I love my LCD-2Cs, they are truly end-game for me. I’ve had mine for 5 years now! These are headphones that 100% need EQ. For me, EQ fixes all of the issues. The vocals are just sublime and the bass is oh so amazing. If I had to nitpick, the bass could do with a little more layering but otherwise the delivery is fantastic. I’m getting to the point where one of my pads are showing some wear so I’m planning on switching them out to auteur perforated suede pads. Apparently that will tighten the bass and make it hit a bit harder. The treble should be more clear as well. Going by how warm the sound profile is, it’s not for everyone but if you pair it with an analytical dac/amp combo, you will be in for one hell of a experience.
If that’s directed at me, my first name is Drew. I bought mine used, so I’m not sure what year they were, but relatively new based on the condition. Are you eqing at all?
@@MrAyrit I am sorry my auto correct got your name wrong. Yes I use the eq on mojo. As you are aware the change in eq using mojo is very subtle and satisfying. it would be great to have your review of mojo and lcd2 with EQ. When I had mailed to Audeze they had said there were major changes from the late 2021m model..
This review really mirrors my impression. Weirdly shouty and not at all warm and pleasant. I was expecting a lot better bass. It extends deep, but does not have much drive and energy. Tested three different amps and ended up with the same impression on all. Some amps provided better instrument separation and a bit wider soundstage, but the overall impression stayed the same. I have a friend with a pair of LCD-2, they sound warm and fluid, and have much more impact and energy down low. Not sure if they are pre-fazors, but it sure sounds like it. With his headphones I feel like I can listen for hours and hours, with the LCD-2C I tire quickly and do a lot of track skipping (usually not a good sign). Back to the store they go!
I have the latest ones that came with the latest pads in the new case. I found it to be a little midrangey out of the box but wow is it an example of long burn in. Here I am now months later and they now sound right. It's not brain burn in because I have other cans and speakers that cleanse my pallette. It is probably like magnepans where they are midrangey and lacking in dynamics out of the box due to the initial tightness of the mylar film
@@MrAyrit and we are not sure if those are the latest 2021 and up pads. Audeze will let you know though if you give them your serial number. They will know based on that if those are the latest pads assuming the original owner didn't change them which I highly doubt since its not that easy to swap out.
I agree with you on this, I tried out the 2021 2C, 2F, and X last year and preferred the 2F the most. The X definitely was more resolving but had weird timbre, and the 2C had that weird dark but somehow too sharp in the treble thing you described, as well as the weird staging. The 2F is much more accurate to my ears (though still has a bit of that audeze dip around 2-3k, just less so, but I actually like that for rock/metal), while still doing a bit of that holographic thing. Whereas the X, while it had the most "studio" sounding staging was just a bit too boring and cold sounding for me.
@@MrAyrit 350 to 1k. Have used hd700, ath ad700x, hd6xx, sony 7510, kioko in ear monitors. Currently using the ad700x, but the bass accuracy is horrible, and when I check the mix in a Ford flex with stock sony speakers and sub, it's heavy on the sub and out of proportion. The failsafe is to cut the Lows at 40hz and watch the visualizer, but even still that isn't enough for decent accuracy. The hd700s we're great but they don't have enough bass or can't drive bass without crack, but could get accurate mixes at -14 LUFS, however I could not master a mix at -10 LUFS with them accurately without the sound cracking. The 7510s are closed back at pretty hit or miss, and the kiokos being in ear create fatigue quickly. Thank you so much for your suggestions
@@MrAyrit I would also like to add the type of music in production is of the IDM genre, like aphex twin, squarepusher, Venetian snares, etc, but also electronic folk, incorporating strings at times
a friend had a pair, hated them and told me i could borrow. i started a trial of roon which just happens to have parametric EQ profiles for audeze headphones. stock yes they sound like a puppy chasing its tail ... but once corrected. they sing the song of their people.
Hey Mr. Ayritt, I own the lcd2c and I hear the frequency response the same way as you do. I think of the lcd2c as a mid-rangy headphone . I think the bump in the mid-range is the most prominent feature of the tonal balance. The treble is okay but as you say, a lot of ups and downs in the treble frequencies. I was surprised with the bass. I heard so many people rave about the bass but I don't find it all that special. Yes it's clean,distortion free, smooth and very well extended; but for my taste it isn't enough bass. Rtings frequency response graph shows that that mid-range bump is higher in level than the bass and the treble.
I love my LCD-2Cs, they are truly end-game for me. I’ve had mine for 5 years now! These are headphones that 100% need EQ. For me, EQ fixes all of the issues. The vocals are just sublime and the bass is oh so amazing. If I had to nitpick, the bass could do with a little more layering but otherwise the delivery is fantastic. I’m getting to the point where one of my pads are showing some wear so I’m planning on switching them out to auteur perforated suede pads. Apparently that will tighten the bass and make it hit a bit harder. The treble should be more clear as well.
