Audeze LCD-2 Classic (2021) Planar Magnetic Headphones

[VSG]

Audeze. The legendary LCD-2 re-imagined: Those utterances alone suffice to generate enough interest in the $800 planar magnetic bass-heavy LCD-2 Classic, which goes with a more eco-friendly construction and has amp-friendly power requirements as it aims to deliver a satisfying Audeze experience for well under a thousand bucks.

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[Anoniem]

Yeah I had one for a while two-three years ago and I totally agree with the sound signature. It's a wall of sound that's warm and pretty bass heavy and picking out an instrument is, well, not great. It's pretty nice for movies though! I sold it simply because there are headphones that offer a more balanced sound whilst still retaining most of the good characteristics for the same price. Another reason was the headband, that was one of the most annoying things ever on my noggin'. I always got a hotspot of pressure on my head that was easily resolved by creating new mounting holes in the headband. After that the comfort was great even though they weigh a ton (not as much as my LCD-XC though ).

It's fun to see you guys do the occasional headphone review, keep 'em coming!

 

[VSG]

Yeah I had one for a while two-three years ago and I totally agree with the sound signature. It's a wall of sound that's warm and pretty bass heavy and picking out an instrument is, well, not great. It's pretty nice for movies though! I sold it simply because there are headphones that offer a more balanced sound whilst still retaining most of the good characteristics for the same price. Another reason was the headband, that was one of the most annoying things ever on my noggin'. I always got a hotspot of pressure on my head that was easily resolved by creating new mounting holes in the headband. After that the comfort was great even though they weigh a ton (not as much as my LCD-XC though ).

It's fun to see you guys do the occasional headphone review, keep 'em coming!

Speaking of XC, guess what is coming in tomorrow?

 

[Anoniem]

Speaking of XC, guess what is coming in tomorrow?

You've got to be kidding me Get a half decent amplifier and that's about enough, they're not hard to properly drive. I did try it on a older phone for giggles and lows were not great. How about giving HiFiMan a tickle and kindly ask them to loan you an Ananda? I've had several of their headphones as well and the Ananda is probably my favourite headphone so far. The fit is so awesomely good, I can wear them for hours.

 

[VSG]

You've got to be kidding me Get a half decent amplifier and that's about enough, they're not hard to properly drive. I did try it on a older phone for giggles and lows were not great. How about giving HiFiMan a tickle and kindly ask them to loan you an Ananda? I've had several of their headphones as well and the Ananda is probably my favourite headphone so far. The fit is so awesomely good, I can wear them for hours.

Frederik has already covered many of the HiFiMan headphones very well here on behalf of TechPowerUp, so that means I can't get my hands on them easily unfortunately.

His Ananda review: https://www.techpowerup.com/review/hifiman-ananda/

His Ananda BT review: https://www.techpowerup.com/review/hifiman-ananda-bt/

I'll do the LCD-XC, and I've already submitted the Euclid review for patreon subscribers which anyone can read a preview of (link's on the home page).

 

[Space Lynx]

Frederik has already covered many of the HiFiMan headphones very well here on behalf of TechPowerUp, so that means I can't get my hands on them easily unfortunately.

His Ananda review: https://www.techpowerup.com/review/hifiman-ananda/

His Ananda BT review: https://www.techpowerup.com/review/hifiman-ananda-bt/

I'll do the LCD-XC, and I've already submitted the Euclid review for patreon subscribers which anyone can read a preview of (link's on the home page).

I have heard the Ananda and Jade II. For $1500 I thought Jade II was very overpriced, I actually didn't like it at all.

The Ananda however is my all time favorite headphone... though its out of my price range so I don't own it... the female vocals on it were so good it made me shiver.

My daily drivers are the more affordable HD58X. I love them too.

 

[VSG]

I have heard the Ananda and Jade II. For $1500 I thought Jade II was very overpriced, I actually didn't like it at all.

