LCD-X and XC Update

[Lyssky]

Also how much of a benefit would the xc have over the LCD2-cb, which people really seem to enjoy? I’m guessing this is going to be mainly a bass vs detail thing, personally I’d take the detail and eq the bass to my preference…

I own a 2 year old Maple LCD-XC (sorry for not being able to compare the revised one but you'll have an idea) and as a previous LCD2-CB owner my impressions are as such;
- The most noticeable difference on my side was the difference in energy. 2-CB has relatively a more laid-back character. XC is much more forward and energetic in comparison. So while metal music was not okay for me with 2-CB, jazz, lounge etc. was considerably good.
- 2-CB has more bass and it felt really good but I don't think it is as refined as XC bass though XC bass is less in quantity (yes even the older XC compared to 2-CB)
- As you too have mentioned, details are noticeably more vivid and alive with sharper edges on the XC and while 2-CB was not bad, its details were more rounded.
- There is a roll-off especially in treble with the 2-CB in comparison with the XC. So due to this XC feels more airy, I love the openness of treble in XC.
- 2-CB offers a much more comfortable listen due to being warmer, you can chill and listen to your music and do your stuff. On the other side XC compels you to listen the music, keeps you on edge.

So both has its merits and areas of use.

 

[asarkhentamentiu]

perfect, thanks for this…

As one of the uses is gaming it sounds like the xc will be the better choice!

 

[bust3r]

perfect, thanks for this…

As one of the uses is gaming it sounds like the xc will be the better choice!

I have the LCD-X 2021 and I cant use them for gaming, not because of the weight, but because they pick up every flaw in recordings and most games have really bad audio engineering. Now I see why there are so many gaming filters on audio cards.

 

[cactus_farmer]

Has anyone compared the LCD-X 2021 to the Focal Elex/Clear/Clear Mg specifically for dynamics? (The dynamics on all three of those Focals are said to be excellent and approximately the same in quality).

I managed to compare them in a shop and found that the LCD-X had a strikingly forceful, intense and dynamic sound (despite the overall slight warm shift to the tuning). They certainly did not lack anything in dynamics compared to the Clear Mg Pro (which surely sounds identical to the Clear Mg). If anything I was leaning towards giving the slight edge to the LCD-X in terms of sounding impactful in the bass and mids - but it's probably too close to call.

Just wondering if anyone else shares these impressions because Andrew from The Headphone Show consistently repeats that the Focals are the most dynamic sounding headphones on the market, but is the LCD-X also not right up there with them in this category?

 

[adeadcrab]

Has anyone compared the LCD-X 2021 to the Focal Elex/Clear/Clear Mg specifically for dynamics? (The dynamics on all three of those Focals are said to be excellent and approximately the same in quality).

I managed to compare them in a shop and found that the LCD-X had a strikingly forceful, intense and dynamic sound (despite the overall slight warm shift to the tuning). They certainly did not lack anything in dynamics compared to the Clear Mg Pro (which surely sounds identical to the Clear Mg). If anything I was leaning towards giving the slight edge to the LCD-X in terms of sounding impactful in the bass and mids - but it's probably too close to call.

Just wondering if anyone else shares these impressions because Andrew from The Headphone Show consistently repeats that the Focals are the most dynamic sounding headphones on the market, but is the LCD-X also not right up there with them in this category?

I own the Clear Pro and the LCD-X 2021.

The LCD-X is quite dynamic and punchy, the Clear has a greater dynamic range (quiet is much quieter, then it gets loud and you go 'WOAH'!) and that dynamic driver punch in the low end which the LCD-X doesn't quite have. The HD800S is not dynamic at all compared to either. I would say LCD-X is 80% of the Clear in terms of dynamics. HD800S maybe 50%. Just throwing ballpark figures out there.

The low end on the LCD-X is really linear and excellent, Clear has that dynamic punch and a slightly more musical, less analytic low end.

 

[Ddhead]

My own measured LCD-X Graph with Mini DSP EARS, not the most accurate ear.. but at least a visual reference for those who want to see the up and down region difference in frequency tuning between 2018 version LCD-X and 2021 LCD-X, this is it.

Owned the 2018 LCD-X for two years it really is a sub Bass Machine, After upgraded to the 2021, is less of a sub bass machine now and became into a Mids to Treble Accuracy Machine now.. Both are Great Cans! Well Done Audeze!

 

[deafenears]

My own measured LCD-X Graph with Mini DSP EARS, not the most accurate ear.. but at least a visual reference for those who want to see the up and down region difference in frequency tuning between 2018 version LCD-X and 2021 LCD-X, this is it.

Owned the 2018 LCD-X for two years it really is a sub Bass Machine, After upgraded to the 2021, is less of a sub bass machine now and became into a Mids to Treble Accuracy Machine now.. Both are Great Cans! Well Done Audeze!

Wow damn, look at the bass on that 2018 LCD-X.

 

[akelew]

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?

