Just got my LCD-3 and the first impression... - Page 2

I wrote bits and pieces.  They were a challenging headphone to evaluate.  I felt like I was trying to break up with a really beautiful girl who I didn't really like that much.  The sexiness of that smooth upper midrange lures you in and you want to love them, but all the while they just didn't sound "right" or as good as they should have. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by obzilla 

Agreed with Purrin's point about not bothering with burn-in.

 

While I believe in it to an extent, a crap sounding component will never burn-in to the point of palatableness. If you don't like it from the get go, chances are no amount of burning in will help.

 

If the product is unsatisfactory, it is unsatisfactory and you should contact the vendor or manufacturer to rectify the situation.

    x2

       Quote:

Originally Posted by MacedonianHero 

Glad you finally got to hear what I have been hearing since November.

Yeah, you and Jude got the good ones! Just kidding. Jude was explaining to me at the NorCal meet how he didn't get a cherry picked one - that just grabbed one randomly! Haha I guess he got lucky.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmhifi 

Finally got my RMAd pair back after over a month. Here´s my impressions:

 

Again I´m comparing with my LCD-2 rev1. Unfortunately I don´t notice much difference with the original "veiled" LCD-3s. The RMAd pair still sounds very dark and muddy. My LCD-2 sounds brighter with snappier bass and have much wider soundstage. When I put the LCD-2 on my head after LCD-3s, it´s like wow! The soundstage just opens!

 

The "suction cup" effect is still there. This for me is probably even bigger issue. My ears feel really uncomfortable wearing these. I feel pressure (even slight pain) in my ears after wearing and listening these for a while. I don´t notice this effect with any other headphones I own or have owned/tried and that headphone list is a long one. Even the LCD-2s don´t have this effect. I told Audeze about this, but their response was:

 

"The "suction effect" you are referring to will occur with any open backed headphone. The ear pads have nothing to do with this. This effect is normal with open backed headphones."

 

I have to respectfully disagree.

 

I don´t know if there is any other options anymore than to return these (and lose about 500€ and valuable time in this "LCD-3 adventure")? I really wanted to experience what others are saying and experiencing with their LCD-3s. In the areas where the LCD-3 should have been an upgrade, like brightness, detail, more defined bass and wider soundstage, I just find my LCD-2s better in all of those areas. So it´s really mind boggling that the price for the LCD-3 is double.

 

I don´t know if my RMAd pair is still a "veiled" pair, but something definitely doesn´t match with the reviews and user comments.

I know people that tried LCD-3s and felt a well burned-in LCD-2 rev2 bettered it in every area. Maybe the LCD-3 isn't better at all and people just say so to justify the cost. Or there are "veiled" pairs everywhere :S what do I know...

The suction effect is beacuse the pads are so soft they create a seal combined with the fact that LCD-2/3 and Staxx 007 (which has the same issue) is open backed, but not open. The diaphragm fills the whole in the cup, so to say - there is no venting holes. If pads are harder and more bulky there will be air venting that way. Thus the LCD-2 rev.1 doesnt seal and doesn't make vacuum. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmhifi 

 

 

"The "suction effect" you are referring to will occur with any open backed headphone. The ear pads have nothing to do with this. This effect is normal with open backed headphones."

 

 

I have only auditioned a set of LCD3 for about 40minutes (and have no experience with high-end headphones) using a burson amplifier. The change to how the music was presented between the high and low ohmic output was dramatic, with a low-ohmic output the LCD3s was very much "in your face", or rather cramped around you head, not much of a soundstage and harsh almost fatiguing to listen to after a while. Changing to the high-ohmic output and there was so much space, no fatiguing or anything. Good soundstage, deep and wide but the bass was not as quick. Don't know if this is a signature of those high-end HP, to me it was a big surprise that the low-ohmic output did not shine over the high-ohmic at least, and it really was like 2 different headphones. With the low-ohmic one I might even compare it to a Grado SR325i.... Don't know if this was down to a faulty amp or if the LCD3 really is supposed to behave like this, but perhaps this is something you can try at a local store that carries different amps?

