Audeze LCD-4

[ansel1]

Has anyone here actually compared the 4 with the 4z? I was under the impression that they were supposed to sound the same but the 4z has less impedance. However, it seems like the LCD-4 remained a higher tier halo product.

@TheAbyss2022 just posted one recently. https://www.head-fi.org/threads/audeze-lcd-4.782442/post-17695680

 

[Kevintj604]

Awesome & congrats, they're truly fantastic headphones. Where'd you pick yours up?

HiFi store in Quebec had a unit from 2019 for $1500 USD. They’re absolutely mint. I’m shocked to be honest. They look like they’ve sat in the case for years.

Anyone know if there’s a sound difference between the 2019 and 2021 drivers?

 

[ThanatosVI]

HiFi store in Quebec had a unit from 2019 for $1500 USD. They’re absolutely mint. I’m shocked to be honest. They look like they’ve sat in the case for years.

Anyone know if there’s a sound difference between the 2019 and 2021 drivers?

The drivers should be identical, the pads might have changed

 

[ansel1]

HiFi store in Quebec had a unit from 2019 for $1500 USD. They’re absolutely mint. I’m shocked to be honest. They look like they’ve sat in the case for years.

Wow. That's a steal. Less than the used market.

 

[Kevintj604]

The drivers should be identical, the pads might have changed

The pads are brand new. They were swapped upon purchase.

Good to hear they sound the same.

 

[Lokust]

HiFi store in Quebec had a unit from 2019 for $1500 USD. They’re absolutely mint. I’m shocked to be honest. They look like they’ve sat in the case for years.

Anyone know if there’s a sound difference between the 2019 and 2021 drivers?

Wow, that's outstanding. Quite lucky. Paid 2500€... but still under warranty, at least.

 

[Kevintj604]

Wow, that's outstanding. Quite lucky. Paid 2500€... but still under warranty, at least.

I’d love to have a 2021 model but finding one is really difficult right now. I figured for what I paid if I run into a driver problem it’ll still be cheaper to have it fixed.

 

[Lokust]

I’d love to have a 2021 model but finding one is really difficult right now. I figured for what I paid if I run into a driver problem it’ll still be cheaper to have it fixed.

Absolutely! At that price, can't go wrong.

 

[TheAbyss2022]

First day with the LCD-4 and I've put in 6 hours already. Cayin HA-3A and CMA Fifteen were made for these. Probably one of the funnest days in the hobby I've had in a long time. A/B'ing with the LCDX 2021 is interesting. LCDX is the only other Audeze I'd want to keep in their current full size line-up.

Yeah I'm running the LCD 4 on the Cayin HA-3A also with Sylvania 12au7 and Reflektor 6v6 tubes. The energy, detail, clarity and bass delivery is sublime.

How would you compare the LCD X to the LCD 4? I used to have an LCD X but I sold it maybe 6 months before I got the LCD 4.

 

[Kevintj604]

Yeah I'm running the LCD 4 on the Cayin HA-3A also with Sylvania 12au7 and Reflektor 6v6 tubes. The energy, detail, clarity and bass delivery is sublime.

How would you compare the LCD X to the LCD 4? I used to have an LCD X but I sold it maybe 6 months before I got the LCD 4.

On this chain with stock tubes both are excellent listens. The LCD-X 2021 are a bit more of an energetic and lively listen with a touch more extended treble energy. They're nowhere near as detailed in the bass quality, texture and note weight of the LCD-4. The LCD-4 has a much more refined sound but they've got the more traditional Audeze house sound where the LCD-X 2021 is more mid focused with a higher presence of treble but less detail.

Overall I'd say the LCD-4 is a chameleon that can change between genres effortlessly but they're more of a chill and get lost in emotion kind of headphone. LCD-X never allows for that to happen. I love LCD-X for Hip-Hop, Electronic and more energetic genres. On the LCD-4 I'd probably steer away from those genres. I got lost yesterday in movie scores and more HiFi test type of tracks. The LCD-X just isn't capable enough to render the details in some of the tracks that the LCD-4 shines on.

In my opinion they are different enough to own both.

 

[TheAbyss2022]

Has anyone here actually compared the 4 with the 4z? I was under the impression that they were supposed to sound the same but the 4z has less impedance. However, it seems like the LCD-4 remained a higher tier halo product.

If you listen to a lot of fast music like EDM or Electronic music then the LCD 4Z is the one to go for because it has more speed and the same bass as the LCD 4. However, for everything else like detail, instrument timbre, vocals, midrange and treble all go to the LCD 4.

On this chain with stock tubes both are excellent listens. The LCD-X 2021 are a bit more of an energetic and lively listen with a touch more extended treble energy. They're nowhere near as detailed in the bass quality, texture and note weight of the LCD-4. The LCD-4 has a much more refined sound but they've got the more traditional Audeze house sound where the LCD-X 2021 is more mid focused with a higher presence of treble but less detail.

Overall I'd say the LCD-4 is a chameleon that can change between genres effortlessly but they're more of a chill and get lost in emotion kind of headphone. LCD-X never allows for that to happen. I love LCD-X for Hip-Hop, Electronic and more energetic genres. On the LCD-4 I'd probably steer away from those genres. I got lost yesterday in movie scores and more HiFi test type of tracks. The LCD-X just isn't capable enough to render the details in some of the tracks that the LCD-4 shines on.

In my opinion they are different enough to own both.

You really need to get some nos tubes for the Cayin amp because it really changes and improved the sound by a lot! It sounded too smooth with the stock tubes.

The LCD 4 is fantastic for movie scores. Try to listen to the Taxi Driver soundtrack as its a real emotional experience with this headphone. I found the LCD X were quite shouty sometimes because of the treble.

 

[Kevintj604]

If you listen to a lot of fast music like EDM or Electronic music then the LCD 4Z is the one to go for because it has more speed and the same bass as the LCD 4. However, for everything else like detail, instrument timbre, vocals, midrange and treble all go to the LCD 4.

You really need to get some nos tubes for the Cayin amp because it really changes and improved the sound by a lot! It sounded too smooth with the stock tubes.

The LCD 4 is fantastic for movie scores. Try to listen to the Taxi Driver soundtrack as its a real emotional experience with this headphone. I found the LCD X were quite shouty sometimes because of the treble.

I can see where you'd sometimes find the LCD-X shouty. On female vocals especially. I don't know how Audeze markets them as a studio mixing tool. They're way too colored in my opinion to call them reference. They nailed the tuning of the MM-500 for mixing. They're about as flat as I'd ever want in a studio environment. I find them almost boring to listen to which is why I sold my set.

I mostly stay away from the LCD-X for movie scores. Their much more intimate stage is too claustrophobic for me and vastly prefer something like the HE1000V2 or LCD-4 for that genre.

 

[Dixter]

here is hoping Sony will bring back the LCD-4 .... we can only wish they will....

 

[ansel1]

here is hoping Sony will bring back the LCD-4 .... we can only wish they will....

Bluetooth LCD-4 with mic, for ultimate Fortnite...1500g with battery...

 

[Dixter]

Bluetooth LCD-4 with mic, for ultimate Fortnite...1500g with battery...

going to be interesting what Sony does with Audeze thats for sure...