Audeze LCD-2 Closed Back Sound Review (2016 revision + memory foam pads)

bloomaudio.com/
www.audeze.com/products/lcd-2...
EqualizerAPO EQ Preset:
Channel: all
Preamp: -2 dB
Filter 5: ON LS Fc 60 Hz Gain 2 dB
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 400 Hz Gain 2 dB Q 1.41
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 2000 Hz Gain -2 dB Q 2
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 4000 Hz Gain 1 dB Q 2
Audeze in-house LCD-2 Closed Back vs. LCD-2C Measurements:
www.head-fi.org/threads/audez...
oratory1990 Measurements:
www.dropbox.com/s/y11srm8v7rd...
MiniDSP EARS HPN Compensated Measurements:
i.imgur.com/OtT5Xrz.png
If you like what I do and want to support the channel, you can become a patron here: / metal571
A list of headphones I'm looking for viewers to send to me for review can be found here: docs.google.com/document/d/1z...
Follow me on Twitter to know when I'm uploading, what's coming next, and to just generally get in touch. / metal571

[@polydivision]

Great review mate, thanks. Also the camera is looking good. Nice clean image, great stuff.

[@HobbyTalk]

I appreciate someone who actually knows what a guitar sounds like. Thank you for this. Appreciate someone informing me about the timbre.

[@metal571]

Audeze headphones in general are not ideal for that sort of thing. You'd probably want something like an HD 650

[@ELJefeReviews]

Excellent review bro! Sad to hear about the midrange.

[@lrmcatspaw1]

I sold my Audezes after 3 years because I could not get used to the weight. Lucky for me, the iSines are close enough for me to that planar sound i liked about the LCD-2 F. I got myself a used HD800 for the cash i got from the audezes and I found myself using them much more often as they do not annoy my neck.

[@stephanej.871]

Interesting and nuanced review... I m pretty confident that one day, in a far away future, you will finally like Mrspeakers headphones, or Dan Clark Audio should I say !

[@metal571]

Have not heard the new Aeon 2 or Ether 2 but most of his older products are so dynamically compressed that music just sounds weird through them

[@d0nj03]

Sealing all air holes is only the first step to acoustic isolation, then it becomes a matter of how much the sound transmission gets impeded by the "wall"'s characteristics. Two big mechanisms there: 1. a solid wall will normally vibrate with the sound that hits it and transmit it right over to the other side, BUT if it's really dense and heavy it will have a lot of inertia eating up that sound energy (i.e. it will resist being moved) and not a lot will get through. 2. A porous wall or layer will absorb the sound's energy through friction as the air vibrates and tries to pass back and forth through the material's pores. So mineral wool, rockwool, dense blanket, felt, synthetic open-cell foam, polyfill, all of these give you sound absorption. With headphones the "wall weight" mechanism probably doesn't do much against sound transmission, so it's mostly down to what the cup is filled with and how much of the material is used. Look at the quietest earmuffs on the market and you will see they have t-h-i-c-c earcups, but are still usually nowhere near the total weight of an Audeze planar. They're filling that cup space with sound absorbing material (but that would not necessarily be good for the sound quality _inside_ the cups, so you can't just go and do that in any old closed-back sound-reproducing headphones).

[@PhilBushay]

Ooh this one should be interesting.

[@ArtofComics]

I just got these and yeah they are heavy as all hell

[@TheBriguy31]

Unrelated to this video, but something that I would really enjoy seeing is a video where you walk us through your process on evaluating a headphone in "real" time. For instance, as you listen to the track, you point out characteristics of each frequency band, things that show off the sound stage, etc. Viewers could then gain some insight on how to train their own ears, or even compare your findings to their own.

[@metal571]

The problem with that is pretty simple, I'd get a copyright strike in seconds from the sound leaking. I could make a video about the process without the actual listening however

[@TheBriguy31]

@@metal571 Oops late reply back here, but yeah anything like that would be great! There are non-copyright songs available in youtube's library, but that may not be the best option. Thanks again.

[@cryptoclyps5049]

The lcd-x that gets praised all the time is about the same weight. I literally couldn’t wear it for more than 15 minutes. The very definition of functional obsolescence! I don’t know how people can overlook that stuff. I’m a big guy too!

