Audeze LCD2C Measurements and Impressions

Discussion in 'Headphone Measurements' started by purr1n, Dec 18, 2017.

  1. frenchbat

    frenchbat Almost "Made"

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    Minus 25 dbs at 5khz according to Marv's measurements. That's a pretty big scoop
     
  2. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    Yeah, looking for subjective descriptions to compliment the measurements; gotta catch 'em all.
     
  3. Muse Wanderer

    Muse Wanderer Friend

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    Looking at the FR, there is no way this headphone will pass the Bruckner test. Violins will be sacrificed for eternity with this Audeze as with most of their cans I heard to date. Linear distorsion galore.

    Neutralheads run away and do not look back!
     
  4. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    A shame, I liked the idea of warm and lush- it's nice to have flavours available, However, if the FR is so wonky that it kills the higher strings, it's going to take some of the joy out of classical. Short of the bloody Utopia, there seems to be almost nowhere to go after the HD650.

    (..and Focal appear to be arseholes about discounts, warranty and spares, which doesn't inspire confidence.)
     
  5. thegunner100

    thegunner100 Hentai Master Chief

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    Damn! Between this, the Elex, and the Clear, I might finally be looking at a headphone upgrade for 2018. Looking forward to the upcoming loaners.
     
  6. Xecuter

    Xecuter Brush and floss your amp twice a day

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    Yet the lcd-4 still has the audeze house sound, resolved about as well as hd650 and every unit sounded different. Its the best Audeze they've made but probably still the worse totl in technicalities, consistency and reliability..
     
  7. m17xr2b

    m17xr2b Friend

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    I have to agree with Xecuter, I have listened to 4 pairs of LCD-4 and none of them sound the same where all HD800 sounded similar where I could not tell them apart. I would jump on these if my LCD-4 didn't just die on me. Audeze has lost me forever
     
  8. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I've heard about the different grades of LCD4 and I am sure that the unit I heard was a cherry picked one. Supposedly, the issues with the LCD4, the variations, and the breakages, forced Audeze to evaluate their processes. I've also heard that their recent LCD4s have been more consistent

    All this information is second hand and could be bogus. I've heard the same thing about the Fazors. Although the Fazors over time did seem to get much more consistent.
     
  9. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    For senior members, I'd be happy to measure and examine your LCD2C if you happen to suspect that you received a dud.
     
  10. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    I ordered one out of curiosity, seeing your measurements. I might send it your way regardless for another addition to the consistency check.
     
  11. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    What @frenchbat said. Measurements don't tell us everything, but the answer to your question on string harmonics in this instance is clear.

    string.jpg

    Now don't get me wrong. I do think there should be a little bit of a rolloff that represents a neutralish target curve, but starting earlier around 300Hz and with a much shallower slope (1db per octave) - that is just 6db down by 20kHz. There is also a good argument that naturally mic'd orchestra works in a reverberant concert hall could do with a 3db cut around 3kHz. But these don't add up to the extent of LCD2C's scoop seen here. I make no assertions whether people will subjectively find this acceptable or not.
     
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2017
  12. TheIceman93

    TheIceman93 El pato-zorro

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    I ordered one as well if you are looking for another sample for a consistency check. I was going to pick up one of those mini DSP EAR rigs to test my copy as well. I'm not a senior member but I'm local.
     
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2017
  13. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    Thanks. I didn't trust my own judgement looking at the measurements, as it looked fairly extreme- wondered what I was missing.

    I haven't heard from these, and so wasn't sure if the attenuation of the brass slightly lower down would keep the balance. Sudden dips around the high strings themselves can be pretty fatal.
     
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2017
  14. Colgin

    Colgin Friend

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    @Marvey , what would you pick between LCD2-C and AZ PMx2. I had been planning to upgrade my PM-2 to PMx2. But I have also always enjoyed Audeze house sound but passed on their cans in the past due to QC and other issues. I simply don't have need for two planars so would choose one or the other. Seems like the LCD-2-C is the better value as I can sell my PM-2 and offset cost a bit instead of throwing a lot more money on having the PM-2 modded. But price aside, I am curious which you prefer overall. (I do also really like the PMx2 portability factor (and comfort is better than typical LCD-2F without suspension band).)
     
  15. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    LCD2C decision tree.png
     
  16. Colgin

    Colgin Friend

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  17. TMRaven

    TMRaven Friend

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    Comparisons to Aeon Open? Both sound and comfort?
     
  18. M3NTAL

    M3NTAL Friend

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    My LCD 2.1 was one of three headphones that I've regretted selling. At the time, the cracking wood at the cable connection was always a concern in the back of my head and the terrible foam headband was also pure shit, but boy did I love how they sounded. I think I'll wait to see how unit variation looks before pulling the trigger.
     
  19. rott

    rott Secretly hates other millenials - Friend

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    Dammit, might have to bite before the price goes up. Safe assumption that the balanced cable that came with the LCD-X is compatible with the LCD-2C?

    *Nevermind, all the LCDs use the same cables.
     
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2017
  20. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    On that note, the slightly thick gauge weaved cables are nice and stylish. Never liked the old ribbon cables.

    Don't know if Audeze has a return policy. If you like the Audeze house sound, I'd definitely take a chance. $599 for a unicorn transient response LCD2C with the old style pre-Fazor timbre is hard to turn down. I brought them to work and will likely buy them for myself for work phones. $599 is a grand bargain.

    Let's hope the other sample units coming in or puchased by you guys maintain the same quality.
     

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