LCD-X and XC Update

[jonathan c]

io have an ampli v226 violetric , what do you recommend? lcd x o lcd xc? thanks

• Either LCD-X or LCD-XC will be fine with V226. I see in your signature that all your headphones are open-backed. You might try LCD-XC for 'something different'. If you have tried closed-back headphones and have not enjoyed the experience, go with LCD-X.
• I own LCD-X (2016 vintage) and V200:

 

[PixelSquish]

My brother in law came over after we saw Dune 2 in IMAX mid March, and he is a guitarist and absolutely loves Dave Matthews. He is not into gear or tech and is frugal with that kind of stuff - so he has never heard anything approaching hifi headphones. So I fired up Tidal hi-rez and he picked some favorite DMB tunes, and he tried the LCD-X with my EQ, and the Meze 109 Pro with the slightest low bass boost. He listened to both and said without hesitation the LCD-X was absolutely much better.

I have to agree. I'd been feeling that way for a while and rarely reached for the 109 pro when the LCD-X was right next to them. Shortly after that I sold the 109 Pro (2-3 weeks later). Only other full size headphone I want is one of the Meze or ZMF Planars really at this point. One day, but focusing on IEM right now. Keeping the LCD2-CB for when I need a closed back.

 

[PlanarBunny]

From all of y'all's experience with the LCD-X and pad arrangements and aside from the new version of the stock leather pads, what other pads are worth looking into for LCD-X?

 

[Jujoe]

From all of y'all's experience with the LCD-X and pad arrangements and aside from the new version of the stock leather pads, what other pads are worth looking into for LCD-X?

Personally I use the Dekoni hybrid pads, prefer them over the stock 2021 pads.

 

[ddfcoold]

of y'all's experience

I've tried fenestrated dekonis but didn't like and returned to stock ones, still rocking them 1 year later

 

[kernel8888]

https://www.amazon.com/Premium-Shee...1923253&sprefix=audeze+lcd+pad,aps,184&sr=8-4

i had good luck with these for the lcd-xc bubinga. along with the spacer mod in between the closed back and the cup it brings up the bass and lower mids and tames the 2k peak a bit and makes them sound much more open and more like the lcd-x/lcd3 tonality.

 

[Kentajalli]

https://www.amazon.com/Premium-Sheepskin-Compatible-High-Density-Excellent/dp/B07R2FKMTD/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3EH3JAI75O48Q&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.abDfOmlPDj3mTn-QVu_NtB63B1EqmEbULq_Jf4a8MTS7tfLOR9H-X4WqD-etG4cLgblmkwIJ4Hn_OrnH2v5amr9PKboH-CF_GGR6J9znKmHVGmUL9KAyRO33VXh9AF5jW_bW54VXrvt_tm0uvk2346-V72rURTpYOM_hr1yvFIOzZU7XGbvKUWJ4PPee6rSGHEQP93BLR0LW7brbSNbDxloZ7VTPBzjul5JxumOxPHQ.2vdW_rt1U6qrz_QphPQRkeQtklZynjIgkzQi-DzCOXo&dib_tag=se&keywords=audeze+lcd+pads&qid=1721923253&sprefix=audeze+lcd+pad,aps,184&sr=8-4

i had good luck with these for the lcd-xc bubinga. along with the spacer mod in between the closed back and the cup it brings up the bass and lower mids and tames the 2k peak a bit and makes them sound much more open and more like the lcd-x/lcd3 tonality.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...eze-lcd-xc-21-effects-of-small-venting.42829/

 

[kernel8888]

awesome! yes creating some space for airflow between the closed cup and driver ring increases bass. The pads i linked in my previous post really help decrease the 1-2k peak as well. gives it more of the traditional audeze flavor for sure, and makes it less shouty and honky than stock.

these 2 mods took it from tied as my fave closed back with the hd820, to the lcd-xc firmly in the lead as the most natural sounding and removing most of the honky/shoutyness that you get with most closed backs.

