Audeze LCD-1 Measurements

Discussion in 'Headphone Measurements' started by Hands, Dec 21, 2019.

  1. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    See my post here for initial impressions.


    Left channel shows a fairly flat response from ~20-30Hz up to about 1KHz. There are two fairly pronounced dips centered around 2KHz and 6KHz, and a bit of an emphasis around 3-4KHz.

    The 3-4KHz emphasis stands out more that you might think initially, but this is probably explained by the relatively flat bass-through-midrange response and it being surrounded by a dip on either side.

    The treble itself doesn't lend much evidence here to suggest additional brightness, despite impressions.

    Right channel sounded consistent to me.

    Audeze LCD-1 Left Frequency Response.png

    Compared to the LCD-2C, the LCD-1 doesn't have quite the same extension below 50Hz, but it's still good. It's certainly brighter around 3-4KHz and possibly around 8-10KHz too. And despite the LCD-1 having its share of response anomalies, it has a more controlled, smoother look overall, whereas the LCD-2C exhibits a more ragged response.

    Audeze LCD-1 vs LCD-2C Left Frequency Response.png

    LCD-1 vs HD6XX (stock), just for reference. Not sure I need to add commentary.

    LCD-1 vs HD6XX Left Frequency Response.png

    CSDs suggest one possible source of treble brightness is the ringing just above 10KHz. This can vary a bit, shifting around the 10KHz point slightly. Sometimes, the ringing is closer to 8KHz, seen in different results that I haven't posted.

    It is not particularly unpleasant in and of itself, nor does it stand out. I would have assumed a frequency response issue before ringing. While it's fairly sharp and long-lasting, it may be just low enough to not be too bothersome.

    I'm more concerned about the excess energy, or perhaps lack of driver control, in the upper-mids through lower-treble. That 6KHz dip may not necessarily be a hidden peak, but it's possible there's more energy there than FR suggests initially. So, it may or may not be a real cause for concern.

    Audeze LCD-1 Left CSD -36dB floor.PNG

    Same thing, but floor lowered from -36dB to -45dB. Far from the cleanest results I've seen...

    Audeze LCD-1 Left CSD -45dB floor.PNG
     
  2. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    IGNORE SPIKES AT 30, 40, AND 60HZ IN DISTORTION RESULTS. THESE ARE ENVIRONMENTAL.


    Below are averaged distortion results when the LCD-1 is calibrated to play 1KHz at 90dB.

    While my mic can only go so low below 100Hz, I have no reason to think bass distortion is high on the LCD-1.

    Overall results in this case are decent. My only concern is the bit of excess distortion around 600Hz-2KHz. This may be some form if tuning/damping interaction that plays into the measured dip around 2KHz. It's nothing I'd be too worried about.

    Audeze LCD-1 Left Distortion at 90dB.png

    When pushed to play 1Khz at 96dB, about the limits before my mic shows signs of being over loaded, we see further signs of distortion in that same area, but shifted a bit (common variance, I assume, as this is not an averaged set of results).

    Still, distortion is decent overall.

    Audeze LCD-1 Left Distortion at 96dB.png

    When pushed to 100dB, D2 starts to dominate, most likely due to microphone limitations. Still, distortion overall mostly remains comfortably below 1%, even in the low end.

    I'm more concerned about the evident distortion as we near the upper-midrange. I will need to do more testing at 100dB with other headphones to see if these results are inherent to my setup or the LCD-1. Either way, it's not egregious, and may be a non-issue in normal listening. I assume it's some sort of acoustic interaction we could tie together if we look at the FR, CSD, and distortion results, given what we found above 1KHz.

    It could be that the LCD-1 starts to "fall apart" when driven at these levels, or perhaps the amp I used was not totally up to the task, since my normal amp is being used elsewhere at the moment. I'll see if I have time to test for these possibilities.

    Audeze LCD-1 Left Distortion at 100dB.png reserved
     
    Last edited: Dec 21, 2019
  3. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

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    Those upper mids are hella janky.
     
  4. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    @Hands: while no obvious CSD ringing at the 8kHz peak on the FR, perhaps other than typical ortho diaphragm flapping, this does seem to have some similarities with the HFM headphones with their 3kHz and 8kHz peaks with dips in between. Any similarities to the HFMs with this behavior which I know you find dreadful?

    Also, there's an FR peak at 10kHz with corresponding CSD ridge stuff. Peaks in this area typically do not bother me too much, but subjectively any worrisome zzzz or odd timbre stuff going on?

    Yes, I'm asking you the difficult questions not quite addressed in the initial impressions post of the general headphone thread. I do this because unlike Changstar, some SBAF readers don't challenge anymore, and then bitch six months later that no one told them.
     
  5. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Those are good questions, some of which I intended to address soon.

    I too noticed the HFM similarity to the frequency response. But the LCD-1 doesn't quite remind me of them.

    Some possibilities may be that I generally hear the HFMs as brighter and/or rougher than the LCD-1. The LCD-1 is more subtle with what brightness I heard. It also seems to have a more coherent, smoother timbre than HFMs, even despite possible issues in measurements.

