Audeze LCD-24

At last we get some good pictures of the upcoming LCD-24 which supposedly seems to be a LCD-4 derivate tuned with the LCD-2 in mind. The oldschool LCD-2 is my favorite Audeze headphone until today. The variation was rather wild back then, thus some LCD-2s became known as Unicorn models.

From the outside this headphone looks like a plain MX4.

Price is around 3500 dollars so I'm out of the game already (kinda hoped it would be 2xthe Classic at max but I was naive) but maybe a few guys here might find this headphone interesting from the intended tuning and care to give it a good listen.

LCD24 Specifications

• Style: Over-ear, open-back
• Transducer type: Planar magnetic
• Magnetic structure: Proprietary magnet array
• Phase management: FAZOR
• Magnet type: Neodymium N50
• Diaphragm type: Nano-scale Uniforce™
• Transducer size: 106 mm
• Max power handling: 5W RMS
• Max SPL: >130dB
• Frequency response: 5Hz – 50kHz
• THD: <0.1% @ 100dB
• Impedance: 15 ohms
• Sensitivity: 98 dB/1mW (at Drum Reference Point)
• Min power requirement: >100mW
• Recommended power: >250mW

Source: https://positive-feedback.com/revie...Fr0XM8RfcVvhG-nXc9749Yz4VtLInzE0d43JJHrD-ZpOE

 

I wonder if Audeze is ever going to substantially change or improve their designs or if each successive headphone will just be pricier and still sound worse than a 2010-2011 A-grade LCD-2.

Things are getting kind of stale in planar land.

 

So it's a LCD-4 made to be like LCD-2, why not 42?

 

^ same driver as the 4z (which is also 15 ohm)?

Also wish they'd change their headbands - I get they had to start this way due to wood cups, but now that their new stuff has doesn't use wood, the inherent structural limitations of wood are removed and they're no longer bound to the same headband. Important IMO given how heavy Audezes are generally.

My biggest complaint with my LCD3 is the hotspot it causes on the crown of my head after some amount of time (old or new headband), made worse by the weight of the headphone. edit: ZMF has a similar headband, but the issue isn't as bad given that the headbands are padded, moldable, etc and the overall headphone is lighter.

 

Seems this headphone is a limited edition as well and can only be ordered at Audeze. Makes the plain look even worse. The LCD-XC at least had that strange alligator edition.

For a limited run It should at least have gotten the LCD-4 design/housing and a wood that reminds us of the OG LCD-2 (i know back then there were a few to choose from).

 

I have a feeling they're flinging stuff to see what sticks. The LCD-2 I sold to @Priidik was my favourite, their new gamer cans seem interesting as well.

 

It is also possible that, Audeze is reacting to the market behaviour. Lately, I am seeing a lot of Head-Fi folks cycling expensive gear like, how one would change their toothbrush. They just keep wanting new stuff. Audeze is probably just exploiting this greed, either to stay in business or to make profits.

 

Nah, you sold it to my local buddy IceUul.
I did spend some time with that particular set and it was much better than the Fazor 2 and 3.
I can understand people liking stuff like that. Good planar sound for still sane price.

 

Oh, right! Sorry for mixing you guys up! I hope @IceUul is enjoying his LCD-2's!

 

Audeze can raise prices as much as the market can bear. That's true of every entity that sells goods. We've seen this shit with HiFiMAN. The market incentive is to sell as much stuff made as cheaply as possible for as much as possible. But a limited run of these headphones increases demand thus higher profits.

I don't think this trend of headphones priced in the several thousands is going to change. The global market for audiophile-grade headphones is headed for more growth:

https://www.marketstudyreport.com/r...regions-type-and-application-forecast-to-2023

Audeze is among other manufacturers in this highly competitive space and apparently there is a subset of customers willing to fork out.

I can't even imagine what the profit margins would be like on these headphones. Someone's going to be lining their pockets for sure.

 

Seems to me that Audeze is rebranding a low-selling product. Like what Sennheiser did with the HD700/660S.

The 2C is the best value Audeze. Fantastic build quality for any price, with Audeze good looks.

 

Yep, 2C is great with a system matching its signature (e.g. Gungnir MB + Lyr 3). Could be headphone roulette, though. My 2C might be among the best of the kind.