[trellus]

P.s. Super glad to hear 3M tape and not glue. Thanx all for the help on that and comments. Yes, I'm an avid EQ'er so good on that.

Oof, yes, my bad for not being precise about "glued" versus using an adhesive tape-- by "glued", I mean they were adhered with adhesive, so as a result they are not amenable to "pad rolling", i.e., you won't be swapping pads to change up the signature as obviously the adhesive will lose its stickiness.

 

[m8o]

LCD-X 2021 and LCD-XC 2021 and LCD-2 Closed Back and LCD-3 and LCD-2 I still own

Have you ever written any posts comparing them? If so do you know in which thread? I'll do the legwork and find it, if so. But won't bother searching for it if you haven't.

 

[m8o]

Oof, yes, my bad for not being precise about "glued" versus using an adhesive tape-- by "glued", I mean they were adhered with adhesive, so as a result they are not amenable to "pad rolling", i.e., you won't be swapping pads to change up the signature as obviously the adhesive will lose its stickiness.

Ya, gotchya and no worries. I like putting pads from ZMF, MrSpeakers & Dekoni or other on my MrSpeakers, Finals, Fostex and others (all my mrspeakers purchases were pre-DCA so i continue to use that name, haha). It is what it is. But oh, i see Dekoni does have XC pads. So while the XC won't lend themselves to easy on/off swapping, if I commit to a pad other signatures can be had.

 

[nephilim32]

Audeze Annual Sales Event

Just got an email from Audeze. For those looking for great deals on B-stock or new discontinued like the LCD-XC Carbon there are some really good deals to be had.

https://www.audeze.com/products/annual-sale-2024?wtbap=+19257765000&utm_reference=e08c1398-5c7c-320c-947e-ee1f2d82d241&wtbae=chris.dacosta@hotmail.com&y_b_lid=3

Stupidly good prices for the XC. All sold out now. They go quick.

 

[cdacosta]

Stupidly good prices for the XC. All sold out now. They go quick.

Yah I posted the link earlier because those prices looked really good.

 

[m8o]

BTW, as I mentioned yesterday I [ahem] 'accidentally' purchased the sale item titled "LCD-XC Carbon Fiber | Leather-free w/ 1/4" and 4-Pin XLR Cable - New (Discontinued)", ... What exactly do you think that I purchased, that has been discontinued?

Edit: removed my musings on it. Good news. Support informed me it's just the SKU w/the 1/4" terminated cable that was discontinued. AND all their HP being sold are current revisions, i.e. 2021 update. So no one need to worry about getting pre-2021 NOS from the annual sale.

 

[m8o]

Stupidly good prices for the XC. All sold out now. They go quick.

They may have added stock today as I could have swore the XC I bought was sold-out when I looked later. But I see the exact same item is still available (mine has shipped). So could get it if you want it.

 

[Dopaminer]

I like putting pads from ZMF, MrSpeakers & Dekoni or other on my MrSpeakers, Finals, Fostex and others (all my mrspeakers purchases were pre-DCA so i continue to use that name, haha). It is what it is. But oh, i see Dekoni does have XC pads. So while the XC won't lend themselves to easy on/off swapping, if I commit to a pad other signatures can be had.

I have both the LCD2 closed and a 2023 LCDXC, and I can tell you your mistake was a good one. They're both extremely enjoyable, but every time I switch from the 2c to the XC, I'm re-blown away by how good it is. You should definitely consider EQ to make it even better.

Regarding the pad situation, as others have pointed out, it's double-sided tape that you can pull off and reposition, like an extra strong post-it note. I really like this system (I modified my Hifiman Arya to this).

While I like dekoni, et al, 3rd party pads, the best option for me has been the lambskin versions available from various sellers on aliexpress. There are lot of sellers, so you have to shop carefully. This seller, Jingzhi, is the one I've used a few times. They have pads that are dedicated to Audeze LCDs, but I don't buy them; I buy the generic ones I linked because they are available in multiple sizes. I go for slightly oversized - 115mm - because I find I get a much better seal and therefore isolation and therefore sound quality. (I'm aware the 2021 XC revision was all about the pads, but I don't care) I have buttery soft, great-smelling, extra-isolating lambskin pads on both my Audezes and the Arya.

They always include the double-sided tape rings and when I asked for an extra set of rings, Jingzhi sent me a whole stack, so I'm sorted for a while, LOL

Enjoy your new headphone and share some pics!

