Audeze LCD-2 Closed

[KCXT]

Got them in (the older 2-line logo version) a day or two ago and have some uninterrupted hours on the clock... I'm really enjoying their stock sound. Plenty of detail and resolution across the board without being as exacting as my Elegias, they can be a bit congested at times but that's been pretty rare. Running off of the THX 789 SE output they have exactly the amount of roundness I was looking for while retaining good imaging and resolution. The Eagles, Disturbed, Black Light Burns, Tech N9ne, Trick Daddy, The Score, Celldweller, KMFDM, Sinatra (nails the dynamics of 'My Way' even if not as spacious as open-backs), Patsy Cline, Beethoven's Strings, etc, all highly enjoyable.

I'm sure I'll hear some weaknesses as I keep listening but out of the box this achieves my objective of getting a versatile closed headphone with enveloping-yet-resolving sound.

 

[ParaLoganGrado]

...but out of the box this achieves my objective of getting a versatile closed headphone with enveloping-yet-resolving sound.

That's exactly what I was looking for when I bought mine off a head-fier here. Honestly, coming from Grados it was a big shock initially. But at this point if my better half said I could keep only one pair I have no idea which I would get rid of. The (out of production, limited edition) GH2s with their beautiful deep red-brown Cocobolo wood, the punchy kick drum and crisp snare, the amazing ability to cast a stage in your mind you can honestly beleive is really there (with the right adult beverage / plant this is stupidly enjoyable). Or, the LCD2CBs with insane precision, headroom for days, bass that digs low enough and loud enough to shake your skull when demanded but never too forward. The way I can hear the body of stringed instruments -- not just the notes. At first, I thought they sounded congested. But I think it's because these have more presence in the mids than the Grados, where those emphasize the upper mid / lower treble region and my ears had to adjust.

Good thing I don't have to get rid of one (and still have my stereo up here )

 

[KCXT]

That's exactly what I was looking for when I bought mine off a head-fier here. Honestly, coming from Grados it was a big shock initially. But at this point if my better half said I could keep only one pair I have no idea which I would get rid of. The (out of production, limited edition) GH2s with their beautiful deep red-brown Cocobolo wood, the punchy kick drum and crisp snare, the amazing ability to cast a stage in your mind you can honestly beleive is really there (with the right adult beverage / plant this is stupidly enjoyable). Or, the LCD2CBs with insane precision, headroom for days, bass that digs low enough and loud enough to shake your skull when demanded but never too forward. The way I can hear the body of stringed instruments -- not just the notes. At first, I thought they sounded congested. But I think it's because these have more presence in the mids than the Grados, where those emphasize the upper mid / lower treble region and my ears had to adjust.

Good thing I don't have to get rid of one (and still have my stereo up here )

This might sound a bit weird but I enjoy these in the same way as I enjoy the HE6se V2s - more moderate volumes just taking it all in with the occasional 'crank it' moment. The level of isolation is completely opposite between them and the HE6 is more detailed/nuanced and less rounded with a bigger soundstage, but both have the same effortless presentation that hugs my ear. While the LCD2-CB sounds great cranked, if I want to really rock out I lean toward the HE-500.

 

[TheRealDz]

I am on the fence with these and a Dan Clark Ether CX from Drop. Anyone have any experience listening to both?

The drop is live for 4 more days

 

[KCXT]

I am on the fence with these and a Dan Clark Ether CX from Drop. Anyone have any experience listening to both?

The drop is live for 4 more days

I have this and the Aeon Flow Closed RT on hand right now and while I can't speak for the Ether I can say that these AFCs are very good and share a lot with the LCD-2 closed. They have their own overall signatures of course but i wouldn't hesitate to point you that way.

 

[KCXT]

Yeah, these are exactly what I was looking for - closed back with a big, full, slightly-bassy-slightly-tamed-treble sound with some bass extension that still has detail and satisfying balance. Super-easy to slip into the zone when working/studying while still feeling like I'm hearing the totality of the song if I choose to listen. The isolation is also excellent even when my house gets quite noisy. I've worn them for about 5 hours straight in a single session with no comfort issues but I understand that can vary widely from person to person.

With respect to negatives there are songs here and there where the mids are a little back or a voice sounds a little funny but it's infrequent and tolerable when it does happen. I'm also finding that I notice seeming channel imbalance on some songs that aren't present on other headphones, such as FFDP's War is the Answer album, which has made me question my sanity a bit. I think it's just an interaction between the mastering on those tracks and the response of these headphones and I don't own anything else like this so don't have anything to compare to. It's always stronger in the right ear as well, sometimes adjusting by as little as 0.5 db makes it better and other times up to 1.5 or 2 db seem required.

 

[KCXT]

After some extensive testing the channel imbalance was as much as 3-4 db on some songs and wasn't tolerable, so I sent that pair back and purchased a pair of B-stock from Audeze's listings here on HF. They shipped it immediately and these look basically brand new. Upon listening they are more or less evenly matched, falling within my personal experience of recording variation and what I know about my own hearing quirks. This pair also strikes me as a bit tighter sounding overall compared to that first pair but I don't have them on hand to compare so it may be my imagination.

