I love music streaming since joining Tidal (HiFi+), predominantly the weekly NEW MUSIC OFFERINGS that are based on the music & groups I indicated that I liked at initial setup. No need to buy any music anymore unless it’s a particular release with extras that interest me.

They’ve been there for a week waiting for their turn. I have the LCD-2C as well.

Nope. He said they must’ve been ready to go. In actuality he simply pushed the volume too high on my Lake People G109S (default 0 gain setting with volume turned to 75% of maximum). I rarely go beyond half volume because it gets too painful.

I know I am reassessing…

He hasn’t offered.

I have my LCD-3 at Audeze getting new drivers installed. A friend of mine was over and cranked the volume ridiculously high.

I have a Lake People G109S for sale if you’re ever interested, seeing how you received a couple of recommendations pairing it with the Focal Clears. I have the Clear and I agree the Clear sounds very good with this amp. Cheers.

How do they sound? I know it’s difficult to get the same sound though.

Let’s face it the Focal Clear ear pads are extremely fragile to virtually all cleaning methods, which ultimately hastens their deterioration. So they get dirty fast, yup they do but that’s the cost of owning headphones (especially Focals). In my mind it’s pointless to preserve these ear pads...

Wow that’s disgusting and very very bad advertisement for Focal!! C’mon Focal clean up your act!!!

I purchased a Bluesound Node a few weeks ago attaching it via coaxial digital cable to my Home Theatre system. I also connected the Node to my Lake People (Violectric) headphone amp via analog cables. Streaming Tidal has my LCD-2C, LCD-3 and Focal Clear Pro sound about the best I have heard...

Again, for the prices Focal and others charge for ear pads you would think they’d last for a very very long time. Shameful for the gouging considering what you actually receive for the money spent.

Thank you for the explanation. I purchased my LCD-3 used from a fellow Audeze owner. It did have that the old style headband on it but I purchased the new style headband shortly after purchasing the LCD-3, it’s much more comfortable. Theses headphones have the brown cushiony ear pads which are...

Thanks for updating me.

I bought my LCD-3 used a couple of years ago. The original owner bought it new in 2017.

Love your enthusiasm! I have been away from headphone listening for a little while but you inspired me to turn on my FiiO M11 and Violectric 220 amp and refresh my memory how my LCD-3F sounds again. Glad I did! I wasn’t even aware Audeze refreshed this headphone. What’s different, new drivers?

Ear Pads Profits = Unnecessary Gouging

Of course profits are important to a business BUT so are THEIR CUSTOMERS. Gouging, oh yeah there’s plenty of that going around for a long time, waaaay before COVID and supply chain issues.

I have been complaining about pads prices for years going back to my Sennheiser 650’s for $50 Cdn. Let’s face it folks, there’s $10 of materials (at the most!) and unless Sennheiser (or whoever makes them) pays their employees really well to drive up the cost. Let’s be frank, the only number out...

I also use the Violectric HPA V200 with my Clear Pro and XLR Periapt headphone cable. Sounds much better than Focal stock cable.

I also have that ugly knit cover but I find it uncomfortable and just interferes with a good fit. I do want to keep the headband clean though so I just use a small, thin cloth between my bald head and the Clear’s head cushion. Fit feels natural and keeps the cushion clean. It may look a bit...

I use the Violectric V280.

I have a FiiO M11 DAP that I’m experimenting with my ADI-2 DAC. My understanding is that the ADI is not equipped to handle MQA. How would the ADI respond to an incoming MQA signal? Also is there an optimum setup for the ADI when using Tidal? Thanks!

Last winter I purchased a custom made silver coated OFC copper cable and that improved the clarity (reduced veil?) and detail according to my ears.