Audeze LCD-X vs Stax 007 / 009
Jul 20, 2014 at 8:51 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 19
audiokid

audiokid

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Hi, 
 
I have the excellent Audeze LCD-X and a Chord Hugo. It's a very good system, and portable too. 
 
I'm thinking of a permanent desktop system, and interested in the Stax 007 and 009 with the recommended energisers. These systems are obviously very expensive but I have enjoyed headphone listening so much, I would like to get the sound as good as it can be. 
 
I would probably use the Chord Hugo as the DAC to connect to the Stax energiser. 
 
Does anyone have any experience with the 007 and 009 against the Audeze? Is it an upgrade, or a sideways move? How do they compare in terms of sonic signature? 
 
I plan to have a listen, just need to find a dealer with everything in stock in the London area. 
 
Thanks
 
Jul 20, 2014 at 11:04 AM Post #2 of 19
I've never heard the LCD-X, but have the LCD-XC which I was mostly using with the GS-Xmk2 before I sold that amp, and I found even with the GS-X the LCD -XC 's weren't at the same SQ level as my 009 / BHSE, IMO not even close.
However as said I've never heard the LCD-X or used the Chord Hugo so I wouldn't know how that combo would compare.
I now sometimes use my LCD-XC with my Pico Slim via my K-01 and at times my iPod.
 
Jul 20, 2014 at 12:02 PM Post #3 of 19
I heard all the Audez LCD's at the New York Spring 2014 meet.  I liked the LCD-X the best.  It had the most even frequency response.  I have not heard the new fazor version LCD-2 or LCD-3; but, I believe I would still like the LCD-X the best.  It was not really close for me at the meet.  The Stax 009 is clearly a phenomenal headphone in it's unrivaled ability to present complex sonic information.  When I was listening to them, I was thinking to myself, 'wow, listen to that guitar, listen to those drums - wow!'  I really felt that I was more interested in the 'sound' than the music with the Stax 009.  The LCD-X sounded great; but, it was the experience of being totally drawn to the music that I liked about the LCD-X.  Somehow the music all came together more for me and moved me more with the LCD-X.  With the Stax, I was thinking more.  With the LCD-X, I was feeling more. 
 
A number of people commented that the Stax 009 did not have the best cable or amp pairing that day.  You can check out some of the comments from dude_500's post#36 and subsequent responses here:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/713209/official-new-york-spring-meet-sat-april-5-2014-impressions-thread/30
 
I felt so clear that the LCD-X is the headphone for me.
 
Bugs
 
Jul 20, 2014 at 12:27 PM Post #4 of 19
I have only listened to these headphones in shops and audiomeets, but I think I have a pretty good handle on their sound.  I also felt the Sr009's were superior.  Although the LCDx is the most detailed w/ a decent soundstage in the audeze lineup, the audeze's have a tendency to sound lush, thick and closed in.  The Sr007's have a quicker, brighter and more airy sound relative to the lcdx.   Despite this I overall I prefer the LCDX and the LCD3 to this headphone, mostly d/t less listening fatigue, natural timbre, and much better bass.  The Sr009 w/ bhse on the other hand is clearly superior.   The Sr009 trumped the SR007 in pretty much everything.  The SR009 has a moderately larger soundstage w/ much more air, sounds much quicker/responsive, much more detail than the LCDX.  Most importantly though, the bass performance on the SR009 is greatly improved and comprable to LCDX.  I still think the Audeze's sound a bit more natural and have slightly less listening fatigue than the SR009, but all together the SR009 is definitely the superior headphone IMO.
 
Also build quality and construction on the SR009 I felt was superior to the LCD's.  The finished metal frame, lighter frame, and comfortable leather earpads really make the SR009 feel like a world class headphone.  The stax headphones definitely feel more comfortable and feel sturdier.  I'm not sure how relevant the sturdiness is though since I have no idea if these improvements actually make the Stax headphone more resilient to trauma than the audeze headphones.  
 
Jul 20, 2014 at 1:27 PM Post #5 of 19
rrahman said:
  I still think the Audeze's sound a bit more natural and have slightly less listening fatigue than the SR009, but all together the SR009 is definitely the superior headphone IMO.
Click to expand...

 
So, out of the Audezes and Staxs, which headphone is the most neutral? Is it the LCD-X?
 
Jul 20, 2014 at 3:49 PM Post #6 of 19
Thanks for the responses, guys. Interesting stuff.
On a side note, I have never experienced burn in on any system in the past, but have with the Audeze and/or the Hugo. Probably the Audeze, but can't be sure.

I left the new combo running through the day whilst last work for a few days last week. They certainly sound different, kind of faster and more articulate.

They are fantastic headphones.

I must get a demo of some of the Stax. I heard the lower range ones which seemed quite good at then time, but was some time ago and in isolation.

Any further experiences greatly appreciated!
 
Jul 20, 2014 at 9:41 PM Post #7 of 19
Jul 21, 2014 at 12:10 AM Post #8 of 19
I have your setup and sr-009 setup. See sig for list. The sr009 was the headphones I reach for most of the time. However there is something fun about the lcdx. IMO sr009 is upgrade but doesn't make lcdx useless (especially for a mobile solution) or certain listening modes (edm anyone?). But Electrostats have a certain effortlessness about them that dynamics or orthos can't duplicate which I find magical.

