ELEX VS LCD2C

[@teashea1]

Well done - articulate - organized - excellent production values

[@shawnwilliams7021]

I'm a year and a half late to the vid but this comparison fits my current situation / decision perfectly. Ultimately I purchased the LCD2C's and after hearing DMS' take on both headphones I'm confident with my decision and understanding of what was / is expected from both headphones. Great review!

[@Themanthatisi]

I am 55, the treble airiness and range works on me as well. I recently purchased the Elex and could not be happier. These are a step up to the Hifiman Edition XS which were my previous favorite in my collection. You have some good reviews, I appreciate your work.

[@ImLeverage]

5K @60; now that's something I don't see often. Thank you for the quality content.

[@TheInternetEnzyme]

ImLeverage I have a 5k display and i can verify that the actual camera he’s recording himself with must not be recording at higher than 1080p ive seen true 5k and have a nice 4k camera and I can tell you that the only parts that were 5k in this video were the transition slides

[@DDD-jk5sh]

I thoroughly enjoyed this review and found your comparisons relatable and easier to understand for someone with a good deal of experience with music types and speakers types. Thank you and keep up the good work!

[@StraightEdgeAlexxx31]

to me the elex has great bass, slightly thin mids (vocals) and bright treble. not bad by any means but not exactly my style. the lcd2c has great bass (a bit better than the already very good elex), a very full midrange and what i consider to beperfect treble... its got a little sparkle but not bright. the presentation of music from these headphone is entirely different too. i really like the elex soundstage. it extends far in front and behind your head unlike most headphones that really only extend to the sides. the lcd2c soundstage is more standard i suppose but the key difference is the size of the sound... it sounds like a 106mm driver on your head. it sounds huge and i love it. its crazy how the first time i heard the elex, i couldnt believe my ears. the best i had was the hd650 and my jaw dropped when i heard the elex. i was so happy but its funny how now that ive ventured so far into this rabbit hole, my elex sits unused. my aeolus and lcd2c get all the love... point is, i feel that if youre already looking to invest in a super pricey headphone, save up and shoot for the stars... dont pay 700 now to eventually pay 1,500 on a better one down the line. save yourself the 700.

[@Cookinberry]

Sorry to bug you about an old comment, but may I ask which you prefer between the lcd2c and the Aeolus? Those are the two headphones I'm torn between. For reference, I'm treble sensitive and I love the staging to feel close, like it's in my head.

[@StraightEdgeAlexxx31]

@@Cookinberry what amazing timing you have! lol im currently selling my lcd2c on ebay so i guess that tells you which one i prefer haha i think the lcd2c is a great headphone but the aeolus is perfect for me... based off of what you said you want out of a headphone, i think you would prefer the aeolus as well. its soooo sweet and warm sounding. it is an open-back so it naturally has a wider soundstage (not crazy wide) but if you want the soundstage to be smaller like an in-your-head experience, check out the ZMF Atticus... its the exact same headphone as the aeolus, only closed-back.

[@Cookinberry]

@@StraightEdgeAlexxx31 Interesting. I was leaning a little towards the Aeolus. Thanks for taking the time to write that out. I really appreciate it.

[@mikeshinwa3398]

I also own the 6xx's and was thinking of "upgrading" to around the level of Elex (and stopping there for a few years as endgame). Around that price range, according to your preference, what would you say is the best pick out of the LCD-2C, Elex and the Hifiman Ananda (also throw in a Sundara in there because why not). Or do you think it's better to stick with the 6xx's for a bit and just go for something like the Aeolus. But then at that price range, there's also the Focal Clears.

[@cdotwu]

Watching this in 2022. Just the comparison I was looking for.. Thanks DMS

[@PaperPlane7719]

Great review! Please mention comfort with glasses in your headphone reviews since most don't mention that. When I got my lcd 2 classics it was very bad with glasses and I almost returned them but after a couple weeks the pads really break in and get much more forgiving to glasses frames

[@allansh828]

comfort from Focal headphones are really really nice, with or without glasses. But you lose bass on closed back Focals.

[@TonyFernandezjkdjedi]

How you described the two headphones towards the end of the video....PERFECT. Most of my listening is in front of my PC while surfing.

[@fastguitars4380]

If you prefer your sound to be rich with no treble, and no detail, then run and do not walk to your nearest Audeze vendor. However, if you want rich sound, detailed tho natural sound, and a super wide soundstage, then save a lot of money and buy the ELEX.

