Audeze LCD-X and LCD-2C - Review and Comparison

[@weightupmountainguy]

THIS IS THE REVIEW I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR. Finally someone using EDM as a reference point. Thank you so much man!

[@ModestIntentions]

I'll hopefully make an LCD-X vs MM-100 soon as well :D

[@wheeler2137]

audeze nuts

[@meowo5480]

oh my god this is actually the moment oh my god this is actually the moment

[@ModestIntentions]

legit hyped. I actually didn't open the box with the headphones earlier than I started recording the video

[@-bobo-7999]

Ура, долгожданный обзор на лсд - Х

[@Kevodabomb_Media]

I think most people that are into audio will disagree on not EQing headphones, or any sound system in general whether it be your car stereo or home theater. The people that wouldn’t wanna EQ things are just general consumers, and they probably wouldn’t be looking at any of these headphones anyways, they’d just be going for Sony or some other mainstream consumer BT headphones. Like you said, you can’t fine the “perfect sound” especially when there are a million possible headphone/amp/dac combos, so the best we can do is find a good starting point and slightly tune to our preferences.

[@richiejelen]

Literally what i wanted to hear lol awesome down to earth review thanks helped me a lot 👌

[@JonnyParker-]

Some decent bass testing tracks to use - Topdown Dialectic - Vol.2 release - B1 Barrington Levy - No Fuss No Fight Shorterz & Lopaski - Letting Go Earl Daley - Changing World

[@John_dBj_Brown]

I love the LCD-X's, that "Fazor Waveguide" is a game changer. That is where the price difference comes in between the LCD-2. If you look inside the cup on the LCD-X, you can see an aluminum Fazor. 😉

[@velko2433]

the difference comes from impedance , i guess LCD-x is easyer to be driven with lower impedance. Thats why you hear it louder. Thats it imo

[@ModestIntentions]

Even though this is exactly what I said in the video, my accent is sloppy at times so maybe that's why it's not clear. (Or maybe I edited that part out in the final version of the video?). Anyway, I put "comfortable" loudness on both headphones which is more or less the same when doing comparison :)

[@velko2433]

@@ModestIntentions i try to decide what i should get for just listening to music . I listen to mostly DNB and rock, so its difficult to decide what i go for since i have never listened to neither of them. I use Hifiman 4xx with little pad and grill mods driven by Fiio K5Pro from 3 years. I was going for 2C but after your comparising video i am not so sure anymore. Cheers from Bulgaria :)

[@ModestIntentions]

@@velko2433 recently had a customer come and want to buy LCD-2C from me. He refused after he heard LCD-X. I did love my LCD-2C very much though.. it's just that I received them by mistake so shouldn't have kept them anyways... but I loved them A LOT!

[@RedTick2]

Wouldn't you want the flatter response of the LCD-2C if these are to be reference headphones?

[@ModestIntentions]

@RedTick2 recently talked about this with my mate. I seem to miss them a lot

[@SavitskyVadim]

Yay! LCDX! Many thanks for sharing your review!

[@ikaruga24]

If you are listening to the LCD2C with it's normal cable then it plays like a laid back kind of headphone. Strap a balanced cable on them and use a balanced DAC/AMP and they seriously transform. Mine is paired with the Ifi Zen DAC and by enabling the "fun" button on that DAC the LCD2C simply sings. It becomes exceedingly fun to listen too even if power is a bit lacking on that DAC the end result is still freaking great. Try it out.

[@ModestIntentions]

I listened on 2 cables with Burson Playmate 2 amp

[@ikaruga24]

@@ModestIntentions oof that's some serious hardware right there. So between the two how does the LCD2C stack up to the LCD-X with that kind of hardware on equal footing?