 

[Infoseeker]

https://www.amazon.com/Premium-Sheepskin-Compatible-High-Density-Excellent/dp/B07R2FKMTD/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3EH3JAI75O48Q&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.abDfOmlPDj3mTn-QVu_NtB63B1EqmEbULq_Jf4a8MTS7tfLOR9H-X4WqD-etG4cLgblmkwIJ4Hn_OrnH2v5amr9PKboH-CF_GGR6J9znKmHVGmUL9KAyRO33VXh9AF5jW_bW54VXrvt_tm0uvk2346-V72rURTpYOM_hr1yvFIOzZU7XGbvKUWJ4PPee6rSGHEQP93BLR0LW7brbSNbDxloZ7VTPBzjul5JxumOxPHQ.2vdW_rt1U6qrz_QphPQRkeQtklZynjIgkzQi-DzCOXo&dib_tag=se&keywords=audeze+lcd+pads&qid=1721923253&sprefix=audeze+lcd+pad,aps,184&sr=8-4

i had good luck with these for the lcd-xc bubinga. along with the spacer mod in between the closed back and the cup it brings up the bass and lower mids and tames the 2k peak a bit and makes them sound much more open and more like the lcd-x/lcd3 tonality.

Are you still on the original drivers of the LCD-XC Bubinga model?

 

[kernel8888]

yes bubinga model with the original drivers

 

[Erick Muller]

LCD-X 2021 EQ Revision 10-08-22
For Lovers Of Sub Bass, Punch, And Slam

This time around I had the great benefit of being able to measure my EQ results in REW (Thank you @staticV3!) with @oratory1990's most excellent measurements as you can see in this EQ applied graph overlayed with the Harman Target Curve 2018.

Based, in part, on the Harman Target Curve this EQ adds back some of the Audeze house warmth in the custard smooth mids without making vocalists unrealistically nasal sounding but with a gorgeous and exciting overall tonality. Improved imaging and sense of space between instruments from the last EQ Revision. Locating exactly the placement of sounds is now more natural than ever enhancing that holographic nature of the LCD-Xs that we all love.



This EQ truly extends the sub bass all the way down to 20Hz as the graph shows (a horizontal line instead of the typical right to left downward slope) which adds an impactful presence to tracks that are mixed/mastered to utilize ALL of the low end. I wanted my LCD-X to most accurately recreate my speaker and subwoofer setup which extends completely down through 20Hz which it now does with this EQ Revision. True sub bass extension!



I acknowledge ahead of time that there is a large number of filters utilized. It is necessary to make sections of the EQ more adjustable with a single filter, to hug the Harman Curve as tightly as I did in parts, and to capture various nuances with detailed resolution. Thankfully with preset saving you only have to enter it once; also I use Equalizer APO and I personally hear no sound degradation of any kind. YMMV. Nuff said about that.



80Hz is exaggerated in order to target bass drums and make them slam and cut through the mix. The dip before 40.2Hz is there to give sub, sub bass some punch to bass guitars and the low, low end of kick drums.

I've intentially emphasized the "magic" frequencies from 3450-4350Hz, one of the sweet spots of this headphone, and I think it sounds great but depending on how the tracks YOU listen to are mastered you may have to decrease these frequencies if it sounds too "sharp" or "shouty". Fortunately I've made it easy, just turn up or down the gain value of Filter 16 to taste and find your own happy setting.

Preamp: -17.35 dB
Filter 1: ON PK Fc 21 Hz Gain 3.46 dB Q 1.2
Filter 2: ON LSC Fc 40.2 Hz Gain 5.4 dB Q 0.69
Filter 3: ON LSC Fc 40.2 Hz Gain 1.08 dB Q 4
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 80 Hz Gain 6.75 dB Q 1.6
Filter 5: ON LSC Fc 90 Hz Gain 7.25 dB Q 0.65
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 110 Hz Gain 2.7 dB Q 1.41
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 200 Hz Gain -3.35 dB Q 2.34
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 300 Hz Gain 3.05 dB Q 1.2
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 575 Hz Gain 3.25 dB Q 3
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 785 Hz Gain -2.6 dB Q 2.2
Filter 11: ON HSC Fc 1235 Hz Gain -1 dB Q 2.4
Filter 12: ON HSC Fc 1500 Hz Gain 8.1 dB Q 0.71
Filter 13: ON PK Fc 1910 Hz Gain 1.45 dB Q 4
Filter 14: ON PK Fc 2700 Hz Gain -2.75 dB Q 2
Filter 15: ON PK Fc 3450 Hz Gain 1.1 dB Q 5
Filter 16: ON PK Fc 3750 Hz Gain 3.1 dB Q 1.7
Filter 17: ON PK Fc 4350 Hz Gain 2.3 dB Q 3.5
Filter 18: ON PK Fc 5500 Hz Gain -2.35 dB Q 4.5
Filter 19: ON PK Fc 6100 Hz Gain -3.75 dB Q 2.5
Filter 20: ON PK Fc 6500 Hz Gain 2.45 dB Q 5
Filter 21: ON PK Fc 7350 Hz Gain -1.65 dB Q 3.5
Filter 22: ON PK Fc 10000 Hz Gain -1 dB Q 0.8
Filter 23: ON HSC Fc 13000 Hz Gain 1.75 dB Q 1.4

