Audeze LCD-4z - Impressions Thread

[Richy Hughes]

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.

FWIW I've fairly regularly been seeing the product for sale new from legit retailers recently for about two and a half.

 

[TheAbyss2022]

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 weight and build of both the 4 & 4z is evident by just looking at them but in terms of sonic differences, I had both side by side and found that they both shared the same bass presentation, 4z had more speed and quicker imaging, midrange on 4 was more detailed, more fullness in vocals and better instrumental timbre, more upper mid energy on the 4z and treble sounded similar on both. For electronic music, I would pick the 4z due to its speed and imaging plus you are getting the same bass as the regular 4.

 

[Richy Hughes]

For electronic music, I would pick the 4z due to its speed and imaging plus you are getting the same bass as the regular 4.

Appreciate your insight.
I work with a lot of electronic music artists. Of the three models in the 4 series lineup, I picked the 4z due to it.... being 33% off a brand new pair from the UK distributor

Seriously though, people in my field were saying good things, that it was kind of a sweet spot in the LCD lineup. Some others were urging the 5s but, I'm not sure that's the ticket for the bass-heavy genres that come through my door.

 

[TheAbyss2022]

Appreciate your insight.
I work with a lot of electronic music artists. Of the three models in the 4 series lineup, I picked the 4z due to it.... being 33% off a brand new pair from the UK distributor

Seriously though, people in my field were saying good things, that it was kind of a sweet spot in the LCD lineup. Some others were urging the 5s but, I'm not sure that's the ticket for the bass-heavy genres that come through my door.

Since your in the industry, I reckon you will enjoy this video about audiophiles listening and reviewing the LCD 4. They go to the studio and give it to a music engineer to listen to and he was freaking out how good they sounded and he gave some good insights as to why he thinks they were so good.



I had a choice on either getting the LCD 4 back again or getting a 4z but in the end I listen to a lot of different genres and I think the 4 would be better for me plus it scales a lot more than the 4z. I recently upgraded my DAC and amplifier to a much better tier of performance to what I had before so I'm interested how much better they would sound.

 

[Richy Hughes]

Oh, I listen to a lot of genres also. I'm currently running the 4z using a 4.4 from an RME ADI 2/4 PRO SE. To be honest there's probably not much to gain in terms of raw current from running it "balanced" versus SE because it current limits with the really low impedances. The stock SE cable is just fine, but I figure I'd give the virtual elimination of crosstalk a try.

It's working for me anyway, I've got way more gain left on the table than I would possibly need with these headphones. Theoretically the RME would be fine driving a 200ohm 4, but I'd almost certainly be running it "balanced" in that case, to have around 2w per ch on tap. Whether it would be a good pairing in practice is another matter I guess.

 

[betula]

Oh, I listen to a lot of genres also. I'm currently running the 4z using a 4.4 from an RME ADI 2/4 PRO SE. To be honest there's probably not much to gain in terms of raw current from running it "balanced" versus SE because it current limits with the really low impedances. The stock SE cable is just fine, but I figure I'd give the virtual elimination of crosstalk a try.

It's working for me anyway, I've got way more gain left on the table than I would possibly need with these headphones. Theoretically the RME would be fine driving a 200ohm 4, but I'd almost certainly be running it "balanced" in that case, to have around 2w per ch on tap. Whether it would be a good pairing in practice is another matter I guess.

RME does an ok job with full sized headphones. The ADI2 is a great d/s DAC for the money and the unit's functionality is really amazing. When it comes to its head amp section, that is rather average though. You get the performance level of a $400-$500 amplifier at best. The 4z can most certainly scale quite a bit higher than that.

 

[Richy Hughes]

Alright, I'll bite on the obligatory 'you just haven't spent enough money' post.

The specification you've given me to increase here, is a dollar value.

What performance benefits do I expect by shelling out more cash here, what exact specifications or components should I be making sure to obtain when choosing a purchase (rather than just more expense) ? And for what purpose... baring in mind that primarily I am using these for critical listening work.

I'm not suggesting that there aren't benefits to be had, the increase in transient clarity at higher volumes was instantly noticeable when I upgraded from the grey-face Mytek Stereo 96. It was difficult to find any useful specs for the HP out on that (admittedly legacy) device, whereas RME were far more transparent and generous for the 2/4 specs. Which as far as I know is currently the pinnacle of that range in terms of HP output performance.

 

[betula]

Alright, I'll bite on the obligatory 'you just haven't spent enough money' post.

The specification you've given me to increase here, is a dollar value.

What performance benefits do I expect by shelling out more cash here, what exact specifications or components should I be making sure to obtain when choosing a purchase (rather than just more expense) ? And for what purpose... baring in mind that primarily I am using these for critical listening work.

I'm not suggesting that there aren't benefits to be had, the increase in transient clarity at higher volumes was instantly noticeable when I upgraded from the grey-face Mytek Stereo 96. It was difficult to find any useful specs for the HP out on that (admittedly legacy) device, whereas RME were far more transparent and generous for the 2/4 specs. Which as far as I know is currently the pinnacle of that range in terms of HP output performance.

Specifications unfortunately won't tell you the whole story. They might give a rough idea but won't be able to judge how something actually sounds and if it works with the rest of your system. Better, dedicated amplifiers versus the ADI2 only will give you a more spacious feeling/soundstage with better depth perception. Quicker transients, more details, refinement, better timbre/texture, clearer instrument separation. But most of all, a more natural, more lifelike sound.

