[betula]

The driver is smaller, but the actual active area exposed to the ear (the part that matters) is essentially the same surface area size.

I find this interesting. So why is there so much 'inactive' surface area in the LCD4?

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

One reason Jude may not have been overly ecstatic may be fairly simple. He likes warmer headphones. Considering the LCD-5 is gonna border more towards neutral, this is probably down to preference.

People can call out the technicalities of the HD800 all day, every day, I'd still choose a 6XX over it, because it's my preference in tuning too. Doesn't make the HD800 not worthwhile for what it is.

We all have our preferences. Not all flagships will cater to everyone.

@betula, that's definitely a Kmann question.

 

[Dixter]

The driver is smaller, but the actual active area exposed to the ear (the part that matters) is essentially the same surface area size.

edit: Didn't realize Kmann responded.

isn't the active area exposed to the ear pretty much the same with every headphone.... we are talking about human ears... right

 

[KMann]

isn't the active area exposed to the ear pretty much the same with every headphone.... we are talking about human ears... right

Yes if all of us have the same ear shape and all earpad openings are exactly the same sized rectangle, square or oval.

In the case of our prior LCD series earpads vs LCD-5, you will notice that the earpad opening is very similar

 

[betula]

Yes if all of us have the same ear shape and all earpad openings are exactly the same sized rectangle, square or oval.

In the case of our prior LCD series earpads vs LCD-5, you will notice that the earpad opening is very similar

Still there seems to be more space and less skin contact area on the LCD5 pads due to the new angled pad design.

 

[trellus]

They discontinued the LCD-4, or at least a couple of the dealer's told me that they no longer receive them now. Only LCD-4z.

This was a few weeks ago when I was looking to possibly buy an LCD-4.

This is what I see from https://www.audeze.com/products/lcd-4:

 

[Dixter]

so you can have a large driver or a small driver and as long as the projection of the sound is directed at the ear properly with no obstructions and proper angles then they are the same.. larger driver or smaller driver.... in speaker terms a larger speaker is all ways better.... ?

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

@betula That's probably a valid observation. But again that's still doesn't contradict that the actual driver surface area opening is similar as before.

And like Dixter asked... bigger isn't always better. Implementation is key.

You have well tuned 35mm drivers that can spank cheap 53mm gaming headset drivers.

 

[betula]

so you can have a large driver or a small driver and as long as the projection of the sound is directed at the ear properly with no obstructions and proper angles then they are the same.. larger driver or smaller driver.... in speaker terms a larger speaker is all ways better.... ?

I am not an expert on the matter, but let's say the 'useful ear area' is the same regardless the transducer size. Still there must be some sonic differences. Imagine you tighten up a 10m x 10m sheet and then you tighten up a 5m x 5m sheet. You might only hear the middle 2m x 2m resonances, but there must be a difference between a 10 x 10 field and a 5 x 5 field regarding tightness and other qualities. Prove me wrong.

 

[Dixter]

@betula That's probably a valid observation. But again that's still doesn't contradict that the actual driver surface area opening is similar as before.

And like Dixter asked... bigger isn't always better. Implementation is key.

You have well tuned 35mm drivers that can spank cheap 53mm gaming headset drivers.

Good points... implementation is the key...

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

I am not an expert on the matter, but let's say the 'useful ear area' is the same regardless the transducer size. Still there must be some sonic differences. Imagine you tighten up a 10m x 10m sheet and then you tighten up a 5m x 5m sheet. You might only hear the middle 2m x 2m resonances, but there must be a difference between a 10 x 10 field and a 5 x 5 field regarding tightness and other qualities. Prove me wrong.

Again, that's assuming tweaks and optimizations weren't made. You think Audeze just reduced driver size without the research and optimizations into utilizing it correctly?

 

[Dixter]

I am not an expert on the matter, but let's say the 'useful ear area' is the same regardless the transducer size. Still there must be some sonic differences. Imagine you tighten up a 10m x 10m sheet and then you tighten up a 5m x 5m sheet. You might only hear the middle 2m x 2m resonances, but there must be a difference between a 10 x 10 field and a 5 x 5 field regarding tightness and other qualities. Prove me wrong.

you mean like comparing a 6 inch woofer to a 12 inch woofer... ??

 

[betula]

Again, that's assuming tweaks and optimizations weren't made. You think Audeze just reduced driver size without the research and optimizations into utilizing it correctly?

I did not assume that tweaks and optimizations were not made. I am sure they were. I am only interested in the physics behind it.

 

[betula]

you mean like comparing a 6 inch woofer to a 12 inch woofer... ??

No. I meant headphones, LCD4 and LCD5 in particular.

 

[Dixter]

Again, that's assuming tweaks and optimizations weren't made. You think Audeze just reduced driver size without the research and optimizations into utilizing it correctly?

I am sure Audeze paid more attention to the optimization of a smaller driver but if the intent was to reduce weight then they had no choice but to go to a smaller driver and then make sure that a smaller driver performed well... so they would accomplish the desire of weight reduction and not cause an issue with sound quality.... if you want you can obviously get the driver to any small size you want/need... thats why you have in ear monitors... and all they do is use the ear canal and ignore the outer ear properties...