Audeze LCD-4z - Impressions Thread

[Slim1970]

Nothing.
4z is my love, after all this time.
Just looking for Hugo's (the works) but with more musicality, more fun.
I do miss the rme bass for example and a slightly more laid back feel. Hugo is definitely aggressive (but not bright) with its gobbs of detail and speed...
I'm just not used to it yet.
I basically want the Hugo 2 sound just slightly more laid back. More musical than surgical.
With that said... It's strange the Hugo 2 is not bright or hash or sterile to me at all...

Got it, the TT2 does add a bit more musicality to music, but for the most part retains Chord’s house sound. The TT2 also adds more heft to the musical notes. The main reason I like the RME is because it’s a great alternative to Chord gear when you want to switch things up. The 4z’s sound fantastic on the RME and with some sound tweaking may actually be more enjoyable. Switching back and forth after dialing in the sound of 4z’s on the RME, I actually like the improved sound from it over the H2.

 

[MacedonianHero]

Nothing.
4z is my love, after all this time.
Just looking for Hugo's (the works) but with more musicality, more fun.
I do miss the rme bass for example and a slightly more laid back feel. Hugo is definitely aggressive (but not bright) with its gobbs of detail and speed...
I'm just not used to it yet.
I basically want the Hugo 2 sound just slightly more laid back. More musical than surgical.
With that said... It's strange the Hugo 2 is not bright or hash or sterile to me at all...

As the 4z are fairly easy to drive, I would suggest a tube amp for your desired added colouration. Sorry, I would have responded to your PM, but for some reason the system isn't allowing me to. Depending on your budget, there are plenty of great options. I'm partial to the MapleTree Ear+HD:

https://www.mapletreeaudio.com/index.html

You can spend hours playing with the 12AX7/5751 power tubes (very popular audio tubes)

 

[InstantSilence]

Got it, the TT2 does add a bit more musicality to music, but for the most part retains Chord’s house sound. The TT2 also adds more heft to the musical notes. The main reason I like the RME is because it’s a great alternative to Chord gear when you want to switch things up. The 4z’s sound fantastic on the RME and with some sound tweaking may actually be more enjoyable. Switching back and forth after dialing in the sound of 4z’s on the RME, I actually like the improved sound from it over the H2.

I too think the rme is more enjoyable, but boy has it missing lots of detail and resolution
Yet... I'm at a loss

 

[InstantSilence]

As the 4z are fairly easy to drive, I would suggest a tube amp for your desired added colouration. Sorry, I would have responded to your PM, but for some reason the system isn't allowing me to. Depending on your budget, there are plenty of great options. I'm partial to the MapleTree Ear+HD:

https://www.mapletreeaudio.com/index.html

You can spend hours playing with the 12AX7/5751 power tubes (very popular audio tubes)

Will it destroy the detail, resolution, clarity of h2?

 

[MacedonianHero]

Will it destroy the detail, resolution, clarity of h2?

It will take some away and add some tubes goodness. This amplifier does a good job of keeping the distortion low, but any amplifier you add will increase distortion that's why I recommend if you're headphones don't need it, to not go that route. But if you're wanting some "change" this is a great option.

 

[jlbrach]

I personally would not suggest a tube amp for audeze HP's

 

[SteveM324]

I personally would not suggest a tube amp for audeze HP's

I like my 4z driven by my Auris Nirvana tube amp better than my solid state Luxman P700u.

 

[InstantSilence]

Anyone have the 4z and Hugo tt2? Lol...

 

[InstantSilence]

The steel band va the carbon band, any difference in clamp force?

 

[SteveM324]

I don’t have any experience with the steel headband but I heard a few owners say that the steel one clamps less. You could call Audeze and ask them. When my 4z was new I carefully stretched the headband every time I used it. After a few weeks of doing that, it seemed to clamp with less pressure. I feel that the clamping force is just right now.

 

[InstantSilence]

What is another headphone that shares the signature and fatigue free listen of the 4z?

 

[Slim1970]

What is another headphone that shares the signature and fatigue free listen of the 4z?

I see you have your H2 listed. You gave up on it or you moving on to bigger things for your 4z's?

 

[InstantSilence]

I see you have your H2 listed. You gave up on it or you moving on to bigger things for your 4z's?

I love it. But I do want better if I can swing in. I do find it lacks some musicality, some fun,
The rme had that but it lacked in resolution, detail, clarity
I guess I want more musicality and at least the same amount of the *works * as H2 has.
So I'm wondering if the TT2 is a better pair, as its said to be more musical like the mojo but more detailed than H2.
Idk. What do you recommend?

 

[Slim1970]

I love it. But I do want better if I can swing in. I do find it lacks some musicality, some fun,
The rme had that but it lacked in resolution, detail, clarity
I guess I want more musicality and at least the same amount of the *works * as H2 has.
So I'm wondering if the TT2 is a better pair, as its said to be more musical like the mojo but more detailed than H2.
Idk. What do you recommend?

I have the TT2 and it is a little bit warmer sounding than the H2. The notes have more weight and the bass seems to hit a little harder on the TT2. Keep in mind, it's still a Chord DAC. So I'm not sure you're going to find it fun because it's still going to be true to source. It is a better pairing for the 4z's than the H2 as it should be. What I'm not sure about is what you're seeking sound wise. If you didn't find the H2 suitable, to me the TT2 is of the same flavor.

 

[johnzz4]

I have the TT2 and it is a little bit warmer sounding than the H2. The notes have more weight and the bass seems to hit a little harder on the TT2. Keep in mind, it's still a Chord DAC. So I'm not sure you're going to find it fun because it's still going to be true to source. It is a better pairing for the 4z's than the H2 as it should be. What I'm not sure about is what you're seeking sound wise. If you didn't find the H2 suitable, to me the TT2 is of the same flavor.

May want to try Denafrips. They do an excellent job of blending detail and body in the sound.