I'd be interested in a comparison between the Eutopia and the LCD-4 as to similarity in price. Wrong thread, I know, but in passing, has anyone been able to listen to both?
When the LCD-4 came out, I had really high hopes for it. What I wanted was a headphone that had the ability to handle bass and mids like the X and the ability to articulate highs like the HD800, but without the HD800's harshness (the well documented 6k Hz issues). I listened to the LCD-4 and what I heard was the typical Audeze house sound, but a bit more refined than what you'd find in the X. The LCD-4, in my mind, was nowhere near twice the performance of the X and I did not see it as a large enough upgrade to buy it.
About two weeks ago, I went to audition the Utopia. Where I auditioned it, I had the pick of the litter as far as amps were concerned, but I went with an amp that I was very familiar with and my own music so as to limit the difference of what I was hearing to only the Utopia. Within a minute, I knew I was listening to something very special. Unlike the LCD-4, the Utopia excelled in every area. There was no weakness to be found. The imaging is unlike anything I have ever heard. Vocals are spectacular, especially female vocals.
I listen to a wide range of genres, so I threw everything at it to see if it would stumble anywhere. It did not: Rock, jazz, hip-hop, acapella, electronica. It didn't matter. Everything sounded outstanding. Moreover, what I wanted when I listened to the LCD-4 was essentially the best bits of the LCD-X and the HD800, but I got from the Utopia was so much more than that.
So, I bought the Utopia on the spot.
Since then, I've had it at home and have compared it to my X and HD800. If I thought there was one thing that I would change, and it's only noticeable in direct comparison, I would like to have the bass be more like the LCD-X. I have heard on other threads, switching the earpads on the Utopia to the ones that come with Elear will give the Utopia a deeper bass. If that is true, there will be absolutely nothing else for me to complain about. Even if it was not true, it's not like the Utopia is lacking bass in any way, it's just not like the X.
Thanks. I was curious about the 4 being a significant upgrade. But, it sounds like the Eutopia might mean a new ballgame for high-end cans including the 4. Thanks again.