Audeze LCD-X

[SRX9]

@Audeze

I would like confirmation about the new pads I recently purchased from Thomann.de

I have had my LCD-X since 2022 so it is the 2021 version with foam pads.



As already mentioned, I purchased a pair of pads from Thomann.de but the item I received is obviously different from the pads mounted on my 2021 LCD-X, these sent by Thomann have a thinner skin that wrinkles when pressed, the surface appears more homogeneous and opaque:





While the pads of my 2021 LCD-X have a thicker skin, more quality to the touch, the surface is more irregular with various folds due to the hardness of the skin and is a deeper black and shiny.




The label on the packaging of the pads purchased from Thomann says this:



Below is a direct comparison between the two:



is this a genuine Audeze product?

have you recently changed your pads with these? If so, it's a real shame because the leather of the 2021 pads seems to be clearly superior. the shape of these new pads seems better because it is more uniform and swollen, more similar to synthetic pads however the leather used seems of poor quality and does not seem like it will last long.

if so, is it possible to purchase the 2021 version, the one that my LCD-Xs mount, buying them directly from you?

Thank you

The LCD-X that I recently bought secondhand, which I produced in February 2023, is like this now. It seems that the LCD-X and earpad that I bought secondhand 2 years ago and produced in 2021-06-08 have different forms. The earpad for 2023 is easier to wear, but the sound is much better with the pad for 2021. So I don't like the LCD-X right now, so it's a shame that the Earpad change in Audeze is a shame. I remember that the HD800 was also better with the old Earpad, but it's a shame that the companies changed it (cost reduction?, But Sound Nerf).

 

[Richy Hughes]

The LCD-X that I recently bought secondhand, which I produced in February 2023, is like this now. It seems that the LCD-X and earpad that I bought secondhand 2 years ago and produced in October 2021 have different forms. The earpad for 2023 is easier to wear, but the sound is much better with the pad for 2021. So I don't like the LCD-X right now, so it's a shame that the Earpad change in Audeze is a shame. I remember that the HD800 was also better with the old Earpad, but it's a shame that the companies changed it (cost reduction?, But Sound Nerf).

If you don't mind, what do you feel are the sonic differences between the 21 and 23 pads?

 

[SRX9]

If you don't mind, what do you feel are the sonic differences between the 21 and 23 pads?

The 23 earpad has a smoother sound, a better mid-pitched sound, and a slightly wider sense of space. It has a more similar personality to the 4z or XC. It sounds like a lower-level version of the 4z. / On the other hand, the 21 earpad is sharper, faster to respond, and the lower-pitched punch is good. / Putting the 23 earpad up to 100hz to Low-shelf +2db and reducing 200-300hz to PEQ -3db Q1.0 improves it to be similar to 21, but it's still a bit unfortunate compared to my memory of 21Ver.

Oh and I looked up the receipt again, it was LCD X that was paid on 2021-06-08, not the production date. I don't know English well, and I wrote it down as the production date by mistake.

 

[SRX9]

I've been listening to 2023 LCD-X over and over for a month. Again, I don't like the sound of the new version of the Earpad. I'm thinking of replacing it with a Dekoni sheepskin Earpad instead. Has anyone tried the LCD-X 2021 Dekoni sheepskin Earpad here? If you have, please review it.

 

[Guy Fawkes]

The LCD-X that I recently bought secondhand, which I produced in February 2023, is like this now. It seems that the LCD-X and earpad that I bought secondhand 2 years ago and produced in 2021-06-08 have different forms. The earpad for 2023 is easier to wear, but the sound is much better with the pad for 2021. So I don't like the LCD-X right now, so it's a shame that the Earpad change in Audeze is a shame. I remember that the HD800 was also better with the old Earpad, but it's a shame that the companies changed it (cost reduction?, But Sound Nerf).