The Ananda however is my all time favorite headphone... though its out of my price range so I don't own it... the female vocals on it were so good it made me shiver.

My daily drivers are the more affordable HD58X. I love them too.

I still have my first set of headphones, the HD598, I bought after having saved a lot for it. It's still in my rotation, especially when I just want to chill and have a lightweight, comfortable solution. There's nothing wrong with what you're enjoying, just have fun.

 

[Anoniem]

I have heard the Ananda and Jade II. For $1500 I thought Jade II was very overpriced, I actually didn't like it at all.

The Ananda however is my all time favorite headphone... though its out of my price range so I don't own it... the female vocals on it were so good it made me shiver.

My daily drivers are the more affordable HD58X. I love them too.

Yikes, that Jade II is mighty expensive And I get what you mean about the female vocals, goosebumps. Best part for me is the comfort overall. And the HD598 and HD58X are an extremely good value propositions, just like the Beyerdynamic DT770 and DT990 though you do have to like their sound signature.

just have fun.

Exactly, that's what it is about. Many seem to forget that in the audio space, sadly. Never forget that every ear is unique, same goes for the brain.

 

[VSG]

LCD-XC is in the house btw:

 

[Anoniem]

LCD-XC is in the house btw:

View attachment 210250 View attachment 210251 View attachment 210253

Oh wow, pretty. Looks like some sort of Creator edition (if they still call it the same) with the carbon fiber finish on the cups, quite a bit different than mine. And the pelican case is such awesome overkill, love it

 

[VSG]

Oh wow, pretty. Looks like some sort of Creator edition (if they still call it the same) with the carbon fiber finish on the cups, quite a bit different than mine. And the pelican case is such awesome overkill, love it

There are no wood cups now, only real carbon fiber cups. The case is also new and, in fact, even the pads are new with options of leather and leather-free bands and pads as is the driver setup itself with a different fazor setup and magnet layout. I will refer to these as the LCD-XC (2021) henceforth since things are quite different from before.

This is indeed the Creator Pack, which is the cheaper option now. There's a more expensive Premium Pack too with the actual Audeze/Pelican case in addition to another cable etc. There will be an eventual review of this too!

Some more photos:

 

[Anoniem]

Those are some sexy close-ups, good camera I can see they changed a lot compared to the older designs, really wonder how they sound compared to mine. These headphones are a bit special to me since I had to use legal expenses insurance (don't really know that it's called in English; rechtsbijstandverzekering) to get mine. It took me almost half a year of BS excuses to get mine. Nevertheless, they have their own unique sound.

 

[VSG]

Those are some sexy close-ups, good camera I can see they changed a lot compared to the older designs, really wonder how they sound compared to mine. These headphones are a bit special to me since I had to use legal expenses insurance (don't really know that it's called in English; rechtsbijstandverzekering) to get mine. It took me almost half a year of BS excuses to get mine. Nevertheless, they have their own unique sound.

From everything I have seen, the latest LCD-X and XC are much better tuned out of the box to where EQ isn't needed to make the most of them. But if you EQ the older versions, it will be basically the same. The changes are in the driver magnet configuration, fazor guides, and also different pads used (both leather and leather-free).

 

[Anoniem]

From everything I have seen, the latest LCD-X and XC are much better tuned out of the box to where EQ isn't needed to make the most of them. But if you EQ the older versions, it will be basically the same. The changes are in the driver magnet configuration, fazor guides, and also different pads used (both leather and leather-free).

If Audeze in their infinite wisdom hadn't decided to GLUE the pads I might have changed them. I mean, that's just not needed, just take a look at some of the other manufacturers! Besides that, glad some EQ can make up for that

 

[VSG]

If Audeze in their infinite wisdom hadn't decided to GLUE the pads I might have changed them. I mean, that's just not needed, just take a look at some of the other manufacturers! Besides that, glad some EQ can make up for that

Yeah the glued pads aren't the best..