Audeze LCD-2 Headphones

[atomicAdam]

I heard these one a couple system at RMAF - WOW - I'm saving up starting now.

Anyone else hear these?

http://www.audeze.com/

-adam

[Ajani]

Haven't heard them, but all the initial reports for them are really positive... Maybe, they'll be the Cans to finally replace my AKG K701's...

[atomicAdam]

I have K701s, and I'm saving up.

To me they are totally different. They give a great amount of stage like the 701s but the separation and solidness of the sound is way better in my opinion.

[Ajani]

I have K701s, and I'm saving up.

To me they are totally different. They give a great amount of stage like the 701s but the separation and solidness of the sound is way better in my opinion.

Excellent... I know there are now a number of $1K+ Cans that are better than the K701s, so I'm just waiting to see if one emerges that really stands out from the pack...

[frahengeo]

Hi Guys,

What websites do you recommend for headphone reviews? Also, what are your thoughts on the Sennheiser HD 800 (aside from it being high priced)?

Thanks

[winston]

Hi Guys,

What websites do you recommend for headphone reviews? Also, what are your thoughts on the Sennheiser HD 800 (aside from it being high priced)?

Thanks

hi frahengeo, I have never, and don't think that I'll have the need to go above the 600's, but to get the information on the HD-800 the main site would be http://www.headfi.org good luck.

[winston]

Adam,Ajani, have you guys looked at this link on headfi? that's the Audeze-lcd-2 review with pics.

if I ever wanted to step out of my headphone class, this would be a "keeper" after reading the review and seen the photo's this is some nice pics check it out.

www.head-fi.org/products/audeze-lcd-2-planar-magnetic-headphones

[poppachubby]

Have you heard any Stax Adam? Looks like the same operating principle. They can be had used for alot less than $1K and would be a good starting point for judging these newer types.

[Ajani]

Have you heard any Stax Adam? Looks like the same operating principle. They can be had used for alot less than $1K and would be a good starting point for judging these newer types.

The problem with Stax has been their use of proprietary balanced connections instead of standard 1/4" headphone jacks... So you need to buy both a stax headphone and a matching amp to drive it... These new stats are more appealing since they use standard headphone Jacks, so I could just use my DAC1 to drive them...

[Ajani]

Adam,Ajani, have you guys looked at this link on headfi? that's the Audeze-lcd-2 review with pics.

if I ever wanted to step out of my headphone class, this would be a "keeper" after reading the review and seen the photo's this is some nice pics check it out.

www.head-fi.org/products/audeze-lcd-2-planar-magnetic-headphones

The reviews are positive, though I'm still waiting for the "killer" pair of cans... All the above $1K Cans are a step up from the old Kings (AKG K701, Senn 650 etc) but I'm really waiting for the one that makes K701 fans want to toss the 701s in the trash...

[winston]

The reviews are positive, though I'm still waiting for the "killer" pair of cans... All the above $1K Cans are a step up from the old Kings (AKG K701, Senn 650 etc) but I'm really waiting for the one that makes K701 fans want to toss the 701s in the trash...

yep, Ajani" your gonna be waiting a very long time to see those AKG K71,SENN 600 and 650 go down the tubes, so keep loving your K71s

(yes even with those super reviews and drop dead extremely gorgeously looking photo's of the Audeze LCD-2) At $945 a pop, I'm thinking that its just here for Christmas!! because after all the reviews they haven't mentioned word about the (old kings) and that is saying a lot.

[Ajani]

yep, Ajani" your gonna be waiting a very long time to see those AKG K71,SENN 600 and 650 go down the tubes, so keep loving your K71s

(yes even with those super reviews and drop dead extremely gorgeously looking photo's of the Audeze LCD-2) At $945 a pop, I'm thinking that its just here for Christmas!! because after all the reviews they haven't mentioned word about the (old kings) and that is saying a lot.

LOL.... I guess I'm just afraid of spending a grand or more on a new set of cans and then being underwhelmed... My K701/DAC 1 combo really sounds good, so I can afford to wait patiently for the next level of Cans....

[Ajani]

I wonder how the Audeze compare to the HiFiMAN HE6:

http://www.head-direct.com/product_detail.php?p=92


I know AVGUIDE thinks they are like Martin Logan CLX versus Quad 2905:

http://www.avguide.com/buyers-guide/...ize-headphones

[Ajani]

OK, the Audeze officially has me intrigued... This frequency response makes me want to try them so bad:

http://www.audeze.com/wp-content/upl...distortion.jpg

That is the most impressive freq response I've seen for headphones... Basically flat from 20hz to 1khz (the peaks and valleys above 1K are expected for headphones - something to do with the folds in our ears)...