Big rip-off, I recently bought the new '23 pads but I haven't changed them yet because the original ones are still holding up, when I received the new pads I immediately noticed that they were completely different from the '21 pads but Audeze has always denied that they had changed them, the new pads are no longer made of sheepskin but of a cheaper leather, the difference is clear and can be seen both by eye and by touch.

I would like @Audeze to clarify this because I personally feel mocked

 

[Richy Hughes]

The 23 earpad has a smoother sound, a better mid-pitched sound, and a slightly wider sense of space. It has a more similar personality to the 4z or XC. It sounds like a lower-level version of the 4z. / On the other hand, the 21 earpad is sharper, faster to respond, and the lower-pitched punch is good. / Putting the 23 earpad up to 100hz to Low-shelf +2db and reducing 200-300hz to PEQ -3db Q1.0 improves it to be similar to 21, but it's still a bit unfortunate compared to my memory of 21Ver.

Oh and I looked up the receipt again, it was LCD X that was paid on 2021-06-08, not the production date. I don't know English well, and I wrote it down as the production date by mistake.

Thanks for taking the time.
I had a '21 produced (which I have confirmed by getting my FR and serial check) LCD-X which I was using (pretty much) every work day for about 3 years. This year the X pads started to come away and during this process, the sound I felt started to get 'flatter but not in a good way' -
so changing to a fresh pair of '23 pads was very helpful to me. Obviously the only serviceable memory I had was of pads where the seal had broken half way around the cup, so it's not comparing them at their best.
Nonetheless, I like them just fine and they are a slightly better match for my '23 4Z.

In terms of what 'Guy Fawkes' here is saying about the new pads versus the old, at first I thought that they were very different. I would agree that the leather seems cheaper, almost pleather-like. However - when I took a closer look in direct comparison, I did sort of feel like the differences were more cosmetic than anything, and that there was a slight difference in the way the seams were done that had more of an affect to their relative appearance difference. And I thought the '23 pads were if anything, just a shade more plump - which I like actually.

Ultimately I'm happy enough just to have fresh pads again, and they have that fresh smell which is nice. So I bought a couple more sets of spare pads of this '23 variety before some other change is made which I may dislike. Familiarity seems like the better bet! especially where FR is concerned.

 

[Richy Hughes]

FWIW - part of an earlier exchange - (there's a bit more discussion if you scroll up)
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/audeze-lcd-x.684394/post-18325826

 

[Guy Fawkes]

Thanks for taking the time.
I had a '21 produced (which I have confirmed by getting my FR and serial check) LCD-X which I was using (pretty much) every work day for about 3 years. This year the X pads started to come away and during this process, the sound I felt started to get 'flatter but not in a good way' -
so changing to a fresh pair of '23 pads was very helpful to me. Obviously the only serviceable memory I had was of pads where the seal had broken half way around the cup, so it's not comparing them at their best.
Nonetheless, I like them just fine and they are a slightly better match for my '23 4Z.

In terms of what 'Guy Fawkes' here is saying about the new pads versus the old, at first I thought that they were very different. I would agree that the leather seems cheaper, almost pleather-like. However - when I took a closer look in direct comparison, I did sort of feel like the differences were more cosmetic than anything, and that there was a slight difference in the way the seams were done that had more of an affect to their relative appearance difference. And I thought the '23 pads were if anything, just a shade more plump - which I like actually.

Ultimately I'm happy enough just to have fresh pads again, and they have that fresh smell which is nice. So I bought a couple more sets of spare pads of this '23 variety before some other change is made which I may dislike. Familiarity seems like the better bet! especially where FR is concerned.

Reading back old posts, now i remember you.
As I said, I haven't mounted the new '23 pads yet, I still don't know if I'll be disappointed or not, the only thing I can say is that visually and to the touch I prefer the '21 version because they give me more of a sense of quality and durability, the '23 give me the idea that they won't last long.

A question: I understand that the LCD-X with the '23 pads are now more similar to the 4Z in terms of sound? I've never tried the 4Z but considering their value, it should be a positive thing.... or not?

