ThanatosVI
Headphoneus Supremus
Matches with my impressions on the 2C
Audeze LCD-4
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Would you revert back to the old pads in light of this?
Kozwoz
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I think the new pads bring a lot of improvements - reduced weight, improved comfort, more linear mids and treble. I think the improvements are substantial. However I still miss the bass. Bass is tighter but has lost grit and slam like it’s being tamed. Bass doesn’t resonate the same way as before.
Would I go back - probably not. The withdrawn upper mid range and the crazy peaks past 7khz and beyond have been ironed out a bit.
I guess people should know that the new pads change the flavour of the bass. I don’t think this has been covered adequately in reviews. I don’t see this particular aspect as a positive change.
The other thing to note is that the ear sits much closer to the driver. In fact some people find their ears now touch the mesh. If you have big ears I guess this could be an issue. Due to increased proximity the soundstage is more intimate and the sound literally feels closer to you so depth of field is different. Can’t say yet if this is good or bad.
Edit: i don’t mean the soundstage is smaller. In fact the sound feels less congested and instruments have more air to breathe but it still feels like the sound is closer to your ear.
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Have you tried to EQ more bass with the new pads to compensate?
Kozwoz
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I’ve tried but it’s not the same as before. Bass doesn’t resonate the same way - it almost feels like it’s a dynamic driver type of bass now rather than planar. It’s traded accuracy for tooth rattling rumble. I guess the acoustic chamber your ear sits in has been altered so it’s not the same feeling, like it’s tuned differently.
I’m sure my brain will adjust eventually and as I said before the other improvements to the sound are noteworthy.
ThanatosVI
Headphoneus Supremus
For the LCD-2C I would
phthora
Headphoneus Supremus
Same. I can EQ out the mids dip with the old pads; I cannot EQ back the bass slam with the new pads.
I'd agree, the sense of bass rumble is a bit lower on the new pads. But the improvement to the upper mids/treble is enough where I'd say it is absolutely worth the trade off. Also, I definitely find the new pads much more comfortable than the old ones. It's a better seal and the headphones feel more secure on your head than before. I'd still recommend the swap to anyone on the fence about it.
marcan
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Yep, I had the same expérience. New pads makes the LCD more forward and a bit shouty, lacking the deep sub. I finally get a Decony which is thicker.
Louisiana
500+ Head-Fier
I have LCD4 with new pads, so where to by the old ones?
Kozwoz
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On reflection I would go back to the old pads. I miss the bass. If you EQ I recommend the old pads if not the new pads will address some of the more annoying issues in frequency response.
As others have said I don’t think you can EQ back the bass. I’ve been playing around with EQ for several hours and bass quality takes a hit. Just doesn’t have that same impact.
Arguably the LCD4 should have some of the best bass of any headphone but that statement doesn’t hold true with the new pads.
As others have said I don’t think you can EQ back the bass. I’ve been playing around with EQ for several hours and bass quality takes a hit. Just doesn’t have that same impact.
Arguably the LCD4 should have some of the best bass of any headphone but that statement doesn’t hold true with the new pads.
I would like to thank Paul from Hifi Lounge for arranging an uninterrupted long listen with the HE1 and compare it against my current favourite headphone being the Audeze LCD 4. I also have the Hifiman HE1000SE but I did not bring them with me to compare.
Setup: The HE1 was hooked up to the DCS Lina DAC through a balanced connection and the LCD 4 was hooked up to the DCS Lina Stack through a single ended connection. This means audio was playing on both headphones concurrently and I was able to AB both headphones.
Build: The headphone itself feels quite premium and very sturdy. The base unit is made of marble and the dials are really impressive by their feel and quality and you will not find a more premium build in headphone audio than this. The HE1 also comes with a hefty remote that can control the volume, change sources, mute etc. and this also feels like a quality product.
Comfort: The HE1 is very light and comfortable. It reminded me of the same comfort level found in the 800S. I still preferred the way the LCD 4 sat on my head but obviously the weight is a lot less on the HE1.
Sound: I will put down some notes I made whilst I was listening to the HE1 and comparing it to the LCD 4 below but I just wanted to state some general findings I had.
The resolution on the HE1 is simply the best I have heard in a headphone. No note is missed and the furthest notes in the background are brought forward and presented to you up front. The LCD 4 sounded a little "muted" in comparison after doing some quick AB listening your brain will adjust after a few seconds and the LCD 4 sounds fine after.