 

[Richy Hughes]

Alright, well thanks for responding Betula.
I'm sure if I were to spring for a 465 or whatever my eyes would light up and I'd go ''oohhhh!!! now I get it'' - but un/fortunately I'm running a business and investments need to either bring clear returns, or meaningful improvements to performance which don't hamper margins too much in the short term.

The combo of 4Z with 2/4 Pro is already leagues ahead of what I was using before, specs are uncommonly good for the price, both of them sit on this year's balance sheet.
I'd spoken with others in my area before making investments, and the general consensus was that the 2/4 pro is a very capable choice as an all-in-one reference unit which punches well above its weight, and even offers improvements over the other ADI models. Only one peer suggested pairing it with a separate, dedicated amp.
I don't doubt that there's more juice in the berry, but currently my glass is full.

 

[betula]

Alright, well thanks for responding Betula.
I'm sure if I were to spring for a 465 or whatever my eyes would light up and I'd go ''oohhhh!!! now I get it'' - but un/fortunately I'm running a business and investments need to either bring clear returns, or meaningful improvements to performance which don't hamper margins too much in the short term.

The combo of 4Z with 2/4 Pro is already leagues ahead of what I was using before, specs are uncommonly good for the price, both of them sit on this year's balance sheet.
I'd spoken with others in my area before making investments, and the general consensus was that the 2/4 pro is a very capable choice as an all-in-one reference unit which punches well above its weight, and even offers improvements over the other ADI models. Only one peer suggested pairing it with a separate, dedicated amp.
I don't doubt that there's more juice in the berry, but currently my glass is full.

No worries and there is certainly no rush with improvements. It is good and important to appreciate every step. I used an ADI2 alone for some time. Back then my next step was a Burson 3XP amp. Another user asked for some advice recently and I recommended the Cayin HA-3A for his ADI2. He was very, very happy afterwards. Neither of these amps cost a fortune, like the 465 you mentioned.
As you said, the ADI2 is a decent little 2in1, and I am not saying you must upgrade, but there is always higher up. The 4z is a headphone that can definitely scale higher but do everything in your own time.
The most important is to enjoy music.

 

[Richy Hughes]

I reckon you will enjoy this video about audiophiles listening and reviewing the LCD 4. They go to the studio and give it to a music engineer to listen to and he was freaking out how good they sounded and he gave some good insights as to why he thinks they were so good.

I had tried watching that video before, and (for want of a better term) the 'gonzo / handheld' style made me feel tired and rather sick - so I had abandoned it.

However on your recommendation I tried it again, from the point that they sat the camera down. It was quite amusing. That dubstep musician is going to go deaf very quickly if he carries on like that!

Regarding your 'genres' point... for the most part, the benefits of a resolving system tend to be far more obvious listening to some well-recorded jazz, acoustic folk or classical than they are with heavily compressed 'sampler music'. I'm loving the 4Z with some properly out-there dub.

This album is a winner, as one may expect with the assembled cast. Hits a lot of my buttons simultaneously, and with joy.

 

[senseitedj]

Alright, well thanks for responding Betula.
I'm sure if I were to spring for a 465 or whatever my eyes would light up and I'd go ''oohhhh!!! now I get it'' - but un/fortunately I'm running a business and investments need to either bring clear returns, or meaningful improvements to performance which don't hamper margins too much in the short term.

The combo of 4Z with 2/4 Pro is already leagues ahead of what I was using before, specs are uncommonly good for the price, both of them sit on this year's balance sheet.
I'd spoken with others in my area before making investments, and the general consensus was that the 2/4 pro is a very capable choice as an all-in-one reference unit which punches well above its weight, and even offers improvements over the other ADI models. Only one peer suggested pairing it with a separate, dedicated amp.
I don't doubt that there's more juice in the berry, but currently my glass is full.

I can totally see why you choose the ADI as your source given that you actually work with artists using your audio gear. The pro audio world seems to prefer the 4z over the 4, whereas audiophiles prefer the 4.

 

[thecrow]

Since your in the industry, I reckon you will enjoy this video about audiophiles listening and reviewing the LCD 4. They go to the studio and give it to a music engineer to listen to and he was freaking out how good they sounded and he gave some good insights as to why he thinks they were so good.



I had a choice on either getting the LCD 4 back again or getting a 4z but in the end I listen to a lot of different genres and I think the 4 would be better for me plus it scales a lot more than the 4z. I recently upgraded my DAC and amplifier to a much better tier of performance to what I had before so I'm interested how much better they would sound.

There’s also the second half of this video with sound engineers:

 

[senseitedj]

There’s also the second half of this video with sound engineers:

Yes seen this! they were raving about the 4z along with the 5 and CRBN

 

[Richy Hughes]

I can totally see why you choose the ADI as your source given that you actually work with artists using your audio gear. The pro audio world seems to prefer the 4z over the 4, whereas audiophiles prefer the 4.

Even though I'm loving the multiple clarity and power improvements on the 2/4 having come from the Mytek Stereo96, there was a 'meatiness' to the output on that thing that I do miss. I'll try to describe it subjectively - it's like the lower mids and lows would almost grab and envelope you. The 2/4 is way cooler and more matter-of-fact than this.
I can easily imagine a system where one can have both properties.

Maybe I would prefer the 4, I'd still like to hear it.

I should probably keep telling myself I have everything I need right now! - eek, I don't wanna BECOME like one of you people. Heaven forbid!