Audeze LCD-4z - Impressions Thread

[ajreynol]

Just FYI- Regarding the weight, the 4z's are still pretty heavy. Yes, they're a bit lighter, but still darn heavy as headphones go.

oh. well shucks, never mind then. I'll go back to thinking hard about those Ether 2's. Weight ordinarily wouldn't be a problem, but when you wear them as much as 12 hours a day...well...losing some weight would be really helpful for me.

 

[Mediahound]

oh. well shucks, never mind then. I'll go back to thinking hard about those Ether 2's. Weight ordinarily wouldn't be a problem, but when you wear them as much as 12 hours a day...well...losing some weight would be really helpful for me.

Ether 2's are very light although I've seen at least one review saying somehow not as comfortable (as LCD-2's). Peformance-wise, they don't compare the the LCD-4 or 4z.

 

[ajreynol]

Ether 2's are very light although I've seen at least one review saying somehow not as comfortable (ask LCD-2's). Peformance-wise, they don't compare the the LCD-4 or 4z.

Now that's the kind of insight I've been looking for. Sounds like I should just sit tight. Thank you.

 

[commtrd]

I regularly wear my 4z 12 to 18 hours a day. The weight does not bother me at all. But I also use the i4 A LOT also. Both provide absolutely superlative SQ. Nice to be able to use both as desired.

 

[farout]

I've found the MX4 to have the resolution improvements I was looking for over the LCD-X but the dynamics are lost. I'd describe the overall sound deadened or softened and pillow-like. I realize that Audeze designed these to simulate a room sound and pitches them for mixing (and I was hoping to use them to) but finding them a bit too laid back in that way. Has anyone heard both the 4z and MX4 and can help me understand how the 4z compares in this area? Is the bass more visceral and do the highs extend more? And you think they're too tonally colored to be used for producing and mixing? I love the sound stage of the MX4 and finding them excellent for mixing spatially but the energy of elements (transients, dynamics) are very difficult to gauge.

 

[Dobrescu George]

I've found the MX4 to have the resolution improvements I was looking for over the LCD-X but the dynamics are lost. I'd describe the overall sound deadened or softened and pillow-like. I realize that Audeze designed these to simulate a room sound and pitches them for mixing (and I was hoping to use them to) but finding them a bit too laid back in that way. Has anyone heard both the 4z and MX4 and can help me understand how the 4z compares in this area? Is the bass more visceral and do the highs extend more? And you think they're too tonally colored to be used for producing and mixing? I love the sound stage of the MX4 and finding them excellent for mixing spatially but the energy of elements (transients, dynamics) are very difficult to gauge.

4Z has better sparkle and bass, and I do EQ MX4 to get some of that to them as well, nice stuff that they have such low distortion that you can EQ over 15 dB of bass, and they'll still be crystal clear if you apply the EQ well, and feed them good clean power from a source with good control.

I'd say that it depends on what you're looking for, usually, you'd want to mix with something that sounds comfortable for your listening habits, something that sounds natural to you, but MX4 is especially good at bringing the midrange forward more, whcih is necessary for most people mixing and mastering.

 

[ajreynol]

Alright, so. I have the opportunity to exchange my LCD-4's for a pair of LCD-4z's 1:1.

I think I'm going to do it but my question to you all is fairly simple: what is the sonic trade-off that I should be considering between the 4 and the 4z? I assume they are not 100% equivalent. In exchange for a 20% lighter product that is also easier to drive, what do I give up?

I suppose I'm looking for pros and cons to help me make this decision (which needs to be made by tomorrow morning).

If it adds context for opinions: I wear cans 10-12 hours/day with music coming out of my desktop PC. My DAC is a Chord 2Qute that runs into a Violectric v281, which provided power to spare to the LCD-4. I also own a couple of iOS mobile products that have, of course, never been connected to the LCD4 because lol. I'd say the most important thing for me is that I don't lose the bass presence and impact that I've come to greatly enjoy from my LCD-4s, particularly when listening to Pop and Hip-Hop. Sometimes I'm in the mood for my skull to shake, and I have an EqualizerAPO preset to EQ the low end for just such occasions (I can confirm the skull does indeed shake). If I find myself in those moods with the LCD-4z, I need to be able EQ them to do the same. The LCD-4 is also absolutely amazing for movies. I mostly listen to Jazz, Pop, and Hip-Hop with smatterings of everything else depending on mood.

So please let me know, good people: what is gained and what might I be looking at losing by swapping out my LCD-4 for the LCD-4z?

Thanks in advance, as always.

 

[Dobrescu George]

Alright, so. I have the opportunity to exchange my LCD-4's for a pair of LCD-4z's 1:1.

I think I'm going to do it but my question to you all is fairly simple: what is the sonic trade-off that I should be considering between the 4 and the 4z? I assume they are not 100% equivalent. In exchange for a 20% lighter product that is also easier to drive, what do I give up?

I suppose I'm looking for pros and cons to help me make this decision (which needs to be made by tomorrow morning).

