LCD-X and XC Update

[Jonne Haven]

A little TOO close.

Beautiful nonetheless!

 

[Terozzzz]

17 Band EQ Revision


For those of you interested the EQ profile I posted in February it has under gone several silent revisions. The latest can be found on page 108 or below in the 17 band version iteration. The EQ now has just that much more sub bass punch and slam with more controlled highs that match the high mids more evenly. Simply speaking, it’s subtle but it's better. Try it!



Here is the 17 Band version:

Pre Amp: -14.75 (Be sure to enter this value to avoid clipping)

Band 1: Freq 29.7 Gain 2.91 Q 0.69 Filter Low Shelf
Band 2: Freq 35 Gain 0.92 Q 3.3 Filter Low Shelf
Band 3: Freq 70 Gain 5.15 Q 1.5 Filter Peak
Band 4: Freq 90 Gain 10.75 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 0.71Filter 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 0.6 Q 5 Filter Peak
Band 15: Freq 7350 Gain -2.75 Q 5.7Filter Peak
Band 16: Freq 12500 Gain 1.2 Q 1.7 Filter High Shelf
Band 17: Freq 13500 Gain 1.05 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.


Here’s an original track of mine, I mastered with the LCD-X 2021, to try out this profile with that really pushes these cans to do things previously not thought possible by me:

Jonne Haven - “Big Bad World”





Once again, the LCD-X 2021 proves itself to be equal to the task of representing even the smallest of EQ changes and tweaks. It’s an integral and indispensable tool in the studio!

If you'd like a version with less bands just ask!

Blessings,
-J

This truly made my LCD-X 2021 sing like it should. Thanx!

 

[Jonne Haven]

This truly made my LCD-X 2021 sing like it should. Thanx!

You bet!

 

[SLMStyles]

This truly made my LCD-X 2021 sing like it should. Thanx!

Completely agree. I took a chance on the EQ a few days back, and it really is great. The only hiccup for me was that Roon can only decrease the preamp gain by -12, but I haven’t noticed any issues yet.

 

[Jonne Haven]

Completely agree. I took a chance on the EQ a few days back, and it really is great. The only hiccup for me was that Roon can only decrease the preamp gain by -12, but I haven’t noticed any issues yet.

Thanks! I also appreciate the input about Roon. I didn't know it had a preamp gain limit, it's good to be aware of. I guess if it ain't broke don't fix it, but in case you run into clipping, let me know and I'll make a -12db gain version.
-J

 

[dunpeal]

Yes, they are thicker and the foam is denser (memory foam).

Thanks, I got the Dekoni's. These are not as soft as the stock pads but they're just as comfortable, sound just as good, and best of all no Fazors touching my ears. I ordered one for each of my LCDs.

 

[dunpeal]

After going through a couple of pad swaps I ended up with stock again and stuck a piece of foam inside the cup of the pad and I've got around the same problem you have.
Dekoni pads are really thick and nice but another problem with those was in the summer they always used to stick to my left upper part of my jaw and made this really annoying sound.

EDIT : I've used the foam discs from my old DT 880 that I had around but you can try something like this https://dekoniaudio.com/product/att-foamkit/

EDIT 2 : @Audeze When LCD-X in LCD-5 form factor ?

Thanks. I got the Dekoni's. Just ordered one pair to see how it feels and sounds, and It's perfect. If it gets sticky in the summer I'm telling everyone in the house to grab a jacket and I'm turning the air up.

 

[szore]

Just upgraded my 2C to the X! Couldn't be happier!

 

[Giru]

So something interesting happened the other day when I was at a friends place to audition a new amp (Ferrum).
Another gentleman who was invited was carrying his LCD-X 2021. The host also had an LCD-X but his was the older model (circa 2019). Not finding the amp captivating enough, I excused myself to the reading room with both the Xs' and started listening on the host's main setup.

I don't know how to put it but frankly both of them sounded quite different. While the newer one is a tad more balanced of the two, I found the older set to be slightly more dynamic and resolving. Specifically the bass (while good on both units) on the older X was gawwwd awesome. It isn't as textured or detailed on the newer version. Likewise the highs on the newer are okay while on the older unit the shimmer and gloss in the HF is pretty distinct. All these findings were without any EQ.
I'm not sure but I did like the older unit better; by quite a bit actually.

