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rhythmdevils said:

I think what Anaxilus said about bad or blurred soundstage is what I consider imaging.  

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Just so you know I never said anything about blurred soundstage.
 

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rhythmdevils said:

That's how I feel too.  Imaging is important, but I could give a hoot about soundstage.  It's a fun gimmick IMO and isn't necessary to maintain the purity and fidelity of the music. 

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You really need to get into IEMs then.  I started with IEMs and would never have touched full-size 'phones except for wanting a bigger soundstage.  IMO a mid level IEM outperforms all but the top tier of full size headphones everywhere else.

Have compared LCD-2 and LCD-3 in local music shop today.
 
LCD-3 has more puchy bass and a little bit more balanced and detailed sound.
LCD-2 has more detailed and bright vocals. The most difference was on Elbow - Grounds For Divorce track. LCD-3 played vocal veiled.
 
I am not sure the difference worth $1000.

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maverickronin said:

You really need to get into IEMs then.  I started with IEMs and would never have touched full-size 'phones except for wanting a bigger soundstage.  IMO a mid level IEM outperforms all but the top tier of full size headphones everywhere else.

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Sure about that? I've owned many IEMs through the years (have a look at my profile for the full list)...from the Shure SE110s/RE0s right up to the Westone 4s/Shure SE535s and I always felt that I was trading in sound quality for portability.
 
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frostik said:

Have compared LCD-2 and LCD-3 in local music shop today.
 
LCD-3 has more puchy bass and a little bit more balanced and detailed sound.
LCD-2 has more detailed and bright vocals. The most difference was on Elbow - Grounds For Divorce track. LCD-3 played vocal veiled.
 
I am not sure the difference worth $1000.

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What (where) store was that?
 
Just a few things, the LCD-3s are far more picker of upstream gear than the LCD-2s. Part of the double edged sword with being more transparent....is that they can take some effort to really get to hit their stride (kinda like the HD800s that way IMO). Could also be that they had one of the older pairs that suffered from the dreaded "veil"? Not sure what percentage was affected, but always a possibility. The newer ones released in the past few weeks seem to have this issue rectified with zero % of headphones affected.
 
 

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macedonianhero said:

Sure about that? I've owned many IEMs through the years (have a look at my profile for the full list)...from the Shure SE110s/RE0s right up to the Westone 4s/Shure SE535s and I always felt that I was trading in sound quality for portability.

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Yep.  I know that many others don't feel that way but I do.
 
I've heard most of the stuff in your profile and I'll use the SE530 as a representative IEM.  'Phones I've heard and remember fairly well from your list that I would unequivocally prefer on SQ alone would be the LCD-2r1 and HE-6.  Almost certainly the r2 and LCD-3 too, but I haven't heard them.  The HD800 would be technically superior as well but not to my tastes stock.  I'd probably like an Anax modded one better.  For some reason I can't remember much about the ED8 even though I heard it once and I haven't heard the W3000ANV but I could imagine myself taking one of them over the SE530.
 
I'd say the SE530s are better than or a sidegrade/change of flavor from the other full sizes on your list I've heard including the T1, D7000, the Beyers, K701, HD650, SRH840, and the Grados.
 
Out of full sizes I own and have owned I found only the HD650 to be close to equal with different strengths and my modded T50RP to be better.
 
That's pretty close to top tier isn't it?  Its a lot more money or a lot more elbow grease before I can get to another full size that I like better than my SE530s.

Great cable for Audeze LCD3 I have found : Enigma Apex.
 
OK, the latest thing I have for my LCD3s is an Enigma Audio Apex headphone cable and at first listen (just an hour or so) it is great! It really targets upper mid glare from vocals that really bothers me (like in a sustained note or a high pitched voice or a falsetto)
and is just the thing for the new improved (RMA'd, latest "version") LCD3 character (extended highs, no suppressed highs). It maintains all the resolution and staging and that great satisfying low bass and all the Audeze liquidity.
It reminds me of the aspects of HD650s I liked, meaning no fatigue, but with far more detail and life. So, if what you are looking for is an completely fatigue free sound that still digs deep, I would recommend these Enigma cables.
The cable is very sturdy very well built slightly stiff but separated from the 2 smaller cables to the earcups, so there is no transmission of sound physically from the cable housing itself.
 
