Audeze LCD i4 TOTL In-Ear Monitor Discussion

[emdeevee]

I just ordered an open box of this for $1000 and am very excited to have my jaw drop!

 

[emdeevee]

The cable is a custom order from the good folks at Hart Audio Cables. I honestly never use EQ. All my gear seems to pair very well with my headphones and IEMs.

The SP2000T is a luscious sounding DAP. It's been exceptional with low impedance headphones. That hybrid Amp system is interesting for the most part the DAP itself is rather smooth sounding in the default Op Amp setting.


Somewhere around 3 steps in... the sound just becomes captivating to the point I find it hard to stop listening to music. I can't quite explain what it is that draws me in but it does remind me of listening to vinyl records. I think Astell & Kern should include this technology on pretty much anything they manufacture from here on. This would have been a cheat code if the SP3000 had this hybrid amp included in its architecture. If you can demo the SP2000T I'd recommend doing that. I personally tend to favor slightly warm neutral sounding gear as listening to music is my way to destress, recharge, and relax. So anything that prioritizes musicality over pinpoint accuracy or blends those profiles works for my tastes. That being said, your mileage may vary but the LCD-i4 and SP2000T is magnifique in my book.

Which cable did you customize? I assume this needs a cable without ear loops. Thanks, I just ordered mine and will need a cable.

 

[emdeevee]

In expectation of their arrival, I checked out the EQ settings on my AK Kann Max, and was pleasantly surprised to find quite a bit of tweakability there. I can literally dial in the dB settings throughout the FR, so I'm hoping this will allow a happy use case with these LCD i4s. I started with the suggestions above, though they created a crazy looking wave graph. The EQ also allows you to move that wave graph to a form of your choosing, in addition to the dial-in described, so that may be an interesting way to eq these (I'll be ready to start in any event). Anyone played with this and had any good results?

 

[559938]

Hi all
I’m looking for able recommendations that will add a little sparkle and openness. I’ve been using the stock cable for two years and I’d like to start experimenting a little.
Cheers

 

[Tex Irie]

Which cable did you customize? I assume this needs a cable without ear loops. Thanks, I just ordered mine and will need a cable.

Just the PC-2 Dual 2-pin Balanced IEM Cable with pentaconn termination from Hart Audio for my LCD-i4. The 2 pin connector hangs straight down. Their newer IEM cables look to be much lighter and have the option for ear hooks. So that may be worth checking out.

 

[Scott2578]

I just picked up the LCD-i4 for everyday listening and some Euclid's for traveling.

I mainly use my iphone pro for streaming music (Tidal). I am looking for a portable dac/amp that will make both iems shine that has enough eq bands. I had a mojo2 but it only had 3 or 4 bands of eq. If need to be, I am willing to go with a portable player.

What are your thoughts on best portable dac/amp or player to use with these, where i can make the proper adjustments needed to make them shine. As of right now, my westone w80s and campfire audio solaris 2020 sound better.

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[emdeevee]

Tripowin and Kinboofi cables received. Will try them out and see what I hear!

 

[Tex Irie]

I just picked up the LCD-i4 for everyday listening and some Euclid's for traveling.

I mainly use my iphone pro for streaming music (Tidal). I am looking for a portable dac/amp that will make both iems shine that has enough eq bands. I had a mojo2 but it only had 3 or 4 bands of eq. If need to be, I am willing to go with a portable player.

What are your thoughts on best portable dac/amp or player to use with these, where i can make the proper adjustments needed to make them shine. As of right now, my westone w80s and campfire audio solaris 2020 sound better.

Thanks for any feedback.

I found the IBasso DX3xx Series DAPs and the Astell & Kern SP2000T, & 3000 DAPs compliment the Euclids and LCD-i4 exceptionally well. The W80 is one of my go to IEMs for the fit but they also perform well on the DX300 and SP2000T.

 

[emdeevee]

I found the IBasso DX3xx Series DAPs and the Astell & Kern SP2000T, & 3000 DAPs compliment the Euclids and LCD-i4 exceptionally well. The W80 is one of my go to IEMs for the fit but they also perform well on the DX300 and SP2000T.

Do you EQ your LCDs when using the SP2KT?

 

[Tex Irie]

Do you EQ your LCDs when using the SP2KT?

I didn't while I had the SP2000T. I started using eq on my DX300 and Roon after a few folks provided some input in this thread. I love the fact that the LCD-i4 responds well to equalization. It's quite possibly my favorite in ear monitor.

 

[emdeevee]

Very exciting day!

 

[emdeevee]

Four days in listening to these through an Astell Kern Kann Max thru my Indigo cable into 4.4mm balanced input on high, and sometimes super gain amp engaged. Good and comfy fit achieved with the Bose ear locks and the groovy tips: didn't mind the ear clips but the ear locks are faster and easier and do not compromise the sound.

Despite the many comments in this thread saying AK eq's do not work, either you're not doing it right or you must have old players as mine clearly works very well to my ears. I was able to use all of the info in this thread to dial in a beautiful sound with the parametric EQ and the power is more than sufficient.

Next experiment will be with the cipher cable thru the anker USB-c right out of the Kann Max on high gain.

The only place I'm not wearing these Audeze is in bed to fall asleep. Other than that, they sound better than everything else I've got! Very happy purchase to end the year and ironic they are so old now! Just like me.

 

[Tex Irie]

Four days in listening to these through an Astell Kern Kann Max thru my Indigo cable into 4.4mm balanced input on high, and sometimes super gain amp engaged. Good and comfy fit achieved with the Bose ear locks and the groovy tips: didn't mind the ear clips but the ear locks are faster and easier and do not compromise the sound.

Despite the many comments in this thread saying AK eq's do not work, either you're not doing it right or you must have old players as mine clearly works very well to my ears. I was able to use all of the info in this thread to dial in a beautiful sound with the parametric EQ and the power is more than sufficient.

Next experiment will be with the cipher cable thru the anker USB-c right out of the Kann Max on high gain.

The only place I'm not wearing these Audeze is in bed to fall asleep. Other than that, they sound better than everything else I've got! Very happy purchase to end the year and ironic they are so old now! Just like me.

Nice cable!

 

[emdeevee]

Hoping those with AK players might be able to help with this question. Using the LCDi4s with the Cipher Cable and the Anker USB-C adapter, everything works great out of my Samsung phone. BUT, plug it into the AK Kann Max, select USB audio, and the volume presets to the max at 150. The Cipher volume control cannot reduce it to listenable levels, even at the lowest gain setting.

Am I doing something wrong? Why can't I get any volume control of the AK? Is this setup incompatible?

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Heartsmart]

I'm tired of trying to find tonal synergy between i4 and other equipment. What I want to test is to apply software EQ to the files in the computer before transferring them. My players have no ability to EQ. I'm now wondering if anyone has done something similar before.

I'm currently trying out a plug-in for a music program. It works but is very time consuming as I have to take one song at a time. The optimal thing would be to find an application that can do it in bulk.