Audeze LCD i4 TOTL In-Ear Monitor Discussion

[Jalo]

@x RELIC x , thanks for correcting me on you title, my apologies for the error. Thanks for shedding further light on amp design but as you said we should not take up any more space in the thread on it but good info.

 

[pfurey89]

How do you guys feel these compare to other TOTL offerings from Empire Ears and 64 Audio?

 

[kubig123]

How do you guys feel these compare to other TOTL offerings from Empire Ears and 64 Audio?

I personally think the i4 are closer to a full (open) headphone than any TOTL iems/ciems from EE or 64 Audio, therefore has a wider soundstage a better definition than any iems I tried, but some of his features are polar opposite from the usual iems, therefore it's hard to compared it.

I think the i4 is an amazing complement to a TOTL iem but it cannot replace any of them.

 

[pfurey89]

That's what I figure. Good to know, thank you! Ideally, in the future, I'd like both.

 

[davidmolliere]

That's what I figure. Good to know, thank you! Ideally, in the future, I'd like both.

That was my line of thinking, portable open back ultra light planar with the i4, TOTL CIEM for best isolation and fit with the VE8.

I don't expect the VE8 to have as wide and deep a soundstage as the i4, and I stayed away from the idea of trying to equal or top it as open back 30mm planar driver is hard to beat. I guess A18 probably falls into the category of top soundstage and very open sounding.

I rather focused on complimentary signature/tuning and the VE8 seemed like a good pick with body and thicker notes while sharing a neutral warm general philosophy. Impact is generally better with a "closed back" so I expect some extra kick even if it doesn't extend as low. Obviously CIEM means better fit and less fatigue for long sessions (even if i4 with SpinFits is pretty good, it weights significantly more).

 

[pfurey89]

I love the a18t but I am running into some fit issues. People often don't mention how annoying they can be to really get 'right'. They sound INCREDIBLE. Like, crazy spacious. Neutral-ish but a tiny bit warm due to the midbass. I really really love them.

I wanted something thicker to compliment. i4 seemed fun. Not a big proper headphone guy but the LCD4 was my favorite.

 

[davidmolliere]

I received my Cipher v2 cable today and I must say I am pretty impressed by the SQ.
I don't get the extension both down low and up top (no EQ can make up for that) I enjoy so much out of DX200, as well as the soundstage either with DX200 or Mojo.

Without EQ, I feel bass and mid bass is significantly boosted compared to Mojo or DX200 / AMP5 between 60Hz and 250Hz but must noticeably 60-125Hz, the signature is skewed towards more impact and fuller sounding, loosing some air and soundstage as well as tone accuracy. I always stay away from EQ but this time I applied some EQ, quick adjustments I'll probably fine tune and I am pretty happy with the result for a highly portable solution allowing me to not take the DX200 and still get good SQ.

Kudos to Audeze for providing the Cipher v2 quickly and free of charge

 

[Jalo]

I bump a little the lower end

Seems like opposite to the above post.

 

[kubig123]

Seems like opposite to the above post.

We are not the same person

 

[lithiumnk]

Here few pictures of the hook

Thanks @kubig123
These silicon sleeves are very very comfortable.
I think audeze should make hooks with silicon sleeves as standard in their future releases.
Its a day & night difference.
I think anyone who had difficulty with fit & comfort with the in- ear series of audeze should try these sleeves. I can bet that majority of people will change their mind.
Thanks again.

 

[kubig123]

Thanks @kubig123
These silicon sleeves are very very comfortable.
I think audeze should make hooks with silicon sleeves as standard in their future releases.
Its a day & night difference.
I think anyone who had difficulty with fit & comfort with the in- ear series of audeze should try these sleeves. I can bet that majority of people will change their mind.
Thanks again.

Excellent!
yes, I agree with you, I hope Audeze will consider to build some ear hook with a thicker silicon sleeve, the i4 deserve that!

 

[davidmolliere]

We are not the same person

Yes of course your mileage may vary

The more I listen to the Cipher v2 with the i4, the more I am impressed... it's really very very good.
Has anyone tested it with other 2 pins IEMs ?

 

[pfurey89]

Yes of course your mileage may vary

The more I listen to the Cipher v2 with the i4, the more I am impressed... it's really very very good.
Has anyone tested it with other 2 pins IEMs ?

How’s it compare with your old U12?

 

[junix]

How do you guys feel these compare to other TOTL offerings from Empire Ears and 64 Audio?

I currently have the LCD-i4 and the U18t.
As @kubig123 wrote they complement each other quite nicely so there is no real need to compare them, or honestly to me it is not even fair as the i4 does not sound like an IEM.

I use the i4 in the comfy quietness of my home as I cannot really enjoy their greatness in any other non-quiet environment. Paired with a Hugo 2 they are simply stunning.. and IMHO can easily compete with open over-ear headphones, especially if like me you hate having those ugly big cans on your head for more than 15 min.

The U18t are my on the go solution, stunning in their own way (especially paired with the SP1000Cu..), probably the best BA IEM I ever had a chance to listen to, but you have the A18 so you already know how great they can sound.

 

[Jalo]

@kubig123, where do you get those silicone sleeves.

How do folks carry the i4 for traveling, do you use the stock case it seems kind of big, if not, what other cases do you use to keep the i4 protected? Thanks.