Apologies if I'm going to sound like a cliched noob but I don't post often and I just bought the LCD3 (serial 2615XXX's) and they are worth every cent.
I've had the LCD2 R1's for a couple of years now, they are late revision 1's just before the R2's came out, so I thought I had a reasonable pair as the treble was steadily improved upon over time.
Initially when A/B'ing I didn't immediately hear major differences, its the Ortho sound sure, just like the Abyss, but what did I just pay over 2k for? As I continued I realised what the '3' designation really means. I noticed how the LCD2 r1's bass was clearly darker, less articulate, and not as refined, and the mids, especially vocals were quite recessed in comparison to the LCD3, the super highs were not as detailed, and almost smeared.
It's amazing as I think the LCD2 r1 has a fantastic mid range but the LCD3 really lifts any vocal and plonks it right there in the mix where it should be. The mids are even more delicious and detailed. The bass is just completely on another level to the LCD2 r1 in pure quality. It's more present mostly because you notice the quality has taken a step up or two. It's smoother, goes deeper but the whole thing is very sublime and controlled in a way that results in an almost a profound presentation. I really do marvel at it.
There's this other thing about the LCD2 r1 presentation that seems to sound like some of the rear channels are creeping into the mix, almost like a cheap reverb of frequencies going on. I'm sure this is akin to the waterfall plot differences you see between the cans is what I'm hearing but who knows?? The LCD3 never lets me hear this phenomenon because it's not there and the sheer yumminess being thrown at you wouldn't give you time to think about it anyway.
LCD3 beats you with its happy stick over and over again, and no you can't get enough. I think they can still improve on articulating the highs, they are almost there, the Abyss I thought beat the LCD3's, the highs on the Abyss are palpable in their detail.
I'm still keeping my LCD2's r1 because they are like an old school piece of kit that you go back to for nostalgia and have grown so accustomed to, like a Holga camera maybe! A classic.
