD-X 2021 have an equally impressive design but it is the LCD-X 2021 that has the more impressive build quality since most of its appointments are made of metal, unlike the HD800S which is majorly high quality plastic. On the other hand, that same plastic construction makes HD800S much lighter and a much more comfortable headphone. LCD-X 2021 is not only heavier but also has a bit more clamp force. It does help with a more secure fit but also keeps one aware of it sitting on the head. Sound wise, HD800S is Sennheiser's take on the Diffuse Field target and is the brighter headphone of the two. HD800S kind of starts rolling off below 75Hz with a gradual and linear slope. LCD-X 2021 has better reach till 40Hz but rolls off more steeply post that. Still, LCD-X 2021 is the headphone with more bass presence and has much better slam and rumble in comparison. Both have a similar neutral lower-midrange presentation. HD800S is similarly recessed in the 1k-2kHz range of ear gain region but then has much more ear gain and presence in the 2.5-8kHz region, which not only makes for stronger, more forward instrument definition but also makes it a much brighter sounding headphone in comparison too. HD800S is also brighter than LCD-X 2021 in the mid-treble region but LCD-X 2021 is airier post 15kHz and has slightly better presence and extension up top. When it comes to technical performance, neither is a slouch in comparison. HD800S does have a cleaner, bigger and more spacious soundstage but LCD-X 2021's soundstage is fairly wide by itself for its price, with really good left to right separation. They both have equally good detail retrieval but HD800S has stronger, more forward instrument definition. In comparison, LCD-X 2021's instruments are pushed a bit back in the soundstage and that actually enables a deeper sense of space with an image of watching the artist perform in front of you than you being a part of the band. Both have impressive imaging performance, with HD800S having a slight upper-hand. At the end, LCD-X 2021 has better bass performance and is a much easier and more musical listen whereas the HD800S has slightly better technical performance but also comes off as a much brighter listen, which not everyone will be comfortable with right off the bat.

Conclusion.​

To be honest, I'm quite impressed with the Audeze LCD-X 2021 and find it an extremely capable headphone in the high-end headphone market. It has excellent technical performance, especially an impressive soundstage, really good micro-detail retrieval and even better left to right separation. It does wander away from a reference-neutral presentation because of recession in the 1.5-5kHz region of ear gain but still ends up sounding great as it is an exciting and musical headphone with high engagement factor. EQing in a bit of that range does make it sound even better, but it's completely fine without EQ too. The main thing I'd advise you to be wary of is its 612g of weight. Even though the weight is fairly well distributed by the suspension strap and ear pad design, it could still be problematic, especially if you like using headphones for long durations. If Audeze somehow reduces its weight by a couple of 100 grams and fixes the recession in upper-midrange, they'll have quite a nice TOTL for the price. But then, that is exactly what their flagship LCD5 is and is priced more than 3 times LCD-X's asking price too! So, if you're looking for a nice engaging, musical headphone with excellent technical performance to go with in this price range, definitely give LCD-X 2021 a shot! Highly recommended from my side!

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Gear used for testing and review.​

• Desktop setup - Universal Audio Apollo + DROP THX AAA 789 Amp
• DAPs – iBasso DX240 | HiBy R5 Gen II | Lotoo PAW6000
• Phone - OnePlus 7 Pro + iBasso DC05

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Artists I like and listen to.​

• Rock – Foo Fighters, Linkin Park, Switchfoot, Imagine Dragons, Daughtry, Green Day, MuteMath, X Ambassadors, Dave Matthews Band, Vertical Horizon, Our Lady Peace, Lifehouse, Fall Out Boy, Breaking Benjamin, Muse, ACDC, Audioslave, Rage Against the Machine, Biffy Clyro, I Am Giant, Normandie, Paramore, Slash & Guns N Roses, 3 Doors Down.
• Pop Rock – John Mayer, Coldplay, Paul McCartney, James Bay, Hunter Hayes, Niall Horan, Keith Urban, The Bros Landreth, Bryan Adams.
• Progressive Rock/Metal – Porcupine Tree/Steven Wilson, Karnivool, Tool, Dead Letter Circus, Periphery, Lamb of God.
• Pop/Soft Rock – Ed Sheeran, Adele, Taylor Swift, OneRepublic, The Script, Gavin James, Magic Man, Maroon 5, Bruno Mars, Charlie Puth, Dua Lipa, The Weeknd, Oasis, Panic! At the Disco, TwentyOne Pilots.
• EDM – Chainsmokers, Zedd.

Audeze LCD-X 2021​

Audeze LCD-X is the best-selling Audeze headphone ever since its release in 2013. Today we're going to review its newest revision, the 2021 version. It's priced at $1119 for the creator package, and $1699 for the ultimate, premium version.

