[Articnoise]

If we assume for a moment that the difference in weight between the LCD line and most new planer headphones is mostly due to bigger and more powerful magnets. Is it in light of that assumption still wrong for them to choose those bigger and heavier magnates instead of focus on bringing down the weight? 

 

(The LCD line use big magnates on both sides while for example HEK have big on one side and much smaller on the other side and the Abyss has magnets only on one side.)

 

[Articnoise]

For me as an Longtime Headphone Freak,i can't understand that AUDEZE goes the same way again and again and again!same Design,same Construction,with the same parts,for 4000 USD!!!....and that in 2015!!!

The only right thing is the EL8,in design,in weight,in comfort!!
Perhaps we will get a AUDEZE LCD 5 for 6000 USD,with 800 Gramm?and much much more overlarged caps than LCD4??

I know the best Engeniers&Contributors behind this Industrie,and they are laughing about this and says yes that's really crazy that people are spending a lot of money for that!

PLANAR HEADPHONES should have max 350-400 Gramm,with smaller Cups,and better design,with much more comfort,it its easy and possible for a price over 3000 usd!

We are in 2015 and not in 2005!!

Regards Nomax

 

Nomax haven’t you crown the Abyss “the best headphone in the world”. I could have miss it, but I don’t remember you complaining about the weight on it. 

 

[NZtechfreak]

  If we assume for a moment that the difference in weight between the LCD line and most new planer headphones is mostly due to bigger and more powerful magnets. Is it in light of that assumption still wrong for them to choose those bigger and heavier magnates instead of focus on bringing down the weight? 

 

(The LCD line use big magnates on both sides while for example HEK have big on one side and much smaller on the other side and the Abyss has magnets only on one side.)

 
I don't see these as mutually exclusive design goals.

 

[Articnoise]

   
I don't see these as mutually exclusive design goals.

 

Okay if we assume that there is a correlation between bigger and more powerful magnets as a hypothesis. Is their design goals to focus on that instead of cutting some weight wrong? In other words is it better to choose lighter weight even if it means compromise in sound (I don’t say it will actually compromise the sound only if it does)? 

 

It would be a bit strange if they didn’t thought there is an advantage to use those big magnets in their design. 

 

[Nomax]

 



Nomax haven’t you crown the Abyss “the best headphone in the world”. I could have miss it, but I don’t remember you complaining about the weight on it. 

Yes thats right,with the perfect fot in seal!the abyss is heavy,but its more comfortable to wear,and its more a Speaker on the head as a Headphone!

And you will see with Diana by abyss headphones a other design,other construction,not again and again as the audeze story for thousands of Usd!!!

Nomax

 

[Articnoise]

Yes thats right,with the perfect fot in seal!the abyss is heavy,but its more comfortable to wear,and its more a Speaker on the head as a Headphone!

And you will see with Diana by abyss headphones a other design,other construction,not again and again as the audeze story for thousands of Usd!!!

Nomax

 

Have you tried the new headband or the LCD4? 

 

[bfreedma]

Yes thats right,with the perfect fot in seal!the abyss is heavy,but its more comfortable to wear,and its more a Speaker on the head as a Headphone!

And you will see with Diana by abyss headphones a other design,other construction,not again and again as the audeze story for thousands of Usd!!!

Nomax

Fit is an entirely individual and subjective criteria. Either the raw weight of headphones is an issue or it isn't.

You seem to be basing your criteria on the name of the manufacturer and not the weight of the headphones. Your tire pumping for JPS makes it appear you're not entirely objective.

 

[money4me247]

Realistically, neither the abyss or the lcd-4 is really emphasizing comfort as a priority in their design.
 
The LCD-4 has noticeable heft and I would personally end up not grabbing it as often or wearing it as long due to the weight. I owned the LCD-X with a suspension mod and while that made the LCD-X tolerable, still quite a heavy pair of headphones. The LCD-4 is noticeably heavier than the LCD-X with a suspension mod, but noticeably lighter than the LCD-X stock due to their new suspension band. For audeze users who have be wearing their headphones stock & training their neck muscles to olympic athelete levels, likely will easily be able to tolerate the LCD-4. For consumers used to dynamic headphones or the new generation of light planar magnetics, will likely be a bit of an initial shock to get over.
 
Audeze's idea of an update to their design has always been to slap more magnetics and other stuff (like fazor) onto their headphones. Their trend in advancing their headphones have always been at the cost heavier weights. Likely have to redesign the entire headphone from the ground up to be able to improve sound quality without adding more bulk. Probably less economically favorable since they are using so many common parts for their LCD-series.
 
The Abyss is bulky and unwieldy. Not easy to adjust to get a ideal fit. A bit picky with seal and head placement to its sound. Not likely to be worthwhile unless you absolutely fall in love with its sound.
 
The other standout terribly designed from a comfort and ergonomic perspective would be the kennerton audio odin and the lyrus audio flagship. while I didn't weigh them exactly, they both go old-school planar with really heavy designs. the odin makes matters worth with a ridiculous screwing mechanism required for headband adjustment. Likely will be okay after you finally figure out which setting is best for you, but just an unpleasant hassle to deal with in general.
 
I noticed a trend with "don't give a screwk" type pricing with lack of common sense and thoughtfulness with ergonomic design and comfort. Common features would be a heavy emphasis on styling and often incorporates wood elements in its aesthetics. very interesting to me as I typically don't care at all about how a headphone looks, but care quite a lot about comfort. Seems like those companies have their priorities different than mine.
 