[@OliverSchliffkowitz-zb9ql]

Nice Video. For my self I love the LCD-2c much more than the LCD-X: :)

[@fescolfaro]

Modest intentions indeed... If you don't EQ them, all you're testing is their tuning. Both are terribly tuned, but both have super low distortion and no resonances. Also, you can get the 2c to Harman target with three well placed EQ points. The 2c is just muffled without eq, but gets bonkers eqd properly.

[@ModestIntentions]

They are mixed to Harman curve out of the box. Surprised you didn't know.

[@fescolfaro]

​@@ModestIntentionsthey aren't man! The bass is closer, but the mids are all over the place. You only need three points with an LCD-2c to get it to sit on it, basically, which is what I noticed I'll have to learn to live with the weight now 😂

[@ModestIntentions]

@fescolfaro oh wow... OK I'll look into it

[@fescolfaro]

​@@ModestIntentionsfor starters (I tried a couple combinations from auto-eq), I am away from the studio right now but they are around: +5db - 66Hz (very wide bell) -5db - 592Hz (less wide bell) +5db - 4000Hz (less wide bell). Just play with Q's, levels and a few Hz up and down.

[@TheRetrist]

100% this, i bought lcd2c 2 weeks ago and without eq it sounds too muddy, and with auto eq herman curve its like different headphones (i even cut down 7-9k because it gets too sibilant at higher volumes). They are amazing in terms of build quality and hardware but just bad tuned out of the box.

[@JtwasLuck]

Audeze's lower end models have always been known to need EQ, the 2C more than the X, the 2Cs completely transform when EQ'd properly (X to a lesser degree). The bass is more on the 2C vs the X, X is tighter with less sub-bass. If you want impact, the 2C is miles ahead of the X. If you want to stick to Audeze, get the LCD-4 if you want great out of the box sound. I've had the 2Cs for years and they offer TOTL sound for a fraction of the price if your okay with a dark/warm sound sig BUT you NEED to EQ it (Use Oratory1990 EQ and adjust Bass and Treble to your liking).

[@ModestIntentions]

My X has more bass actually? lol

[@JtwasLuck]

@@ModestIntentions Of course it does lol you didn't EQ the 2C, the X doesn't need EQ as much but if your after IMPACT, the 2C easily win.

[@ModestIntentions]

@@JtwasLuck there's absolutely 0 reason why you would need to EQ headphones. There's no objective truth to how the sound SHOULD be

[@JtwasLuck]

@@ModestIntentions there is lol just look at some charts if you want to see objective differences. I agree EQ shouldn’t be needed on most sets but these lower end Audezes 100% need EQ. That’s just how they are if you don’t want to EQ, just avoid Audeze.

[@ModestIntentions]

​@@JtwasLuck how exactly are they objective? 1) your perception changes day to day, 2) your ear calibrates to certain sound system, 3) your perception bends further by using amplifiers/not using amplifiers/using sound cards, 4) open-back headphones also sound differently in different room There is no objectively correct sound. Harman Curve or Fletcher-Manson is also approximate and not exact. And even if it was (which is still not), then get back to point nr. 2. PS: people do professional master on FOSTEX T50RP which cost 150$ and are magneplannar. Are you claiming that they are better than Audeze as they need EQ-ing? PS2: if EQing was objective, why do all headphones sound different? It's a bunch of subjective metrics that you want to make objective :)

[@ChrisLeverMusic]

if there's a significant difference in the level between the two models, I would level match them so you have a fair comparison of the frequency response etc

[@ModestIntentions]

naah, it's just fine to use the loudness that you're used to as your ears know well how loud they are used to hearing music. There should be a significant difference enough that -1 / +1 db don't matter all too much. Especially since music perception is subjective as it is, otherwise there would've already been the best pair of headphones in the world and no discussion on what people like more lol

[@ChrisLeverMusic]

not sure we're talking about the same thing here? In case I wasn't clear, if one pair sounds louder than the other due to impedance, you can be fooled into thnking they're better as louder usually sounds better. So to not be fooled by that, I'd roughly have them giving me the same level with the headphone gain. Then it's all about tone, eq etc when it comes to sound. It's what you'll do in real life anyway, since whichever pair you use, you'll adjust the gain to a level that's comfortable @@ModestIntentions

[@ModestIntentions]

@@ChrisLeverMusic I did put the volume to more or less same yeah

[@ChrisLeverMusic]

okay cool @@ModestIntentions

[@spoonfull22]

I've had the lcd 2c for a few years now and love them but always wanted to try the lcd x, after this my intrigue is piqued and I gotta get some, RIP my wallet!