The bass on the HE1 is almost a "miracle" as its an electrostatic headphone. The bass hits like a planar and almost to the same level as the LCD 4 but with greater definition, texture and control. The LCD 4 does go deeper into the sub-bass with more of an extended rumble but its very close between the two.
The treble in the HE1 is another thing that really impressed me. The HE1 never gets too bright and has excellent and extension with the clarity and resolution of the very best. They almost made my LCD 4 sound bright but in reality the LCD 4 has a warm sound signature so that's how good the HE1 was in the treble.
The vocals were fuller, more encompassing and sweeter on the LCD 4. The HE1 really had an excellent vocal presentation but it just wasn't the same as the LCD 4 in this department. Female vocals can be a bit shouty though on the LCD 4 in comparison to the HE1 and I could keep the volume high on the HE1 without it getting too bright.
I have also never heard electric guitars sound so lifelike and natural before and it was like sitting in the room with the band. When it comes to acoustical guitars the LCD 4 is no slouch but the HE1 sounded more natural and lifelike. I believe the HE1000SE actually had better acoustical guitar timbre from memory out of both but I did not have it with me to compare.
I would say that the HE1 is the most natural headphone I have ever heard. The timbre of instruments are really impressive and lifelike but the richness of the instruments in some songs did sound better on the LCD 4. I think because its an electrostat it cannot offer you the same richness for certain instruments as the LCD 4 however, as a whole package it is really impressive. The most impressive parts of the HE1 is the bass, detail, treble, naturalness and imaging is lighting quick. I did briefly hear the Stax SR-X9000 and it was just not on the same level but for the price in comparison to the HE1 its actually a good option to go for as you are just missing that incredible bass and vocal performance.
Brief notes on songs below; (Everything I stated above mostly applies below)
Spanish guitar - Toni Baxton - vocals were fuller and sweeter on the LCD 4.
Taxi Driver album sounded better on the LCD 4. instruments had a more full and rich sound to them in comparison.
Wish You Were Here - lower than Atlantic - HE1 had the more natural acoustic guitars but LCD 4 just beat it out in the vocals as they were again a little more fuller and sweeter.
FRGT/10 - Linkin Park - Vocals again better on LCD 4. more bass rumble on LCD 4 but HE1 had the better bass texture/resolution.
In The End - Linkin Park - HE1 has more control in treble and electric guitars sound more natural than LCD 4. vocals seemed more suited on HE1 than LCD 4 on this song.
Hans Zimmer - Pirates of the Caribbean live - HE1 had every instrument placed perfectly and clearly articulated. LCD 4 was a lot more smoothed over in this regard. HE100SE would be closer but not same level as HE1.
Die Another Day - Madonna - opening claps had more force and felt stronger on LCD 4. whole song sounded better on LCD 4 which suprises me.
Fall - Daft Punk - bass seemed more defined on LCD 4 in the opening and richness of the orchestra was better on LCD 4 but more natural sound on HE1. Still preferred LCD 4 with this song.
Pump Up The Jam - Technotronics - HE1 had more natural sounding instruments. Treble a lot more controlled and I had to turn volume down for LCD 4 as the female vocalist was more harsh. Richness in the synthesised notes was better on LCD 4.
The New Abnormal - Orbital - A great bass punch from the HE1 in the opening and the LCD 4 is just behind in this regard. Notes flowing effortesly on HE1 and more boxed in but articulate on LCD 4. Both headphones presented this track with great satisfaction.
Skandalouz - 2pac - Vocals were better on the HE1 and notes/instruments were more articulated also.
Setup: The HE1 was hooked up to the DCS Lina DAC through a balanced connection and the LCD 4 was hooked up to the DCS Lina Stack through a single ended connection. This means audio was playing on both headphones concurrently and I was able to AB both headphones.
Build: The headphone itself feels quite premium and very sturdy. The base unit is made of marble and the dials are really impressive by their feel and quality and you will not find a more premium build in headphone audio than this. The HE1 also comes with a hefty remote that can control the volume, change sources, mute etc. and this also feels like a quality product.
Comfort: The HE1 is very light and comfortable. It reminded me of the same comfort level found in the 800S. I still preferred the way the LCD 4 sat on my head but obviously the weight is a lot less on the HE1.
