Audeze LCD-3 Review Take Two - Is This Better?

EQ Preset:
Channel: all
Preamp: -2 dB
Filter 5: ON LS Fc 100 Hz Gain 2 dB
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 1000 Hz Gain -2 dB Q 2
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 3500 Hz Gain 1.7 dB Q 1.41
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 4500 Hz Gain 0.7 dB Q 3
Filter 9: ON HS Fc 10000 Hz Gain -1 dB
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 10000 Hz Gain -2.8 dB Q 3
Filter 11: ON PK Fc 12000 Hz Gain 0.2 dB Q 2
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[@metal571]

Intro 0:00 Bass 2:13 Midrange 3:22 Treble 5:12 Soundstage 8:38 Amp Needs 11:08 Conclusion 11:44

[@Niggix183]

2 reviews on one day is this reallife?

[@adeelzero1445]

Did the X's have better Imaging than theeze?

[@andreasschwarz4908]

The 2.2 prefazor is almost there for me, few quibbles 1) detail/resolution - esp. the treble - isn't quite there where I would want 2) soundstage - like you said - it's wide without depth, too much for my tastes, kind of like sitting in the first row of a cinema, overwhelming. Drums that should have room to breathe sound closed-in, it sounds as if there's a wall in front of me that makes things bounce back to me. I wonder if the 3 fazor would improve in terms of depth/soundstage but your review makes me think it's the opposite... what I like 1) dynamics 2) lush mids - what i'm on the fence about: bass reminds me of the HEDDv1 a little bit, maybe the last bit of extension is missing? Anyway, great review!

[@antoinep9733]

Nice to have you back Metal. Any chance of listing Tyll’s soundstage test tracks? Pretty please🙏

[@fuffy442]

Hey Metal, are you familiar with the sound of the Etymotic ER4 series? If you are, what headphone would have the most similar signature?

[@nathanbaylot2754]

One thing I didn't think you thought of is that the 6XX is not just 50 more. You need an amp to go with it.

[@josesantiagoortiz5341]

I don't usually stick with cosmetics over sound quality but if the headphone it really good I pay it.

[@Ali_Shafai]

Great video! Can you tell me what application or device your EQ settings are for? I'm trying to translate them to Roon's parametric EQ settings. Thanks!

[@metal571]

EqualizerAPO

[@Allaces305]

If you could get your hands on one of the review models..I would love to hear your opinion on the new Verum One planar magnetic headphones...I went in on the Kickstarter and would really appreciate your opinion..

[@ThisIsBull45]

what headphones would you recommend over the LCD-3 at the $2k price point?

[@itsabodh]

Dunwall i would recommend buying 2 LCD-2C’s

[@vincenthusvh]

ZMF Auteur

[@mikele5756]

I purchased this in 2017 and I loved it. I have recently sold them and tried other headphones. I have had headphones from the likes of Focal, and even other Audeze headphones. I never kept them. I would buy this new if I had the money. I am used to this sound signature. I also do not EQ since I do not stream music. I do want to ask you, do you actually sit and enjoy music without analyzing every aspect of the way the headphones are presenting the sound? Not a criticism, just a question.

[@metal571]

I do actually just listen to the music now that I stopped making reviews finally, and found headphones that don't immediately make me think about the audio coloration instead of the song

[@mikele5756]

@@metal571 Good for you. Take care of yourself.

[@gctdonyre]

With nano thin diaphragm and large strong magnets, you would think LCDs would have more speed.

[@Juanixtec]

Maybe it's an effect of the Fazor array? Hifiman's don't use that and their bass is typically faster, same as LCD-2C's and pre-Fazor LCD's.

[@devilworshipper5453]

Between LCD-2C, E Mu Teak and TH-X00 Ebony, which one suits a metalhead better? I like subbass (bass guitar) present, fast and powerful. Thanks

[@MrBattlestar10]

have you found your answer?

[@metal571]

Those are all good choices, the 2C isn't going to have the bass boost you might want though

[@devilworshipper5453]

@@MrBattlestar10 Not yet, I like an increase from 100Hz to 60HZ but I don’t like any increase from 250HZ to 100HZ.