 

[asarkhentamentiu]

More importantly, can the old ones perform as well as the new ones? What’s the big improvement? Audeze wants $580 to upgrade to the new drivers.

 

[yeboyi]

gentlemen, happy 12/1/21

Right now I have Ananda which I am unsatisfied with.. too soft, hazy, distant for me. Certain genres sure, just not my cup of tea. Looking for more visceral, immersive sound experience.

I am looking at one of these models. Can you draw any comparisons or provide further details regarding the differences between the lcd-x and the xc after EQ?

Other options:
HIFIMAN Edition XS import
HIFIMAN Arya v3
Senn HD800s
????????

I really do enjoy the planar sound, closed is not an absolute necessary but I feel I could benefit from the isolation for gaming which is half my use, other half is a wide range of music genres.

Thanks for any advice!

Same here. One thing i don't agree is Ananda doesn't sound distant. It's actually pretty forward to me but it sounds soft and unimpactful which make it feel like distant. I'm switching between my DT770 and Ananda, 770 sound more distant but more impactful. I find Ananda's soundstage small compared to DT 770. Imaging is also hazy. It's like huge speaker and you are too close to it. It has depth sure but the size is overwhelming and imaging is confusing imo.

I need something more physical, impressive, engaging, immersive without being too forward and fatiguing. A good bass, flat mids, slightly recessed upper mids 2-5k, little sparkle around 8k (i don't mind small peak here), good air and soundstage. I'm looking for something like more reasonably tuned DT 770 with high end technicalities. What Ananda does great imo is having a really realistic and raw sound. It doesn't sound processed, it doesn't sound like speakers, it sounds like actual instruments. I appreciate that but i need impressive and engaging headphone. I've watched Interstellar 5 times in a theater just because of it's sound. I need that movie theater sound.

 

[cactus_farmer]

Same here. One thing i don't agree is Ananda doesn't sound distant. It's actually pretty forward to me but it sounds soft and unimpactful which make it feel like distant. I'm switching between my DT770 and Ananda, 770 sound more distant but more impactful. I find Ananda's soundstage small compared to DT 770. Imaging is also hazy. It's like huge speaker and you are too close to it. It has depth sure but the size is overwhelming and imaging is confusing imo.

I need something more physical, impressive, engaging, immersive without being too forward and fatiguing. A good bass, flat mids, slightly recessed upper mids 2-5k, little sparkle around 8k (i don't mind small peak here), good air and soundstage. I'm looking for something like more reasonably tuned DT 770 with high end technicalities. What Ananda does great imo is having a really realistic and raw sound. It doesn't sound processed, it doesn't sound like speakers, it sounds like actual instruments. I appreciate that but i need impressive and engaging headphone. I've watched Interstellar 5 times in a theater just because of it's sound. I need that movie theater sound.

I hope you're aware that things are a trade off and you might not realize how good you have it already with the Ananda if you want that immersive movie theatre sound?

For instance, HD800s sounds wider and imaging is sharper but things sound more pinpoint with less scale. Things like Elex and Clear sound more punchy but also don't have that immersive scale.

Things like Ananda and Arya sound huge in scale, like you're swimming in clouds of sub bass. That quality of theirs is surely excellent for massive Hans Zimmer soundtracks - and also may necessarily mean some degree of trade off in terms of slam and imaging.

 

[akelew]

Has anyone mapped the EQ curve of the Roon presets?

If you import the Audeze Reveal plugin VST into Equalizer APO in windows, it will show you the corrections for each model.

 

[yeboyi]

I hope you're aware that things are a trade off and you might not realize how good you have it already with the Ananda if you want that immersive movie theatre sound?

For instance, HD800s sounds wider and imaging is sharper but things sound more pinpoint with less scale. Things like Elex and Clear sound more punchy but also don't have that immersive scale.

Things like Ananda and Arya sound huge in scale, like you're swimming in clouds of sub bass. That quality of theirs is surely excellent for massive Hans Zimmer soundtracks - and also may necessarily mean some degree of trade off in terms of slam and imaging.

You have a point. That's why i bought the Ananda in the first place. It's a great headphone. It's just not exactly what i want. I don't consider Focal's as you said they are punchy but i heard they have small stereo like soundstage. I like the qualities of HD800s too but it's not physical. That's why i consider Audeze. I was using DT 1990 before and it was kinda up there but too offensive. I didn't like it's soundstage. I haven't heard Focal but i guess DT 1990 sounds like Focal's. I like DT 770's presentation. Maybe i should look for closed backs. I hated the DT 1770 though. LCD 2 closed back freq response looking good.

 

[jamesofla80]

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.

 

[peterinvan]

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 am happy with my Fiio M11 Pro DAP And a 4.4mm balanced cable. The pair of AK4497 DACs suit the 2019 LCD-xc and the THX amps have all you need to drive these planers. I got mine on the used market, so also value for money. Works well at home, and when out walking I like to use the Meze Solos.