I have spent my last 15 days with comparing the LCD2C and the LCDX directly in my free time. I am trying to find out how it is to live with them and not just A/B testing them for sound differences as I don't really want to keep both.
There has been some A/B testing too, as well as dedicated 1-2 days with both of them. (I am using silver plated upgrade cables.)
It has been a tough couple of weeks, sometimes I was leaning towards one or the other, but I think overall I prefer the X to the 2C but the price I got the X for also for plays a role here. Technically the X is the better headphone immediately, but the 2C is very likeable for that laid back music listening experience when you just want to chill out.
The LCDX has better dynamics and resolving capabilities than the LCD2C, that is quite obvious immediately. The X has a much cleaner and punchier bass; cleaner, more opened and punchier treble. The X also has better mid details but the 2C has a slightly sweeter mid tone. Altogether the much more defined bass and treble and the overall higher level of clarity makes the X a 'clearly' superior headphone to the 2C, but this also comes with another 60-80 grams of weight (controversial sources). The X is a punchier and more resolving headphone, the 2C is more laid back, less refined and less detailed. They are both great though for what they are. The 2C's strength in my opinion is the easy listening and laid back tonality, even though it comes with a less accurate, less detailed and softer sound. For twice the price I would definitely not recommend the X over the 2C. For 20-30% more however, it is hard not to recommend the X (just make sure you have got the new headband).
LCD 2C | LCD-X |
lighter (550g) | heavier (612g) |
laid back, soft sound with lesser resolving capabilities | punchy, clean, more energetic sound, higher resolving capabilities |
more diffuse and hazier, but still class beating bass | clean, clear and punchy bass with better impact (best bass under 2K basically) |
sweeter vocals | more accurate and more detailed but slightly 'colder' vocals |
rolled off and veiled treble resulting in detail loss | opened, clean and punchy treble with more detail and fun |
perfect headphones for chilling out while browsing the web | more fun when focusing on music listening only as it is a more intense experience |
£650-750 new (very recent price increase to my surprise, it used to be £599!) | £1150-1200 new (creator package) |
£500-600 used | £750-900 used (creator package) |