What a wonderful surprise today...my review pair of the LCDi4 just arrived. I wasn't expecting them until next week. First off the packing is out of this world! The leather work on both the box and carrying case is on another level altogether! Size and fit is very much in line with the already brilliant iSINE20s, but again, things have kicked up a few notches. The included cable is brilliantly made and I think it should dissuade any idea of future cable upgrades. Now briefly on to the sound...it's like having much of the greatness of the full sized LCD-4s (one of my favourite headphones of all time) in a small portable package! The soundstaging is on another level for in-ear headphones. So far, so very satisfying sonically! More to come, but I can tell early on that this is going to be one fun review to do!
For me, looks were deceiving.
The case isn't practical for mobile use. It's more for when you got a table or a third hand. You have to remove the ear hook or earlock each time you insert the LCD-i4 in its case. Now the earhooks can be lodged on the side of the insert case and you can just wrap the cable around as normal which also secures them so you won't lose them.
All this ain't practical. If you're standing, you hold your leather case, take out the insert case, hold both with same hand (i.e. left hand) while you uncoil the cable, then pick up the earhook parts and pull out the LCD-i4, all with your right hand. And at ANY moment, you better pray you didn't hold the LCD-i4 by the cable or be ready to rage when the 2pin connector slides out leaving your LCD-i4 to fall down to the floor. Always, always hold the lcd-i4 directly.
Cable might look good, but I had it slide out too often now. It even slid out when I was just walking normally, cutting out music from the left side.
I know applying sugru would be a workaround, but I'm not sure I'd want to do that. Does it leave smudges/residue? Can it be cleaned up completely with ease?
Would've been better to make the connector come out from the top for over the ear than worn down.
The Eidolic barrel connector I had on my Norne Therium gave a secure snug fit, but the 8 conductor cable itself was too heavy. It put too much weight down on the ear hook and at the tip for my ear. So I sold it.
I'm not waiting for the Onso "iect_03_bl4c" cable, 4.4mm gold plated, pure copper with 2pin rhodium plated. It was cheap enough and looks light. A fellow head-fier's using it with his Sine 10/20 and was happy with it. We'll see.
I'm planning to try out as many cables as possible at Canjam London.
Personally, I'm using a Pelican 1010 or 1020, leaving everything attached. Practical and reliable. Hold it in left hand, open it, take out the LCD-i4 with right hand, close the peli with latches by left hand only. Easy peasy, no risk of something falling down. It's just my point of view for someone using it on the go. I imagine the LCD-i4 was designed for indoor use, so you'd always have access to tables for putting stuff down.
.