• PAWEŁ
• OCTOBER 3, 2021
• HEADPHONES

Introduction​

Audeze LCD-X was originally released back in 2013, and has since then it has been the best-selling Audeze LCD series headphones. It went through a couple of changes, but the 2021 version, that we’re reviewing today is a complete revamp.
What’s changed you’ll probably ask. Well, compared to the original LCD-X…basically everything has changed. The headband is now this suspension type, which is way better when it comes to ergonomics. Additionally, the magnets array has been reworked to reduce the weight of the headphone, while maintaining the highest possible quality. Additionally, the newest version is tuned differently, and it’s meant to eliminate the flaws of the original LCD-X, its uneven midrange performance. Nonetheless, instead of comparing it to the original LCD-X, I’ll be focusing more on the headphone itself, and how does it stand its ground in 2021.

Packaging​

Audeze has always been a great company when it comes to packaging, and it’s no different here. Now, the creators edition comes with an “economy case”, instead of plain white cardboard that you’ll find in the LCD2 Classic for example. This is a winner. While the case isn’t as premium or durable as the original Peli cases, it still provides brilliant protection and I’d choose it over the display box every time of day. It is well-padded and looks good with its minimalistic design.
Apart from the case, you’re not getting too many accessories, which is easy to understand having in mind the price of the new LCD-X. The only additional thing honestly is the cable, which is of great quality. It’s one of the best stock cables I’ve used in a while, providing a tangle-free, comfortable and sturdy experience. Other than that, you’re getting a warranty card and a manual. You’re not getting a lot of stuff, but what you’re getting is very high-quality and actually makes a difference. Brilliant.

Design and Build​

Let’s get into the build quality and design. I have to admit, I’ve always been a huge fan of Audeze when it comes to these two things, and it’s no different with the new X. First of all, the design is industrial, elegant, and quite pro-looking. While the older versions of the LCD-X could have looked better thanks to the different, more glossy, and polished materials used, I definitely prefer the new version thanks to its weight reduction. The new suspension strap is looking great and it distributes the weight of the headphones very well, thus I’d really love Audeze to offer a carbon-fiber headband in the LCD-X as well. Not that the current aluminum headband doesn’t do its job…quite the opposite actually. It just would be a nice touch of refinement. You’re also getting that signature, legendary “A” on the grills, which is essential for any LCD series Audeze, and it simply looks stunning. I’m glad they haven’t changed it.
Now into the build quality. The LCD-X 2021 is everything you could expect from Audeze. It’s very robust, elegant, and definitely premium-feeling. The whole construction is metal, and the majority of it is painted in matte-black, which gives the headphones that stealthy and industrial look. The suspension style headband is one of the best changes Audeze has ever implemented in their products, as it distributes the weight of the headphones much better than the original one. Also, it isn’t as prone to create hot spots on the top of your head after wearing them for a while, and since it is still a heavy headphone at 612g, it’s a very important aspect of the design.
Last but definitely not least – you can choose between leather and leather-free earpads. Mine pair is leather, and I could tell that right away because of…the smell. It is definitely the best smelling pair of headphones in my collection. Of course, it is not as important as many other things when it comes to headphones, but it’s definitely a welcome treat to have. Who doesn’t like the smell of quality leather?

Tech​

Audeze is and has always been all about planar-magnetic technology, hence every single pair of headphones in the LCD line uses that kind of a driver. Over the last few years, they’ve improved their technology and implemented some great technologies, such as the Fazor for example.
The driver that sits in the newest LCD-X has been revamped with a new magnet array to provide the highest possible quality while maintaining a lower weight to the design. I can definitely say that they succeeded, as I actually think that the LCD-X 2021 is a better headphone than its predecessor. The driver rates at 20ohms and 103dB sensitivity, which makes it fairly easy to drive. You can plug them into a basic amplifier such as JDSLabs Atom+, Schiit Magni, or basically any Topping/SMSL there is and you’ll get them to sing. You don’t need any more power than the amplifiers I just mentioned, and having in mind that some of them are around $100, this is definitely a good thing to have.

Comfort​

So, the original LCD-X wasn’t really a comfortable pair of headphones, mainly because of its weight and headband construction. Luckily, the 2021 version gets both of these things right. It is still a rather heavy headphone, but the overall design and the weight distribution are spot-on, as this is the most comfortable heavy pair of headphones I’ve used. Actually, I have absolutely no problems with wearing them for a few hours without fatigue.
The suspension-style headband works like a charm, and the earpads are big and soft, providing a superb feeling and great weight distribution. Also, the weight was taken away from the drivers themselves, which improves the weight distribution to the point of feeling just right.
Being around 100g lighter than the HEDDphone, you could expect the LCD-X to be on a similar level when it comes to ergonomics, but it is very far from the truth. The HEDDphone is far more fatiguing to wear over longer periods of time, mainly because of its headband construction. Audeze, you made it.

