Audeze LCD-X

[Lohb]

  Quick Initial Comparison Impressions between the HE-560 & the LCD-X
 
Sonically, the most obvious thing is the LCD-X has a lot more bass impact & bass quantity compared to the HE-560s. The LCD-X also runs at a much higher volume at the same settings due to its lower impedance. Makes volume-matched testing a bit more difficult.
 
The LCD-X's sound signature is more colored compared to the HE-560, but very enjoyable. I have gotten a chance to audition the HD800, LCD-X, and LCD-3 directly against each other multiple times, and my personal favorite out of those three was the LCD-X.
 
Build-quality wise, the LCD-X feels much nicer than the HE-560 due to its mostly aluminum and metal construction. The HE-560's build quality is perfectly acceptable, but the LCD-X does have a more premium feel to them. On par (or maybe a bit better depending on your POV) than the Oppo PM-1s. Very solid construction.
 
Comfort-wise, the HE-560 kills the LCD-X for me. At 380g, the HE-560 feels like you are wearing nothing compared to the LCD-X's 600g hefty weight. You will never forget that you are wearing the LCD-X, that's for sure. The suspension design of the HE-560 is much more comfortable than the bumpy headband of the LCD-X. How well you tolerate the weight and headband design of the LCD-X will be a personal thing, but it is definitely something you will need to tolerate. On the personal comfort scale, the LCD-X is closer to the side of one of the most uncomfortable headphones while the HE-560 sits as one of the most comfortable headphones. I have the vegan LCD-X as I found the lambskin leather version gets quite hot & sweaty even after short usage during my demos. The black lambskin leather version does seem more premium in terms of looks & matches the overall color scheme of the LCD-X much better, but the vegans provides much better comfort in my experience. The vegans are more grey than black to my eye though the description says black.
 
Earpads for both headphones were both extremely comfortable for me without any complaints. Both have angled earpads. Despite the LCD-X being much wider in overall width of the whole headphone, the earcups depth are actually a lot more similar than I expected. Remeasured quite a few times as the LCD-X just look a lot bigger.
 
HE-560 Earcup Measurements: inner depth = 1in/2.5cm to 0.50in/1.25cm. inner diameter = 2.25in/5.5cm, 
LCD-X Earcup Measurements: inner depth = 1.20in/3cm to 0.75in/1.9cm, inner height = 2.55in/6.5cm, inner width = 2in/5cm
*edit: remeasured quite a few times. should be pretty accurate.
finally figured out why the looks & measurements seem so different. The LCD-X earpads has about 1/2 inch of extra outer depth compared to the inner depth.
 
 
My initial recommendation is that if you are looking for a neutral orthodynamic pair of headphones or have comfort as a high priority, go with the HE-560. If you really enjoyed the bass of the HE-400 (like me!) and are looking to upgrade towards an audiophile grade version, the LCD-X is a great choice, sharing many of the strengths of the HE-400s without any of the HE-400's sonic weakness (so far as I can tell during my first day of listening).
 
More detailed sonic comparisons will follow later after more head time.
 
edit: paired with the Schiit Lyr 2 & Bifrost Uber

I need me some LCD-X now.....

 

[bmichels]

Of all the TOL headphone I recently tested on my EC445 ( and also with my HumUGO) the LCD-X is the one that impressed me the most ( more than HD800, LCD2 and...ABYSS).

I would have bought already if... It was not so inconfortable !


So I will wait for the new Audeze EL-8. With some Luck I will get the SQ of the X with the comfort of modern ages....

 

[TMRaven]

Good impressions, mirrored what I heard from the most part when comparing those two as well.
 
LCD-X = impactful, strong bass, colored but fun signature, uncomfortable as hell, takes the he-400 sound and upgrades it 
560 = neutralish signature, comfortable as hell, airier but also less body

 

[Xoen]

Personally,  I never found the LCD-X to be that uncomfortable.  My HD700's sure does feel a lot lighter and more comfy on my head but I guess to each their own on the comfort issue for the LCD-X.  Anyways, the LCD-X are very musical headphones for sure.  Can't wait to upgrade my amp to a Schiit Ragnorok and Gungir combo since I've heard some rave reviews about that.  Still waiting for my upgrade cables, though.  Lol the anticipation just kills me sometimes!  
 

Me getting my "fix" before standing my watch.  

 

[Mojo777]

Two weeks in with the X and comfort is way up. It's a normal headphone for me now. I did upgrade the longer rods for my big head and that helped a lot.

 

[FredrikT92]

Everyone should e-mail Audeze and tell them to make a suspended headband for sale.
Like they have on the Audeze Z

 

[514077]

  Everyone should e-mail Audeze and tell them to make a suspended headband for sale.
Like they have on the Audeze Z

I haven't heard of an Audeze Z or Zed.  What might it be?

 

[money4me247]

 
I haven't heard of an Audeze Z or Zed.  What might it be?

http://www.head-fi.org/t/738025/new-audeze-prototype-z

 

[Focker]

  Personally,  I never found the LCD-X to be that uncomfortable.  My HD700's sure does feel a lot lighter and more comfy on my head but I guess to each their own on the comfort issue for the LCD-X.  Anyways, the LCD-X are very musical headphones for sure.  Can't wait to upgrade my amp to a Schiit Ragnorok and Gungir combo since I've heard some rave reviews about that.  Still waiting for my upgrade cables, though.  Lol the anticipation just kills me sometimes!  
 

Me getting my "fix" before standing my watch.  

 
 
Thank you for your service and my freedom, brother!  Great headphones

 

[Xoen]

   
 
Thank you for your service and my freedom, brother!  Great headphones

It's my pleasure and yes indeed.  

 

[RCBinTN]

  It's my pleasure and yes indeed.  

 
+100
 
Be safe and rock on Xoen!!
 
Cheers,
RCBinTN

 

[NoxNoctum]

How does the LCD-X pair with the Gungnir/Mjolnir or Bifrost/Lyr combos? I currently have both at my house trying with LCD 2.2s... I'm going to be getting an LCD-X shortly though to compare --- will those two setups be able to give me a good enough feel for LCD-X?
 
What would be ideal amp for LCD-X?

 

[kothganesh]

Nox, Gungnir/Mojo was a step-up for me from the Bifrost/Lyr combo with the LCD-X.

 

[money4me247]

  How does the LCD-X pair with the Gungnir/Mjolnir or Bifrost/Lyr combos? I currently have both at my house trying with LCD 2.2s... I'm going to be getting an LCD-X shortly though to compare --- will those two setups be able to give me a good enough feel for LCD-X?
 
What would be ideal amp for LCD-X?

I have the LCD-X w/ the lyr 2 & bifrost & it sounds quite nice. honestly, the lyr 2 is probably overkill in terms of power for the low impedance lcd-x

 

[NoxNoctum]

Can that have a negative impact on the sound? (being too powerful for the headphones)