Bottom line is that the new pair sounds great and look and behave as new. I was happy at the prior price but the sale value just makes it even better.

 

[Ficcion2]

I recently subscribed to Roon and got super curious about the Audeze EQ presets.

I bought a balanced cable to connect my LCD2s to my Broadway Xi since Ive been mainly powering it through my iFi Zen Can due to the bass boost eq.
As expected, what a great step up in dynamics, clarity and texture with my Broadway vs Zen Can.

The Roon preset for LCD2 Closed made it even sweeter. Its kind of hard to describe but its not really subtle.
The EQ seemed to correct some peaks that I found in the upper mid range and lower treble. The mids become a little less swooped and the treble less peaky.
The bass is given a slight hump as well and now Im retiring the Zen Can.

I mostly use my LCD2CB for bass heavy electronic music. Would the LCD X or the 3 /4 be the next best sub bass contender?

 

[freakadelchik]

Hey guys!
I'm wondering if anyone has tried to compare LCD-2 closed and LCD-3? What's the actual difference in sound between them?

 

[FullBright1]

Hey guys!
I'm wondering if anyone has tried to compare LCD-2 closed and LCD-3? What's the actual difference in sound between them?

LCD-3 has more treble, wider soundstage, and is slightly more detailed.

LCD-2C has more/better mids, sets the soundstage in your face, and is tonally warmer.

 

[Malevolent]

LCD-3 has more treble, wider soundstage, and is slightly more detailed.

LCD-2C has more/better mids, sets the soundstage in your face, and is tonally warmer.

Hmm, I think he's talking about the LCD-2 Closed Back, and not the LCD-2 Classic.

@freakadelchik The LCD-2 Closed Back is brighter, with more prominent treble peaks than the LCD-3; there is greater energy and engagement throughout. Moreover, it has a leaner timbre, with a greater emphasis on technical performance, as opposed to lush, warm musicality. If you want something smooth and dark, with a solid yet well-extended bass response, get the LCD-3. If you are willing to trade richness of tone for a cleaner, less-rounded sound, albeit one with a similarly potent low-end region, the LCD-2 Closed Back might be choice for you. Ultimately, these 2 headphones vary a fair bit in their respective signatures.

 

[FullBright1]

Hmm, I think he's talking about the LCD-2 Closed Back, and not the LCD-2 Classic.

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The LCD2 Closed has a more midrange dominate tone, an in your face soundstage, much like the current LCD-X, and less treble extension.

The LCD3, has more Treble extension, better soundstage, slightly more resolution.

The LCDX Closed is better sounding then both, unless you turn it up, and in that case, not as good.

I personally like the LCD MX4 best, regarding this group, tho the X-Closed, is special as it sounds like no other Audeze.

 

[Malevolent]

The LCD2 Closed has a more midrange dominate tone, an in your face soundstage, much like the current LCD-X, and less treble extension.

The LCD3, has more Treble extension, better soundstage, slightly more resolution.

The LCDX Closed is better sounding then both, unless you turn it up, and in that case, not as good.

I personally like the LCD MX4 best, regarding this group, tho the X-Closed, is special as it sounds like no other Audeze.

In all of my myriad auditions with the LCD-3 and the LCD-2 Closed Back, I have never once felt that the former produces a more energetic and prominent treble response. In fact, the highs on the LCD-3 are laid-back, smooth, and has less sizzle and sparkle than the LCD-2 Closed Back.

With that being said, as I don't own the LCD-3, I can't accurately recall its extension capabilities in comparison to the LCD-2 Closed Back. Thus, I will defer to your judgement, since you appear to be an owner.

 

[freakadelchik]

Hmm, I think he's talking about the LCD-2 Closed Back, and not the LCD-2 Classic.

@freakadelchik The LCD-2 Closed Back is brighter, with more prominent treble peaks than the LCD-3; there is greater energy and engagement throughout. Moreover, it has a leaner timbre, with a greater emphasis on technical performance, as opposed to lush, warm musicality. If you want something smooth and dark, with a solid yet well-extended bass response, get the LCD-3. If you are willing to trade richness of tone for a cleaner, less-rounded sound, albeit one with a similarly potent low-end region, the LCD-2 Closed Back might be choice for you. Ultimately, these 2 headphones vary a fair bit in their respective signatures.

@Malevolent thank you for a such detailed reply!
Actually at the moment I have LCD-2 closed back with TT2 and it's absolutely fantastic. Before purchasing I tried LCD-2C and XC and I think LCD-2 Closed Back has the widest soundstage vs the other two. Although I thought open headphones has a greater soundstage compared to the closed ones.

So I'm thinking of trying LCD-3 this time and would like at least stay on the dark sound with deep punchy bass

 

[freakadelchik]

The LCD2 Closed has a more midrange dominate tone, an in your face soundstage, much like the current LCD-X, and less treble extension.

The LCD3, has more Treble extension, better soundstage, slightly more resolution.

The LCDX Closed is better sounding then both, unless you turn it up, and in that case, not as good.

I personally like the LCD MX4 best, regarding this group, tho the X-Closed, is special as it sounds like no other Audeze.

@FullBright1 thanks a lot for reply!
hmm btw how can you describe MX4 in compare to the others you listed? Which one the most similar to them?