Sound​

At the beginning of this review, I stated that the LCD-X 2021 has been greatly improved when it comes to its tuning compared to the original LCD-X. See, the original one was a great headphone in many ways, but it had one, major problem – the midrange. It just sounded off and unnatural, and its pleasant overall tone couldn’t have saved it.

Nonetheless, I’m happy to report that the LCD-X 2021 is a totally different headphone when it comes to its midrange performance. But more on that later.
Let’s start with the bass, shall we? It’s an Audeze headphone at the end of the day, so you’d be expecting a great bass response…and you’ll definitely get it here.
The low frequencies are both big and well-controlled, to the point that this is one of the (if not THE) best bass performances I’ve ever heard in this price range. Have in mind though, that it’s not your typical planar magnetic bass, it has a slam and body that is more reminiscent of a good dynamic driver pair of headphones. Another thing worth mentioning is that the bass extension is excellent, easily reaching 20hz. Having all that in mind, I must note that the bass performance on the new LCD-X 2021 is simply brilliant.

As I said before, the midrange is where the new LCD-X differs the most when compared to the original LCD-X. It is one of the most neutral and natural sounding mid in all of LCD series to date. The original one was warm, dark, and a bit veiled in the midsection, which is not the case in the 2021 version at all.
Thanks to that change, we now get a much better sense of openness, better definition, and more natural vocal presentation. It actually reminds me a bit of the LCD-4, which was brighter and more accurate sounding than its predecessor – the LCD-3.
You’re still getting that Audeze-house-sound in some way, as the whole sound is thick and really saturated, but now it is tuned more accurately and simply better, which helps with detail reproduction and a better sense of resolution.


Let’s get into the treble. The LCD-X 2021 has a slightly warm and delicate treble performance, but it does this without sacrificing the technical capabilities. The treble extension is spot-on, resulting in very coherent and detailed high frequencies that are never sibilant or exaggerated. This is one of the most known aspects of a typical Audeze sound, and I’m really glad that it’s present in their newest iteration of LCD-X. Honestly, this is one of the best treble presentations you could get – really detailed and natural sounding, yet not too extreme nor piercing. It could have never been achieved with a dynamic driver, as you really need that typical planar resolution and highly-textured sound to achieve that kind of treble response.

Last but definitely not least is the soundstage. Audeze has always been known for its pretty accurate, yet rather intimate staging capabilities, and it’s no different with the X 2021. While focusing solely on its size, the X 2021 is definitely nowhere close to the biggest staging headphones on the market, even around its price bracket, like HD800s or the Arya. The LCD-X 2021 has a rather medium-small soundstage, that’s still highly accurate and lifelike sounding. It is more of a presentation type, and it’s always been that way. Some people would find the staging of something like HD800s exaggerated, too big, and unnatural, and that would be totally fine. Different soundstage sizes suit different music genres better, and the LCD-X is a brilliant staging pair of headphones for genres like jazz or acoustic music. If you’re listening to a vocalist with a single acoustic guitar in the track, you don’t really want those acres of space around them, as it would not sound really convincing nor natural.

What matters though is that the imaging and separation are splendid, of course, what you should expect from a $1000+ pair of open-back headphones. While its soundstage presentation will surely not fit everybody, I can’t rate it anything less than terrific.
Another thing worth noting is that the LCD-X 2021 isn’t really a demanding pair of headphones when it comes to amplification. It sounds just about right with my JDSLabs Atom Amp+ and XIAudio Broadway S, and an additional power that comes with the SMSL SH-9 or the LittleDot MK III SE doesn’t really change them that much. For sure, they do scale quite well with better equipment, but you don’t have to spend big to get them going.

Comparisons​

Vs Final D8000 Pro


This comparison isn’t 100% fair as the price difference ($1199 vs $4299) is huge, but both are regarded as pretty “high-end” when it comes to headphones, so let’s do it anyway.
While the technical performance is vastly different, their tuning is really different, and that makes this comparison really interesting.
First things first though – the D8000 Pro is better at detail retrieval, it has even better imaging and the overall quality is higher, but you definitely could expect that.
The LCD-X 2021 is a rather relaxing and pleasingly tuned headphone though, compared to that lightning-fast and superbly extreme sound of the D8000 Pro. Having all that in mind, I actually use them just about as often, and that should show you a bigger picture. Listening to the LCD-X 2021 after the Final flagship is an adventure into a more calming and romantic sound, with a sacrifice to its raw technical performance.
What’s probably the most interesting – I find the LCD-X 2021 more comfortable, even though they are definitely heavier. However, they simply hug your head and are more pleasing to the touch, while the D8000 Pro has a higher clamping force and their earpads are nowhere as comfy and plush as the ones in LCD-X.