In terms of sound quality for my personal tastes, I would say the LCD-4 is closer to my ideal than the rest of the field of the "not-the-best-ergonomically-inclined headphones." I do think Audeze is going in a good direction with their sound signature tuning, though I personally was underwhelmed with its sound quality at the asking price point. For some fans of the Audeze house sound though, they may be a bit disappointed. The LCD-4 veers away from the darkness and coloration traditionally associated with Audeze. For folks looking for better technical performance attributes (speed, sound stage, imaging, clarity, etc), I think you will be happy as I do think there is a noticeable improvement in technical performance against the LCD-X or LCD-3 imo, but considering the sale pricing for the LCD-X and other competitive options out on the market that can offer even more in terms of sound quality, I do still strongly think the LCD-4's pricing is quite unjustifiable as it does not reach comprehensive unarguably next-level degree in areas of technical performance that some other flagships do imo. I can see certain folks willing to tolerant the comfort issues for any of the headphones listed above if they fall in love with its particular sound. I recall back in the day, I stubbornly kept the HE-400 (which is relatively lighter than the rest of the headphones listed) and added paddings to its headband since I greatly enjoyed its sound for specific genres. However, I personally did not find anything too special of the headphones I talked about above that I would be willing to pay a premium or take the comfort compromises. I think for many people YMMV.
 
I will say that the LCD-4 looks absolutely stunning and gorgeous in person & for those who value ownership pride & are not too concerned with costs, it will look stunning in a headphone collection.

 

[Middy]

That's why I think the wood acts in conjunction with the harmonics the planar produces. Tyll mentioned on the big listen about EQing for the frequencies that are absorbed naturally by the head and neck. Isn't this the same for wood shell by design?

Even though wood isn't the most perfect material for equal density throughout its structure. Audeze and Grado have stuck with it. Isn't there a guy mods grados wood shells to produce a different sound. A new entry level for weight and cost might be to halves of a coconut..Without the lime.. shrink wrap and fridge magnets. So be careful. .

I like the idea on the of polls on the 3 issue thread. Not like I don't like a good discussion. Sometimes threads are I like blue no red no blue... I suppose I like facts and ways to improve..

Good stuff though can't wait for LCD4 impressions. Tyll hasn't done the 4 yet but did with HE1000X from RMAF..

 

[money4me247]

That's why I think the wood acts in conjunction with the harmonics the planar produces. Tyll mentioned on the big listen about EQing for the frequencies that are absorbed naturally by the head and neck. Isn't this the same for wood shell by design?

Even though wood isn't the most perfect material for equal density throughout its structure. Audeze and Grado have stuck with it. Isn't there a guy mods grados wood shells to produce a different sound. A new entry level for weight and cost might be to halves of a coconut..Without the lime.. shrink wrap and fridge magnets. So be careful. .

I like the idea on the of polls on the 3 issue thread. Not like I don't like a good discussion. Sometimes threads are I like blue no red no blue... I suppose I like facts and ways to improve..

Good stuff though can't wait for LCD4 impressions. Tyll hasn't done the 4 yet but did with HE1000X from RMAF..

that is funny because Grado in general measure extremely poorly and many headphones using wood like the audioquest nighthawk also do not measure the best. I personally doubt that the inclusion of wood is needed to get top tier sound. Realistically just a styling choice to appeal to the tastes of the target audience.
 
however, I will concede that in this hobby personal preference in sound trumps measurement criteria. Looks can also be very important as we cherish our headphones quite a bit.

 

[rgs9200m]

Money4me's comment " noticeable improvement in technical performance against the LCD-X or LCD-3 " reminds me of the Hifiman HE500 vs. HE560.
Somehow, the "technical" improvements in the HE560 still left me feeling the older HE500 was still more enjoyable, musical, and not really lacking in detail or staging.
So since I'm very happy with the LCD3F, I'll think I'll stick with it.
(Faint praise is always something that's important to infer from reading between the lines.)
Thanks for that Money4me. Useful observations there.(I have not heard the LCD4, just to be clear).

 

[Middy]

It was the failed Lcd mod that got me thinking about how as a community. Beyond critical listening to improve products.

His appraisal wasn't an all out attack it showed genuine improvements and ideas.

Modding is free R+D when shared.

I might Email the people at Audeze see how we all can do things better. Send out some LCD 2s so people can improve and feed back, get some future improvements..? An NDA should cover legal side.. what do you guys think..

 

[groovyd]

It was the failed Lcd mod that got me thinking about how as a community. Beyond critical listening to improve products.

His appraisal wasn't an all out attack it showed genuine improvements and ideas.

Modding is free R+D when shared.

I might Email the people at Audeze see how we all can do things better. Send out some LCD 2s so people can improve and feed back, get some future improvements..? An NDA should cover legal side.. what do you guys think..

Unfortunately I have trouble reading your posts and understanding what you are trying to say?
 
It would be interesting to see how the weight of the various Audeze headphones breaks down for example, shells, magnets, headbands, earpads, etc.  I would be curious for various brands of headphones how it compares on a where weight is allocated basis.  I imagine the weight is not entirely due to the magnets but mostly in the large and thick cup framing around the driver most of which I think could be greatly reduced by simply thinning it out or doing some finite element analysis on the design and trimming the fat as well as using lighter materials all around.

 

[bmichels]

Heard the LCD-4 & the Dharma today in Paris 's HiFi show.

- Liked ithe Dharma a lot ! Very good, even with my HUGO

.... and I was NOT impressed by the LCD-4: HEAVY and Much les efficient than the LCD-X. ( Power request on par with the HE1000).

 

[potkettleblack]

Heard the LCD-4 & the Dharma today in Paris 's HiFi show.

- Liked ithe Dharma a lot ! Very good, even with my HUGO

.... and I was NOT impressed by the LCD-4: HEAVY and Much les efficient than the LCD-X. ( Power request on par with the HE1000).

Sound impressions. For the love of God give us sound impressions!!!!!!!