Audeze LCD-X

[Focker]

This isn't good.... I fear I may do my wallet a mischief soon.

LOL

 

[Barry S]

   
I guess it's not an "official" option on the website yet.  Tasvee at Audeze communicated with me directly to let me know the black rings were available.
 
They have been editing the product pages to get all the details on there, it was pretty bare-bones when they first got listed.  This may show up as an option soon ?

I noticed they've been updating the LCD-X information on the web site. They now list both the 1/4" and balanced cables in the accessories list. Black or gunmetal gray--great, another choice. I think the gray is a nice bit of contrast, but there's always people that want everything in black.

 

[subtle]

  The LCD-X has - when compared to the LCD-2 - more airy highs, more midbass, more clarity, and much much much less congestion, which in turns explains the much better/wider soundstaging.
 
I like it.

 
You have already had a chance to sample it in Australia?

 

[JWahl]

I have to admit that some of the recent comments have piqued my interest. I have owned the R1 LCD-2 and listened to the 3 at a meet and although they do have certain qualities that are amazing, I found the too laid back sound and lack of imaging precision to ultimately kill them for me. If these LCD-X manage to correct that I could probably deal with the weight. Im also looking into the new K812 which I am excited about also.  
 
Either way I still have a few months before Im in the market. Im hoping since I live about 2.5 hours from Moon Audio maybe I can schedule a demo of the 2 in the future with the intent of buying the winner. 

 

[preproman]

   However I've heard the HD800 a couple times and I'd consider it way colder than neutral.  

 
 
HD800:
 
Way "Colder" than neutral?  A La T70s?  What is neutral in your book?  Also are you talking about in relation to measurements or subjective listening?

 

[Taowolf51]

This was what my face looked like when I first tried the LCD-X.
 

Note: I am not this guy.

 

[SMG52]

LOL  Audeze could use this photo to sell the LCD-X.....

 

[Radio_head]

The "Audeze O Face" has now become a viral sensation and has eclipsed Taylor Swift-ing and Faith Hill-ing.

 

[TMRaven]

   
 
HD800:
 
Way "Colder" than neutral?  A La T70s?  What is neutral in your book?  Also are you talking about in relation to measurements or subjective listening?

 
 
Listening of course.  I don't know why you would even bring the idea up that I'd consider the HD800 cold based off measurements alone, especially when I flat out said I've listened to them multiple times.

 

[preproman]

   
 
Listening of course.  I don't know why you would even bring the idea up that I'd consider the HD800 cold based off measurements alone, especially when I flat out said I've listened to them multiple times.

 
What??
 
Where did I say measurements "alone"??   Man I just asked a simple question.  Check the attitude at the keyboard..

 

[TMRaven]

I don't know how else I'm supposed to take 'in relation to measurements' when you put it next to an 'or subjective listening'-- whatever subjective listening means.  Also given that I've seen other members pull accusations something along those lines on people I became a little defensive.
 
I'll entertain the previous question as to what's neutral in my book.  I'd consider an HD600 off a warmer sounding amp or an LCD2 with the treble region EQ'd up more along my lines of neutral.  HD800 was too cold for me off multiple setups. 
 
HD800 might be one person's personal neutral, and I can respect that.  That's why I originally asked what Taowolf'd personal neutral was so I could make a judgement call there based on what I'd value the LCD-X as.  If you were trying to ask me the same type of question then I'm sorry for the misunderstanding, it's just that the last thing I want to happen to the topic is get into a discussion with someone trying to tell me I'm wrong for not considering the HD800 a certain way.  I hope that wasn't the case, and I'm sure it isn't at this point.

 

[negura]

  I don't know how else I'm supposed to take 'in relation to measurements' when you put it next to an 'or subjective listening'-- whatever subjective listening means.  
 
I'll entertain the previous question as to what's neutral in my book.  I'd consider an HD600 off a warmer sounding amp or an LCD2 with the treble region EQ'd up more along my lines of neutral.  HD800 was too cold for me off multiple setups. 
 
HD800 might be one person's personal neutral, and I can respect that.  That's why I originally asked what Taowolf'd personal neutral was so I could make a judgement call there based on what I'd value the LCD-X as.  If you were trying to ask me the same type of question then I'm sorry for the misunderstanding, it's just that the last thing I want to happen to the topic is get into a discussion with someone trying to tell me I'm wrong for not considering the HD800 a certain way.  I hope that wasn't the case, and I'm sure it isn't at this point.

 
An indication that the HD800s are actually very close to neutral is that they can sound either warm or bright depending on downstream. Source: Done that.
But I can also agree that not all is always well with their treble.
 
I would use the HE500s as an example of neutral sounding headphones.

 

[MacedonianHero]

I could hear the X and XC briefly in Tokyo this week end. Driven by audeze dac/amp prototype or hifi m-8 or ifi stack. What surprised me is the much brighter sound signature than I am used to with Audeze. The bass was pretty amazing, in particular when driven from the centrance dac/amp combo.

I also liked the fact that the XC does not sound like your typical closed phone: tight bass, no cavernous / nasal sound and pretty open staging.

That said, I found both X and XC too bright for my tastes, a bit shrill/harsh with some rock recordings I sampled (all from the vendors rigs). I wished I could compare against the previous lcds but looks like there was no space left in the suicases for those.

I think those looking for an exciting sound might really like the audeze. I see myself more attracted by the fostex planar prototype, the voicing and comfort being much more to my taste. I also listened to the mad dogs (actually the 3D printed cans) through the mjolnir but again found it too forward in the mid/highs and preferred the fostex voicing.

It was thus surprsing for me to find out that most of the recent planar offerings are going for quite detailed / bright sound signature. I have plenty of upper register detail with my 009 so not in the market, but I can imagine these new generations of planar phones finding a large audience in the market.

Arnaud

 
That's what I love about the LCD-3s, never too harsh/shrill or bright. 

 

[preproman]

  I don't know how else I'm supposed to take 'in relation to measurements' when you put it next to an 'or subjective listening'-- whatever subjective listening means.  Also given that I've seen other members pull accusations something along those lines on people I became a little defensive.
 
I'll entertain the previous question as to what's neutral in my book.  I'd consider an HD600 off a warmer sounding amp or an LCD2 with the treble region EQ'd up more along my lines of neutral.  HD800 was too cold for me off multiple setups. 
 
HD800 might be one person's personal neutral, and I can respect that.  That's why I originally asked what Taowolf'd personal neutral was so I could make a judgement call there based on what I'd value the LCD-X as.  If you were trying to ask me the same type of question then I'm sorry for the misunderstanding, it's just that the last thing I want to happen to the topic is get into a discussion with someone trying to tell me I'm wrong for not considering the HD800 a certain way.  I hope that wasn't the case, and I'm sure it isn't at this point.

 
SMH - way to o jump to an early conclusion.   Nope, that the case at all.  

 

[TMRaven]

You must enlighten me about what you were trying to convey when you typed that post out, because it's very ambiguous.