[@Berkanann]

The 2C's treble does roll off, but not the bass. It is ruler flat down to 20Hz. I think it is probably source/amp dependent. From Chord Mojo it is definitely mid-centric with less pronounced top and bottom end. Perhaps this is why you think it's bass rolls off? Once you drive the 2C with a proper powerful amp both the bass and treble section fills up and you get the nicest, meatiest bass available pretty much at any price tag.

[@memberrrberry7282]

betula83 I completely agree with this comment, with a proper amp the 2C is mind blowing

[@muna5066]

He said it rolls off earlier than the Elex or the LCD-2 Fazor but not that it rolls off early in general

[@Gokhanaj]

I've listened to both. In my experience, Elex sounds like a good headphone, whereas LCD2C sounds so much bigger and life-like.. (This is in line with what you said...) So I went with LCD2C. However, I don't understand how Elex can extend more in the bass department. I mean, both my experience and frequency graphs tell me that LCD2C is has much better bass extension.

[@theinnocent_one]

Yeah the statement is completely wrong. The lcd2c has the typical linear bass extension to almost 15 hz

[@Jordonater]

@@xyzzyx6241 If the Audeze is a booming headphone than the Elex is a tinny headphone.

[@kbeau937]

I have both. Both great for different moods. The elex seems to have better layering and the audeze definitely has that wall sound as stated. The 2C with reveal plugin is much better

[@stevenjackson8226]

You have vintage Magnepans? MG-IIs? The MG-IIB was my first "real" speaker. I bought them new way back when. I've since had other and later Magnepans. Love'em.

[@CharlieMike25]

Having just purchased LCD 2cs and seeing your comparison definitely has led me to believe that I am going to be significantly happier than with elex.

[@Foozo]

take his reviews with a grain of salt, he did say the HD660s was better than the LCD2c, I have a pair of LCD2c, and have heard the elex, along with HD660s, i think the LCD2c win every time, as long as you know the bass is more heard instead of felt

[@Juanixtec]

How can the Elex be more extended in the bass region? have you seen the FR of the LCD-2c? It's a Flatline down to 20hz! The reason why the vocals are focused is that of the lack of a 5dB bass bump below 150hz.

[@Juanixtec]

AND the THD in the LCD 2 is A LOT lower than the ELEX with better transients, you can add an almost unlimited amount of EQ! Just like the HD800.

[@floridabowhunter]

there is no possible way the elex is more extended. inner fidelity shows a flat line down to 10 hertz for the lcd2c, that's a lower FR than 99.9 percent of subwoofers lol, lcd2 wins hands down every time in every category except for comfort imo.

[@Leonhart_93]

@@floridabowhunter Still based on graphs, Elex doesn't lose at all in the bass extension either. So, if Elex is less bloated in the upper bass, then it can very well give the impression that it's better defined in the very low bass.

[@floridabowhunter]

@@Leonhart_93 the elex starts to drop off at around 20-25 hertz at -2db. the lcd2 stays flat down to 10 hertz. the lcd2 wins in the bass extension department. and its the elex that has the bass bump not the flat lcd2. wish i could find a graph showing the elex down to 10 hertz, as it starts to dive pretty good below 20. planars are almost always going to have better extension both top and bottom of the range than traditional drivers. www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/massdrop-x-focal-elex.5540/ www.innerfidelity.com/images/AudezeLCD2Classic.pdf

[@Leonhart_93]

Planars do indeed have better inherit potential for sub-bass, but that doesn't necessarely apply to very high end dynamic headphones, which usually have drivers made out of exotic materials. Like Utopia's beryllium drivers or Elex's aluminum-magnesium drivers, which don't seem to lose in dynamics at all. My point was that just going by measurements there is no audible difference, but if DMS says they appear more extended, then there might be other reasons for that. Reasons ranging from chamber resonances all the way to the fact that you don't constantly have to think about how heavy they are lol.

[@mrgee918]

In 2021 and I find this review to be of great use. Great observations and explanations.

[@maciejgeming8555]

How cool! Is the overall timbre of Elex getting any close to the naturalness of HD 650/600?

[@Powerincarnate.]

Good review, it is important to compare. To me it is one of the requirement of reviews. For example, the Elex is a $700 open headphone, so how does it compare to it's contemporary. Should I buy the Elex, or should I buy one of these below. Which one sounds better, cleaner, flatter, etc. $430 Stax LR300 $599 Oppo PM3 $599 Beyerdynamicd DT 1990 $699 Focal Elear $720 Stax LR500 $799 open and closed Mrspeakers Aeon $799 Quad Era-1 open back headphone $899 Focal Elegia (thats a closed back) $999 HiFiman Ananda $999 Audeze LCD 2 This is definitely not an exhaustive list. But it would be great to seen where the Elex is compared to some of these. Mrspeakers Aeon for example seems like a consistent comparison to the Elex in this general price range.