 

[m8o]

I have both the LCD2 closed and a 2023 LCDXC, and I can tell you your mistake was a good one. They're both extremely enjoyable, but every time I switch from the 2c to the XC, I'm re-blown away by how good it is. You should definitely consider EQ to make it even better.

Regarding the pad situation, as others have pointed out, it's double-sided tape that you can pull off and reposition, like an extra strong post-it note. I really like this system (I modified my Hifiman Arya to this).

While I like dekoni, et al, 3rd party pads, the best option for me has been the lambskin versions available from various sellers on aliexpress. There are lot of sellers, so you have to shop carefully. This seller, Jingzhi, is the one I've used a few times. They have pads that are dedicated to Audeze LCDs, but I don't buy them; I buy the generic ones I linked because they are available in multiple sizes. I go for slightly oversized - 115mm - because I find I get a much better seal and therefore isolation and therefore sound quality. (I'm aware the 2021 XC revision was all about the pads, but I don't care) I have buttery soft, great-smelling, extra-isolating lambskin pads on both my Audezes and the Arya.

They always include the double-sided tape rings and when I asked for an extra set of rings, Jingzhi sent me a whole stack, so I'm sorted for a while, LOL

Enjoy your new headphone and share some pics! ...

Thanx for all that, especially the reassurance. A lot of great info. As support responded and also appeased another of my concerns, of whether I'd purchased a pre-2021 configuration or post (they only sell 2021 configs now even the B-Stock), I'm all the more excited for them to arrive. (yes indeed, I have numerous EQ curves developed for every one of my HP I own)

I'd been listening to all the LCDs, most specifically the X and XC since their initial releases, and always wanted one of them. But always found a reason to not splurge; literally telling my wife after the purchase of the McIntosh MHA-100 & HE-1000 I'd achieved end-game, I'm done. Yet collectively spent many many thousands on more things (living up to the Head-fi Mantra), including Audeze IEMs not to mention during one CanJam a few years back where I made an impulse buy of a (gorgeous) ZMF Verite Closed; could have bought both an X & XC! So this sale period I was committed to ending that want and longing and make a purchase. Would have preferred an X but I listen so loud I feel compelled to buy closed HP to give my wife a little respite.

 

[Dopaminer]

I love open backs. I have the Arya and I'm really tempted to get the HEK now the prices are slashed. But I just sold my LCD-2 (a gorgeous OG version with the wooden connectors) and I recently sold my HD800. As much as I love open backs, the reality is, I live in the tropics with fans and/or air conditioning running nearly all the time, and closed headphones really are the only sensible option. Hence my LOVE for the XC.
Wondering about taking the plunge with the Audivina, despite the reviews....

 

[peterinvan]

The 2016 version adds a tuning network designed to be used with the wood covers installed.

Could you post the link to the source of this info. I am about to try my LCD-XC (2019) without the wooden cups. Will this damage the drivers?

EDIT: I tried my LCD-XC without the Bubinga cups…
I enjoyed the extra soundstage and pin point instrument location. It’s a bit “glaring” however, and I missed the closed back noise .isolation.
I expect that I would need the LCD-X grill and damping felt to emulate the LCD-X

I put the cups back on and have suspended this experiment (for now?)

 

[Dopaminer]

I tried my LCD-XC without the Bubinga cups…

Were there any wires attached to the inside of the cups, or did they just come away once unscrewed? (The LCD-2C closed has a 'filter' wired to the insides of the cups for some reason.)

 

[peterinvan]

Were there any wires attached to the inside of the cups, or did they just come away once unscrewed? (The LCD-2C closed has a 'filter' wired to the insides of the cups for some reason.)

LCD-XC Bubinga Cups:

No wires. The cups appear to include dampening material covered by lightweight felt. The cups look very fragile at the screw mount holes… i.e. don’t overtighten the screws. I have since replaced the wood cups to get back the sound isolation. They are my fav. closed backs.

 

[peterinvan]

Does anyone have a link where I can get open grills for XCs, i would like to try "open" version like X. Cannot find grills on Audeze web page for sale.

Arctic Cables in Florida...

https://www.arcticcables.com/ac-store/AC-Audeze-Grill-Replacement-p543042169

Caution: removing the cups makes the exposed diagram very vulnerable, and the magnets are very strong.
That's why Audeze use custom non-magnetic 2.5mm screws.
Also, the wooden cups are very fragile. Caution when tightening the screws.