[@landorose6117]

Quality

[@neohideo]

I listened to Audeze LCD-1, 2, 3, 4z at Audio Video Show 2019 in Warsaw, Poland. Audeze all sound great but LCD-2,3,4Z feel too heavy. LCD-1 are light and sound great too but their cups are a little too small. LCD-4Z listened with Astell&Kern. LCD-1,2,3 with Copland DAC 215 and Pathos Aurium & Converto. IMHO Sennheiser still wins as the overall headphone manufacturer because they sound great and feel light (I almost cried while listening to Hans Zimmer on Sennheiser HD 800S and I love 820 too!). Coming back to Earth I still love my not expensive 599 with SB X G6 :) Great value for money.

[@cryptogymbro]

800s is shit, Oluv reviewed it, RIP. :> Cya...

[@bluebutterfly-ht4lj]

Is this metal571's arm exercise session? You're holding it like nothing.

[@jimis3167]

I heard both lcd 2 closed and el8 closed and my impression is for the el8, It has more hard kicking sub-bass than the lcd 2 losed, I kinda liked the el8 more, the lcd 2 closed seemed to me very neutral.. without the quantity of the bass the el8 had. Also the el8 had by far better noise isolation.

[@KristoferProphet]

What would you say is the best closed back headphone for someone who wants isolation and do their own mixing and mastering within the price range from 300-1000?

[@metal571]

I would master on studio monitors. Can't think of anything neutral enough right out of the box and closed back in that price range

[@ArtemisTsukuyomi]

I have the LCD-X and i can wear it long for no problems but when it comes to the Closed versions of the LCD-2 and X the cups used to close them causes the weight to distribute outward making them alot less comfortable to wear. Have them on makes me feel like tilting my head left and right like a Hammerhead shark swimming around. Side note: Decided to take the dive and bought the LCD-1 after watching your review and Oluv binaural sound demo. Looking forward to it

[@metal571]

For some reason LCD1 sounds terrible on his sound demo compared to Elex but definitely doesn't sound like that in person lol. Much less piercing

[@ArtemisTsukuyomi]

@@metal571 yea heard that comparison with the Elex too and was abit confused by it. Might be the EQ he did(?) since he did say he EQed the sound for the demo. Tho, with the 1st demo LCD-1 does sound more detail when compared with the HD650.

[@metal571]

@@ArtemisTsukuyomi with the in ear mics the EQ is a compensation and shouldn't vary from one headphone to the next. But I don't hear it how his mics do at all. It sounds just like the KEMAR graph I posted in my review, which is more accurate than oratory1990's measurements of it as well. I mean, Bob Katz liked it too... lol

[@arthurhaywood2184]

You should really get your hands on a set of Quad ERA-1 headphones. I have a feeling that they would suit you.

[@BunnyslippersEUC]

I just listened to these at a hifi show

[@sydj32]

What did you think?

[@BunnyslippersEUC]

@@sydj32 Audeze headphones sound boring to me. They don't grab me, especially at prices above 1000euro. Everytime I convince myself to keep listening to them on shows. Because sometimes the second time I hear the headphones...it clicked with me. But with Audeze everytime I am disappointed. I use my Rupert Neve RNHP with HRT Musicstreamer 3 for trying headphones in shows and stores.

[@sydj32]

@@BunnyslippersEUC thanks

[@ronens1653]

Is it possible to ask you for your personal overall favorite closed back set for $500-600 range, I just can't afford the Z1R. Thank you in advance, love your reviews, I hope to hear from you.

[@Poludioskroz]

Please measure inner size of the earpads,interior height,width,depth.Very few reviewers who do that.

[@igorvasilev5148]

You have already guessed which sound source plays under the letters A B C D on the channel Oluvs gadgets?

[@HomeStudioBasics]

That mid-range shout that you mention sounds eerily similar to the LCD-XC's bump around the same area which also kind of ruined that headphone for me. Of course, I haven't heard it in a couple years but I do want to listen again to see if my impressions are the same. Also: This is a good anime. I meant to comment a month or so ago but your background is mad clean now and looks great. That headphone shelf really ties the room together. Lol. Looks like you got a fresh coat of paint in there to brighten things up a bit. Where's the guitar I saw before? That should be a mainstay as it def completes the whole "Metal" look.

