LCD-X and XC Update

[04gto]

Any suggestions for a good portable solution to use around the house to pair with the XC? I am debating to go with a DAP like iBasso Dx240 or go with a dac/amp like Ifi iDSD Signature. Will primarily just be using it around home so size is not a big deal.

For pocketable gear I have used the iFi xcan, Mojo and Fiio Q5s Type c with these. All sound very good and have plenty of juice. Advantage for value and overall sound goes to the Q5s. It is a very flexible and feature packed device(way more than the other two) and it has the bass boost which fits the needs of the LCD-XC perfectly. However they are somewhat difficult to find new or used because of the AKM fire. The xcan also has a very good bass boost, but has old bluetooth codecs and is a little quirky to use. I would skip that and go after the new iFi Gryphon, I bet it would be amazing with the LCD-XC. The Mojo is too feature limited, clunky and weird even if it sounds great and looks cool.

 

[jamesofla80]

For pocketable gear I have used the iFi xcan, Mojo and Fiio Q5s Type c with these. All sound very good and have plenty of juice. Advantage for value and overall sound goes to the Q5s. It is a very flexible and feature packed device(way more than the other two) and it has the bass boost which fits the needs of the LCD-XC perfectly. However they are somewhat difficult to find new or used because of the AKM fire. The xcan also has a very good bass boost, but has old bluetooth codecs and is a little quirky to use. I would skip that and go after the new iFi Gryphon, I bet it would be amazing with the LCD-XC. The Mojo is too feature limited, clunky and weird even if it sounds great and looks cool.

I was strongly considering the Gryphon. I like that it has a balanced option and I have a 4.4 cable for the lcd.

 

[mikecheck95]

Any suggestions for a good portable solution to use around the house to pair with the XC? I am debating to go with a DAP like iBasso Dx240 or go with a dac/amp like Ifi iDSD Signature. Will primarily just be using it around home so size is not a big deal.

I literally think the Apple dongle could do a solid job. Otherwise the Mojo-Poly combo will help you get a few extra percentage points of value out of your cans. But wait until the new year because I’m pretty sure chord is releasing something to replace the Mojo.

 

[jamesofla80]

I literally think the Apple dongle could do a solid job. Otherwise the Mojo-Poly combo will help you get a few extra percentage points of value out of your cans. But wait until the new year because I’m pretty sure chord is releasing something to replace the Mojo.

I had the original mojo and am looking forward to see what the Mojo 2 brings but assuming it will lack any balanced connection option. Plus never really got into the chord house sound. so more inclined to go with ifi or a good dap

 

[bust3r]

But with some eq bass boost, does the 2021 perform as well in that department as the old one? Especially in terms of slam/impact?

I'd like to know this as well, as I have the 2021 version. The bass is decent on the 2021's but I really was hoping for that sub bass craziness that Audeze is apparently known for. As a former bass player, this was important. I'm using EasyQ with foobar 2k if it makes any difference. While the 2021's sound great, I was really hoping for the extreme low end that headphones should be able to produce at this price, IMO.

 

[asarkhentamentiu]

What eq are you running?

 

[04gto]

I'd like to know this as well, as I have the 2021 version. The bass is decent on the 2021's but I really was hoping for that sub bass craziness that Audeze is apparently known for. As a former bass player, this was important. I'm using EasyQ with foobar 2k if it makes any difference. While the 2021's sound great, I was really hoping for the extreme low end that headphones should be able to produce at this price, IMO.

In MY experience, with EQ these will do bass as good or better than the previous version. When I had the previous version I added 2-4db bass shelf. 2021's I add 4-7 db. As a bonus the new ones are more airy and open sounding (I think the pads are mostly responsible for this) with slightly more natural mids. They both work flawlessly with even crazy amounts of EQ though. Just that the old one needs more bands of EQ and sounds a bit more intimate overall, even after EQ. The old version I would only listen with EQ, the new version I can enjoy without. I gotta say that To MY EARS and preferences, with well implemented EQ these are easily my favorite closed back headphones and are in the conversation with anything I have heard. At any price. Yes, including LCD-5, Susvara etc. (yeah, I said it). More is not always better and I generally prefer closed backs anyway. I love using EQ and these are so very, very good with EQ. Not enough bass? Even 12db bass boost, not a problem. Bass stays clean and tight. Just turn the bass knob on the RME ADI-2 and 'problem' solved.

 

[bust3r]

In MY experience, with EQ these will do bass as good or better than the previous version. When I had the previous version I added 2-4db bass shelf. 2021's I add 4-7 db. As a bonus the new ones are more airy and open sounding (I think the pads are mostly responsible for this) with slightly more natural mids. They both work flawlessly with even crazy amounts of EQ though. Just that the old one needs more bands of EQ and sounds a bit more intimate overall, even after EQ. The old version I would only listen with EQ, the new version I can enjoy without. I gotta say that To MY EARS and preferences, with well implemented EQ these are easily my favorite closed back headphones and are in the conversation with anything I have heard. At any price. Yes, including LCD-5, Susvara etc. (yeah, I said it). More is not always better and I generally prefer closed backs anyway. I love using EQ and these are so very, very good with EQ. Not enough bass? Even 12db bass boost, not a problem. Bass stays clean and tight. Just turn the bass knob on the RME ADI-2 and 'problem' solved.

I have the LCD-X version, I don't have the XC if that matters. I was even thinking of picking up a schiit lokius for a while but am not sure if a hardware EQ would benefit any as these cans may not respond very well to those fixed frequencies.

 

[bust3r]

Anyone using a free EQ or does anyone know of a decent one besides EasyQ? It does the trick for the most part but it's very small. MathEQ has been suggested as well and it's a paid plug-in at about 60$US so I'm just curious if it's worth it.

 

[asarkhentamentiu]

Anyone using a free EQ or does anyone know of a decent one besides EasyQ? It does the trick for the most part but it's very small. MathEQ has been suggested as well and it's a paid plug-in at about 60$US so I'm just curious if it's worth it.

APO Equalizer w/ Peace gui

 

[bust3r]

APO Equalizer w/ Peace gui

Ah, I should have added that I've already tried it and found out that EqualizerAPO doesnt work with ASIO in foobar, so I have to use WASABI/EasyQ instead.

 

[asarkhentamentiu]

that's a lot of different software, I'm under the impression you have your own library vs streaming

 

[mikecheck95]

Anyone using a free EQ or does anyone know of a decent one besides EasyQ? It does the trick for the most part but it's very small. MathEQ has been suggested as well and it's a paid plug-in at about 60$US so I'm just curious if it's worth it.

Why are we trying to reinvent the wheel? Sonaroworks has a good EQ. I believe it works as a plugin as well

 

[albertmuc]

I like my LCD-X, although not really necessary, I would like to have closed headphones, LCD-X and LCD-XC, presumably they are too similar, or is it justifiable to have both?

 

[Slowtrain]

LCD-X (2020), Asgard 3, BlueDragon.

& The Black Bush? i'ts working every time youre thinking about upgrading. one shot and e happy with what you have.
Now about the old vs new X debate, those are definitely not balanced but there's something so special about them, related to spacious presentation surrounding your head.
Best!