Ok so initial impressions after several hours of listening and A/B'ing... Running ALAC and 320kbps files through my macbook air to my peachtree audio decco2 to my WA6SE running Sophia Princess rect and 6FD7 power tubes (believe they are RCA - but no label)
Sadly, not that impressed with the audio. They look really cool though, but are on the heavier side so they do become uncomfy after an hour..
Having the Ultrasone Signature Pros and the Denon D7000 to compare to, the LCD2 don't really do anything better than either of my other phones. One thing I have mixed feelings about is the ultra smooth treble (I tend to be sibilant sensitive); but its almost too laid back, like the HD650s and not even close to the detail retrieval level of the Signature Pros. Also the Soundstage on the D7000s still bests the LCD (I'm sure many people will disagree with me, but again this is how I hear it). The mid range, as many have described is very smooth, but I actually think it detracts from some recordings (especially electronic music - which I listen to a lot of).. Another thing I noticed because its so smooth I end up listening to much louder volumes to get the same level of enjoyment than I would with my other phones, I did notice the same trend with the HD650s, I guess without sibilance I don't notice loudness as much...
Another thing, I have read a great deal about the LCD2s, they are supposed to be the king of "realistic sounding" bass, but honestly on my setup, compared to my D7000s and Signature Pros, they are at the same level if not a tad bit less exciting in the bass department. I'm not a believer of hundreds of hours of burn in but I will let them run for about 50 hours to see if anything changes (don't expect much to change; the HifiMan HE500s didn't change much/if at all with 100+ burn in).
I am beginning to realize that if you want very detailed and dynamic sound, there is no escaping at least a little sibilance (which the Signature Pros and T1s have; while not over expressing sibilance, they don't hide it when its in the recording like the LCDs are doing). I always wanted a minimally sibilant headphone, but I wasn't too excited about the HD650 and now I am feeling about the same with the LCD2s. BUT, if ultra smoothness is what you are looking for and you are willing to sacrifice some clarity I believe the LCD2 is worth checking out, I am enjoying it more the HD650. I think I was initially seeking smoothness after the ultra sibilant Beyerdynamic DT990, Denon D2000s and Ultrasone Pro900s (when I started my audio journey) but I think maybe my taste has changed since then.
Lastly, on build quality..
I think its awesome that Audeze a relatively small company has made such a great headphone, but honestly for the price the build and feel of the Signature Pros and Denons fit the pricing category better. For example, when adjusting the headband not only is it really difficult on the Audeze, when it clicks into place there is a really cheap feel to it (just my thoughts). -btw I am a wood fan so that part of it I find very cool.
This initial review is to state that the headphones just didn't WOW me compared to my other headphones on my particular setup, but they are still excellent sounding.