[@metal571]

Nah my lighting was just awful before. This is what the room really looks like now that it's got 5500k bulbs everywhere. Also moved from C920 I've been using for like 6 years to the Brio 4K

[@HomeStudioBasics]

@@metal571 OH wow nice. That's crazy lol. It looks like a whole new room. But yeah you look mad crispy and all.

[@abhishekkeraliya8623]

Excellent review. Surprised to see your thoughts on Atticus, it was high on my list to buy, but now kind of confused. Looking for endgame closed back cans.

[@metal571]

So am I. lol

[@djhmax09]

Me too! Lol

[@ghostboynj2001]

Are you ever gonna do any guitar covers again?

[@tomgibson1902]

Hey metal - I just heard about sony 360 reality audio - a few playlists on Tidal now. Sounds interesting. Curious to your take on how it sounds with headphones known for soundstage like the 800s and other headphones you have good for soundstage and imaging. Maybe something you can look into for a a later video?

[@TheQuixoticEnd]

I've actually used it with my XM3s and tidal. The idea is really cool and the 3D part works surprisingly well. It just takes more away from the music than it adds. The mix completely changes, taking some frequencies away to add depth and soundstage. Sort of flattens it in a way, but does add an enjoyable 3d effect. It works, just needs more time. If you like soundstage, try using s plugin called Can-openers. I've yet to get my settings correct, but its free to try and worth a look

[@Castamere1]

Could you share your HD660s EQ please.

[@InvisibleIink]

Speaking of closed backs, have you listened to the Blon BossHiFi B8? I wonder if it compares favorably to the AKG K371.

[@metal571]

Have not

[@senji-muramasa]

thanks for this - i have these and while i really do enjoy them, especially having gotten them at much lower than MSRP, i agree with your assessment on the mid range. having next to no experience with equalizer APO/peace, i have both installed. do i just need to make a .txt config file and paste your preset into it and then import it into peace and its good to go? or is there more to it?

[@metal571]

I think that might work. Or you can copy the settings from the description into Peace manually. I have a video on how to use Peace

[@senji-muramasa]

@@metal571 thanks! yeah it worked. i haven't really noticed many instruments sounding "weird" per say, but i would like a little clearer mid range - but i also don't have nearly as many headphones to compare them to, especially in terms of price range. i replaced the cables with impactaudio, pretty happy with them. i'd imagine i would have to spend more towards the Atticus level to do better - i'd love to hear those and do a comparison myself at some point.

[@MonstieurVoid]

Why don't you use the Audeze Reveal plugin with Equalizer APO? That normalizes all their headphones to sound like the Mobius or Cipher cable tuning.

[@metal571]

I did, and no it doesn't. I always try it but I don't usually agree with it for their full size models

[@chuurl5698]

Just saw Hayley Williams recording Sudden Desire lyric video with those

[@metal571]

Elon Musk also appeared on Twitter recently using an LCD-XC, possibly my least favorite Audeze

[@JTB--]

Those might be the biggest headphones I've ever seen. Neck hurts just looking at them

[@metal571]

Mine hurt for a while after doing the listening necessary to do this review. Took a few months to get back to normal. Somehow never had that issue with other heavy Audezes

[@tomsawyersucks]

Hey dope vids. One question What are the most detailed resolution headphones u reviewed?

[@metal571]

Of the ones I reviewered probably LCD4, of the ones I've heard, some kind of tie between AB1266 TC and Shangri-la

[@senji-muramasa]

so after a couple of months i decided to sell these, they really do sound great with games i play as well as EDM, but they just suck with guitars and i'm such a metal head and i need a good mix of fast bass for kick drums and a good mid-range for guitars. where should i look for my next set of cans with primary use cases being gaming and listening to metal? edit: i can't afford atticus.

[@courtney4127]

I wasn't crazy about mine either. Bose QC 35 ii sound way better and lesser price.

[@vincenthusvh]

How does this headphone compare to the Sony mdr z1r?

[@MartinLeschinski]

Thank you for the review. Still waiting for the Elegia review. I OWN it but want your opinion hahaa- you will want EQ it for sure Isolation with and without glasses? It's the main point for a closed back.