If it adds context for opinions: I wear cans 10-12 hours/day with music coming out of my desktop PC. My DAC is a Chord 2Qute that runs into a Violectric v281, which provided power to spare to the LCD-4. I also own a couple of iOS mobile products that have, of course, never been connected to the LCD4 because lol. I'd say the most important thing for me is that I don't lose the bass presence and impact that I've come to greatly enjoy from my LCD-4s, particularly when listening to Pop and Hip-Hop. Sometimes I'm in the mood for my skull to shake, and I have an EqualizerAPO preset to EQ the low end for just such occasions (I can confirm the skull does indeed shake). If I find myself in those moods with the LCD-4z, I need to be able EQ them to do the same. The LCD-4 is also absolutely amazing for movies. I mostly listen to Jazz, Pop, and Hip-Hop with smatterings of everything else depending on mood.

So please let me know, good people: what is gained and what might I be looking at losing by swapping out my LCD-4 for the LCD-4z?

Thanks in advance, as always.

Well, for one thing, you may need to change your AMP, since that one may be a bit too strong

 

[ajreynol]

Well, for one thing, you may need to change your AMP, since that one may be a bit too strong

It has switches on the back to reduce the pre-gain by as much as -12db. I can run IEMs on it with no problem.

 

[farout]

4Z has better sparkle and bass, and I do EQ MX4 to get some of that to them as well, nice stuff that they have such low distortion that you can EQ over 15 dB of bass, and they'll still be crystal clear if you apply the EQ well, and feed them good clean power from a source with good control.

I'd say that it depends on what you're looking for, usually, you'd want to mix with something that sounds comfortable for your listening habits, something that sounds natural to you, but MX4 is especially good at bringing the midrange forward more, whcih is necessary for most people mixing and mastering.

Is the 4z more dynamic than the MX4? The frequency response of the MX4 is balanced enough for mixing but the lack of dynamics make other aspects of mixing, such as compression and transient shaping, a bit of guesswork. I know the Utopia is better in this regard so considering but I prefer other characteristics of Audeze planar magnetics such as overall body and weight of bass.

 

[Dobrescu George]

It has switches on the back to reduce the pre-gain by as much as -12db. I can run IEMs on it with no problem.

I haven't used that one, so I had no idea, thanks for the heads-up!

Is the 4z more dynamic than the MX4? The frequency response of the MX4 is balanced enough for mixing but the lack of dynamics make other aspects of mixing, such as compression and transient shaping, a bit of guesswork. I know the Utopia is better in this regard so considering but I prefer other characteristics of Audeze planar magnetics such as overall body and weight of bass.

It should sound more dynamic due to the less forward midrange

 

[Dinrog]

Is the 4z more dynamic than the MX4? The frequency response of the MX4 is balanced enough for mixing but the lack of dynamics make other aspects of mixing, such as compression and transient shaping, a bit of guesswork. I know the Utopia is better in this regard so considering but I prefer other characteristics of Audeze planar magnetics such as overall body and weight of bass.

The 4z has the tinyass membrane and megamagnets to create plenty dynamics xD

 

[guyben]

My god.
I was listening to Mendelssohn piano trio #1 with the wonderful Martha Argerich in my car. When I got home I played it again on my LCD4Z and OH MY GOD.
It was like before I was listening with glue inside my ears. The air, the space, the separation, the vibrating bass, the supremely realistic feeling of being there is just mind blowing.

I've had these for 2 months now and they don't seize to amaze.

Had to share.
Guy

 

[commtrd]

Alright, so. I have the opportunity to exchange my LCD-4's for a pair of LCD-4z's 1:1.

I think I'm going to do it but my question to you all is fairly simple: what is the sonic trade-off that I should be considering between the 4 and the 4z? I assume they are not 100% equivalent. In exchange for a 20% lighter product that is also easier to drive, what do I give up?

I suppose I'm looking for pros and cons to help me make this decision (which needs to be made by tomorrow morning).

If it adds context for opinions: I wear cans 10-12 hours/day with music coming out of my desktop PC. My DAC is a Chord 2Qute that runs into a Violectric v281, which provided power to spare to the LCD-4. I also own a couple of iOS mobile products that have, of course, never been connected to the LCD4 because lol. I'd say the most important thing for me is that I don't lose the bass presence and impact that I've come to greatly enjoy from my LCD-4s, particularly when listening to Pop and Hip-Hop. Sometimes I'm in the mood for my skull to shake, and I have an EqualizerAPO preset to EQ the low end for just such occasions (I can confirm the skull does indeed shake). If I find myself in those moods with the LCD-4z, I need to be able EQ them to do the same. The LCD-4 is also absolutely amazing for movies. I mostly listen to Jazz, Pop, and Hip-Hop with smatterings of everything else depending on mood.

So please let me know, good people: what is gained and what might I be looking at losing by swapping out my LCD-4 for the LCD-4z?

Thanks in advance, as always.

Well I have not ever listened to LCD4. BUT I guarantee the 4z will do what you are describing and do not need any EQ to do it either. They are absolute bass monsters when the music calls for it. Tight clean and oh so hard hitting. IF the source is super clean, the 4z will rock your socks off. IF the files are less than pristine, you will unfortunately get an earful of the exact same crap. Which is of course the way it should be.
SO to answer the question partially: I suspect the 4z will more than adequately fill in for LCD4, and be so much easier to drive as well. I would definitely not be worried about SQ out of the 4z.
My 2 cents which may only be worth about 0.005 cents.

 

[commtrd]

Hey guys check this out. Sophie LLoyd rippin it up. On 4z is mighty nice...