Hello headfiers!
Several people send me PM to ask my opinion about the controversial Audeze LCD MX4. That is why I finally decided to summarise and write it down.
But before starting just take into account all of this.
DISCLAIMER
+ I have received LCD MX4 from my family as a personal present for my birthday.
+ I am not part of any audio shop or brand.
+ It is not a formal review, just my so subjective, honest and humble opinions.
+ It is public that I have decided to
list my LCD MX4. Nothing to hide.
BACKGROUND
+ I actually have several TOTL headphones like Utopia, 800s and Zeus XRA.
+ I have tested during the last years a lot of headphones, DACs, AMPs and sources from different brands.
+ All the tests were performed using Hugo2 as DAC/AMP and AK300 as source or just directly connected to a MacBook Pro.
+ I love jazz, vocal and acoustic music. But in general I love well recorded music, no matter the genre
+ I am mostly agree with the opinions of
@mangler here, but with some differences.
PACKAGING & ACCESORIES
Audeze includes his new box with the MX4. It is wider than the previous one but the quality is the same.
Nothing to comment. Nice quality, awesome protection... in one word: OK.
Inside the box you will find:
+ Headphones.
+ Premium 2m cable with 6.3mm connector.
+ Premium adaptor from 6.3mm to 3.5mm.
+ Certificate card.
+ USB.
The main cable is so good. Is light, flexible and with a narrow section.
I don't like the color because it is glossy black and looks cheaper than it actually is.
Connectors are light but strong too.
In confidence, if you asked me, I wouldn't invest more money in a new customised cable.
Of course, for the price you expect one more balanced cable but I know why Audeze decided not to include it.
You don't need it at all.
Remember that we are talking about 20 ohms and 105db headphones. It has no sense to connect this headphones through XLR to an AMP. You are not going to get nothing more. Just we have to think in another way. You can get 100% of these headphones with your laptop or phone.
Connected to MacBook Pro I can not pass over 30-35% of volumen.
In any case if Audeze wants you to pay 3.5K€, Audeze should reconsider the included accessories... or the price.
HEADPHONE MATERIALS & WEIGHT
Just you don't have to expect the Utopia finishes because they are totally different. But the construction quality is superb.
The carbon fiber and perforated leather band, the magnesium housing,... and especially the leather pads. They are sooo big and wide. Fully confortable.
MrSpeakers has to learn something about pads looking Audeze ones.
Something that most of you ask, what about the weight?
Definitely they are lighter and more confortable than LCD4. But don't expect something like 800s.
In my humble opinion MX4 are more confortable than Utopia because of the headband and pads, but less than 800s.
You feel that Audeze wanted to create one pair of headphones to wear all the day long.
SOUND PROFILE
Sound stage
In my humble opinion sound stage in LCD4 is deeper than wider. Especially if you compare them to other headphones like 800s that it is huge but not ideal for all the music.
On the other side, the Utopia's sound stage is so balanced and credible with all the genres.
Regarding MX4 and talking exclusively about size, the sound stage is:
+ Bigger than LCDX.
+ More or less like Utopia.
+ Smaller than LCD4.
Besides there is no problem in pointing and separate every instrument in the scene with MX4.
Listening
Cocteau the surrounded effect is so impressive.
Lows + Mids + Highs
I don't like LCDX. In my humble opinion they are too much in the highs.
In this case LCD MX4 has a
more controlled highs without losing the detail that LCDX has.
But of course they are less detailed than Utopias or Zeus. I said less detailed not warmer.
Mids are better than LCDX too, again more balanced.
They are not lay down or recessed like EL8 Titanium.
Just you feel them, in front of your face like most of the Audeze headphones. Ideal for intimate voices.
And now the lows part.
Here you have a more controlled and balanced bass similar to the Utopia's, a little bit less detailed but with more body.
If you are searching for LCD4 bass, this is not the case.
If you are searching the rumble of LCDX, this is not the case.
But if you like a balanced and not intoxicating bass, these are your headphones.
I have the opportunity to test MX4 side by side with LCDi4.
The MX4 bass is quite better than LCDi4, but LCDi4 are detailed than MX4 in mids and highs.
In conclusion, I can describe MX4 like Focal Utopia with little more body and a little less detail in all bands. Sound stage is similar. So credible.
If you know ZEUS XRA, Utopia are "like" Zeus XRA with black adel module and R sound profile, while MX4 are "like" Zeus XRA with red/orange adel module and XIV sound profile.
THESE HEADPHONES ARE FOR...
+ For someone who is looking for a good pair of headphones for all genres.
+ For someone who spend a lot of time listening music with headphones. Extremely confortable.
+ For someone who don't want to attach anything to his laptop or mobile phone to enjoy music. It is amazing the performance of this headphones directly to a MacBook Pro or iPhone. I have never feel something similar before.
+ For someone who loves balanced sound... not warm, not plain, not boring... balanced (like Utopia).
THESE HEADPHONES ARE NOT FOR...
+ For bassheads
+ For crystal clear detail lovers
WHY I AM LISTING THEM?
As I said, I have several TOTL headphones so I am not looking for a headphone for everything.
So, just to sum up, now I prefer to invest my money in more specific sound profiles to complete my collection...
Audeze MX4 should stay with me if I haven't purchased Utopia before.
THE AUDEZE MISTAKE
I started this post talking about these controversial headphones. Some people love MX4. Other just said that they are like a cr...p.
Look, IMHO there is no problem at all with these headphones.
The problem is in the marketing that Audeze performed with them. Let me explain.
If you brand a new pair of headphones including the number 4, and you write in your webpage "A perfect combination of the LCD-X and LCD-4", and you define a 3.5K price ... people started to think about these:
LCDX--------------------LCDMX4----LCD4 And simply it is not the case.
Just because LCDX and LCD4 are totally different to LCDMX4.
It is the same with LCDi4. Audeze said "LCD4 in an IEM"... again IMHO it is not the case.
The sound profile of MX4 is more similar to Utopia (with less detail in all bands) than LCDX or LCD4.
Is it bad? Not at all. It is great because they are more confortable and you can use them with a mobile phone, a laptop or a DAP and get 100% of them.
But you have to explain it to people. In other case people will buy a pair of headphones expecting 90% of LCD4 sound profile and then problems started.
So I think it is time to forget that false perception of MX4 like a 90% LCD4 and start to evaluate them like a new headphones with a totally different sound profile (similar to Utopia and different to any other Audeze).
And then maybe you like it or not... fair enough!
Thanks!