[@metal571]

That one is pretty high on my list. Need to get my hands on one somehow

[@InternetUser-d7s]

Would be interested in your reflections on the Campfire Cascade. Are they on your horizon?

[@SketchyChicken281]

He's sated in live streams that they basically have way too much bass. So judging from that, he probably doesn't like them?

[@InternetUser-d7s]

@@SketchyChicken281 by default, yes. The mid-bass region needs to be tweaked by -4db. Thereafter, they're far more balanced.

[@SketchyChicken281]

@@InternetUser-d7s I've heard that they are really fun cans, would be interested in giving them a listen

[@NZ_Lexus_IS-F]

Would you be able to review the Kennerton headphone range?

[@miked3058]

Yeah sold mine a month ago. The problem is I cannot seem to find an outstanding closed back near $1k, they all seem to have deal breakers. Even though I have no doubt they are great, I don’t want to have to pay over $2k for the Verite Closed or the Stellia.

[@metal571]

No Elegia for you then huh

[@miked3058]

@@metal571 Nah unless I catch them really cheap. The bass is too lacking and the soundstage is too small. Haven't heard neither the Atticus nor the Eikon yet though.

[@wraftermath]

@@metal571 Can I check what a good closed back complement to the Atticus might be? Was considering this (till I saw this video) or the LCD-XC 2021, but open to others. Cheers!

[@SketchyChicken281]

Is there a reason why audeze can't get that mid-range right? I was interested in the 2C/2F, but the midrange issues keep me from considering them on principle. By all accounts, the Ananda is a much better buy. Sort of off topic, but was curious as to why audeze can't get it right

[@metal571]

The difference with the closed back is that no matter how I EQ it it just doesn't sound quite right, hence the comment about timbre. LCD2F takes to EQ a lot better than this does. I think the FR issues have something to do with this overall design as a whole, with the magnets and size of the driver and planar tech. So hopefully they will eventually have more big models with better natural FRs in the future

[@SketchyChicken281]

@@metal571 Yeah I hope so too. Where I live, the 2C is $1000 and the 2F is $400 more than that. Used headphone market is basically non-existent as well in Aus. For those prices, I at least expect the mid-range to be acceptable/decent. Obviously EQ solves these issues, but on principle, it's frustrating that the customer has to do the work to fix it. As usual, great video metal. Not sure if you've answered this, but what do you prefer between the atticus and your 2F?

[@metal571]

@@SketchyChicken281 oh definitely the 2F. Always go open back when you can lol

[@rustydog2112]

As far as getting the mid-range right, that's an opinion that will depend on your ears. I've owned the 4, 2f, 3F, and my favorite sounding one is the lcd-2 closed back. All of the other audeze have too much of an upper mid-range depression for me, and listening to all of them back to back at the Source AV in LA, I chose the 2 CB because they sounded most correct to me. Different Strokes, dude.

[@metal571]

Having more 2k shout than other open back Audeze models does not an accurate headphone make, when human ear resonance is closer to 3.5k. But like I said until I started comparing this thing to other headphones, it is something I can see people getting used to and if you can live with the FR and the weight then yeah, it's sort of an option here

[@bkrc123]

What's the best closed backs you've heard to date?

[@metal571]

Probably Stellia actually. But it is in no way worth the asking price

[@bkrc123]

@@metal571 thanks! I'm guessing the second best aren't that bad considering the asking price the stellias have. 🤣😂

[@metal571]

@@bkrc123 yeah probably Elegia with some EQ may replace my Atticus so I'm looking into that

[@razerguy98]

I was curious if you had an EqualizerAPO EQ For the ATH-AD700x's it's currently the only pair of headphones I have and wanted to get a recommendation for them, thank you!

[@POVShotgun]

6:43 *weighs own headphones* “Holy Fuck!”

[@metal571]

Audeze is for Chad necks only lolol

[@jimis3167]

It has exactly the same driver as the lcd 2 classic?

[@metal571]

As far as I know yes, and is also non fazor like the 2C

[@phmen6706]

hey man would you recommend shp9500 over the takstar pro 82s?

[@metal571]

For music I'd rather buy a PortaPro or a CAL over either of those things

[@phmen6706]

@@metal571 i have the porta pros ,but one side broke so I am planning buy a new one, I'll look if cal is available here, anyway thanks.

