2022 Audeze LCD-X Review and Measurements

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by purr1n, Mar 5, 2022.

  1. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    Think the Lyr 3 will be fine for these?
     
  2. joch

    joch Friend

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    I was looking into the Lyr 3 myself. I think at less than 1 ohm it should be more than OK.

    Actually, I believe that the Lyr 3 is one of the better amps around that you can buy.

    @rhythmdevils thinks the LAuX is a good match. I'm waiting for one to go on sale.
     
  3. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    The best amp I’ve heard with Audeze’s. By far. It beats amps much more expensive like the DNA Stratus (with Audeze’s).

    Audeze’s don’t play well with tube amps so far in my experience. At least I haven’t heard one that synergizes well. I would avoid the Lyr 3. Could work but it could also heavily recess the midrange like every other tube amp I’ve heard with Audeze’s.

    The LCD-5 may be the one exception because it’s a totally different driver.
     
  4. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    The Lyr 3 is actually quite neutral, just a bit smooth(it's a hybrid). And since i already have one i might as well try it first :)

    I think the chances of find a LAuX in the EU are slim to none unfortunately...
     
  5. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Its not about how neutral the amp is with other headphones. Audeze’s seem to react to tubes in a strange unexplained way and vocals get recessed. It may not bother you but I’m super picky about vocals and have tuned all my Audeze’s to have beautiful vocals. So it bothers me. But I know people with good ears who don’t mind it.
     
  6. Brubaker

    Brubaker New

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    Does the midrange sound recessed on the Jotunheim 2? I don’t find the mids sound more recessed with the Lyr 3 when I compare the two with the LCD-X, but I haven’t heard the LAuX.
     
  7. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    Hmm interesting, you're certainly more experienced when it comes to planars. Mine is limited to the HE-500 basically. I'm not opposed to eq and using the roon preset though. I'll continue pondering my options thanks.
     
  8. Questhate

    Questhate Friend

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    I've been lurking the last few days and this thread really has me intrigued. I loved the idea of the LCD-X -- a more neutral tuning of the Audeze house sound. I bought the OG one at launch back in the day (my pair might be one of the old measurements on this site even), but mine sounded wonky with slightly scooped mids and uneven disjointed treble. My LCD-2 at the time was better (and it was not a unicorn) so I sold the X soon after.

    Anyway, yall convinced me to give these another shot. My first headphone purchase in over 5 years!
     
  9. CEE TEE

    CEE TEE MOT: NITSCH

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    ^You’re local so we should be able to figure out how you can hear and compare RD’s LCD-X mods too!
     
  10. Questhate

    Questhate Friend

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    Yes! Would love to do a mini meet to see what the ortho whisperer has been cooking up :headbang:
     
  11. donunus

    donunus Friend

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    I wonder if the mojo2 would be a great match for these LCDXs
     
  12. PacoTaco

    PacoTaco Friend

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    Holy shit, you're alive?! Ah, I can't even make that joke, I disappear for months at a time. But I agree. Kinda.

    I'm seeing a lot...and I mean a lot of people plastering "new" cheap orthos (below a grand, I'm not talking about the LCD-X) as being the best thing since slice bread. And every single one has been super disappointing. Like the Edition XS. Gah, the macro/micro-dynamics of Hifiman headphones are just shit tier. Makes the stuff at the top (Focal Clear/LCD-X/ect) start looking like a really good bargain, especially when the best shit is now way past two or three grand in price.

    Meanwhile, five years ago, people were bitching about how much the HD800 cost on Reddit. Oh god, DAC price bitching was even worse. Now they're over there recommending a grand on a DAC.

    The only one I own of the Magnesium chassis's is the LCD-GX, and it is at 450 grams. Which is light as f**k, considering.

    I wasn't a fan of a non-vegan pad LCD 2C. It was the worse one out of the "below a grand" LCD trio. I found the GX best out of that trio, but it may have had a revision lately (as my impressions are way off the old impressions.) It does use the LCD-X's diaphragm in its driver (and the MX4's magnet structure.)

    At some point, I need to get my hands on a new LCD X. The last one I tried was WAY back in 2015 and it was...not great.
     
  13. roughroad

    roughroad formerly mephisto56

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    To @rhythmdevils, would the Mjolnir1 be a good match with the LCD-X? Using it now for my GenG's.
     
  14. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I’m not a fan of the Mjolner1’s super punchy sound but if you like that sound it will work well with the LCD-X I think and impart some of that punchlines on the LCD-X. So far no solid state amp I’ve heard has caused the midrange recession even the Magni 3+ so I think it’s a tube thing and I assume the Mjolner1 would be fine.

    I’ve tried a lot of very good tube amps with Audeze’s and they all cause it. Whether it’s a big deal to you or not though is another question. I spend a shitload of time getting the midrange to not be recessed on my modded Audeze’s so I’m sensitive to it.

    The LCD-5 seems to be different maybe though I need to try more amps. But this makes sense given it’s a completely different driver.
     
  15. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    To all those wanting to hear the LCD-X we have one from Audeze for a loaner. Marv has them right now but they’ll go out on loan soon.
     
  16. roughroad

    roughroad formerly mephisto56

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    Hey RD, I'd like to get in on the LCD-X loaner if possible.
     
  17. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Sure I haven’t posted the thread yet.
     
  18. joch

    joch Friend

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    I’m wondering whether tubes don’t generally mesh well with the X is because of the tube amp, or because it’s the tube sound. What I mean is, would the X synergize well with say a Jot 2 and a Saga+, or would even a tube preamp have the same effect as a tube amp on the X?
     
  19. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I don't know about the preamp, and I don't know why tubes have this affect, but I must emphasize that not all people will even notice it. A lot of headphones have what I consider recessed midrange. I'm picky about vocals.

    But it also doesn't just apply to the LCD-X. I own every LCD model and it happens with all of them except maybe not with the LCD-5, probably because it's a completely new driver.

    So YMMV and you may love LCD's with tube amps. Thre are many things great about the combo, I just can't stand recessed vocals so it's a deal breaker for me.
     
  20. Questhate

    Questhate Friend

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    Don't forget RD's favorite music genre is female vocals
     

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