I would caveat this however with sr009 or 007 and probably other stax as well as really revealing of your chain. As one poster said earlier, they can sound a little too analytical in the way hd800 are criticized (but not to same level). So a badly driven sr009/007 isn't going to show really well while lcdx are much more forgiving and consistent in their sound. Sr009 being the easier to drive of the two. However, I wouldn't even consider even the sr009 without amplification of at least at kgss level (probably find a used variant in the 1.2-2k range). If using energizer, make sure speaker amp is good enough and you will need to modify any commercial energizer to get the voltage swing you need. Hugo with good amp and sr009 is nice, if you want a more musical or fuller sound, you will probably need to look at other dacs as well.

So to use car analogy. Lcdx is like BMW M3, fast, fun to drive, drive anywhere, and relatively ease to work with. Sr009 is going to be more like your exotic cars, obviously better but requiring way more babying and effort to make it work, but amazing under the right conditions. However not going to be much difference in performance under normal road traffic aside from the looks, Even worse, in rush hour on the 405 or 101, neither car is really going to be able to show its stuff.
 
Jul 21, 2014 at 12:13 AM Post #9 of 19
rrahman said:
Probably not the consensus, but IMO the LCDX by a hair.
Click to expand...


Lcdx IMO is most neutral of audeze line but many would argue lcd3. But lcdx is not neutral in comparison to sr009 or sr007 MKI or MKII. I think that would be more of the consensus thought. Not sure of other stax line.
 
Jul 24, 2014 at 1:04 AM Post #10 of 19
I have a pair of Audeze lcd3's and borrowed the 009s with energiser this week for comparison. They are like chalk and cheese. The Audeze house sound is warm and dark and very forgiving. Plenty of bass but a rolled off treble. Stax is just about the opposite. Very expansive with huge amount of detail. Not sharp or fatiguing. Energiser lets it down a bit despite some mods. Apparently BHSE sounds best but would be a direct import to the UK.
 
Jul 24, 2014 at 1:50 AM Post #11 of 19
walakalulu said:
I have a pair of Audeze lcd3's and borrowed the 009s with energiser this week for comparison. They are like chalk and cheese. The Audeze house sound is warm and dark and very forgiving. Plenty of bass but a rolled off treble. Stax is just about the opposite. Very expansive with huge amount of detail. Not sharp or fatiguing. Energiser lets it down a bit despite some mods. Apparently BHSE sounds best but would be a direct import to the UK.
Click to expand...


What energiser is being used with the 009's walakalulu.
 
Jul 24, 2014 at 3:23 AM Post #13 of 19
crashem said:
I have your setup and sr-009 setup. See sig for list. The sr009 was the headphones I reach for most of the time. However there is something fun about the lcdx. IMO sr009 is upgrade but doesn't make lcdx useless (especially for a mobile solution) or certain listening modes (edm anyone?). But Electrostats have a certain effortlessness about them that dynamics or orthos can't duplicate which I find magical.

I would caveat this however with sr009 or 007 and probably other stax as well as really revealing of your chain. As one poster said earlier, they can sound a little too analytical in the way hd800 are criticized (but not to same level). So a badly driven sr009/007 isn't going to show really well while lcdx are much more forgiving and consistent in their sound. Sr009 being the easier to drive of the two. However, I wouldn't even consider even the sr009 without amplification of at least at kgss level (probably find a used variant in the 1.2-2k range). If using energizer, make sure speaker amp is good enough and you will need to modify any commercial energizer to get the voltage swing you need. Hugo with good amp and sr009 is nice, if you want a more musical or fuller sound, you will probably need to look at other dacs as well.

So to use car analogy. Lcdx is like BMW M3, fast, fun to drive, drive anywhere, and relatively ease to work with. Sr009 is going to be more like your exotic cars, obviously better but requiring way more babying and effort to make it work, but amazing under the right conditions. However not going to be much difference in performance under normal road traffic aside from the looks, Even worse, in rush hour on the 405 or 101, neither car is really going to be able to show its stuff.
Click to expand...


Probably my same thoughts on the subject

Another point to make, I assume you're talking about current 007.
The 007mk1 is brighter and faster than the newer 007mk2 which is darker, slower and has a bass emphasis.
I enjoyed the mk1 more side by side.
 
Jul 24, 2014 at 5:56 PM Post #14 of 19
gl1tch3d said:
Probably my same thoughts on the subject

Another point to make, I assume you're talking about current 007.
The 007mk1 is brighter and faster than the newer 007mk2 which is darker, slower and has a bass emphasis.
I enjoyed the mk1 more side by side.
Click to expand...

Funny thing is the 007MK1 is no where bright and to my ears already have plenty of bass emphasis.
 
Jul 24, 2014 at 6:07 PM Post #15 of 19
I think it depends the condition of the headphone. I have made comparison between the MK1 SN 71xxx and MK2 SN SZ3xxxx and the difference are very small. The MK1 are less rough on the treble. 
 
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