[@metal571]

@@phmen6706 they have a lifetime warranty, the Koss. Just submit an RMA request, don't buy a new one

[@phmen6706]

@@metal571 I applied it,but I have to ship it and the shipping charges to USA are very high here, and I was thinking if it is worth to ship for that price.

[@iliketoreadiliketothink1763]

Every Audeze headphone I’ve heard just sounds “off” To me. Sennheiser’s line might be soft and warm sounding, but they sound more “right on” to me.

[@metal571]

Yeah the full size LCDs definitely have frequency response issues, no argument there. This one I wasn't even able to EQ very well, unfortunately, to take advantage of its other strengths, unlike my 2F.

[@KytexEdits]

@@metal571 Hey man I saw some of the music you listen to and it seems somewhat similar to what I listen to, I'm trying to decide which planar to get and I mainly listen to tech death, melo death, brutal death and then prog metal and some various genres, but it's prog or death 90% of the time. Would you recommend the 2F, 2C or X after a year+ has passed? I've looked into other planars for these genres but empy cost a crap ton and hifiman is a brand I don't want to deal with and they fit poorly. Any other planar brands you might recommend if Audeze don't end up working for me due to comfort?

[@bigyeetus2866]

wtf I thought you were U L T I M A T E A U D E Z E F A N B O Y

[@jonatadepp7889]

What do you think is the best headphone for less than $ 100?

[@metal571]

AKG K361

[@jonatadepp7889]

@@metal571 I didn't want to buy it because it would take a long time to arrive, I'm anxious, but I love music and I want to hear it the best way, so I'll buy

[@sand9577]

Are you going to ride the hype train and review the Aiva?

[@metal571]

If I can get my hands on one maybe

[@humanbass]

I have the Blon version that is basically the same, they are awful sound wise. Piercing highs and weak bass

[@KenMoreira]

@@humanbass arya has neither of those qualities lol

[@metal571]

I've heard an M570 but monoprice claim mind was broken. Same issue with long ringing but in the mids around 700 Hz. Sounded like a box resonating combined with grainy ultra sharp highs above 10k. This is hugely different from Aiva

[@QuartBernstein311]

3 star on Fakespot thanks to possible deception from fake reviews. No thanks.

[@davidstock3242]

metal571 Where are you? Have you moved to Austria?

[@metal571]

Reviewing K361, then Sundara, then the channel goes on hiatus and most likely, formal reviews will cease permanently.

[@davidstock3242]

metal571 Oh dear.... well, you did warn everyone... The so-called headphone community will miss you, I know I will - you've been great. Your contributions have been meaningful, insightful, all the ful's. Please be gentle with Oluv in your two remaining reviews - he seems to be on the fence about his channel nowadays, and with both you & Tyll gone, if he completes the hat trick KZbin will be nothin' but tumbleweeds. (Sorry for the mixed metaphor.). This is making me sad, but I'm sure you're not - & that's what matters. Besides, your vids are deeply repeatable - it'll be like you never left. Best of luck to you. Thank you for being top tier.

[@metal571]

@@davidstock3242 Comments like these make me really happy to see, because the way I've been treated lately by the community, you'd think the channel is truly worthless. Oluv is not all we got. Luckily Max Settings is also a superb reviewer, just with a brighter preference than me, and Wheezy Reviews is up and coming now as well and looks good to me so far. Then there's also Resolve. I still talk to Oluv quite often in PMs, so I doubt he is going anywhere. I'm not really leaving because it's impossible to stop enjoying music. But formal videos just reviewing headphones has to stop for me, at the very least. I'll make a video about this anyway soon.

[@MartinLeschinski]

Cool you send the 371 back and get your own - sad you have to do it. Though a good move

[@metal571]

A lot of pressure from the community being a dick to me lately. So I'm just going to step it up even further now and pay for everything I like

[@jjjoooojjj]

So it sounds like you not a LCD fan .. It's ok .. Subjected view is appreciated ... Cheers

[@metal571]

I am, I own and love an equalized LCD2F actually, but for some reason the weight and the strange mids of this were enough to personally not take a liking to it

[@antyvirusuk8056]

Hey man. How are the K371s holding up

[@metal571]

The same. Seems like there are a few defective pairs floating around but my review unit is fine. K361 should finally be shipping to me soon, then after that review I can send both back and buy my own

[@antyvirusuk8056]

@@metal571 would you say its worth waiting till this manufactoring issue is cleared up

[@metal571]

@@antyvirusuk8056 no way for me to know how widespread it is

[@antyvirusuk8056]

@@metal571 true i guess. Also have you done anything on the HD25s and also also, what would you say soundwise is a great DJ Headphone?