    Another differentiator is that the HFMs tend to have bigger drivers, or at least I think they're bigger. Pulling them off your head, you can hear and feel on the low end how much air they move. The LCD-2C did this too, at least, and I assume other, big Audezes. The LCD-1 doesn't do this, like the T50RP. Perhaps it's a tensioning thing too.

    It's hard to explain...they don't sound like the typical HFM at all to me, thought measurements might suggest they could. The upper mids and low treble are a bit soft in spots, and there's some glare and brightness in there somewhere. But the LCD-1 is fairly coherent, whereas I often don't hear HFM as such. The LCD-1's issues stand out much less to me in comparison, though are still readily evident in an absolute sense.

    Then again, HFM models always sound plenty different to me when comparing their past and current lineup. And I've lost some memories of their older stuff.

    Timbre is mostly OK on the LCD-1. Leans more towards the smooth end of things. The soft areas play into this more so than the bright/hot spots do. Smooth, slightly plasticy, but with a bit of glare and hardness.

    Resolution seems fairly decent. It might lack some of the finer nuances of the HD6X0 stuff, but this may be due to the LCD-1 sounding surprisingly clean, controlled, and fast...which may be more due to the bass response rather than it actually performing well up top. I can't help but feel like some stuff gets washed away on the LCD-1, if that makes sense. Like the contrast is a bit too high.

    It's interesting...The LCD-1 simultaneously sounds over and under damped. I think it's just a mixture of the pads and damping elements not totally maximizing the driver's performance.
     
  6. mk801

    mk801 Almost "Made"

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    Hot damn, that diaphragm is having a party in the upper-mids and beyond. I'll audition these someday, but my interest in them is almost gone, especially after looking at the measurements here.
     
  7. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    It could be a peculiar way it's interacting with my ear. Perhaps it wouldn't do this on a flat, foam coupler.

    Which isn't to say it has no impact on me, but may not, or not as much, for someone else.
     
  8. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I wouldn't interpret that as nasty treble peak ringing. It looks more like the diaphragm has a hard time coming full stop at a almost any frequency. The effect is an interconnectedness between transients that could result in a overly smooth lacking grain or even plasticky kind of sound. The STAX stuff exhibits this behavior on CSDs and burst responses to a lesser degree.
     
  9. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    This is going to be a review with measurements, and I would like to keep my impressions and measurements together in this post.

    It's been a while since I have had an Audeze headphone in my head. Their signature cup design remains. This time however, the construction reminds me more of the Oppo PM1, albeit smaller and a bit slanted. It has a similar headband and cup swivel mechanism. It is a very attractive design.

    Audeze has been using planar drivers since their beginnings in 2009. Unlike the classic designs, this headphone is relatively small, light weight, and portable. I find these headphones exceptionally comfortable. While small, they perfectly fit my ears and provide more than adequate seal.

    Moving on to sound quality I have chosen to subjectively test these with:

    1 - The Alan Parsons Project - Eye in the Sky: This song emphasizes male vocals, electric keyboards, and classic electric guitar/bass. I find no obvious problems in the mids. Male vocals are rendered correctly as well as the instruments. There is no hint of excessive upper bass emphasis that plagues many mainstream offerings. The treble is relaxed and well balanced.

    2 - Bob Seger - Still the Same: This is one of my favorite classics. The treble is a little off with the LCD-1s and this song. Bob's voice sounds a little hollow. The song sounds a bit constrained and less open, perhaps indicating a somewhat uneven treble response. Mids are still well rendered though.

    3 - Laura Branigan - Self Control: I'll be looking at both full bass and treble rendering. Upper bass is present, but there is some lack of deep bass, which reduces the level of engagement that this song can have. The treble might be a bit more relaxed than usual. Branigan's voice is correct and not as hollow as Seger's.

    Overall, this headphone does not offend. However, it is not with out it's flaws.

    Frequency Response:

    LCD-1_FR.png

    It is apparent that the upper mids and treble are indeed relaxed relative to the midrange and bass. Midrange response is however fairly smoth. Sub-bass does seem to roll off, specially on the right cup.

    I have found in the past that how well the pads couple with the cup assembly can have an impact on sub-bass response, but I'm not sure if this is what is happening with the right channel response.

    There is very good matching between the drivers from upper-bass and up.

    Here is the response relative to the HD600s, which are my personal reference (both LCD-1 and HD600 responses were measured today):

    LCD-1_vs_HD600(after-market-pads).png

    Moving on to distortion:

    Right Channel:

    LCD-1_distortion_right.png

    Left Channel:

    LCD-1_distortion_left.png

    There are no issues when it comes to distortion across the full operating range of these headphones.

    The following are CSD responses:

    CSD Right Channel:

    LCD-1_CSD_right.png

    CSD Left Channel:

    LCD-1_CSD_left.png

    There is a substantial CSD trail around 6 kHz and 12 kHz. This may be related to the frequency response acoustic notches in the same frequencies. This may limit the resolving abilities of these headphones.
     
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2020

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