What do you guys think about the bass quality/quantity of the XC 2021 ? I just received mine this morning and so far, the bass seems a little underwhelming to me. I used own a LCD-x and came to know Audeze to dump heavenly bass in each of their headphones. I own a LCD-5 and that is another AUDEZE headphone that i find the bass to be just a little shy. Still an unbelievable headphone in just about every category. Its just that I have always found audeze bass to be extremely precise with plenty of punch and slam.
What do you guys think about the bass quality/quantity of the XC 2021 ? I just received mine this morning and so far, the bass seems a little underwhelming to me. I used own a LCD-x and came to know Audeze to dump heavenly bass in each of their headphones. I own a LCD-5 and that is another AUDEZE headphone that i find the bass to be just a little shy. Still an unbelievable headphone in just about every category. Its just that I have always found audeze bass to be extremely precise with plenty of punch and slam.
That's right, they need to be eq'd for additional bass. They are made for studio use as well as pure enjoyment so they are more neutral and are considered a break from the typical lcd line (so is lcd-5 apparently as you said). The good news is that they take EQ amazingly and can become small subwoofers if you wanted to.
That's right, they need to be eq'd for additional bass. They are made for studio use as well as pure enjoyment so they are more neutral and are considered a break from the typical lcd line (so is lcd-5 apparently as you said). The good news is that they take EQ amazingly and can become small subwoofers if you wanted to.
I did order a set of Dekoni Elite Sheepskin pads. Back in my lcd-x days, i used those to boost the low end a little and hoping these would have the same effect.
I'm a little embarrassed to share this profile because it may not be mixing/mastering normal or your typical audiophile's profile but I think you'll find it hella fun! I mean if I'm going to own these gigantic planar magnetic headphones I may as well test its limits!
So for those of you like rumbling sub bass that doesn't encroach upon the mids too much and crystal clear highs that don't sacrifice the LCD-X's natural, stellar imaging and separation...unlocking and unleashing the fun sides of the LCD-X 2021 here's an EQ that leaves nothing to the imagination!
As you can see from the overlay-ed, inverted chart of Oratory1990's FR (yes PEACE can do that!) I have stuck with his mids calculations even more religiously than he did. My curve (green) deviates most from his (red) in the bass and the highs, adding a couple shots of bass slam and sparkling highs that makes vocalists more realistic and up close and personal.
Pre Amp: -14.75 (Be sure to enter this value to avoid clipping)
Band 1:Freq 29.7 Gain 3.09 Q 0.69 Filter Low Shelf
Band 2:Freq 35 Gain 0.99 Q 3.3 Filter Low Shelf Band 3:Freq 70 Gain 5.25 Q 1.5 Filter Peak Band 4:Freq 90 Gain 10.5 Q 0.7 Filter Low Shelf Band 5:Freq 130 Gain 0.5 Q 0.6 Filter Peak Band 6: Freq 540 Gain 0.5 Q 2.7 Filter Peak Band 7:Freq 810 Gain -1.85 Q 2.2 Filter Peak Band 8:Freq 1235 Gain -1 Q 2.4 Filter High Shelf Band 9:Freq 1500 Gain 7.9 Q 0.71 Filter High Shelf Band 10:Freq 1910 Gain 1.3 Q 5 Filter Peak Band 11:Freq 2730 Gain -3.6 Q 2.2 Filter Peak Band 12:Freq 3700 Gain 4 Q 1.4 Filter Peak Band 13: Freq 5775 Gain -5.4 Q 4.3 Filter Peak Band 14:Freq 6800 Gain 0.65 Q 5 Filter Peak Band 15: Freq 7350 Gain -2.75 Q 5.7 Filter Peak Band 16:Freq 12500 Gain 1.2 Q 1.7 Filter High Shelf Band 17: Freq 13500 Gain 1 Q 0.6 Filter High Shelf
To increase or decrease sub-bass, adjust gain to Band 4 to taste.
To increase or decrease treble/air, adjust gain to Band 17 to taste.
If the tracks you're playing have a bit too much "bass body" change Band 4's Frequency from 90 to 70-80 and you'll get more of a "planar typical" bass sound that extends just as deep.
If you're looking for a good song to test it out try this track:
Mark Ronson - Uptown Funk:
It's YouTube so you'll want to add ~2 dB to your volume knob.
10 Band Version:
Pre Amp: -14.75 (Be sure to enter this value to avoid clipping)
Band 1: Freq 29.7 Gain 2.96 Q 0.69 Filter Low Shelf Band 2:Freq 35 Gain 1.05 Q 3.3 Filter Low Shelf Band 3:Freq 70 Gain 5.25 Q 1.5 Filter Peak Band 4:Freq 90 Gain 10.5 Q 0.7 Filter Low Shelf Band 5:Freq 1500 Gain 6.8 Q 0.8 Filter High Shelf Band 6:Freq 2680 Gain -3.9 Q 2.2 Filter Peak Band 7:Freq 3700 Gain 3.65 Q 1.4 Filter Peak Band 8:Freq 5830 Gain -8 Q 3.6 Filter Peak Band 9:Freq 6900 Gain -1.9 Q 3.3 Filter High Shelf Band 10:Freq 7775 Gain 4.05 Q 1 Filter High Shelf
To increase or decrease sub-bass, adjust gain to Band 4 to taste.