[@AruSharma04]

I have heard the Audeze LCD 2C, I've spent some time with the Meze Empyrean, the Focal Stellia and the SRL300 and I can promise you, if you spend a little more than the regular SR L300, the SR L300 Limited Editions (with the SR L700 drivers) are endgame, nothing on your list is even close, it's beyond anything I've ever heard. Of course they need a dedicated amp, but electrostatics are a different ballgame. My recommendation.

[@stay-frosty1126]

Where did you get those cables for the LCD-2Cs by the way?

[@gorollin40]

Just a quick question dms . Can i game in koss ksc75 just fine on my pc if i get an extension cable and will be good for gaming ?

[@Fafner888]

How does the Elex compare to the new LCD2 (fazer), properly EQed?

[@boristrejos9169]

I know the way we approach audio in general is a rather personal experience and that our ears and tastes differ but having had the LCD2C (not a bad headphone by any means though a little heavy), I can honestly say that I prefer the overall frequency response of the Elex: balance, detail and dynamics (punch) across the whole spectrum, especially since they perform better with a wider variety of music genres. Bottom line is I sold the Audeze and kept the Elex. 'Nuff said!

[@NiSHAN256]

I have the Elex(thanks for the rec❤) and the micro black label, where is the glare exactly ? do you think I be better changing it ? if yes to what exactly ?

[@felixkrell890]

I can feel the improvement already! Personal tipp though: Maybe rethink having the background this dark, a slightly brighter colourpalette of your setup would make it a bit lighter on the eyes I think

[@sml2238]

hey DMS, you find the LCD-2 to roll off in the bass? I've done some test tones and mine seems to be a flat like down to 20hz and below but obviously I'm fighting the limits of the human ear there.

[@mattialemboluscari8774]

Have you turned back from Zeos home? How did it go?

[@MarshMellowChronic]

Can’t believe zeos tried to give this guy reviewer advice 😂 DMS can run rings around his entire channel under 60 seconds, same for josh valour.

[@SaltyMaud]

None of these reviewers are infallible though. They all have made gross misjudgments in the past, for example they have all praised the M1060 and audio-gd products and i'd largely attribute the now widespread misconception that these products are good to these influencers. Out of the subjectivist youtube audiophile reviewer circle the only major player that has yet to prove themselves utterly unreliable is Metal. Zeos, DMS and Joshua all have the credibility of a random amazon review in my eyes, they just make it more interesting with well produced videos and/or personality.

[@MarshMellowChronic]

Salty Maud so you would just rather have Zreviews say fffuccckkkk and wave hands around?

[@SaltyMaud]

@@MarshMellowChronic That's not at all what i said.

[@kaimills8807]

Salty Maud what’s wrong with audio gd? It may not measure the best but I think they are some of the best sounding amps for the price

[@dwgreen108]

@@SaltyMaud Are the M1060 bad?

[@Voidward]

LOL wait the LCD2c doesn't have extended bass? Ok I haven't listened to any Focal cans but it's the most extended bass I've heard on any headphone, and considerably more than the HD650 I used to have.

[@DMS3TV]

Sure compared to 650 it’s more extended, but not as much as the focals.

[@Voidward]

@@DMS3TV I'll have to take your word on it until I get to demo some, but the LCD2c's have sub-bass and clarity throughout the bass range I've never heard in any other headphone before. They also maintain that clarity even if you EQ the bass to ludicrous levels without bleeding into the mids or distorting at all. This isn't a point I've heard made by any other reviewers so I find it odd personally that I'd hear this claim.

[@zenekzen8984]

What would be your take on Elex vs ZMF Auteur (only in relation to sound but taking price into consideration for sound only)?

[@Icemanz666]

How does the Lcd 2c compare to the focal clear? Focal clear is in a different price tier so should we expect a 'clear'(huehue) upgrade over lcd2?

[@GiullianSN]

Nice review DMS

[@joshgoetz2477]

What measurements suggest focal elex reaches deeper than lcd2c in the lows?

[@bullcompost]

Great review and product choice, as usual. Good that the two headphones are in the same price range. It would be also awesome to get comparisons of headphones that belong to the same brand but at different price points. For example, what would you get for the extra bucks a Focal Clear costs over the Elex? And for the extra price of a Beyer T1 2nd ed. over a DT1990? If I don't stop now, I am going to make a million-miles list of ideas; so, for now, just let me thank you for your quality content.

