Audeze LCD-2 Closed

[kith86]

Just want to share, i still love my LCD2 closed after owning several and many headphones, and it still going strong about almost 3 years now already (bought them nov 2021, keeping the invoice still in case i needed help from audeze), maybe earpads should be changed, but it can wait, what i liked from this is the tuning and how enjoyable they are for listening for hours without fatiguing and become boring, there are more detail headphones out there but they are not enjoyable like this one, even lcd x (i sold them in the past and i dont bothered with lcd x closed), they just not my cup of tea as example, which proven that in audio more expensive not translate more better or suitable, and the comfort was sublime too, im not bothered by it like some other audiophille, beside lcd x, i bought and sold many headphones across several years since 2017 but this one proven pass by the test of time, usually if i didnot like it, i already sell them within less than a year.

For enjoyability nothing beats it especially until now, everything just perfect for my needs, i pick this mostly when i want to enjoying music for hours.

 

[waveSounds]

I am giving thought to selling my TH900 and picking up an LCD2 Closed. Nothing bothers me about the 900's signature as it does others, and as an electronic, ambient and EDM fan I'm not sure I'll be able to give up its bass, but I would like something with a bit more isolation from external noise, and less sound leakage. EQ aside (prefer not to use it), do these boys still thump down low?

 

[yrstruly]

Wouldn't expect that much better isolation from the LCD2 Closed btw - from memory it's kinda average on that front.

 

[kith86]

I am giving thought to selling my TH900 and picking up an LCD2 Closed. Nothing bothers me about the 900's signature as it does others, and as an electronic, ambient and EDM fan I'm not sure I'll be able to give up its bass, but I would like something with a bit more isolation from external noise, and less sound leakage. EQ aside (prefer not to use it), do these boys still thump down low?

The bass of LCD 2 Close not that thumpy or neither so thunderous as TH900 especially in mid bass area, its rather typical gentle planar bass that kindda slightly flat that focus on sub bass but its not basslight either like hd800 as example, the mid and treble is better balance on lcd 2 closed for me, sometimes i felt TH900 bass is too much for some certain song, must EQ them down a bit to certain DB

But for sure i can said they are not leaky compared to TH900

 

[Dopaminer]

I am giving thought to selling my TH900 and picking up an LCD2 Closed. Nothing bothers me about the 900's signature as it does others, and as an electronic, ambient and EDM fan I'm not sure I'll be able to give up its bass, but I would like something with a bit more isolation from external noise, and less sound leakage. EQ aside (prefer not to use it), do these boys still thump down low?

The TH series are not actually 'closed' headphones, more of a semi-open design, intentionally to benefit the FR. I had the TH900 and sold it for exactly this reason - lack of isolation. I now have the LCD2 Closed and LCD-XC, and they both isolate far more effectively. If you want even more isolation, I recommend getting some super soft lambskin pads from the 3rd party makers, as they seal better against the head and the denser memory foam blocks sound better than the lighter foams Audeze moved to.

About the bass, I'm also an electronic music fan and I never found the Fostex TH bass to be all that impressive, despite all the praise.
The Audezes I like much better. However, I EQ a lot so your experience may vary.
Good luck with the journey!

 

[Tharnius83]

I ended up getting an LCD-2 Closed Back just a few weeks ago. It is an awesome headphone. Soundstage on this puppy is just like an open back. It is wide, deep, and tall. There is a 3D like sound to the way this headphone images. It really is fantastic. As many know, the LCD-2 Closed is the closest to neutral in sound that Audeze offers. It does not take much adjustment to make it sound totally correct. Weight for me is not a a problem at all. I can wear this headphone for hours without any problem. I don't even bother to use a bass shelf on this headphone. It just does not need it. I also own a Focal Clear OG. I find that the LCD-2 Closed had made for an excellent second headphone choice. I am surprised this headphone is not more popular. I used to own the LCD-X a couple years ago, and I just did not like it. In my opinion, the LCD-2 Closed just sounds flat out better. I should mention as well, that my LCD-2 Closed is the 2024 edition, which comes with the balanced cable in the box. Anyone who is looking for a slightly warm, enjoyable, and musical sounding headphone should definitely give this one a go. In terms of detail retrieval, deep and tight bass, excellent musicality, and an awesome soundtage, I don't think there is another closed back headphone out there in the 1000 US range that can beat it. I think you will be very impressed.

