Audeze LCD2C Measurements and Impressions

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

  1. TheIceman93

    TheIceman93 El pato-zorro

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    With mine, it's more of a pop than a crinkle. Take the headphones off and press the pads against each other. You should hear a distinct popping noise coming out of the back of the driver. It's almost certainly the diaphragm flexing / popping. My question is whether or not it's a design flaw that contributes to the high driver failure rate for the LCD series.
     
  2. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    The prior Audezes didn't exhibit this pop, crackle, pop, or fart sound. Maybe Audeze got it right this time.

    The thinner diaphragm theory holds weight. The LCD2C sound seems slightly faster with less heft compared to the unicorn LCD2R2.
     
  3. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    Continued stream of consciousness impressions...
    • The earpads on the Audeze LCD-2 Classics seal. However, that pressure is relieved fairly quickly. Think of lifting a washcloth out of water. It sucks on the water surface, but the water drains out of it after you lift it up.
    • These are actually pretty open, despite that initial seal. And the sound signature doesn't change dramatically if you slightly break the seal like some headphones. It's almost a more balanced sound, if I'm honest. Glasses wearers need not worry.
    • The treble roughness is something I'd like to EQ out, but it's tough without a proper measurement rig. Maybe someone else will attack that issue. Not looking to eradicate it, but I'd like to gently bring it in to be a bit smoother.
    • I just put the HD650s on for the first time in a few days mid-song on The Cars - Just What I Needed. This emphasizes how much better the Audezes are to me for classic rock. Modded HD650s sound much less engaging for this style of music.
    • I stayed up until after 2AM listening to these last night. No fatigue, no discomfort, just exploring parts of my library and TIDAL that I've not visited for years.
    • I used to have a pair of Audeze Vegan pads. I'm going to see if I can get some when it starts warming up because that material warmed my ears less.
    • I'm actually finding some of my orchestral music quite enjoyable on these now. I've largely acclimated to the sound at this point and appreciate the big bass without hearing the veil nearly as much today.
    • I wish the stock cable was a few feet longer. Since only one cable is included it's better to go longer than most people need (stock cable is ~6 feet).
    • Balanced cable plan: Grab my extra single-ended HD650 cable, chop off all the ends, pair of Switchcraft TA4FX for the mini-XLR, Neutrik NC4MXX-B for the other end. If I can find well-priced gold contact tiny-XLR connectors I'll get those instead of the Switchcraft (maybe Rean RT4FC-B).
    • Confirmed that "Audeze" isn't pronounced like "aww deez nutz," but like "odyssey" with a bunch of zeezzz when I went to pick them up at Audeze HQ.
    • Also, @Tyll Hertsens is still pronounced like "tile," not "till." Who knew? Someone let me know if that changes.
    @Marvey do your LCD-2Cs do the crinkle/pop thing when you put them on? Would be interesting to see if that is consistent for frequency response or unicorn-ness. A few people on the Head-Fi thread have it happen when they put theirs on, but others don't.
     
    Last edited: Jan 1, 2018
  4. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Some might have thick and/or long hair, wear glasses, or just have ugly shaped heads that don't allow the LCD-2C to seal and pop/crackle like they will with a perfect seal. You'd be amazed how many people forget to even consider these sorts of aspects when using headphones, let alone trying to post their thoughts and findings on them. Or perhaps they just slip them on and don't apply any sort of pressure on them that I'd assume many do in order to maximize fit and seal.
     
  5. KarlStromberg

    KarlStromberg New

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    How so they compare to the PM-1/PM-2s?
     
  6. TheIceman93

    TheIceman93 El pato-zorro

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    Driver Pictures.

    I discovered a super simple mod with amazing performance potential. Take the metal covers off, flip them over, screw them back on and voila! You have a fazorless LCD-3.

    Kidding aside, this is a pretty hilarious cost-cutting measure that I sorta appreciate. They simply took the grills from unsold LCD-3's, flipped them over and printed LCD-2C on the other side.
     

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  7. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    They do the rice crispy thing when I put them on, get a seal, and compress them. Not anywhere as sensitive as STAX.
     
  8. joch

    joch Friend

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    Since you had them opened, did you try how they sounded without the foam or the grill?
     