[@Chillscapemusic]

LO!L

[@big_narc]

well?

[@alfredofernandeznajas1773]

hello! What is the difference in the two packs they sell in the audeze lcd x: creator leather free and the creator edition new. Which one would you recommend?

[@gravity00x]

great video again!!

[@glens18account]

do you live under a rock? the lcd-2c is known for being distant out of the box but comes alive with a good EQ.

[@manykzdj792]

Which amp would you recommend for audeze lcd x to use with apollo twin x sound card?

[@ModestIntentions]

Anything 300-400$ worth is just fine. I wouldn't go crazy expensive as that is just irrational

[@manykzdj792]

@ModestIntentions thanks, u think "spl phonitor 2" is overkill?

[@sdrtyrtyrtyuty]

@@manykzdj792 Too much crap on the front... get the Rangarok 2 because it da schiit and dont look back

[@manykzdj792]

@@sdrtyrtyrtyuty that shiit more hi fi then studio amp, spl straight for studio work

[@fescolfaro]

Btw your reasoning against EQing headphones makes zero sense. It's like saying "speakers shouldn't be linearised because they were built that way." The only difference between tuning headphones through EQ or balancing out a room is that THERE IS an ideal target for headphones, and if you're experienced enough with audio engineering (and also not an idiot setting up 20 filter points and then trying to mix underneath that mess) you can get there quick, and then adjust to taste, just like a KH750. Then having multiple headphones tuned to Harman makes absolute sense because all drivers are different. Audezes greatest asset is how well they take to EQ (if you're not an idiot).

[@ModestIntentions]

That is not my reasoning. My reasoning is that there is no way to measure out "The best sound system". Because past a certain point (which is impossible to identify clearly too) it is subjective. And also because I have a track which made 1m streams on 50 dollar speakers and I'm still to hear how bad my mixing was. Which leads us to conclusion: if I like what I'm hearing and my tracks are getting signed - the whole idea that I need to EQ something and it will make my life better has no scientific ground underneath it

[@fescolfaro]

​@@ModestIntentionsI do agree that in the end it's subjective and that "moving target" only has to be understood by whoever sits at the controls, but I disagree that a "best" wouldn't exist with headphones, or at least closer to that. The Harman target is obviously better across headphones, and IMPE if you approximate them towards that then that moving target is more manageable, and in my room makes more sense with my speakers (which are also linearized by Neumann's setup, and also adjusted to taste). I would be okay with your rant if you centred it on a valid point, that if you have to ask for someone to EQ it for you, you probably don't know what you're doing, and in that case you have even less of a case complaining about "sound."

[@MRFUTURETECHNOLOGYGAMING]

The audeze lcd 2 the fazer version with the wood is a better Comparison to the lcd and the 2 classic 8:14 I'm pretty sure that guy wanted to try other people's eq settings Just to try it out and maybe he'll like it And a lot of people are happier after they EQ headphones like they like the technical performance of the the headphone But they don't like the frequency response

[@ModestIntentions]

Got to choose whom you trust. It's either you or audeze. :)

[@ancient_observer]

According to yout previous video you'll be fine with your Beyerdynamic DT 990 too 😀

[@ModestIntentions]

Where did I say that please?