[@lmjpeter]

1st!

[@TheQuixoticEnd]

I hadn't really thought of it before, but idk how you do this with how toxic the audio community is. "Uhm excuse me, I master in the arts of listening to music slightly better than everyone else and you're an IDIOT and you don't know what you're talking about" lmao anyway thanks for the helpful content. Your sub community is exceptional though considering other HiFi communities, so thats a major plus

[@metal571]

The most important thing is to let people have their preferences, especially in frequency response. I don't find detail or stage or dynamics to be as subjective, but everyone cares about these aspects a different amount. Audiophiles tend to be way too closed minded and selfish. It is a pain in the ass dealing with the community at large, yes. I'm glad you appreciate that as it's quite a thankless job most of the time.

[@massivemikeh]

Don't you mean 2018 revision? There was no LCD2 Closed in 2016.

[@metal571]

They revised all drivers in all models available in 2016, including the 2C the 2 Closed is based on

[@massivemikeh]

@@metal571 Thanks for that Metal. Cheers

[@Vishmaw]

If companies giving you products makes you biased, it stands to reason that paying more for the products will reduce your bias. I demand you pay 50% more for all of your products so we can get reviews that are 50% less biased! Wait..... that doesnt go far enough! you must hand over your entire monthly salary to a company before you can review their products! Only then can we achieve true bias free reviews! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[@tyquan1000finest]

When you said this is heavy it’s 630! I thought you was about to say 630 pounds lol 😂

[@tyquan1000finest]

Do you have the sennheiser hd600 or just the 650? Or both?

[@metal571]

I've heard all the Sennheisers and right now have the 650. The 660S was free from Sennheiser after I reviewed it, so I won't sell it for any profit. I don't really use the 660 so I may give it away on the channel someday. LCD1 would take its place if anything, but the 650 isn't going anywhere

[@tyquan1000finest]

metal571 cool! I know you said the lcd1 was blowing the hd650s away but i would love a head to head full review of the lcd1 vs hd600 or lcd1 vs the hd650 who is the king of the best headphones for under $500 & why. The hd600 & hd650 has been the best reference headphones for under $500 for like 20 years people are surprised or are in disbelief that finally the Lcd1 has surpassed it some kinda full comparison video might be necessary. The giveaway sounds dope!

[@metal571]

@@tyquan1000finest well if you watch at the very end I did hint that the instrument realism or timbre, is still better on the 650. I'm not sure there will be another headphone that comes close to that, maybe Aeolus off the top of my head and that's about it. But technicalities wise there are many things that LCD1 does better. So really I'm not sure, that and the fact that 6XX is only $220 now too makes it tough

[@tyquan1000finest]

metal571 Ok thanks i understand what your saying. I thought that if you can buy the hd600 for $299 or the hd650 for $319 you can buy the lcd1 for $399 (because it’s just $100 more) but your right with the massdrop xx costing $220 the lcd1 for $399 is almost double the price but there are still old school engineers who swear buy the hd600 & hd650 that think the lcd1 will cost $399 but will probably cost $200 in 2 years because to then they are not as good as the 600 or 650 & that the lcd1 are just new hype that will quickly die down. A good comparison video will prove it’s not just hype. The videos are so interesting to watch lol 😂 but if it’s not worth it to do a video on I understand. Thanks

[@DARKERanimexxXxx]

there is nothing wrong with them

[@metal571]

Midrange is not shaped to sound correct, but aside from that and the excessive weight they are quite good. Just because I can't get over one aspect and didn't buy them personally doesn't mean they're bad, but FR flaws measured on IEC 60318-4 fixtures are indeed FR flaws.

[@davidpilon9433]

I’m first

[@pawnhearts5192]

no me