  9. TheIceman93

    TheIceman93 El pato-zorro

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    Treble went up ... bass went down. Not a fan. Unlike Hifiman's, the Audeze cans don't seem to benefit from removing the grill and foam.
     
  10. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    I just confirmed that mine also say LCD-3 on the flip side of the grills. Pretty funny. Nice find!
     
  11. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    From Audeze:
     
  12. scapeinator1

    scapeinator1 Once You Go Black You'll Never Go Back

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    I've gotten my LCD-2C as well yesterday. This heard through Modi 2 + Fiio K5 is definitely what I have been looking for. I agree with what a lot of people are saying. Compared to the hd650, the treble is definitely a bit more present on the 2C and a bit sharper although the overall presentation is also relaxed for the most part. One thing I will say is that the 2C seems to "require" a proper amp much more than my HD650s do. For instance, I can use a dragonfly red or centrance dacport slim to drive the 650s and they are more forgiving in that scenario. My initial impression is that the bass became recessed and the treble harshness was increased on the 2C, on the off chance you wanted to try that.

    Also I feel like this almost goes without saying but after my time on HF and r/headphones I feel like I need to say this: The M1060 is not anywhere near the quality level of the LCD-2C. Even just based on build alone, the LCD-2C is well worth the money. The pads, earcups/rings, headband, etc are much much more higher quality/durable and more comfortable than the M1060. Weight really is a non-issue especially with the 2C being relatively light and having a better headband. In the realm of sound, even to my somewhat novice ears, the extreme harshness and really obvious ringing of the M1060 is not an issue on the 2C and that alone is such a relief. Let alone the slightly more nuanced areas where the 2C is better. I felt like sometimes people on youtube or some other places would lie to me :( and tell me that M1060 is just a cheaper LCD and I just feel like I needed to set the record straight.
     
    Last edited: Jan 5, 2018
  13. Marc Shivers

    Marc Shivers Acquaintance

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    My LCD-2C arrived a few days ago, and, oh man, these are just what I was hoping for. Previously, I'd been doing most of my listening on an HD800S, and while I love them, they are a really demanding HP and for me they're quite fatiguing, both sonically and physically (center head hotspot). I can't really listen to an HD800S for more than and hour or two. The LCD-2C, however, might be the most comfortable HP I've ever worn. I might never purchase another headphone that doesn't have this kind of head strap, it's that much better. I've been wearing them for about 6 hours so far today, and I don't even notice the weight of the 'phones. Sometimes I sort of forget I'm wearing them. As for the presentation, treble is less delineated and a bit recessed, but just enough to eliminate fatigue that bright cans cause for me; I don't miss it. Increased bass extension is a nice change from the HD800S. EDM is punchier, and more danceable. Otherwise neutral. Soundstage initially seemed very narrow coming from a A/B with HD800S, but I stopped caring after 10 minutes on their own. Clearer in the mids than an unmodded HD650. Classical is not horrible, but I wouldn't reach for these. Overall these are very fun and engaging. I want to keep listening when I'm wearing them. These are going to get a lot of use!
     
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  14. joeexp

    joeexp Don't ship this man FD-X1 ever

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    There seems to be more "ear-space" without the need for the fazor grill inside the cushions compared to the 'old' LCD2s...


    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2018
  15. AllanMarcus

    AllanMarcus Friend

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    @Hands, any chance you can try (measure and listen) the 2c with the Audeze DSP settings from their Reveal plugin?

    I'm quite curious what the plugin presets do to the FR in general.

    edit: whoops, I assumed there was a preset for these since Reveal is linked on the 2C page.
     
    Last edited: Jan 14, 2018
  16. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    Reveal doesn't yet have a setting for the LCD2Cs. They said it should be coming in the next release (theoretically later this month).

    Using the LCD-2 setting makes LCD2 Classics sound horrible.
     
  17. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    I switched to vegan pads and may not be able to try it out even when it is available.
     
  18. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    Do you know of a place to get the vegan pads? I talked to Audeze and it sounds like they aren't making them anymore.
     
    Last edited: Jan 14, 2018
  19. Ringingears

    Ringingears Honorary BFF

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    That’s the response I got from them when I asked back in December. No longer available.
     
  20. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Gotta find them used.

    ZMF suede pads might work too, but I haven't tried them.
     

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