Audeze LCD2C Measurements and Impressions

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

  1. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    Given the low distortion I wouldn't dismiss this because of frequency response issues. You can do some EQ without too much penalty. As opposed to trying EQ an HD650 flat to 20 Hz and getting a good dose of distortion with it.
     
  2. rott

    rott Secretly hates other millenials - Friend

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    Yeah, seemed too good a bargain to pass up based upon your data & experience (so far). Just pulled the trigger.

    Will have a nice family of siblings, HD600/650 complemented by LCD-2C/X. A choice for everything.
     
  3. Ryanr1987

    Ryanr1987 Facebook Friend

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    How do these compare to the Atticus in terms of timbre, vocal emotion and speed? Looks like Audeze has finally gotten their shit together!
     
  4. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

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    You ask the question, and I'm afraid of the answer...
     
  5. Ryanr1987

    Ryanr1987 Facebook Friend

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    Atticus is my current phone, I was planning on keeping it for a long time but I've always loved the old sound so kind of shitting myself at the answer!
     
  6. schiit

    schiit SchiitHead

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    Just got ours in--these are very nice! Also, Loki works well for pulling up the mids/highs if needed. Personally, I think they are fine without Loki, but I like dark headphones.
     
  7. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    They are opposites in a sense. Overall speed is about the same, but manifested differently. The LCD2C has better delineation up high, like with strings and cymbals, and more solid stop behavior. Atticus is more lively, more responsive. I guess we could say Atticus has better acceleration, but Audeze has higher top speed.

    As for vocal emotion, that is purely subjective. The Atticus has some upper mid emphasis in some spots highlighting female vocals and on occasion adding some edge; the LCD2C is very laid back in this region, but instead offers a full bodied and lush rendition of vocals. Pick your poison.

    The Atticus has a localized mid-bass emphasis, the LCD2C doesn't. There's no excess mid-bass nor warmth, but sub and low bass is incredible. The LCC2C has a grainless and non-glary timbre that reminds me of vintage orthos of the 70s. The Atticus that TPE timbre, which sounds like a more responsive biocellulose - this I would have a hard time explaining using words. Maybe someone else can share their thoughts on timbre.
     
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2017
  8. westermac

    westermac Friend

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    Hot dog! Let go of my LCD-X because I couldn't justify its price/performance ratio with the existence of the HD600, but man do I miss that bass... I hope the Magni 3 will drive these decently, I think I'll just have to find out for myself.

    The THD graph looks pretty outstanding, really not concerned about the midrange drop-off since I'm not EQ-averse.
     
  9. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Hahaha. I think this is funny because I know how much of the audiophile world poo-poo's measurements. I love the that fact that you guys can pick up on specific measurements and identify instances where they are exceptional and put said gear on a "to audition" list.
     
  10. Neal

    Neal Facebook Friend

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    If anyone is worried about getting a bad pair, Audeze does have a 30 day return window on these (buyer pays return shipping). You could even order a couple and keep the best sounding one.
     
  11. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    One last thing I will add. I know there is some concern about the frequency response, but it's absolutely perfect for modern pop. Many of you guys know that I am totally unashamed of loving catchy pop songs. (I'm almost 30 years past my College U Alt phase). Sometimes I just don't give a shit about things high fidelity and simply want to crank it up, rock out, and enjoy. I now leave you with this.



    I love this music video BTW.
     
  12. philipmorgan

    philipmorgan Member of the month

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    How seal-dependent is the bass on the LCD2C? Would eyeglasses f**k it up like on the Aeon Flojo Open?
     
  13. 9suns

    9suns [insert unearned title here]

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    Awesome measurements, that distortion 0_0
    Anyone tried their new "Reveal" (EQ) plugin with the LCD2C?
     
  14. ductrung3993

    ductrung3993 Facebook Friend

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    How does the 2C stack up against HE5LE?
     
  15. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I don't like the HFM classics stock with the exception of HE-500. Never modded an HE5LE so can't say. The HE5LE probably has more potential to be neutral sounding than LCD2C. Audeze bass, when Grade A, is typically better than the bass of the classic HFM, unless a speaker power amp is used. The Audeze's just aren't as demanding, so I can use a good tube amp, which is my preference. I also feel the Audezes, again when grade A, have the potential to resolve better than the HFM classics. These days I think more in systems and synergies than X headphone stacking up higher than Y headphone.

    The LCD2C just works great out of the box. I threw prototype amps, AF, Vali 2, Magni 3, Jot, and SDAC, Modi Multibit, Gungnir Multibit, ZX2 (as source), and pretty much every combo works.

    The HE5 (mind not LE) will need mods to get rid of that sharp etch, flatten the bumpy mids and upper mids. And after this, will require something like Saga / Vidar to get the grip and transient response where I would want it.
     
  16. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Will try this later.
     
  17. ductrung3993

    ductrung3993 Facebook Friend

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    Thanks for the elaborated response Marv. I have the He5le and will send it to Luis for modding soon, will get the new He5 and then the same. But i’m also very interested in this new LcD as an lower maintenance alternative for an enjoyable planar sound.
     
  18. srkram

    srkram New

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    I recently bought a set of regular LCD-2s. They were manufactured in October 2017, so they are probably a fazored LCD-2C with wood. I take the lower priced LCD as a sign that Audeze must have improved their design and processes and fixed their quality issues. I've attached a photo with the grille off, and at least it looks well put together.

    [​IMG]
    It's good to hear how well the 2Cs measure and sound, because I've been extremely impressed with my LCD-2s - They don't sound anything like the versions I heard (and didn't like) in the past. These are fast and clean sounding, and actually have good treble and detail. It'll be interesting to hear a comparison between an LCD-2C and new LCD-2 if anybody ever gets to hear both.
     
  19. starence

    starence Facebook Friend

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    That's an accurate description I think. An Audeze rep confirmed that both headphones use the same drivers, so the fazors are the main difference. I'm not sure if wood rings affect the sound or not.
     
  20. Hammy

    Hammy Friend

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    The right amp can subjectively get the LCD2 to do classical. I have a Liquid Fire and an LCD2 from September 2011 (a few months before Audeze switched to using the metal triangle thing for the cable jack). Objectively I know that violins are losing some harmonics due to the scooped frequency response of the headphones. Subjectively it doesn't seem to matter. With the Liquid Fire and LCD2 combo I can listen to classical and not feel like I'm missing the violin harmonics. I recognize that what I'm listening to is colored like listening through rose colored glasses. It's not neutral. But subjectively it works very well for me. However, if I pair the LCD2 with a different amp I notice that the LCD2 isn't good for classical. I don't know what the Liquid Fire is doing to get the LCD2 to do classical like that. It's been a head scratcher for me for several years. Objectively it's not going to do classical well. Subjectively it works very pleasantly and I love listening to classical with that combo.

    I tried the Elear with my Liquid Fire and the midrange scoop of the Elear killed the violin harmonics. They were gone. Dead. Yet with my LCD2 those violin harmonics survive.

    This is the first I've seen of your Bruckner test. I'll have to give that a try when I'm back home after Christmas.
     

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