[@ancient_observer]

@@ModestIntentions you didn't say that directly. But your video is named "Expensive setup - Expectations vs Reality" where you explain and show example that you don't need expensive setup for high-quality production. Following that logic you don't need to buy expansive headphones for that. So it just waste of money.

[@ModestIntentions]

@@ancient_observer But following this logic, where specifically does it mean that I'm fine with DT 990 Pros?

[@ancient_observer]

@@ModestIntentions just compare prices. Maybe you had less knowledge about synthesis or didn't use different analyzer that day when you used Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro, i don't know. So i just see conflict in this 2 videos. In previous video you say "you don't need expansive setup" (i'm sure expansive headphones are included in this meaning) but in this video you say "hey! this expansive headphones are so fucking good, so i definitely recommend them for production!". 2 differnt opinions about the same thing bro 🙂

[@ModestIntentions]

@@ancient_observer I think you didn't watch either of the videos carefully.

[@carminedesanto6746]

Great review 😎 This is exactly what I was looking for …and I don’t “EQ”….

[@ixoye56]

All headphones need EQ to personal taste imo.

[@ModestIntentions]

@@ixoye56 what if your personal taste doesn't include eq then

[@ixoye56]

@@ModestIntentions Then you belong to an minority for sure.

[@Carlos2400]

I actually hated my LCD-X until I eq it

[@ModestIntentions]

Mate. That only happened because you transitioned to a newer sound system. And instead of adapting you chose your uncalibrated ear as a more trustworthy source and fixed it to your liking, which is not a good source of expertise.

[@Carlos2400]

@@ModestIntentions I try to adapt a week was more then enough. I only change the headphone not my whole setup. I was ready to send them back until I eq it.

[@ModestIntentions]

@@Carlos2400 This means that you used some other stuff all this time instead of adapting whole week. It's simply impossible otherwise :) I don't eq them and I master my tracks a lot better than I did with cheaper headphones

[@Carlos2400]

@@ModestIntentions I just couldn't get used to the sound it was missing things. I use audeze eq settings that's when it click for me. I'm just a music enjoyer so I assume you would know better then I do. I'm really happy with my purchase and glad we both enjoy them.

[@ModestIntentions]

@@Carlos2400 my point is that it doesn't make sense to buy a Ferrari, then put an old and well-known engine underneath the hood and feel happy about it :) But if you use music for listening I would say that buying LCD-X probably not the best option, even though viable. Perhaps EQing can make things better, but I don't know why spend 1500$

[@ShibaInuClassical]

i had lcd 2c, they were garbage to me even with EQ

[@ModestIntentions]

Sorry to hear that mate

[@maxprof12]

FIRST!!!!!!!

[@ModestIntentions]

lol

[@sdrtyrtyrtyuty]

Man you couldn't be more wrong. Yes the LCD-X NEED EQ. Not even close. If you don't think so, IDK what to say. You have bad hearing or you have no idea how to configure EQ. It's night and day difference. And yes they do replace EVERYTHING. Get better at EQ.

[@ModestIntentions]

OK, so eq is different. Why is that better? Can you mix better than people with no eq?

[@sdrtyrtyrtyuty]

@@ModestIntentions At default eq, the X is a pretty bad headphone. Just flat and really bright but when you get the tune just right it sounds like bliss. Idk about mixing. Just for music mostly.

[@ModestIntentions]

​@@sdrtyrtyrtyuty Thanks! This is a matter of opinions and I also think we have internal EQ somewhere in our brain that helps us to extract the right sound from any setup if enough time is given. Ever since I got these headphones, without any EQing I signed songs with Viper, Liquicity and have received collab offers from some cool artists, so it works for me. The whole point of my video was that there is no REAL TRUE sound. Just as long as the headphones are crafted carefully, LCD-X provide brilliant sound response out of the box and with time you get used to it! I am now going to EQ them and see what I like more

[@black_n5492]

@@ModestIntentions have you tried EQ'ing them yet? I'm curious to see if your stance has changed