Sound: I will put down some notes I made whilst I was listening to the HE1 and comparing it to the LCD 4 below but I just wanted to state some general findings I had.
The resolution on the HE1 is simply the best I have heard in a headphone. No note is missed and the furthest notes in the background are brought forward and presented to you up front. The LCD 4 sounded a little "muted" in comparison after doing some quick AB listening your brain will adjust after a few seconds and the LCD 4 sounds fine after.
The bass on the HE1 is almost a "miracle" as its an electrostatic headphone. The bass hits like a planar and almost to the same level as the LCD 4 but with greater definition, texture and control. The LCD 4 does go deeper into the sub-bass with more of an extended rumble but its very close between the two.
The treble in the HE1 is another thing that really impressed me. The HE1 never gets too bright and has excellent and extension with the clarity and resolution of the very best. They almost made my LCD 4 sound bright but in reality the LCD 4 has a warm sound signature so that's how good the HE1 was in the treble.
The vocals were fuller, more encompassing and sweeter on the LCD 4. The HE1 really had an excellent vocal presentation but it just wasn't the same as the LCD 4 in this department. Female vocals can be a bit shouty though on the LCD 4 in comparison to the HE1 and I could keep the volume high on the HE1 without it getting too bright.
I have also never heard electric guitars sound so lifelike and natural before and it was like sitting in the room with the band. When it comes to acoustical guitars the LCD 4 is no slouch but the HE1 sounded more natural and lifelike. I believe the HE1000SE actually had better acoustical guitar timbre from memory out of both but I did not have it with me to compare.
I would say that the HE1 is the most natural headphone I have ever heard. The timbre of instruments are really impressive and lifelike but the richness of the instruments in some songs did sound better on the LCD 4. I think because its an electrostat it cannot offer you the same richness for certain instruments as the LCD 4 however, as a whole package it is really impressive. The most impressive parts of the HE1 is the bass, detail, treble, naturalness and imaging is lighting quick. I did briefly hear the Stax SR-X9000 and it was just not on the same level but for the price in comparison to the HE1 its actually a good option to go for as you are just missing that incredible bass and vocal performance.
Brief notes on songs below; (Everything I stated above mostly applies below)
Spanish guitar - Toni Baxton - vocals were fuller and sweeter on the LCD 4.
Taxi Driver album sounded better on the LCD 4. instruments had a more full and rich sound to them in comparison.
Wish You Were Here - lower than Atlantic - HE1 had the more natural acoustic guitars but LCD 4 just beat it out in the vocals as they were again a little more fuller and sweeter.
FRGT/10 - Linkin Park - Vocals again better on LCD 4. more bass rumble on LCD 4 but HE1 had the better bass texture/resolution.
In The End - Linkin Park - HE1 has more control in treble and electric guitars sound more natural than LCD 4. vocals seemed more suited on HE1 than LCD 4 on this song.
Hans Zimmer - Pirates of the Caribbean live - HE1 had every instrument placed perfectly and clearly articulated. LCD 4 was a lot more smoothed over in this regard. HE100SE would be closer but not same level as HE1.
Die Another Day - Madonna - opening claps had more force and felt stronger on LCD 4. whole song sounded better on LCD 4 which suprises me.
Fall - Daft Punk - bass seemed more defined on LCD 4 in the opening and richness of the orchestra was better on LCD 4 but more natural sound on HE1. Still preferred LCD 4 with this song.
Pump Up The Jam - Technotronics - HE1 had more natural sounding instruments. Treble a lot more controlled and I had to turn volume down for LCD 4 as the female vocalist was more harsh. Richness in the synthesised notes was better on LCD 4.
The New Abnormal - Orbital - A great bass punch from the HE1 in the opening and the LCD 4 is just behind in this regard. Notes flowing effortesly on HE1 and more boxed in but articulate on LCD 4. Both headphones presented this track with great satisfaction.
Skandalouz - 2pac - Vocals were better on the HE1 and notes/instruments were more articulated also.
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briantrinh86
500+ Head-Fier
what do u guys think about single ended stock vs 4 pin balance? should i get the aftermarket xlr cable or the stock audeze good enough? i have the lcd 4 coming soon and cant wait to hear it
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You want the most power to run through the LCD 4 so a 4 pin balanced cable is highly recommended to drive them.
briantrinh86
500+ Head-Fier
@TheAbyss2022 any suggest great cable for the lcd 4? thank you
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