 

[Richy Hughes]

Rereading old posts, now i remember you.
As I said, I haven't mounted the new '23 pads yet, I still don't know if I'll be disappointed or not, the only thing I can say is that visually and to the touch I prefer the '21 version because they give me more of a sense of quality and durability, the '23 give me the idea that they won't last long.

A question: I understand that the LCD-X with the '23 pads are now more similar to the 4Z in terms of sound? I've never tried the 4Z but considering their value, it should be a positive thing.... or not?

I would agree in a sense that the seams on the prior ones did look more robust. But I'll make no guesses as to how they will wear, it was the glue that escalated the change, although they were also starting to compress a bit and probably wouldn't have TOO much more life in them even if I did find a way to satisfactorily replace the 3m rings.

In terms of the sound, again - it's a little tricky in a sense that I'm comparing old pads to fresh ones. But aside from the better seal improving the lower spectrum response on that basis, I did feel like the upper mids came back a shade more than they ever had, although they still lag behind the 4z here by a degree or two.
But then that's a 4z with those same (new) pads! I have no idea what an older 4z sounded like.

 

[headmasterfunkercookie]

Anyone know what headphone is an upgrade for the lcd-x? I love mine but I’d like to upgrade

 

[Ben86]

Has anyone tried this balanced 4.4 "ddHiFi BC150B-490" cable with LCD-X? It has some very positive reviews

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EIxUcHm

 

[Audeze]

Reading back old posts, now i remember you.
As I said, I haven't mounted the new '23 pads yet, I still don't know if I'll be disappointed or not, the only thing I can say is that visually and to the touch I prefer the '21 version because they give me more of a sense of quality and durability, the '23 give me the idea that they won't last long.

A question: I understand that the LCD-X with the '23 pads are now more similar to the 4Z in terms of sound? I've never tried the 4Z but considering their value, it should be a positive thing.... or not?

There have been No changes to the pads since the late 2020/early 2021 changes when we universally updated the pads. Again, there have not been changes to pads from 2021 to today.

Any differences you may have may be pad variance to worn in differences (well used pads vs newer pads).

 

[Guy Fawkes]

There have been No changes to the pads since the late 2020/early 2021 changes when we universally updated the pads. Again, there have not been changes to pads from 2021 to today.

Any differences you may have may be pad variance to worn in differences (well used pads vs newer pads).

The new pads I got are visually different, I still have the pads purchased in 2021 on LCD-2C that I have used very little and they are different from these new ones, the previous ones had thicker leather and stitching with more prominent edges, they are less homogeneous in shape than these new ones, probably due to the fact that the leather being thicker tends to maintain its shape.

 

[Erick Muller]

Anyone know what headphone is an upgrade for the lcd-x? I love mine but I’d like to upgrade

It's not exactly the same sound signature, but I find that my HEKse is a good upgrade to the LCD-X, in the sense that's not hard to drive and I think it's more ergonomic and comfortable to wear.

If you EQ both, I do find the bass both in extension, punch and slam are about the same, the HEKse is probably edging it out and I find the midrange more enjoyable from the HEKse, there's definitively more treble energy in the HEKse but I find that it's really well controlled and it's not peaky, at least to my ears.

With the HEKse you have to be careful with your amp pairing, I found recently that the Aune S17 Pro really doesn't paired well with the HFM oval shaped cans, but it might be a problem with my particular unit tbh, but I also find that for example with the xDuoo XD05 Pro with the sparkos op-amps, the treble can get to harsh and grainy and kind of shouty, but with other op-amps it's a lot more enjoyable.

 

[Erick Muller]

Has anyone tried this balanced 4.4 "ddHiFi BC150B-490" cable with LCD-X? It has some very positive reviews

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EIxUcHm

Yep, biggest mistake of my life, the cable is super uncomfortable and stiff, micro-phonic and also is very sensitive to the point that it can function like an antenna of sorts.