Audeze LCD i4 TOTL In-Ear Monitor Discussion

[edwardsean]

I. Am. Not. Crazy.

Are. You. Sure?

 

[Tybot]

Are. You. Sure?

Nope. Not even a little bit sure.

 

[04gto]

I. Am. Not. Crazy.

Oh you certainly are.

 

[Clemmaster]

Don’t forget to flip the EQ upside down, too.

 

[Tybot]

Don’t forget to flip the EQ upside down, too.

I only listen to them when I’m upside down.

 

[normie610]

I only listen to them when I’m upside down.

I guess you live in an upside down world

 

[gazzington]

I'm thinking of getting a set of these. Are they good for all genres from edm, metal to classical? Also, what would be a good dap to pair with them?

 

[Junmoe62]

I'm thinking of getting a set of these. Are they good for all genres from edm, metal to classical? Also, what would be a good dap to pair with them?

I’d say they definitely are! Especially since you can basically EQ them to sound like anything you want! Also they very likely are the best at reproducing a realistic soundstage in the IEM world, so that does help quite a bit.

As for DAP, the 2 most important requirements are : a very powerful and high quality output, as well as a good quality EQ.
If you have the budget, I’d recommend the Luxury & Precision LP6. It’s by far the best match with i4 in the DAP world. IMHO it sounded significantly better than all the other TOTL DAPs I’ve tried with i4. It’s the only one who could maximize the bass impact and quality while retaining soundstage, air, precision, details and musicality.
Also, although the EQ is only band EQ, it is very effective and the band’s frequencies are the same as the ones for the recommended EQ from Audeze.

If you’re more interested by a more affordable option, you might want to check the iBasso DX300 or DX220 Max. They both sounded pretty good and their EQ implementation is one of the best.

hope it’s helpful!

cheers.

 

[eyevapor]

I'm thinking of getting a set of these. Are they good for all genres from edm, metal to classical? Also, what would be a good dap to pair with them?

I believe so, I listen to pretty much all genres and find them to be great for whatever I'm listening to . . . they are very neutral without being analytical. As mentioned many places they respond very well to EQ and are extremely competent technically. For me they are lighter and less noticeable than other IEMs, despite the (some say) odd form factor.

Completely agree with the above comments about the DAP, power and good EQ are essential. I use an iBasso DX220, with the amp8 (balanced) I run medium gain at 90% volume. With the amp9 (SE tubes) I run high gain and 80% volume.

For me these are the most satisfying earphones or headphones I've owned. Meaning yes, they are others that may be better for certain music/instruments, may be more compact, isolate better, etc. But for the wide variety of music I listen to in a relatively quiet environment nothing matches the comfort and audio quality.

If you end up with a pair I'd love to hear your impressions relative to the z1r and MEST, both have piqued my interest.

 

[Dawnrazor]

It sucks that these need eq. Long story but eq is problematic in my system. Would the bbe sonic maximizer work?

 

[edwardsean]

It sucks that these need eq. Long story but eq is problematic in my system. Would the bbe sonic maximizer work?

No. Please don't.

BBE, Aural, etc. generate harmonics which artificially excite the sound. This is not what you want. EQ, and Audeze's own Reveal convolution, used carefully, can correct the sound into something more natural. The former may sound more engaging at first, but the latter will bring you a much more pleasing long term solution.

 

[Dawnrazor]

No. Please don't.

BBE, Aural, etc. generate harmonics which artificially excite the sound. This is not what you want. EQ, and Audeze's own Reveal convolution, used carefully, can correct the sound into something more natural. The former may sound more engaging at first, but the latter will bring you a much more pleasing long term solution.

Ok. Cool. Then these arent for me. Does the Euclid need eq?

 

[eyevapor]

Ok. Cool. Then these arent for me. Does the Euclid need eq?

Hi, the Euclid's do not need EQ. Very much a great Audeze planar sound, a number of good comments on this thread, https://www.head-fi.org/threads/audeze-euclid-closed-back-planar-iem.954300/page-11#post-16256073

 

[edwardsean]

Ok. Cool. Then these arent for me. Does the Euclid need eq?

I've never compared the Euclid and the i4s, but the i4s are something special.

Audeze have managed to compress a huge flagship-level sound down into the size of an IEM with the i4. A lot of what got them there was the bold decision to implement an open back design into an in-ear. As long as you have a closed chamber you're going to be fighting the close reflections off the back. It's a problem with full-size circumaurals but even more with the IEMs where the chamber is so close to your ear drum.

If you're going to pass on the innovation of the i4 then the whole huge rest of the IEM world is open to you. I'm sure the Euclids are great, but there are so many great IEMs. It's the i4s that stand apart from (and above) the whole crowd.

The i4s do benefit greatly from proper EQ or, better still, the Reveal plugin. But, for money, I would still take the i4s, even without EQ over conventional IEMs. If it's possible to try them out, I would give them a spin without EQ and see how you like them.

 

[Dawnrazor]

Looking at this, the reveal plugin is my best bet. But what I saw only lists its over ear headphones as being supported. I assume i just saw an old description. Can some one confirm that the Reveal plugin will work with the in ears?