[@marcusbryant2007]

thanks for the review. would the audio gd be a good pairing with the elex? TIA

[@SaltyMaud]

Audio-gd is not a good pairing with anything. Got the R2R-11 and i wish i didn't, it has no redeeming qualities other than being powerful enough to drive anything.

[@davidcoons89]

R2R-11 is notoriously bright and fast and revealing tho. I have the nfb-11.28 and it certainly isn’t the warmest of amp/DACs but it is much less harsh than the R2R-11 for sure and is similarly as powerful.

[@BunnyslippersEUC]

I am wondering if the Elex is the much cheaper version of the Focal Clear Pro.

[@tareqhaider6327]

These or DT 1990 Pro?

[@erikleonardi6642]

DT 1990 is simply just not on the level of those beasts

[@get2choppa]

beats pro

[@ninodjuras]

@@erikleonardi6642 DT is defenitelys on those levels, I bought them instead LCD and Elex. ;)

[@vintageflanker7096]

... because?

[@Danthrax66]

@@erikleonardi6642 The DT1990 are IMO better than the Elear. IDK how the elex compares to that though.

[@colin8601]

Wow stumbled on your channel after buying my first set of what I really hope are nice headphones this week ( hd600, still on the way). Found you and zeospantera the same day. Trying to learn what I can. Is there a way to submit dumb newb questions to you? Didn't want to throw them on KZbin comments on an unrelated video. Pretty much stumbling my way around learning as I go. Like your content a lot.

[@colin8601]

@Christopher Sadler I haven't quite decided what amp to buy, but my listening ranges from acoustic to metal to some games to electronic (although I don't drown myself out with bass). I'm hoping the hd600 can adapt to all that decently?

[@colin8601]

@Christopher Sadler ok I have seen the AAA around a lot. The first one I stumbled on that seemed affordable was the schiit stack. Also the jds atom. Thoughts? My interpretation of tubes is more "vintagey" that would not do well with games or music that is more "intense". Is that a misguided perception? Also with a tube amp on my desk and potentially vibrating the desk while frantically gaming.... Does that cause disruptions in sound?

[@colin8601]

@Christopher Sadler thanks for the help. I'll be using my computers optical out which simplifies switching back and forth from my headphones to my 5.1 surround. Then it's just a simple options change in Windows to switch the output. I see the schiit stack would make it easy since there is an optical input.

[@horstschimanski6608]

best intro.

[@davidmason8212]

So you remove your review of the m1060 ? And the modding video of m1060c?

[@DMS3TV]

I feel like there’s better options now. Market is changing. I removed a number of videos that need to be re-reviewed to reflect the current market.

[@davidmason8212]

@@DMS3TV But I don't think there is a better choice than the opened m1060c for 300 usd. Many people says it sounds just like the LCD2C. What is the better choice for the same price from your perspective??? Your reply is highly appreciated

[@plebmike8997]

I am down to these 2. I have a THX AAA DacAmp and primarily game but also like to enjoy some music as well. Anyone got some opinions for me to listen to?

[@Axiosz]

Focal elex or Meze 109 pro?

[@brianoh8192]

What an amazing review!!

[@davidmason8212]

Great review dms but where is the comparation between magni 3 vs liquid spark

[@DMS3TV]

Still on the way. There’s a few things coming first.

[@davidmason8212]

@@DMS3TV Thanks for the reply Actually I can not trust Amir measurement. And zeos didn't say anything positive or negative on either of atom spark or magni so i am relaying on you to choose the proper amp

[@kaimills8807]

Just ordered Sundara to compliment my 2c’s, I got them for $350 I think the sale is still going on.

[@shadouxg7150]

Do you find the sundara more detailed?

[@MrZattack101]

I would prefer regular 2k than 21:9 2650 x 1080. You have width of 2560, so doesn't that mean you just cropped 1440p?

[@DMS3TV]

this particular video is 5120x2178 which is 2880p

[@antoinep9733]

Slick work DMS, VALOUR has got some competition. And nicely scripted on the high frequency loss segment, stated the facts without offending us old timers.

[@sleepinglysithia]

Reading through the reviews for the Elex on Drop, there seems to be an alarming number of people experiencing driver failures. I really wanted the Elex but that kind of scared me off. I have Focal speakers in my car and I absolutely love them and wanted the Elex as well.

[@reiszrie]

Again, I’d say that it is waaaayyy overblown. Got myself 2 sets thus far and zero issues or whatsoever.