[Ajani]

Not to be the crazy guy keeping a thread going all by himself but, I found this review from Cnet's Audiophiliac for the LCD-2:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-20...?tag=cnetRiver

It seems he thinks they are the new Kings of headphones...

[atomicAdam]

nah - you aren't crazy - but it would sure be nice to have a spare 1k around for these suckers.

[Ajani]

So Srajan Ebaen of 6Moons is declaring the LCD-2s his new favourites (ahead of the Sennheiser HD800, beyerdynamic T1 and AKG K-702; stock audio-technica W5000 and Grado PS-1000; HifiMan HE5LE with optional silver wiring and grill mod; stock HifiMan HE-6):

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/audeze/1.html

Looks like I really need to start saving and try them out for myself...

[winston]

So Srajan Ebaen of 6Moons is declaring the LCD-2s his new favourites (ahead of the Sennheiser HD800, beyerdynamic T1 and AKG K-702; stock audio-technica W5000 and Grado PS-1000; HifiMan HE5LE with optional silver wiring and grill mod; stock HifiMan HE-6):

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/audeze/1.html

Looks like I really need to start saving and try them out for myself...

LOL... Ajani, don't forget to pick up a pair of these >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(ALO audio Chain Mail 8 wire LUX-FEP OCC 18awg Audeze LCD2 Headphone Cable 8 feet) when you pull the trigger!!??... I love reading the reviews

[Ajani]

LOL... Ajani, don't forget to pick up a pair of these >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(ALO audio Chain Mail 8 wire LUX-FEP OCC 18awg Audeze LCD2 Headphone Cable 8 feet) when you pull the trigger!!??... I love reading the reviews

The $1K for the LCD-2 I could save up for, but another $500 for cables is just not gonna happen...

[poppachubby]

Do they have distribution in Canada? My local shop is big on headphones, and keeps a big inventory. I should try and talk them into bringing a pair in...

I could never justify $1K for cans. Used Stax would be in the cards for me, but then again I would want my beloved K240 Sextett first.

I am listening to my K240S right now. Good enough for these ears.

[Ajani]

Do they have distribution in Canada? My local shop is big on headphones, and keeps a big inventory. I should try and talk them into bringing a pair in...

I could never justify $1K for cans. Used Stax would be in the cards for me, but then again I would want my beloved K240 Sextett first.

I am listening to my K240S right now. Good enough for these ears.

It'll probably be a long wait before any samples are available at a dealer in Canada, right now the order list (online) requires a minimum of 1 month waiting time...

At least one of the pro reviewers prefers the LCD2 to the Stax SR-007 Omega II.... The LCD has serious dynamic range & doesn't require a proprietary amp like the Stax....

$1K is a hell of a lot of money for cans (regardless of how "common" cans in that price range are becoming)... But the simple truth is that most audiophiles will never be able to afford state of the art speakers, but state of the art cans are on the cards...

[Happy Camper]

So Srajan Ebaen of 6Moons is declaring the LCD-2s his new favourites (ahead of the Sennheiser HD800, beyerdynamic T1 and AKG K-702; stock audio-technica W5000 and Grado PS-1000; HifiMan HE5LE with optional silver wiring and grill mod; stock HifiMan HE-6):

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/audeze/1.html

Looks like I really need to start saving and try them out for myself...

We had all the above listed hps (except HE-5le) at our meet last weekend and I agree the LCD-2 was the winner but the HD-800 stands up well. The LCD-2 crushed all in bass and being an ortho, that is a pretty good trick.

To correct a mis-statement made earlier, the LCD-2 are a planar, not a stat. They do run off of a decent dynamic amp.

[Happy Camper]

HE-6 incoming.

[Ajani]

HE-6 incoming.

I'm looking forward to your first impressions of them. Especially how they compare to the Audeze and the AKG K701s...

[Happy Camper]

Going back to the K701 from using the LCD-2 for two weeks was underwhelming. I had always wondered what folks were talking about when they criticized the K701 as sounding "plastiky" and artificial in the high end. Coming back to the K701, I immediately changed my mind on how much bass is in material. Especially new age but also in rock, electronic and even orchestras and jazz, there is a lot lost in this range with the K. I also think I understand the "plastiky" descriptions now.

My negatives are they are dark with low volume listening. To get the mids and highs to fill out, you need some volume but once the cans have enough juice, they sing with the delicacy of stats and the impact of speakers. They also have a fuzzy center focus in the soundscape. This has also been mentioned with the HE-6 so it may be a driver angle thing. Those having heard this say it goes away with more powerful amping (read speaker amps with high current). Funny in manly things, more power solves all.

I prefer details over impact but the orthos do both. The LCD-2 has been described as the HD600/650 on steroids. The same analogy given the HE-6 is an AKG on steroids (to include the 1000s) so we'll see.