LFF CODE-X IMPRESSIONS
9/4/2016
So I thought I paid a little too much at 1350 USD for these but honestly I have no regrets plus the person who sold them to me was really easy to work with. I will probably rebuff the wood and oil treat it to restore it to its original luster. It also has those awful HiFiMan connectors that are a little bit annoying. What is cool is that the pads are swappable. Very easily swappable and right now I am rocking some ZMF cowhides on them which seemed to help the soundstage just a tad and add a little warmth down low vs the alpha pads as well as providing better space for my ears to fit inside. I will try some Audeze pads next but I am scared the bass may take a hit as this is just at the level I would call truly neutral.
Sound
Bass:
The bass on these headphones are tight, controlled, solid and what I consider neutral. They can knock when the song is called for but it is not elevated. It is more than the HD800 and is reminiscent of the Utopia bass in quantity if not just a shade more yet not as detailed. Still very good and nicely focused. The extension is deep and the midrange seems unhindered by the bass. I wonder if it is about the same quantity as the HE-6 but less visceral? I lean towards believing so but my memory is fading of the 6.
Midrange:
First impressions were that the midrange was a little bit laid back or too even. The 5LE has a thicker sound in the lower midrange but is less clear and detailed. However, the midrange after further listening is completely as natural as can be without any boosting or withdrawal anywhere in the FR. I wont call it lush, sterile, thin, rich, or any adjective that suggests a bias in any part of the frequency range. The texture is a silken smooth, naturally polished and grain free sound that is responsible for that "magic" that people mention about these. There is nothing shouty about the vocals and something like the HD650 will sound more fatiguing during long listening sessions. The proximity of the vocalist is at a perfect sweet spot where its neither too close or too far and the image size is well proportioned. Depth is okay but instruments do have adequate air around them. The Utopia will sound more forward and energetic and even more realistic to my preference but since I cannot afford one I will be fine right here!.
Treble:
Man......
Every Manufacturer should listen to these and have its
treble whole balance as a target response. The textures are not really rock solid crisp but they don't lack definition and detail. The treble is relatively present but never once causes fatigue. I really like the balance in the treble a lot.
Technicalities
They are all there. Good speed, clean presentation. Detailed enough to make me happy I left the Focal Elear behind for it. Spaciousness that is not overly wide without depth but has good imaging and separation. Like zero distortion and a black background that I can count the stars in. An open and unrestricted effortless sound with good micro details.
I slightly want for more Macro dynamics and solidity for a more viscerally physical feel because that is my achilles heel. Some folks are soundstage heads, treble heads, etc etc and after my go with the HD800S and Utopia I realize I am a dynamics head because the latter rocked my socks. Also because my Kennerton Vali is both dynamic and really heavy handed and I love it. The Code-X is not overly soft like the HE-X but still isn't as engaging as the Utopia and Vali. It is good enough for me though. It does so much right, and has enough punch to keep me satisfied.
Overall so far:
The second best headphone for my tastes I have ever heard. Only bested by the Utopia.
Pads
Initial impressions:
Alpha pads: slightly bright with good extension in the treble. Bass is present and solid. Good clarity. Treble can be more splashy than on the cowhides. Midrange has good presence and harmony.
ZMF cowhides: less bright than the Alpha dogs, bass is tighter and a little more focused. The soundstage is a little wider and vocals are positionally more distant. Treble extension seems slightly more rolled off than the Alpha pads. Slightly more tinted than the Alpha pads. I prefer the midrange with the Alpha pads or actually just need to turn the volume up a db to bring them closer again.
Preference:I like the treble extension of the Alpha pads as well as the midrange but I prefer the slightly darker sound and the more controlled bass of the ZMF pads as well as the soundstage size.
For now ZMF pads.