[@NotCharAznable]

@@reiszrie OK well that's just your personal experience. Last I checked you aren't the only person who bought the Elex. Lmao. 2021 and people still using this braindead logic.

[@kalel33]

@@NotCharAznable What he said was no different than what you said. His is an extremely small sample size, but most likely, so are the reports online. Do you know the failure rate? No? Then you're falling for hyperbole.

[@arthurhaywood2184]

Have you listened to the Quad ERA-1 yet?

[@intoitreviews]

Sundara just went on major sale...

[@youmongrel]

So I think what you're recommending is, stop spending money on fancy headphones and just enjoy my modded 1060s? Gotcha.

[@wilfredbao9998]

I'm wondering how high can you hear DMS? I did an online test and I can only hear up to about 16-17k

[@kaimills8807]

Was it on KZbin?

[@MetalsForBrunch]

I wouldnt even compare the elex with the lcdc. The lcdx is more comparable to elex.

[@DMS3TV]

I would agree but these are similarly priced and people as about the 2 a lot. Gotta give the people what they want

[@shadouxg7150]

Why u wouldn't?

[@NotCharAznable]

@@shadouxg7150 X are more analytical.

[@olimphus26]

Where can I get that custom cable you have for the LCD-2C?

[@JSym92]

Koycables can make anything you want, including that exact type of cable. I won't be surprised if DMS got it from him as well. It's a 1-man company, so don't expect really fast service, but the guy is very professional, goes into every detail to ensure you're getting exactly what you want, is very transparent about what each design consideration will cost you, and has always been super friendly and elaborate in his communication. Can definitely vouch for going there for a custom cable.

[@olimphus26]

@@JSym92 thanks

[@erynoak2729]

These or ibasso sr1?

[@ahmedsafa91]

How about ananda vs elex

[@willywonka3050]

How about both I bought the Ananda and realized that the Elex does everything it can’t. So now I have both.

[@davidpalomino9138]

what song was used in the background, atleast for the first couple minutes.

[@SaltyMaud]

LCD2C because Elex does not ship outside Trumpland.

[@titienne1937]

You can probably find these used on Headfi though.

[@BrunoLiraArraisMaia]

It does ship to Canada.

[@MFillmore]

Yeah I think its funny that people don't think about the restrictions on where it ships.

[@youmongrel]

OMG please don't call it that.

[@theinnocent_one]

@@youmongrel Trumpland is trumpland, calling it what it is.

[@mitzio948]

elex vs dt1990?

[@vintageflanker7096]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5STZpytqth4aMU

[@cussyrichards6121]

Yeah, I want to hear you do this comparison. I know Joshua Valour has already done it, but I want to hear it from you

[@AruSharma04]

SR L300 Limiteds.

[@dnalekaw4699]

LCD! LCD! LCD!

[@hjorte.]

See in the future? Little Labs MONOTOR, please

[@Sanjarih]

Why not both :)

[@kaimills8807]

Sanjarih Jamshed cuz for that price you could get ananda, Aeolus, or Hd800s

[@erikleonardi6642]

@@kaimills8807 or clear

[@kaimills8807]

Erik Leonardi or lcd x, ether c, auteur, used lcd 3, or th900/909

[@Nick-s-f]

JOSHUA VALOUR

[@cisco150]

Hey guys im back have choosen theses head set what would you guys remove from the list. Im licensing to Rap, Hiphop, Reggeaton,Trap, Spanish Music . Focal ELEX vs DT 1990 PRO, hifiman ananda, HIFIMAN SUNDARA, HD 6xx. Like some bass, vocals and highs dont like bass overpowering my music

[@BradsHacks]

iDubbbz got into headphones!

[@Bradum]

Woo! 21:9!

[@theinnocent_one]

nice widescreen ratio and new intro.

[@simonshurville612]

Nice !!!

[@mewyattt]

These or tomato can on a string

[@TinBin-Craig]

intresting thanks

[@thetndixie]

😍🍊

[@realsiggie]

wot

[@iangc12345678]

🍊🍊🍊

[@quantumcreator8888]

Focal elex have reliable issues ..

[@raikozy35]

Exactly. I don't even mind buying the clear if I have to but apparently the build quality issue is present across the entire brand. Right now I'm leaning towards LCD x

[@Startekselva]

Lcd c ordered

[@joohhn]

both too expensive for me :D

[@feels5460]

Man I'd cry if I ever experienced a miracle powerful enough to land one of these in my hands.

[@AshishMalpani706]

You are biased.

[@DMS3TV]

How?