LCD-X 2021 vs 2018 with 2021 pads - My experience

[aravaioli]

I have read way too many posts describing how the 2021 revision of the LCD-X improves over past revisions and, still, I was left with the doubt as whether a simple pad refresh (80£ upgrade here in the UK) of an older unit would have done the trick.

So here you go my conclusion: it does!

To arrive to this conclusion, I upgraded the pads of my 2018 LCD-X with the 2021 pads revision (bought from Audeze UK).

Instant improvement! I finally appreciated the LCD-X as a worthy contender of my Clear OG and, dare I say, also of my Arya v2. Gone was the muffled sound and I do not believe bass was lost. Now a fantastic sounding headphone with details and warmth to spare. Also a marginal weight reduction was a welcome change and comfort for me was the same as before.

I strongly recommend everybody to invest in this upgrade as I highly doubt anyone won't find the change in sound for the better.

The the itch for the full new revision started to hit me and I got a 2nd hand 2021 LCD-X unit on Ebay (SN 753K, hence well into the 2021 range).

And here are my results of an in-depth comparison A/B of the 2 with the same well-known gear you can see below:



3 hrs of comparison taught me that I cannot tell the 2 apart.

I also failed a blind test taken with the kind collaboration of my wife, which means that also the weight reduction is rather negligible (especially out of 600+ grams).

So the well-advertised magnets re-design in my experience brought non-audible results an also a weight reduction that it really negligible. It is all in the pads!

I am sure some of you will only trust their ears and yes, probably you should. Do let me know if your results are any different. I always try to be free from bias and try to avoid further expenditures, if that matters. In fact in this case I made the further expenditure only to realise it wasn't worth.

Proof of what I am saying is that I have put both for sale here in the classified area with the intention to only sell the first one to go: I am so confident that they sound the same that I am totally agnostic as to which one will stay with me. But yes, no doubts now that an LCD-X will stay in my collection.

 

[msing539]

(especially out of 600+ grams).

Nice comparison! If you're going to keep it, the Carbon Fiber headband is a worthwhile upgrade.

 

[albertmuc]

I have read way too many posts describing how the 2021 revision of the LCD-X improves over past revisions and, still, I was left with the doubt as whether a simple pad refresh (80£ upgrade here in the UK) of an older unit would have done the trick.

So here you go my conclusion: it does!

To arrive to this conclusion, I upgraded the pads of my 2018 LCD-X with the 2021 pads revision (bought from Audeze UK).

Instant improvement! I finally appreciated the LCD-X as a worthy contender of my Clear OG and, dare I say, also of my Arya v2. Gone was the muffled sound and I do not believe bass was lost. Now a fantastic sounding headphone with details and warmth to spare. Also a marginal weight reduction was a welcome change and comfort for me was the same as before.

I strongly recommend everybody to invest in this upgrade as I highly doubt anyone won't find the change in sound for the better.

The the itch for the full new revision started to hit me and I got a 2nd hand 2021 LCD-X unit on Ebay (SN 753K, hence well into the 2021 range).



And here are my results of an in-depth comparison A/B of the 2 with the same well-known gear you can see below:



3 hrs of comparison told me I cannot tell the 2 apart.

I also failed a blind test taken with the kind collaboration of my wife, which means that also the weight reduction is rather negligible (especially out of 600+ grams).

So the well-advertised magnets re-design in my experience brought non-audible results an also a weight reduction that it really negligible. It is all in the pads!

I am sure some of you will only trust their ears and yes, probably you should. Do let me know if your results are any different. I always try to be free from bias and try to avoid further expenditures, if that matters. In fact in this case I made the further expenditure only to realise it wasn't worth.

Proof of what I am saying is that I have put both for sale here in the classified area with the intention to only sell the first one to go: I am so confident that they sound the same that I am totally agnostic as to which one will stay with me. But yes, no doubts now that an LCD-X will stay in my collection.

How does the LCD-X on the „xDuoo TA20“ compared to your other amps such as „Flux“ and „Violectric V200“?

 

[aravaioli]

How does the LCD-X on the „xDuoo TA20“ compared to your other amps such as „Flux“ and „Violectric V200“?

I'd say the Flux FA-10 powerhouse is completely unnecessary with it given the low power requirements. The V200 is no power slouch either and came very handy for the A/B comparison given the dual identical output. Some people describe it as a warm sounding amplifier but my unit is not0: I think it is neutral with beautifully sculpted edges in the notes. Feels a high precision machine, as is often the case with german engineering.
The TA-20 is the least "clean sounding" of the 3: I like it with my HD800S but it is not my pick with the X, while not a plain bad match either. Overall I reach the V200 the most with my X.

 

[bunbut]

@aravaioli are the old and the new pads the same height? are the old and new feel the same? if they are same height and both are leather, can we conclude that must be the materials inside make improvement to the 2018 version then?

Thanks

 

[aravaioli]

@aravaioli are the old and the new pads the same height? are the old and new feel the same? if they are same height and both are leather, can we conclude that must be the materials inside make improvement to the 2018 version then?

Thanks

The 2021 pads are shallower, lighter and firmer. The effect on sound is impressive to say the least. I am not talking of a small change...