To increase or decrease treble/air, adjust gain to Band 10 to taste.
If the tracks you're playing have a bit too much "bass body" change Band 4's Frequency from 90 to 70-80 and you'll get more of a "planar typical" bass sound that extends just as deep.
Here is an original track that I restored and mastered with these headphones from an analog cassette recording I wrote/recorded as a teen. These cans are an indispensable tool in my studio work/play:
Jonne Haven - Swing
It's been said already, but I must add that I've been working on EQing the LCD-X 2021 everyday for almost 2 months now and I find that it responds to EQ settings superbly and with the greatest of resolution. Even the smallest of changes are reported, with minute detail and without distortion, the best of any headphone I have EQ'd.
Would like a tube amp for Planar, specifically for "Audeze LCD-X 2021",
is the "Xduoo Ta 20", connected to the RME, a good solution?
Or does it sound better if it's more expensive?
Admittedly, I actually like it with a nice look and feel, but I don't want to pay just for the beauty.
Available in Europe would be perfect. Any better idea…
The Xduoo TA-20 is a very good tube amp. If you decide to buy one though, you should look into purchasing 2 of the Genalex Gold Lion E88CC Gold Pin tubes to replace the stock 12AU7 tubes which come with the unit. The pair of Genalex Gold Lion tubes will cost you about 100 bucks, but the sound quality upgrade will be quite drastic. The Gold Lion is just a much better sounding tube, and offers far better resolution and soundstaging capabilities.
Edit: If you are also interested in looking at solid state options, you should take a look at the Gustard H16 headphone amp as well. It is pretty much unmatched in sound quality at the 400 US price point.
The Xduoo TA-20 is a very good tube amp. If you decide to buy one though, you should look into purchasing 2 of the Genalex Gold Lion E88CC Gold Pin tubes to replace the stock 12AU7 tubes which come with the unit. The pair of Genalex Gold Lion tubes will cost you about 100 bucks, but the sound quality upgrade will be quite drastic. The Gold Lion is just a much better sounding tube, and offers far better resolution and soundstaging capabilities.
Edit: If you are also interested in looking at solid state options, you should take a look at the Gustard H16 headphone amp as well. It is pretty much unmatched in sound quality at the 400 US price point.
I'd like to try something warmer, the Gustard H16 would be interesting, also had the Burson Audio Soloist 3X in mind, although I don't know if the Burson is a good combination with the LCD-X. I’ve the RME and thus a transistor amplifier, so I‘ll add a tube on top.
The Xduoo TA-20 is a very good tube amp. If you decide to buy one though, you should look into purchasing 2 of the Genalex Gold Lion E88CC Gold Pin tubes to replace the stock 12AU7 tubes which come with the unit. The pair of Genalex Gold Lion tubes will cost you about 100 bucks, but the sound quality upgrade will be quite drastic. The Gold Lion is just a much better sounding tube, and offers far better resolution and soundstaging capabilities.
Edit: If you are also interested in looking at solid state options, you should take a look at the Gustard H16 headphone amp as well. It is pretty much unmatched in sound quality at the 400 US price point.
Woo-hoo, my LCD-X just shipped from Audeze, and should get here middle of next week. I'm looking forward to seeing just how big of a difference there is between my current most expensive/best headphone (Hifiman Deva) and a highly-regarded kilobuck headphone.
The Xduoo TA-20 is a very good tube amp. If you decide to buy one though, you should look into purchasing 2 of the Genalex Gold Lion E88CC Gold Pin tubes to replace the stock 12AU7 tubes which come with the unit. The pair of Genalex Gold Lion tubes will cost you about 100 bucks, but the sound quality upgrade will be quite drastic. The Gold Lion is just a much better sounding tube, and offers far better resolution and soundstaging capabilities.
Edit: If you are also interested in looking at solid state options, you should take a look at the Gustard H16 headphone amp as well. It is pretty much unmatched in sound quality at the 400 US price point.
I briefly had a H16 found at bargain price in the Facebook marketplace. Honestly the Violectric V200 it may have replaced is a superior amplifier, in particular with Audeze headphones. Sold it quickly and no, I did not find it warm at all, and neither clinical: neutral. In the used market a V200 should go for same or less money. With its 2 single-ended outputs is also ideal for A/B comparisons.
Woo-hoo, my LCD-X just shipped from Audeze, and should get here middle of next week. I'm looking forward to seeing just how big of a difference there is between my current most expensive/best headphone (Hifiman Deva) and a highly-regarded kilobuck headphone.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