Anyone else had a chance to do a similar a/b with the old and new?

 

[szore]

So something interesting happened the other day when I was at a friends place to audition a new amp (Ferrum).
Another gentleman who was invited was carrying his LCD-X 2021. The host also had an LCD-X but his was the older model (circa 2019). Not finding the amp captivating enough, I excused myself to the reading room with both the Xs' and started listening on the host's main setup.

I don't know how to put it but frankly both of them sounded quite different. While the newer one is a tad more balanced of the two, I found the older set to be slightly more dynamic and resolving. Specifically the bass (while good on both units) on the older X was gawwwd awesome. It isn't as textured or detailed on the newer version. Likewise the highs on the newer are okay while on the older unit the shimmer and gloss in the HF is pretty distinct. All these findings were without any EQ.
I'm not sure but I did like the older unit better; by quite a bit actually.

Anyone else had a chance to do a similar a/b with the old and new?

Sounds like the older one was just burned in better....

 

[shwnwllms]

So something interesting happened the other day when I was at a friends place to audition a new amp (Ferrum).
Another gentleman who was invited was carrying his LCD-X 2021. The host also had an LCD-X but his was the older model (circa 2019). Not finding the amp captivating enough, I excused myself to the reading room with both the Xs' and started listening on the host's main setup.

I don't know how to put it but frankly both of them sounded quite different. While the newer one is a tad more balanced of the two, I found the older set to be slightly more dynamic and resolving. Specifically the bass (while good on both units) on the older X was gawwwd awesome. It isn't as textured or detailed on the newer version. Likewise the highs on the newer are okay while on the older unit the shimmer and gloss in the HF is pretty distinct. All these findings were without any EQ.
I'm not sure but I did like the older unit better; by quite a bit actually.

Anyone else had a chance to do a similar a/b with the old and new?

LCD-X or XC Pre 2021 is a totally different beast, the frequency response between the two isn't even close, so much so that Audeze has different presets for Reveal+ for the new revision (if you apply the Reveal+ preset, or any EQ tracking the Harman curve for the wrong revision you'll see what I mean) They both benefit from EQ and while the 2021 LCD-X no longer has the steep drop off around 4K, it still benefits from a low bass shelf at the very least.

 

[Giru]

Sounds like the older one was just burned in better....

On the contrary, the host's unit has seen less usage. This guy is just a collector.

LCD-X or XC Pre 2021 is a totally different beast, the frequency response between the two isn't even close, so much so that Audeze has different presets for Reveal+ for the new revision (if you apply the Reveal+ preset, or any EQ tracking the Harman curve for the wrong revision you'll see what I mean) They both benefit from EQ and while the 2021 LCD-X no longer has the steep drop off around 4K, it still benefits from a low bass shelf at the very least.

Hmmm. Indeed. More than the frequency response I'm interested if someone can attest to the technical capabilities of both. I thought the newer is a step back in that regard (not very significantly so but audibly apparent none the less).

 

[pofofo]

From what I’ve read, the difference is very much because of the new open cell foam pads. A guy here on the forum couldn’t even hear the difference between them when both pairs had the new pads (X vs X)

 

[Giru]

From what I’ve read, the difference is very much because of the new open cell foam pads. A guy here on the forum couldn’t even hear the difference between them when both pairs had the new pads (X vs X)

So the drivers on both versions are same? Interesting...

EDIT: Oh they completely redid the driver. No wonder then. They sound really different.

 

[Peluz]

So something interesting happened the other day when I was at a friends place to audition a new amp (Ferrum).
Another gentleman who was invited was carrying his LCD-X 2021. The host also had an LCD-X but his was the older model (circa 2019). Not finding the amp captivating enough, I excused myself to the reading room with both the Xs' and started listening on the host's main setup.

I don't know how to put it but frankly both of them sounded quite different. While the newer one is a tad more balanced of the two, I found the older set to be slightly more dynamic and resolving. Specifically the bass (while good on both units) on the older X was gawwwd awesome. It isn't as textured or detailed on the newer version. Likewise the highs on the newer are okay while on the older unit the shimmer and gloss in the HF is pretty distinct. All these findings were without any EQ.
I'm not sure but I did like the older unit better; by quite a bit actually.

Anyone else had a chance to do a similar a/b with the old and new?

I've also had the opportunity to test the new version and I'm sticking with my old LCD-X.