Audeze LCD2C Great Expectations

I am owning LCD-2C for a couple of months and I was at hunt for a good amp for them. I finished with Lyr3 and Audio-gd C2. And I was expecting, that one will be better than the second and one of them will be for sale. From my listening, C2 has better dynamics, blacker background, more depth and overall I think better control. But Lyr3 just sound so much fun and I think it is probably due to some kind of tube magic. So I was thinking about selling C2, keep Lyr3 and try some tube rolling. Then, funny thing happened. I used Lyr3 as preamp for C2 and what to say. My LCD-2C never sound better. I know that some of you here are hating Audio-gd products and combination with Schiit is no go. But for me, it sounds exceptional! All the tube magic from Lyr3 is there but C2 brings another level of dynamics. It sound damn clean, but powerful. And that depth! It is fun fun and fun. Pure fun!

For now, both of the amps aren`t going anywhere. I am keeping them both. And I am curious about some tube rolling now.

My source is Chord 2Qute.

 

I used to use a Lyr 2 with my LCD-2.1, then bought RME ADI-2 DAC. The RME (as an all-in-one) has exactly what you described there - less bloomy tone & tighter lows and that black background. My preference was the RME, but I can see why people like that kind of warmer signature too.

It's all a matter of taste in the end. Go with what you like, not what other deem "better".

 

I finally have a chance to listen to LCD 2.2 pre Fazor, LCD 2C and LCD X (2015), but I don't have much time to compare them, I'm going to write some short impressions on these headphones, but because I love my LCD 2.2, so the impressions would be biased. (I don't like using Dekoni velour pads on LCD 2.2, too bright for me even with TP and foam in the pads)

I'm using: PC -> Eitr -> Modi Multibit -> Liquid Platinum balanced out -> headphones

Firstly, these three headphones are quite similar to my ears at the beginning, yah, I know this sentence is pointless, but at 80% of the time, I forgot which one I was using, until LCD X's 8kHz peak kicked in. Got ya! LCD X's peak is much better than other timbre-peaky headphones I used before (HE5 (2017) and TH-X00 PH with Eikon ear pads), there's not much need to use TP to damp it, but it's there, waiting to remind me it's a LCD X.

LCD X's the most V-shaped but its timbre is not so good. Apart from the 8kHz peak, it sounds a bit hollow and artificial, it should be because of the lacking mids. And sometimes even lower mids (?) sounds a bit damped. But once I get used to it, it's OK-ish, listening to electric music is fun. (What else can I do with a slightly V-shaped headphone?)

Then... Strangely, I don't like LCD 2C. I expected it would be more of a "LCD 2.2 Lite", but now it is my least favourite one among the three. Maybe because it's a bad unit? It sounds plain, dull and even less detailed. Female vocal on LCD 2C is neither as rounded or fluid-like as on LCD 2.2 nor as sparkly as LCD X. The upper part of female vocal and violin sounds muted, and with smaller soundstage, it just sounds tasteless.

How about the LCD 2.2? As I mentioned, I love my LCD 2.2, so it's the best! Sweet watery vocal with THAT BASS, what's not to like? I've got to admit occasionally I felt there's something missing while playing certain song, should be the weak upper mids, but I don't really care as 95% of the time I feel it's really good. And I forgot which song triggered that upper mids problem, so sorry, I can't test the missing upper mids today.

Bass-wise, all these three headphones are really similar. But I still prefer LCD 2.2, I don't know, maybe because I'm lovin it? But listening to Daft Punk's Give Life Back to Music, I'm 90% sure that LCD 2.2's bass is the best. I think there's a difference between "great bass" and "well shaped and layered bass", and LCD 2.2's bass belongs to the latter, the other two are like they are still learning LCD 2.2's bass magic, they are quite close, but still missing something.

LCD X's vocal is the most intimate but its soundstage could be the biggest. LCD 2C's soundstage is the smallest. I'm not good at telling details but I do feel something lacking using LCD 2C. Details on LCD 2.2 and LCD X could be similar, LCD 2.2's is slightly better? LCD X's imaging should be the sharpest.

But the comfort of LCD 2C... So good! Soft protein leather ear pads and the suspension head strap are really helping! I immediately went to check the price of the head strap, I was so going to get one for my LCD 2.2. Oh, so expensive... Maybe later...

