Audeze has a "sound".
Its not Harman, and it's not what we think of as existing as : natural or neutral.
Its "welcome to the world of Audeze sound", land.
Hifiman is similar, they have what Fang likes, per model, and this is not trying to be a snapshot of photographic sonic likeness.
Did you ever hear the original HE400? That thing weighed a tone, was so treble etched, mid lacking, and bass boosted, yet, it sounds good.
It does not sound "lifelike".
So, Audeze and HIMN are not trying to reproduce "Lifelike"
The LCD-X, is one of their best "sounds", and it plays well with music, but, its not a window into sonic realism.
Perhaps the recent MX-4 is trying to be less colored............
I suspect that the "new" LCD-X is not going to be the Queen of Sonic Naturalness, and that's ok., as that's Audeze.
Im sure i'll eventually try the "new' LCD-X.
Let the good times roll...