New Audeze LCD3

[rgs9200m]

Oh well, if anyone is still interested in my LCD3 vs. new HD800 ramblings, the darn HD800s just sound great now that I've listened to them for a few hours, even with difficult CDs. They are so much better than the ones I had 2 years ago it's not funny.
These are not your father's HD800s.
There is no fatigue, no over-the-top highs, just nice music, texture, bass, staging, and the whole nine yards. I was in the Audeze camp, but I just have to tell it like it is.
The Audezes are still fine, but I guess I'm on Team Sennheiser now.
So the 800s are my choice over the LCD3s, and I'm a little sad to say so; I feel like I'm siding with Goliath over David...
 

 

[ianmedium]

I am glad you like the 800's, they bore me to death. I have tried numerous examples and they have all the emotion of a lump of concrete to my ears. They are technically wonderful I confess but just do not draw me in. And this from someone who cut his teeth on Sennhiesers!

I really want to love them. I know many here with technical expertise rate them but as I say about as bland a headphone as I ever heard!

 

[rgs9200m]

Well, I use a Pinnacle to drive them, so that adds some life to them. I should have mentioned that.

 

[ianmedium]

Well, I use a Pinnacle to drive them, so that adds some life to them. I should have mentioned that.

You know, I thought it was my amp as it is only a portable, though a powerful and good one but I have tried them with various full sized and high quality amps and they just never seem to gell for me. Great thing about this hobby, I am not in anyway saying they are bad just that they are not to my personal preference. I had something similar happen last weekend.
I let a friend listen to my FAD HeavenS . He could not stand them, said they were too detailed and bright but I love them and find none of that applicable to me! Horses for courses!

I am really glad you like yours though. I so want to like them and hope one day to hear the magic amp that does it for me as I appreciate the technology and attention to detail Sennhieser have shown with these.

 

[Anaxilus]

 

Quote:

You know, I thought it was my amp as it is only a portable, though a powerful and good one but I have tried them with various full sized and high quality amps and they just never seem to gell for me. 

Like?  I need data points.
 

 

[olor1n]

Quote:

Oh well, if anyone is still interested in my LCD3 vs. new HD800 ramblings, the darn HD800s just sound great now that I've listened to them for a few hours, even with difficult CDs. They are so much better than the ones I had 2 years ago it's not funny.
These are not your father's HD800s.
There is no fatigue, no over-the-top highs, just nice music, texture, bass, staging, and the whole nine yards. I was in the Audeze camp, but I just have to tell it like it is.
The Audezes are still fine, but I guess I'm on Team Sennheiser now.
So the 800s are my choice over the LCD3s, and I'm a little sad to say so; I feel like I'm siding with Goliath over David...
 

Damn, that jet black HD800 is becoming harder and harder to resist.
 

 

[korzena]

Quote:

It would be interesting to see some FR graphs...
 
 
  
 
 

 
BTW has anybody asked Audeze why they have these problems with repeatability of frequency response of different headphone models? Is it because of the manual production? Is it normal for other headphones, too? Have they managed to solve the problem already and all new LCD3s will sound the same?

 

[korzena]

Quote:

This is Tyll comparing LCD-2 and LCD-3..
 

http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/preliminary-investigation-audeze-lcd-3-and-lcd-2-page-3

For me, the differences between different models of LCD3 are almost as big as between LCD2 and LCD3's. Hmmm....$2000 headphone!
 

 

[dyl1dyl]

Quote:

For me, the differences between different models of LCD3 are almost as big as between LCD2 and LCD3's. Hmmm....$2000 headphone!
 

 
Id say for me, the difference between the LCD 2.2s to my original LCD-3s was about equal to the original LCD-3s compared to the RMA'd LCD-3s.

 

[korzena]

Quote:

 
Id say for me, the difference between the LCD 2.2s to my original LCD-3s was about equal to the original LCD-3s compared to the RMA'd LCD-3s.

 
Now the question is, do the new LCD3s sound the same as the RMA'd model?
And how big the difference between LCD 2.2 and corrected LCD3s really is. Is it worth an extra $1000?
 
 

 

[Sweden]

That is a question one only can answer after listening to the different models.  
 
I tried out what had to be a new "non veiled" version and it was I have to say the best audio experience I've had in my life, beating every headphone and every speaker system I have heard to date. It handled every genre with excellence, but demanded better produced music to really separate them self from the previous model. But with the right tracks you got transparency, holographic soundstage and details I never heard with the LCD-2 but presented in the same organic LCD-2 way. The coolest thing to me was the almost bodily sense of air moving. I was just amazed first time I heard it.
 