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmhifi 

Finally got my RMAd pair back after over a month. Here´s my impressions:

 

Again I´m comparing with my LCD-2 rev1. Unfortunately I don´t notice much difference with the original "veiled" LCD-3s. The RMAd pair still sounds very dark and muddy. My LCD-2 sounds brighter with snappier bass and have much wider soundstage. When I put the LCD-2 on my head after LCD-3s, it´s like wow! The soundstage just opens!

 

 

 

I don´t know if my RMAd pair is still a "veiled" pair, but something definitely doesn´t match with the reviews and user comments.

Check your new FR graph: if the flat line doesn't extend to at least 1.5 kHz, chances ares you still have a bad pair. Just the fact that you hear larger soundstage with your LCD-2 rev1 is not consistent with good LCD-3. I've had 3 pairs of LCD-3 and even the heavily veiled first 2 had wider soundstage than my LCD-3 rev1.

Reading these posts I'm getting worried about the LCD-3 sound, I ordered them over the LCD-2 since I read some reviews that raved about the improvement in sound, fit, etc.

I expect newer production models should not be veiled in sound if Audeze acknowledges that the issue is a fact. 

Guess I'll have to wait to see if I get a veiled or good sounding pair!

I have the LCD-2 rev.1, have a/b-ed them with LCD-2 rev.2 and also own the LCD-3. I have the felt-version, and have chosen not to RMA them because I am very happy with thesmooth organic sound they produce. Purrin told me the "foam versions" are slightly edgier, though less "veiled" whatever that means. HD650 also has a reputation for being veiled, yet it continues to be loved by many (myself included) If you like your headphones BRIGHT - you should look elsewere than Audeze and get the HD800 or (if your wallet agrees) the 009..

This is my general preference: LCD-3 > rev.1 > rev.2

Detail retrieval: LCD-3 > rev.2 > rev.1

Brightness rev.2 > rev.1 >  LCD-3

Midrange warmth rev.1 > LCD-3 ~ rev.2 

Soundstage: LCD-3 > rev.2 > rev.1

Texture/micro detail: LCD-3 > rev.2 > rev.1

Fun factor: rev.1 > rev.2 > LCD-3

Edginess rev.2 > rev.1 > LCD-3

Disclaimer: I can't stand bright headphones. Makes my ears hurt. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jdevesa 

Reading these posts I'm getting worried about the LCD-3 sound, I ordered them over the LCD-2 since I read some reviews that raved about the improvement in sound, fit, etc.

 

I expect newer production models should not be veiled in sound if Audeze acknowledges that the issue is a fact. 

 

Guess I'll have to wait to see if I get a veiled or good sounding pair!

After 4 pairs of LCD-3, all sounding different from one another, I gave up, bit the bullet and went for a SR-009. I don't have time to monkey around trying to figure out just how is the LCD-3 supposed to sound like. For the record, 3 of the 4 were not veiled.

Bottom line, if you're a normal person, if you like the sound, who cares whether it's veiled or not or whatnot. Myself, being rather anal about things, I couldn't abide by my own advice,sadly. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lan647 

 

 

I know people that tried LCD-3s and felt a well burned-in LCD-2 rev2 bettered it in every area. Maybe the LCD-3 isn't better at all and people just say so to justify the cost. Or there are "veiled" pairs everywhere :S what do I know...

Did you return the 3 pairs for repair / exchange until you decided to give up and sell the fourth?

In my case I wish I was able to attend a meet to test several of the high end headphones and components to be able to select which one's I really like based on my taste and music preferences. Sadly I don't believe there is much of a high end headphone scene in PR. 

Yup. More people should be less anal. I think I have the unveiled veiled version and love it. Anal poster have made me consider whether to send it in or not, but I have concluded not to, since I am the creamy-loving sort, not the anal one. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by mwilson 

Bottom line, if you're a normal person, if you like the sound, who cares whether it's veiled or not or whatnot. Myself, being rather anal about things, I couldn't abide by my own advice,sadly.