To increase or decrease bass, adjust gain to Filter 5 to taste.
To increase or decrease high-mid range “shoutiness”, adjust Filter 16 to taste.
To increase or decrease treble, adjust gain to Filter 22 to taste.
To increase or decrease upper treble/sparkle/air, adjust gain to Filter 23 to taste.

Here is an original track of mine that I find to be well balanced and good to test this EQ out on:
Jonne Haven - Dusty Road



Another original track to try out is my cover of The Archies - Sugar, Sugar:



To hear what this EQ is doing from the starting point of the stock sound, which is very good on its own too IMO BTW, I would encourage you to make two presets in your preferred EQ software. One with this EQ and the other with a flat EQ and a preamp value of -13.35 to approximate loudnesses. Get your best reference tracks and A/B away!

Congratulations on getting this far! Remember this is just how I like to listen to my LCD-X... I'm not selling anything, just sharing my experience with these awesome and incredibly EQ-able HPs!
Immerse!

Blessings,
-Jonne

Hi Jonne.

Does these EQ settings also work for the LCD-XC 2021 and what changes would you make to make it work better with the close back version?

 

[jonathan c]

For LCD-X (2016 vintage), there is nothing like being driven by ZMF Aegis (designed by @L0rdGwyn) ....

 

[Kentajalli]

Hi Jonne.

Does these EQ settings also work for the LCD-XC 2021 and what changes would you make to make it work better with the close back version?

No. LCD-XC ,s frequency response is different from the LCD-X

 

[PlanarBunny]

In terms of taking care of the ear pad and wiping them down with leather protecting cleaning products, how do you guys do it? Just spray some on the cloth and give the pads a simple wipe-down?
Probably a silly question but I’m loving my LCDX 2021 again and plan on using it more. I just wanna make sure I take care of it well.

New headband strap btw! Shoutouts to Turbulent Labs.
View attachment IMG_1547.jpeg

 

[Audeze]

This is what we provide for cleaning tips:

We suggest wiping down earpads, headbands, and exterior parts with a clean dry cloth for regular maintenance. You can use a little water if it's needed for mild cleaning.



For deeper spot cleaning: you can moisten a clean, lint-free cloth or cotton swab with a little water mixed with a very small amount of mild soap (such as dish or hand soap). Once cleaned, wipe with a fresh cloth moistened with water until no soap residue remains, then dry with a clean dry cloth. You can also use a little rubbing alcohol followed by a dry cloth. Be aware that these treatments will leach oils from leather, so you should follow up with some leather conditioner to replenish and moisturize.



If you have leather pads, you can use any quality leather conditioner a few times a year to rehydrate, but we suggest using this very sparingly to avoid buildup.



We don't recommend spray cleaners or deodorizers since it's hard to control where they spray, and they may contain chemicals that can harm the diaphragms or other parts. Be careful to prevent getting any liquids inside the driver elements or on the bare metal parts, since that can cause damage not covered by warranty.



For those who live in humid environments, we recommend wiping down the headphones to dry them after each listening session, and storing them with a de-humidifier nearby. You can also store them in their case with silica gel packets, just be sure the headphones are completely dry before storage, and remember to change the gel packets occasionally.