[@TheFijianGuy]

What's the best over ear headphone in your opinion at this moment?

[@metal571]

Depends on your preferences. For me it's LCD4

[@x-techgaming]

Setting them on a hard table/surface like that repeatedly can't be good for them...

[@TrampledReed]

Just comparing the Resolution and imaging accuracy, how does the ZMF Eikon perform compared to the LCD2/3 ?

[@scary_scat3924]

The Eikon ,Being a dynamic closed back,it’s hard to compare the two.The Eikon is a great headphone that’s punchier and has a beautiful midrange with excellent detail but it isn’t as smooth or musical,or naturally sounding,as the LCD 3s are.Also the LCD 3s are faster and have more sub bass which makes sense being that they are a planar headphone.For pop music,Rock and EDM the Eikons are more fun because they are punchier and have that more dynamic sound,but for classical or acoustic rock the LCD3 are the clear winners.For loud ,fun,slamming tracks I would choose the Eikons,however if your looking for soundstage,imaging,detail retrieval and a more natural realistic smooth sound then the LCD3s are for you.To answer your question on imaging and retrieval ,then the LCD3 is what you want but to get the best out of them use a solid state class A amp with a lot of power(2watts plus).The Eikons sound great on tubes but I get more punch,slam and dynamics from my Eikons when powering them with my woo audio WA11 then I do with my woo WA6SE which is a SE tube amp

[@Han-xv9mn]

So would you say that the LCD-2 is a better buy than the 3?

[@metal571]

Way better buy. LCD-X is the value proposition for a step up

[@emmanuelpalmer8108]

Between sennheiser hd660s and lcd 2c which sounds better without equalisation?

[@metal571]

Oh I'll definitely take the 2C

[@sergiosuck9797]

Lcd 3 is now for 900 on drop and ananda 700 which one do you prefer?

[@itsabodh]

sergio suck I prefer LCD-2c

[@ZeBubba]

The Sine is doing that weird soundstage effect hard too. Everything is panned to the sides/center way too much. Some call this a 3-blob SS. I see what they are thinking.

[@JoeGunawanfotosiamo]

Just bought mine (April 2018 version) for $890. I'm still kinda hesitant to say it's a clear upgrade over my LCD-2C, and certainly, I'd have to actually put some gain on the mids since it actually feels more veiled with less energy than my LCD-2C, as well as switch from Mid Gain to High Gain on my THX 789AAA to clear that up. With EQing up the bass, however, I am almost at the limit w/ the gain where once in a while, I do hear a distortion

[@sfs2313]

lmao your deaf bro it's clear better over even LCD-X and the soundstaging is absolutely insane, I have a 2018 LCD-3 and have tried late 2016 (post fix) LCD-2's all the way to late 2018 LCD-2's and the LCD-3 is the best headphone over those... the 2C nor the 2 is even better than the $300-400(on sale) Monoprice M1570 until you are using $1000 stacks AND the 2/2C is balanced and the M1570 is not.... lol Don't even mess with the 2/2C anymore after trying the M1570 and then later selling and sticking with my monster AMP/DAC LCD-3/LCD-x and Focals

[@x-techgaming]

A $2,017 model? #Dayum

[@hazi5961]

I've always preferred the lcd-2 to the lcd-3 and lcd-x. Maybe I'm a weirdo.

[@metal571]

Not that weird. These have all changed their signature over time and each unit is a little different

[@hazi5961]

metal571 that's what the consensus has been. I also think I have a unicorn lcd2. It's a 2016 fazor aluminum version. I'm real curious if the aluminum has anything to do with it.

[@metal571]

That's the best version apparently, but because of the 2016 driver revision moreso than the material

[@OriginalMindTrick]

I had an early pre fazor LCD-2 and LCD-3 and it was very clear that the LCD-3 was the superior headphone in all ways possible both in regards to technicality and enjoyment. The LCD-3 was just so liquid and dynamic and made the LCD-2 sound grainy and dull in comparison. There seem to have been a lot of variability between units from the get-go. Too bad they couldn't weigh 300g.