The Enigma cable lets Audeze be Audeze, which to me is relaxing, easy to listen to with no pain, but still full of life with natural tonality, imaging, and texture.
 
As far as my LCD3/HD800 comparison goes, now it's back to even, a hard decision. Still a more expansive soundstage on the HD800s, and a bit more openness, but the LCD3s have great liquidity and warm wonderful controlled bass.
 
I have no connection to Enigma, I'm just a customer and I was looking for a warmer cable because I am a bit treble/glare phobic with phones.
 
Enigma's site: http://www.enigma-audio.com/Headphone%20Cables.html
 
 
 

$450 for a cable is a bit steep, but then again you do have the Pinnacle.
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rgs9200m said:

Great cable for Audeze LCD3 I have found : Enigma Apex.
-snip-

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pinnacle.   drool....  

 
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ardilla said:

I've only spent 90 minutes or so with the LCD-3, but they are really something. My first thought was "This is how I'd like the Stax O2 to sound". I really liked the Stax o2 but kept feeling the mids were somewhat retracted (srm-007 driver) to my taste. Exceptional resolution, but not my instan favorite in sound-sig. Probably people get used to it. Anyway, the last time I had such a instant goose-bump audio experience I was listening to a USD150.000 speaker rig. 
 
Reading this thread had me prepared for a big dissapointment, so that might explain the feeling of surprise when I wasn't. I've so far primarily used the WA2. I'll do some more listening before posting more


 

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 This is exactly how I felt too after 2 hours with the LCD-3 and the Leben. Very very high expectations and all of them fulfilled.

macedonianhero said:

Honestly, I think you're giving me too much credit.
 

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I don't think so you know. You really are a great ambassador for the brand I feel. I always enjoy your reviews and thoughts. If I owned Audeze I would make a note of that and go the extra mile.

I personally find them great to deal with, love my headphones and all the others pale in comparison. In fact the only two I would consider if I could not have Audeze would be the Stax 009 or Beyer T1.

Would love to hear these one day but I feel it will have to wait till I move back to Europe this year and settle down so that I can have a full sized amp to do them justice. My blackbird is perfect for my rev1's but from what I have read the '3's really need something more substantial.

After all this "veil" and RMA-posting it certainly is on it's place to say some really nice thins about the LCD-3. I feel it's like the Stax 007 and the LCD-2 rev.1.have succesfullyt mated. Which has been my dream since I had the pleasure of having the 007 on an overnight visit . 007 probably has the more extreme resolution an the LCD-1 rev.1 has the creamiest mids.
 
When I plugged the LCD-3 in the first time there was som random classical concert playing on the radio - I couldn't get myself to put on the music I planned - it was just breathtaking. Playing my usual "test-disk-compilation" I kept discovering new details all the time. Goose-bumped
 
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 This is exactly how I felt too after 2 hours with the LCD-3 and the Leben. Very very high expectations and all of them fulfilled.

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I still can't believe with everyone here no one has the Cardas Clear cable for their LC3's!

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icenine2 said:

I still can't believe with everyone here no one has the Cardas Clear cable for their LC3's!

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Why?  What's going to happen to us?  
 
 

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icenine2 said:

I still can't believe with everyone here no one has the Cardas Clear cable for their LC3's!

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I still can't believe you're still advertising the Cardas Clear cable.  Do you get a stipend from them?

saintly said:

I still can't believe you're still advertising the Cardas Clear cable.  Do you get a stipend from them?

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+1 I had to google it as i never heard of it, sheesh, for the LCD's they want $648!!!! Sorry,but after hearing the nonsense come from Mr Cardas that they make their new IEM's in China because no one in the USA can work that small I have been put right off the company! Has he not heard of Etymotic, JH Audio and 1964 ears? More shill than honest if you ask me!