So this is what my LCD-2 pads look like after more than 5 years of constant use - nearly every day. If you said they looked a little bit light on the padding you wouldn't be wrong. On a related note, I can't praise the durability of these headphones enough after having pairs of Denons and HiFimans disintegrate on me in less than a year each (no, I wasn't mistreating them). Aside from the pads, my LCD-2s still look and sound practically like new and they get my highest build quality recommendation for anyone who doesn't own them yet but might be interested.
So this is what my LCD-2 pads look like after more than 5 years of constant use - nearly every day. If you said they looked a little bit light on the padding you wouldn't be wrong. On a related note, I can't praise the durability of these headphones enough after having pairs of Denons and HiFimans disintegrate on me in less than a year each (no, I wasn't mistreating them). Aside from the pads, my LCD-2s still look and sound practically like new and they get my highest build quality recommendation for anyone who doesn't own them yet but might be interested.
Back on topic, I'm in the market for replacement pads, and I was hoping for some opinions on the different types of replacement pads out there, how comfy they are, how well they breathe, how they affect the sound, etc. So, for any and all pad aficionados out there, I'm humbly requesting some advice. Thanks!
That was very helpful, thanks!
Back on topic, I'm in the market for replacement pads, and I was hoping for some opinions on the different types of replacement pads out there, how comfy they are, how well they breathe, how they affect the sound, etc. So, for any and all pad aficionados out there, I'm humbly requesting some advice. Thanks!
Thanks to you as well! I did quite a bit of research on the Dekoni pads from the previous post, and I'm hesitant to pull the trigger on them for a few reasons. There aren't many reviews, and the few that I read had wildly different impressions about their effects on sound signature and quality - though pretty much everyone agreed they were very comfortable. I also read a lengthy post from an acoustic engineer who bought fenestrated sheepskin Dekoni pads for his HD800 and said they sapped all of the bass away from them. He had to fix the issue with heavy EQ (something I'm not currently interested in). He posted measurements to back up his claims, and they were *far* different from the measurements posted on Dekoni's own site for the same HD800/earpad combo, which makes me a little bit suspicious of Dekoni's claims in general until more data is out. Here's the post for reference: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/83q0j9/dekoni_earpads_for_sennheiser_hd_800_s_with/I have not used the Dekoni on Audeze but I do have them on my Focal and I think they are good and comfortable. I do however have an LCD-2 and LCD-3 with the new non-leather and leather pads respectively. The new pads have very firm memory foam so they should last a lot longer than the older versions. Even with everyday use I can't imagine that you would have to replace them in 5 years.
I think they are both good choices. The leather pads are a bit softer and shinier where the non-leather have a matte finish but don't require any maintenance or conditioning. The non-leather are a tiny bit thicker and push the driver further away from your ears - as you can see in one of the comparison photos on Moon-audio - https://www.moon-audio.com/audeze-lcd-deluxe-earpads.html
I personally like the non-leather a bit better because of maintenance and I think they are a bit cooler (temperature-wise - I live in AZ) but the leather do look nicer.
From what I've read the lcd2f sounds more natural and organic with a bit more treble and detail than the 2c's. The 2c's are a little less fatiguing due to less treble quantity, are a little more mid-forward, and a little more dynamic overall. The treble is suppose to be slightly harsh though, a little peaky.
