LCD-X and XC Update

[Andrew_WOT]

Anyone fancy here running Dekoni Fenestrated pads?

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

I know, lol Audeze rep, but I currently use the LCD-X with the elite hybrid Dekoni pads, and it's been a boon for me. I think there is a SLIGHT reduction in SQ (slight, but they still sound like sweet LCD-Xs), but as someone like me who's really anal about having cloth touching the skin instead of leather/faux leather, the reduction in SQ was not big enough to outweigh the huge comfort boost for me.

The LCD-X is my daily driver, and having the Dekoni hybrids have been a huge win for me for personal comfort.

So I say the LCD-X with dekoni elite hybrid has been awesome, and I heard nothing but great things about elite sheepskin with them as well, as some people find their ears touching the fazors, but once they went with Dekoni sheepskin, it addressed their issues without a noticeable loss in SQ.

So I'd say go for both Sheepskin and Elite Hybrids (as a user, and not in official capacity as an Audeze rep).

I also use Elite Velours on the GXs. I think I prefer the Hybrids for LCDs though.

 

[Andrew_WOT]

I have read that fenestrated boost a treble a bit which can be actually beneficial, plus they are more breathable than solid leather, still on the fence which route to go.
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/dekoni-audio-elite-earpads-for-audeze-lcd-headphones.23411/

 

[mikecheck95]

I have read that fenestrated boost a treble a bit which can be actually beneficial, plus they are more breathable than solid leather, still on the fence which route to go.
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/dekoni-audio-elite-earpads-for-audeze-lcd-headphones.23411/

With fenestrated I’d personally be worried about losing that super linear bass response that I personally love from the LCD line. Would love to hear from someone who has tried them

 

[shafat777]

I honestly think the 2021 lcd-x pads are the best ones for the headphone. These pads are different than previous lcd-x model pads. I personally owned an lcd-x from 2018 and it really loved the dekoni fenestrated sheepskin. The 2021 models have different sq and frequency response than the previous models and i think the dekoni pads will most likly ruin those. If you really wanna change the sound ever so slightly, you can try eq, or different cables (copper vs silver).

 

[mikecheck95]

I honestly think the 2021 lcd-x pads are the best ones for the headphone. These pads are different than previous lcd-x model pads. I personally owned an lcd-x from 2018 and it really loved the dekoni fenestrated sheepskin. The 2021 models have different sq and frequency response than the previous models and i think the dekoni pads will most likly ruin those. If you really wanna change the sound ever so slightly, you can try eq, or different cables (copper vs silver).

I think the biggest difference in the Dekoni pads vs Audeze's own pads are that Audeze pads have a gasket built in that allows some controlled leakage to prevent pressure build-up inside the ear cup (which can damage the diaphragm if you aren't careful). The Dekoni pads actually seal all the way around allowing the LCD-X driver to achieve their potential "bottomless" low frequency extension. The rest of the FR is also helped along slightly by the Dekoni pads. Theoretically.

In general when you start talking about fabric, suede, and, to a degree, fenestration this is when we start noticing a lack of detail and dynamics from a headphone as the pad will absorb some of the leading edge of a tone before it makes its way to your ear. This, of course, has not been validated scientifically (sorry objectivists) but whether through placebo or objective means it's something I notice. Generally leather and vegan leather seem to be okay.

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Mine fenestrated pads are en route, but from what I've read here and on reddit, if anything they increase details, add some spark to the treble and air between notes, with slightly less boomy bass.
That's actually close to my own experience with fenestrated on HF HE6SE.

My primarily reason for upgrade though is fazor hitting my otherwise pretty average if not smallish ears. Not sure why it's not a problem for others, it can get quite painful after long listening session.

 

[MusicalDoc8]

Edited for clarity:
Just bought the LCD XC. I'm loving them, I would say at first I what struck me was that I could feel the difference but had a difficulty putting into words what was different from my ananda. After a while I found finally "getting" the headphones. I was used to jumps in tonal accuracy and layering, but this was different. The LCD-XC feel like a great leap in "definition" of the sound. Tonality is great, but what blew me away was getting much more "information" on the sound, in terms of not just tonality but position, layering and it felt like upgrading a 1080p to 4k. They are great and while I haven't used them a long time to talk about "burn in", i would feel like the more i listen to them, the more i am "attuned" to the headphone, being able to each time pick a little more detail that i missed. Basically what is being upgraded is my own ability to discern sound, thanks to the amazing detail they offer. It is really wonderful, listening to a song and getting more detail each time!
About the weight, they are no R70X, aka "feather on head" light, but they are light enough not to be an issue with prolonged listening. Of course I'd say posture counts, but if you hunch back on a chair and complain it's the headphones straining your neck, you might want to look into more confortable chairs before pointing to the headphone!

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Mine fenestrated pads are en route, but from what I've read here and on reddit, if anything they increase details, add some spark to the treble and air between notes, with slightly less boomy bass.
That's actually close to my own experience with fenestrated on HF HE6SE.

My primarily reason for upgrade though is fazor hitting my otherwise pretty average if not smallish ears. Not sure why it's not a problem for others, it can get quite painful after long listening session.

Got fenestrated pads, installation was super easy, stock pads got off without any damage, with sticky rings still attached, was able to save them by applying paper rings from replacement pair, just in case I decide to go back.
- Comfort is much better, they are huge in comparison and move ears away from sharp fazor grids, feel less suffocating too without that vacuum like seal
- Soundstage increased, there is some slight boost in treble, bass is more textured, overall feel de-hazed with increased perception of details, string instruments sound sharp and metallic as they should
- As drivers are farther away from ears they need a bit more volume to get to the stock level, immediate feel was like there is slight loss of dynamic range, but they opens up with slight volume boost

Quite happy with the update, definitely would recommend.

 

[shafat777]

@Andrew_WOT

Can you post a link of the exact pads you are using? Please and Thank you

 

[Andrew_WOT]

@Andrew_WOT

Can you post a link of the exact pads you are using? Please and Thank you

https://dekoniaudio.com/product/elite-fenestrated-sheepskin-ear-pads-for-audeze-lcd-headphones/
You can get them cheaper on amazon or even cheaper on ebay (seller is dekoni) with best offer option.

 

[shafat777]

https://dekoniaudio.com/product/elite-fenestrated-sheepskin-ear-pads-for-audeze-lcd-headphones/
You can get them cheaper on amazon or even cheaper on ebay (seller is dekoni) with best offer option.

Thank you, just ordered the fenestrated one for my LCD-X 2021. Gonna try to save/keep the orioginal pads and adhesive ring the best i can.

 

[deafenears]

- Comfort is much better, they are huge in comparison and move ears away from sharp fazor grids, feel less suffocating too without that vacuum like seal

https://dekoniaudio.com/product/elite-fenestrated-sheepskin-ear-pads-for-audeze-lcd-headphones/
You can get them cheaper on amazon or even cheaper on ebay (seller is dekoni) with best offer option.

Do you have the two (Dekoni and Audeze) pads side-by-side for comparison of thickness?

I had slight discomfort with the Audeze non-leather pads, I swapped out for the leather pads which seems to have helped but that might be due to variations in the open-cell foam as someone else talked about the opposite.

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Just measured two, at the thickest part 31mm stock leather and 42mm Dekoni.
As Dekoni is already installed with sticky tape I can't take pad off to do side by side picture. Check images below for my best effort to compare two.

 

[shafat777]

@Andrew_WOT

I was wondering, since you wanted to preserve the FR of the stock pads, then why not just replace the pads with dekoni solid sheepskin instead of the fenestrated ones?

Just a thought.....