I see that you own both the LCD-X and LCD-4 any chance you give me your thoughts on the differences between the two and if the 4 is a justifiable upgrade over the X.
Its been a couple of months since I used the LCD-X. I do use the LCD-XC daily, and its certainly a good exercise to compare them. So, I spent some time with both and here are my extremely subjective thoughts:
Notes: Roon > Yggy (Gen 5) > Loki EQ > THX AAA 798 (SE connections)
Royksopp The Inevitable End
The LCD-X had great bass, mids were clear but not forward. This HP is a warm headphone, the overall sound is very nice, but without a little EQ unexciting mids and highs detracted somewhat. The X is easier to drive by a noticeable amount, switching to the 4 required more gain.
Using the 4 the sound is also too warm for me, warmer than the X actually. Again, after EQ (and gain adjust) the 4 came to life. Detail is the first difference I notice, then the placement of instruments and overall sound stage is better with the 4.
I also listened to Nora Jones on Peter Malick Group's Chance and Circumstance with the same result except the difference in Nora Jone's vocal tone was striking, with the 4 doing a much better job of bringing out her voice's harmonics and inflections.
Both have excellent bass, the 4 perhaps a little leaner but quicker, more accurate.
I can't really recommend upgrading for you, however from this little exercise I've decided to sell BOTH my LCD-Xs, keeping the LCD-XC.
So, a biased, unscientific and poorly worded snapshot of the two headphones from a stranger located in the internet maze. Hope this helps.