Quote:

 
Now the question is, do the new LCD3s sound the same as the RMA'd model?
And how big the difference between LCD 2.2 and corrected LCD3s really is. Is it worth an extra $1000?
 
 

 

 

[dyl1dyl]

Quote:

 
Now the question is, do the new LCD3s sound the same as the RMA'd model?
And how big the difference between LCD 2.2 and corrected LCD3s really is. Is it worth an extra $1000?
 
 

I would believe that buying a new pair of LCD-3s straight from Audez'e now would get you a unit that has the same driver and dampening as the Rma'd units. In terms of whether this new "corrected" model is worth the $1000 extra over the LCD 2.2, it really depends on you. IMO though, it is. In fact, it is so good that I now no longer really feel like I have to get a 009 one day to pair with the LCD-3s. I find the LCD-3s to now clearly best the HD-800 on the whole (though soundstage still loses) and I also prefer the LCD-3s to the 007 Mk2, though this is very subjective. The best thing you can do is try and find somewhere (a friend or dealer) where you can A-B the "fixed" LCD-3s with the LCD 2.2s from the same equipment (optimally your own set up) and then decide if it's worth the extra $1000 or not. All the best!
 

 

[korzena]

Quote:

That is a question one only can answer after listening to the different models.  
 
I tried out what had to be a new "non veiled" version and it was I have to say the best audio experience I've had in my life, beating every headphone and every speaker system I have heard to date. It handled every genre with excellence, but demanded better produced music to really separate them self from the previous model. But with the right tracks you got transparency, holographic soundstage and details I never heard with the LCD-2 but presented in the same organic LCD-2 way. The coolest thing to me was the almost bodily sense of air moving. I was just amazed first time I heard it.

Thanks for your report. This kind of opinions keep me still interested in this headphones
However I've heard LCDs are not best for every genre. I've heard they are not so good with classical music as they are not strongest in imaging and instrument separation.
 

 

[dyl1dyl]

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Quote:
 
However I've heard LCDs are not best for every genre. I've heard they are not so good with classical music as they are not strongest in imaging and instrument separation.
 

In my experience, the LCD-3s immerse and engage me in most music genres better than any other headphone (any most speakers). However, as you mentioned, they do lack a bit of the amazing soundstage presentation that the HD-800s have. I would generally recommend the HD-800s or Stax 009 over the LCD-3s if classical forms like 50+% of your music collection. However, if you have a mized music collection like mine or have lots of rock, vocals or whatever, get the LCD-3s, they'll offer you detail and finesse in spades yet with the signature Audez'e smoothness and warmth that just sounds real.

 

[korzena]

Quote:

I would believe that buying a new pair of LCD-3s straight from Audez'e now would get you a unit that has the same driver and dampening as the Rma'd units. In terms of whether this new "corrected" model is worth the $1000 extra over the LCD 2.2, it really depends on you. IMO though, it is. In fact, it is so good that I now no longer really feel like I have to get a 009 one day to pair with the LCD-3s. I find the LCD-3s to now clearly best the HD-800 on the whole (though soundstage still loses) and I also prefer the LCD-3s to the 007 Mk2, though this is very subjective. The best thing you can do is try and find somewhere (a friend or dealer) where you can A-B the "fixed" LCD-3s with the LCD 2.2s from the same equipment (optimally your own set up) and then decide if it's worth the extra $1000 or not. All the best!
 

 
Thanks! I would really like to try them if I only had a chance. But in my country it is much much more difficult to do. 
I would really love to buy them if I like them as much as you do and many other people praising them here and if I wouldn't have other big doubts...(below)
 
 

Now's the time to blackmail them for lifetime free shipping the next time your driver dies. Don't miss your chance! 

 
 

Please, don't tell me one has to pay for the shipping oneself if the driver dies! Has anybody said they had great customer service?
 
I live in Europe and thinking about purchasing LCDs scares me off more and more as I am reading this thread. I am considering holding on with my decision and see how things develop first.
I think we should expect more from Audeze company especially at such high prices of their products. It is up to us, customers, and our expectations, if the manufacturer tries better with quality control, customer service (shipping should be covered by warranty!) and product build. If they want our money (quite a big money!), they should give us big satisfaction in return and nothing less than that should be accepted by us.