Audeze LCD-4z - Impressions Thread

[rattler]

That's very unfortunate. I have always had a good experience with Audeze Customer support... Received responses within 1 business day & a few times they've followed up to check if my query was resolved before closing the Ticket

 

[Pr0ject2500]

That's very unfortunate. I have always had a good experience with Audeze Customer support... Received responses within 1 business day & a few times they've followed up to check if my query was resolved before closing the Ticket

They actually did answer today, a day after I returned the headphones. Murphy’s law, I guess. They were very cordial about it and stated I could have sent them in to be checked out. The issue is that I would have risked missing my return window (only two weeks). If I had sent @Audeze the headphones and they told me that the veiled sound I was hearing is simply the tuning of the headphones, I would have been stuck with a headphone that I simply did not get along with, so I decided to return them. I hope I have the opportunity to try another pair down the road and have my mind changed. I do applaud them for their work, but the LCD 4Z does not seem to have been what I was looking for.

 

[rattler]

Not sure if its apt to mention here.... but HIFIMAN HE1000 SE is a very nice headphone... to my ears, it was better than the Susvara

 

[Pr0ject2500]

Not sure if its apt to mention here.... but HIFIMAN HE1000 SE is a very nice headphone... to my ears, it was better than the Susvara.

If they’re driven well (waiting on a Burson Voyager—8W@32Ohms), do you think you can get serious bass slam with HE1000SE? I love a resolving headphone with substantial bass (this is what I thought I was getting with the LCD 4Z).

 

[rattler]

If I recall correctly, bass wasn't its hallmark sound... It was adequate but with a powerful amp like the Voyager, I guess it could deliver bass impact
To me, HE 1000 SE's resolution was the best... it was a kind of spatial sound... like having Dolby Atmos speakers in your Headphones

 

[Tchoupitoulas]

do you think you can get serious bass slam with HE1000SE?

I can't speak for the SE, which I've not heard, but the HE 1k v2 was soft in the bass. I liked its bass a lot as it had plenty of sub-bass depth and texture. But it didn't have much mid-bass punch, and it isn't the headphone I'd pick for slam.

With the right amp, the Final Audio D8000 can slam quite impressively. The ZMF Caldera can, too - again with the right amp - but I found the Caldera to have an overly damped sound. If you don't mind a dynamic rather than a planar headphone, the Atrium slams like a beast, but it doesn't have much sub-bass depth.

I think your best bet is an Abyss 1266. They're not as difficult to drive as people suggest (a stronger amp helps but your Voyager should be fine), and they hit hard. I realize they're expensive but I bought my old 1266 Phi with upgrade CC pads for under $3000 used, and there are a couple of TC models for sale here in the classifieds for $3300, which is a decent price. I don't recall hearing of problems or complaints re. 1266 drivers dying; my sense is that the Abyss headphones are well made, but of course buying used poses its risks.

I only heard it twice, briefly, and at audio shows but the Modhouse Tungsten has outstanding bass, with plenty of slam. I heard the single sided version and really liked it. It reminded me of a less dark LCD-4, with better (i.e. more balanced and neutral) tuning, similar levels of resolution, and a more open and spacious soundstage. The downside is the ca. 20 week wait...

 

[rattler]

Played 'Sweating Bullets' on the LCD 4Z today... to use an often repeated line, it sounded pretty different in a very good way
Vocals sounded like a distinct entity within the entire song setup... Bass track sounded clearer too considering the lead guitar is mostly in the foreground

 

[senseitedj]

https://headfonics.com/audeze-lcd-4z-review/

New review by headfonics

 

[ThanatosVI]

https://headfonics.com/audeze-lcd-4z-review/

New review by headfonics

6 years after release, crazy

 

[betula]

6 years after release, crazy

I guess, Audeze is trying to boost sales a bit. The 4Z has somewhat got forgotten in the shadow of the newer LCD5 and sudden nostalgic reminiscing of the discontinued LCD4.

 

[senseitedj]

I guess, Audeze is trying to boost sales a bit. The 4Z has somewhat got forgotten in the shadow of the newer LCD5 and sudden nostalgic reminiscing of the discontinued LCD4.

The 4Z is the TOTL Audeze with the original house sound

 

[blackromek]

Hello, has anyone paired 4z with Niimbus 5 pro, if so what was the gain and what was the synergy?

 

[Richy Hughes]

I guess, Audeze is trying to boost sales a bit. The 4Z has somewhat got forgotten in the shadow of the newer LCD5 and sudden nostalgic reminiscing of the discontinued LCD4.

I don't recall Audeze ever giving the 4Z much shine, to be honest.

I came on board to the 4Z recently, and I'm very happy overall. What interested me the most was that while I recognise that they are less forward in the highs compared to the X, they did not have a 'dark timbre' I was expecting from gathering opinions online. At least, not to my sensibilities.
I was concerned that I'd left something on the table going for a 4Z over the original 4, and perhaps I have. To this day I have not compared directly.

I will say though that of the opinions I've sought amongst peers in my line of critical-listening work, the favour seems to tilt in 4Zs direction for its slightly more neutral upper register and cooler / matter-of fact (ie less-euphonic) presentation.

 

[betula]

I don't recall Audeze ever giving the 4Z much shine, to be honest.

I came on board to the 4Z recently, and I'm very happy overall. What interested me the most was that while I recognise that they are less forward in the highs compared to the X, they did not have a 'dark timbre' I was expecting from gathering opinions online. At least, not to my sensibilities.
I was concerned that I'd left something on the table going for a 4Z over the original 4, and perhaps I have. To this day I have not compared directly.

I will say though that of the opinions I've sought amongst peers in my line of critical-listening work, the favour seems to tilt in 4Zs direction for its slightly more neutral upper register and cooler / matter-of fact (ie less-euphonic) presentation.

The 4z is worth it over the 4 even for the additional comfort. 140g weight difference is not insignificant. The 4 with 700g was just too heavy for most people. 4z is a great headphone, I like its thick sound with good bass. Imo for MSRP it is a little overpriced at the end of 2024, but around 2K where secondhand units sell it is a bargain and one of the most pleasant sounding headphones out there.

 

[senseitedj]

I guess, Audeze is trying to boost sales a bit. The 4Z has somewhat got forgotten in the shadow of the newer LCD5 and sudden nostalgic reminiscing of the discontinued LCD4.

IMO if Audeze is trying to boost sales, they can do more such as with a price cut, another minor facelift, or even new pads to get the community interest going.