Vs HEDDphone



Okay, this is probably the most interesting comparison here. Both the HEDDphone and the LCD-X 2021 are big, heavy, and marvelously detailed. They do trade some blows though, even though the HEDD is $1999 compared to the LCD $1199. What’s even more impressive, is that I called the HEDD the best high-end value in the headphones world, which shows how good the LCD-X 2021 is.
Let’s start with the detail retrieval – surprisingly, they are just about the same in this regard. Both are flawlessly detailed both in micro and macro scale, providing a very crisp and high-fidelity sound. Where they do differ is in the specific frequencies.
Long story short – the LCD-X 2021 has a better bass presentation in my opinion. It’s punchy, crisp, fast, and very detailed. The HEDDphone’s bass isn’t bad in any way, don’t get me wrong, but it does sound a little bit mushy and not too dynamic from time to time. With the X 2021, the bass is always just as it should be.
The midrange is quite similar here, as both sound natural, lush and their resolution is terrific. The HEDD tends to have a little bit more body in the upper-midrange section, so if you’re a fan of those shiny, forward-sounding female vocals, that could be your deciding factor.
The treble is probably where the biggest difference starts to show. While the LCD-X 2021 sounds soft and very pleasing in the upper frequencies, the HEDDphone is shinier, more forward, and crispier sounding. It’s not harsh or unpleasant sounding though, as the resolution of the entire HEDDphone is better than the LCD-X 2021, thanks to that wonderful AMT driver. Having in mind the price difference, I must admit that both the LCD-X and the HEDDphone are very, very impressive, and you can’t go wrong with either.

Vs Audeze LCD3 Fazor



Comparing the 2019 fazor version of the LCD3 to the new LCD-X 2021 shows us one thing – Audeze is really stepping up their game. What has once been their flagship headphone, is now struggling in comparison to their new, more budget-friendly planar LCD headphone.
Actually, I’d say that the X 2021 is superior to the LCD3 in many regards. It’s faster, more detailed, crispier, and better tuned.
While the LCD3 is still a great pair of headphones for people that like that warm, dark, and very lush sound signature, the LCD-X is simply better in technical capabilities, and its tuning is more universal and neutral. Of course, the LCD3 is a true craftsmanship gem, feeling more luxurious and definitely more expensive than its younger brother, but it sacrifices those factors for comfort. The suspension strap type of headband found in the LCD-X is much more comfortable and better at weight distribution, giving us a more enjoyable and more comfortable feel. You can’t really go wrong with having both, but if you’d have to choose one, I’d definitely recommend the LCD-X 2021. It is much more universal, has better technicalities, and what’s the most important – it’s way cheaper. Great job Audeze.
Vs Crosszone CZ-1



In comparison to the Final D8000 Pro, I said, that the price difference is quite big so it’s not entirely fair. Well, it’s not always the case, and this one confirms that just perfectly. The Crosszone flagship, the CZ-1 is 2x more expensive than the LCD-X 2021 at $2500. Yet, it is by far the worse of the two, being completely destroyed in every single aspect of the sound.
The bass in the LCD-X 2021 is much more coherent, better controlled, riched, and more detailed. The midrange is just miles ahead, as the CZ-1 has this weird reverberation to it, that simply doesn’t sound right. Treble, once again, is way better in the LCD-X 2021 thanks to its resolution, energy, and detail, which the CZ-1 lacks in comparison.
The Audeze LCD-X 2021 is a universal, detailed yet pleasant-sounding pair of headphones, and at $1199 it is a no-brainer when compared to the $2500 CZ-1. It’s so much better, costing so much less, that it actually makes me question the existence of the latter.

Summary​

Audeze has created a monster of a headphone with the new LCD-X 2021. It does just about everything right, with its great packaging, excellent and industrial build to a highly detailed and pleasant sound performance. We don’t yet have a recommendation list here at Ear Fidelity, but if we did, the LCD-X 2021 would have been one of the easiest headphones to put on it.

At the $1199 asking price for the creator package, it is frighteningly close to being the perfect headphone for the money. Can’t think of any +/- $1000 pair of headphones that I could recommend with such ease. Fantastic job.
Highly recommended.
Gear used during this review for the sake of comparison and as an accompanying equipment:

• Headphones – Hifiman HE1000se, Final D8000 Pro, HEDDphone, Audeze LCD3, Crosszone CZ-1
• Sources– SMSL SU-9 + SH-9, JDSLabs Atom + stack, Little Dot MK III SE, XIAudio Broadway S, Ayon HA-3, Transrotor Alto TMD + Phasemation PP-200