 

[Tharnius83]

Alright, here is my EQ settings for the LCD-2 Closed. After doing some more critical listening, I have changed my mind on using a bass shelf. Adding a bit of additional energy down low really offers some impressive results. Feel free to give this EQ a try, and let me know what you think. I think you will be impressed. This is just a spectacular headphone for the price. I don't think a better sound can be found in the 1000 US price range.

Preamp = -5

Low Shelf 50Hz = +2 Q0.8
375Hz = +2 Q1
1.85kHz = -3 Q1.6
5.85kHz = -4 Q2.5
High Shelf 11.7kHz = -2 Q1

Edit: I updated the EQ. I have well over 200 hours of use on this headphone by now, and the sound has definitely improved even further after break in.

 

[Tharnius83]

I must have around 150 hours use on this headphone at this point. I updated the EQ above once again. I just don't see how this headphone is not more popular. Once you put a bit of EQ on this puppy, the sound quality is just spectacular. The bass response, definition, focus, detail retrieval, soundstage, imaging, and resolution on this headphone are just fantastic at around the 1000 US price point. I said this earlier as well, but the LCD-2 Closed literally sounds like an open back, but with an excellent bass response that extends right down into the lowest registers. I am thoroughly impressed with it.

 

[Opalius]

I ended up getting an LCD-2 Closed Back just a few weeks ago. It is an awesome headphone. Soundstage on this puppy is just like an open back. It is wide, deep, and tall. There is a 3D like sound to the way this headphone images. It really is fantastic. As many know, the LCD-2 Closed is the closest to neutral in sound that Audeze offers. It does not take much adjustment to make it sound totally correct. Weight for me is not a a problem at all. I can wear this headphone for hours without any problem. I don't even bother to use a bass shelf on this headphone. It just does not need it. I also own a Focal Clear OG. I find that the LCD-2 Closed had made for an excellent second headphone choice. I am surprised this headphone is not more popular. I used to own the LCD-X a couple years ago, and I just did not like it. In my opinion, the LCD-2 Closed just sounds flat out better. I should mention as well, that my LCD-2 Closed is the 2024 edition, which comes with the balanced cable in the box. Anyone who is looking for a slightly warm, enjoyable, and musical sounding headphone should definitely give this one a go. In terms of detail retrieval, deep and tight bass, excellent musicality, and an awesome soundtage, I don't think there is another closed back headphone out there in the 1000 US range that can beat it. I think you will be very impressed.

Congratulations also have it, and it's one of my favorite. Pairs well with the 2021 LCD-X

 

[Tharnius83]

This headphone definitely improved further after a couple hundred hours of break in. The bass is just so fast and tight sounding. The brightness in the mid treble has calmed down a bit as well. I am still so impressed with the soundstage on this headphone. Everything has such excellent scale. The height, depth, and width are just class leading for a closed back at this price level.

 

[Opalius]

I must have around 150 hours use on this headphone at this point. I updated the EQ above once again. I just don't see how this headphone is not more popular. Once you put a bit of EQ on this puppy, the sound quality is just spectacular. The bass response, definition, focus, detail retrieval, soundstage, imaging, and resolution on this headphone are just fantastic at around the 1000 US price point. I said this earlier as well, but the LCD-2 Closed literally sounds like an open back, but with an excellent bass response that extends right down into the lowest registers. I am thoroughly impressed with it.