Due to different efficiency, I need to adjust the volume quite often so one more inaccurate fact. And because of the timbre peak of LCD X, I always want to turn down the volume using it. LCD 2C: not too loud, because I don't like it. LCD 2.2: MORE POWEEEEERRRR!!!!!!!

Why did I write so much? I have overdone it again...

TL;DR: LCD 2.2 (best in nearly every aspect) > LCD X (timbre a bit too hot and mids a bit weak) >> LCD 2C (what's wrong with it? muted and dull, it's a bad unit or I've got bad taste). Please do dial down the difference I described, as they are generally similar.

 

My fav all time headphone was an LCD 2.1. It was so warm, smooth and just so thick and yummy sounding that I miss the sound. I regret selling them big time and funny enough, the new owner has them on Ebay today Haha.

The 2C I hear similar to how Marvey describes them, a little leaner, quicker and more responsive; less heft. I do prefer the sound of my old 2.1 but the 2C is as close as I'm going to get with a warranty. On it's own it's a solid, dynamic and responsive planar with a hint of lushness and a little unrefined in the treble. I love them they're a lot of fun, engaging.

Someone described them as like junk food and I agree they're addictive. I've always preferred the LCD sound but with old fazors to the current ones they always sound off. Having owned the ZMF Aeolus I gotts say micro detail aside I find the 2C a smoother, more juicy listen which is to my liking. The bass texture and definition is beyond what the Aeolus can do on my current set ups. I find the SDAC and Liquid Spark a great cheap combo for most of my headphones.

 

I see there's been an update this year adding a metal mesh in the housing, does anyone know if this affects the sound at all or is it just a measure put in place to stop the foam moving around?
Do you know anything about this change?

 

I read it in head fi

 

Hello, I am from Spain and I do not express myself very well. I do not understand the dislikes. Greetings.

 

@YMO is quick to dislike things compared to most of the population, but even excepting that multiple posts in a row is discouraged (seems spammy) and some people simply don't like Head-Fi. It's the internet and fundamentally impossible to get along with everyone.

I don't understand the dislike on the original question since it's a decent query, but I suggest not taking it to heart; it isn't worth stressing over.

Also, introduction may be in order? Would help get to know you, gear you're familiar with and all that.

https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/new-members-introduce-yourself.17/

 

Thank you.

 

I have found this.

 

If that mesh allows for more acoustic flow than the older felt - you can assume you'll have more of everything below around 2k and a longer decay (at the cost of potential ringing), vice versa also likely true. At least that's what I found through modding the rear dampers on my 2010 LCD-2 with various materials. This behavior is true for most double-mag planars with rear damping.

Edit to reduce noise: 'longer decay' meaning longer driver settling time, less control on the ends of transients, less damped. At best, a more dynamic sound. At worst, ringing in the treble.

 

"and a longer decay (at the cost of potential ringing)" What does it mean? Do not really understand. Thank you.

 

The new grill may or may not affect he sound it can make differences to air flow which will help low bass presence but it looks like it's purely cosmetic in this case as there's not been many reports of changes but it's Audeze so I wouldn't put it past them.

The LCD line will always have their signature which is deep bass, upper mid recession, fairly dark relative to other high end phones so if you like the Audeze signature then don't see why it would be an issue. Only way to know is if somebody measures them but with the unit to unit variation it makes it tricky to pin it on one thing.

Best bet, try em and see if you like em.

 

It may help if you read through the CSD explanation thread for a bit more context. I'm not sure it'll be very easy to get through if English isn't a comfortable language, but the matter of decay and ringing is addressed there.

I think if you have any specific questions about the contents it would be best to ask there instead of this thread

https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/csds-and-what-they-tell-us.65/

 

Ok, thanks.

 

This seemed like a proper LCD2c thread so I am bumping instead of making new...


I just wanted to say damn those pleather pads that come with the headphones. It's nonsense there isn't a leather option. However I ordered the leather, and tho a pain the dick to put on (mostly because the paper didn't wanna come off) they are SOOOO much better! They are "breaking" in like a leather product, I can see the nice leather creasing developing as it molds to my head. Just such a better experience, and seems to block out more of the outside.

 

My 2C suspension strap and pads are finally seeing plastic flecks.

@billbishere did you notice difference in sound between the pleather and the official leather pads?

I thought of the Dekoni ones (fenestrated, hybrid, sheepskin, velour, suede & choice (synth) leather), but I'm more confused by the riches of choice, and that they're not that much cheaper than Audeze's offerings (synth and leather).