I think one of the reasons the LCD-2 Closed Back (LCD-CB) isn’t as popular is the overwhelming preference for Harman-tuned headphones in the market. While Harman tuning works well for many genres, it can fall short for heavy metal. In Harman-tuned headphones, electric guitars often sound overly harsh, and vocals can feel unnaturally "in your head," which detracts from the immersive experience.

The LCD-CB, on the other hand, has a unique tuning that avoids these issues. Its expansive soundstage provides a more "live performance" feel, which is fantastic for heavy metal and other complex, energetic genres. That open-back-like presentation you mentioned really sets it apart, especially for those of us who want to feel like we're right in the middle of the music rather than stuck in a narrow, overly forward mix. It's a gem for anyone who values those qualities!

 

[Tharnius83]

I totally agree with you. It makes for an excellent headphone to use for gaming as well.

 

[DeanoBravo]

Hi, I have owned LCD-2 Closed for nearly a year now. Purchased from the original owner who only had them 4 months and they still had that 'new car smell.'

These were my first purchase after deciding/needing to get back into headphones and it was a busy year trying new stuff. And for the most part (with no initial point of reference) the Audeze didn't wow me...until they did.

I think back and realise how infrequently I used them while trying a few other things. But I reckon they've finally clocked up enough play time because lately everything I put through them is sounding so alive and moreish.

I've actually had them for sale for a while and could have accepted a lowball-ish offer but really glad I didn't.

A very good match with the Aune S17 Pro, plays nice with both of my DAC's but not so with the Vali 3 - the fullness of the Audeze shrinks drastically for some reason. I thought this fine little amp would work well but there you go.

 

[Tharnius83]

This headphone definitely had a long break in period. All the way up to well over 300 hours of use, I was still hearing improvements in the bass resolution, and the treble further smoothed out. If anyone is looking for an EQ, give my settings a try. I think you will like it. This EQ makes the headphone sound completely neutral, along with an excellent bass response. I said it before, but this is just an awesome headphone. I also own the Focal Clear OG, but it is just not getting any play time these days. In my opinion, the LCD-2 Closed is just a better sounding headphone.

Preamp = -5

Low Shelf 50Hz = +2 Q0.8
375Hz = +2 Q1
1.85kHz = -3 Q1.6
5.85kHz = -4 Q2.5
High Shelf 11.7kHz = -2 Q1

 

[AntiqueMusician]

I ended up getting an LCD-2 Closed Back just a few weeks ago. It is an awesome headphone. Soundstage on this puppy is just like an open back. It is wide, deep, and tall. There is a 3D like sound to the way this headphone images. It really is fantastic. As many know, the LCD-2 Closed is the closest to neutral in sound that Audeze offers. It does not take much adjustment to make it sound totally correct. Weight for me is not a a problem at all. I can wear this headphone for hours without any problem. I don't even bother to use a bass shelf on this headphone. It just does not need it. I also own a Focal Clear OG. I find that the LCD-2 Closed had made for an excellent second headphone choice. I am surprised this headphone is not more popular. I used to own the LCD-X a couple years ago, and I just did not like it. In my opinion, the LCD-2 Closed just sounds flat out better. I should mention as well, that my LCD-2 Closed is the 2024 edition, which comes with the balanced cable in the box. Anyone who is looking for a slightly warm, enjoyable, and musical sounding headphone should definitely give this one a go. In terms of detail retrieval, deep and tight bass, excellent musicality, and an awesome soundtage, I don't think there is another closed back headphone out there in the 1000 US range that can beat it. I think you will be very impressed.

I did not realize there is a 2024 edition of the LCD-2 Closed. Is the only change the addition of a balanced cable? I’ve had my eyes on these for awhile, but always seem to back out because I’m worried about the weight of them for long listening sessions. Unfortunately I don’t have a way to audition them near me. Looking for a planar closed back to compliment the Arya Stealth when I need isolation.