Going by how warm the sound profile is, it’s not for everyone but if you pair it with an analytical dac/amp combo, you will be in for one hell of a experience.
2c or not 2c
Hey Alex I’ve been using lcd2C with chord mojo 2 and they seem to be pretty open and engaging. Is it the 2021 model that you are using
If that’s directed at me, my first name is Drew. I bought mine used, so I’m not sure what year they were, but relatively new based on the condition. Are you eqing at all?
@@MrAyrit I am sorry my auto correct got your name wrong. Yes I use the eq on mojo. As you are aware the change in eq using mojo is very subtle and satisfying. it would be great to have your review of mojo and lcd2 with EQ. When I had mailed to Audeze they had said there were major changes from the late 2021m model..
This review really mirrors my impression. Weirdly shouty and not at all warm and pleasant. I was expecting a lot better bass. It extends deep, but does not have much drive and energy. Tested three different amps and ended up with the same impression on all. Some amps provided better instrument separation and a bit wider soundstage, but the overall impression stayed the same. I have a friend with a pair of LCD-2, they sound warm and fluid, and have much more impact and energy down low. Not sure if they are pre-fazors, but it sure sounds like it. With his headphones I feel like I can listen for hours and hours, with the LCD-2C I tire quickly and do a lot of track skipping (usually not a good sign). Back to the store they go!
I have the latest ones that came with the latest pads in the new case. I found it to be a little midrangey out of the box but wow is it an example of long burn in. Here I am now months later and they now sound right. It's not brain burn in because I have other cans and speakers that cleanse my pallette. It is probably like magnepans where they are midrangey and lacking in dynamics out of the box due to the initial tightness of the mylar film
I can’t dispute it. I only owned mine for about a month, and since they were used I have no idea how long they were used.
@@MrAyrit and we are not sure if those are the latest 2021 and up pads. Audeze will let you know though if you give them your serial number. They will know based on that if those are the latest pads assuming the original owner didn't change them which I highly doubt since its not that easy to swap out.
Never heard the 2C, but love my XS, so I stopped looking (for now...). Thanks for the insight!
Please review the mm500,
Much love from Kudus, Indonesia, 💕
Just from looking, the pads on your used unit are very compressed compared to mine, so that could affect the comfort and the sound
My thought as well. He should definitely change his pads and make a real review. lol!
I love my lcd2 I'm pretty sure mine are prefazor also, definitely my go to headphone
I agree with you on this, I tried out the 2021 2C, 2F, and X last year and preferred the 2F the most. The X definitely was more resolving but had weird timbre, and the 2C had that weird dark but somehow too sharp in the treble thing you described, as well as the weird staging. The 2F is much more accurate to my ears (though still has a bit of that audeze dip around 2-3k, just less so, but I actually like that for rock/metal), while still doing a bit of that holographic thing. Whereas the X, while it had the most "studio" sounding staging was just a bit too boring and cold sounding for me.
How would you compare this to the Modhouse Argon T60rp version? That's my current "best" headphone (have the Xenon pads as well). Thanks!
My preference is definitely for the t60. More natural, more linear, wider, better imaging.
@@MrAyrit Thanks. I just joined your Patreon - appreciate your content.
hi drew, if you were to be creating, mixing, and mastering music, which pair of headphones would you recommend off the cuff?
Do you have a price range?
@@MrAyrit 350 to 1k. Have used hd700, ath ad700x, hd6xx, sony 7510, kioko in ear monitors. Currently using the ad700x, but the bass accuracy is horrible, and when I check the mix in a Ford flex with stock sony speakers and sub, it's heavy on the sub and out of proportion. The failsafe is to cut the Lows at 40hz and watch the visualizer, but even still that isn't enough for decent accuracy. The hd700s we're great but they don't have enough bass or can't drive bass without crack, but could get accurate mixes at -14 LUFS, however I could not master a mix at -10 LUFS with them accurately without the sound cracking. The 7510s are closed back at pretty hit or miss, and the kiokos being in ear create fatigue quickly. Thank you so much for your suggestions
@@MrAyrit I would also like to add the type of music in production is of the IDM genre, like aphex twin, squarepusher, Venetian snares, etc, but also electronic folk, incorporating strings at times
What do you think of the 2021 lcdx
Haven’t heard an lcdx yet. A lot of people are asking for it though. Maybe I’ll try to pick one up.
If you give them them the DEKONI Choice Suede They're 95% of the pre fazor And possibly 90% with the choice leather i think
a friend had a pair, hated them and told me i could borrow. i started a trial of roon which just happens to have parametric EQ profiles for audeze headphones. stock yes they sound like a puppy chasing its tail ... but once corrected. they sing the song of their people.
Hey Mr. Ayritt, I own the lcd2c and I hear the frequency response the same way as you do. I think of the lcd2c as a mid-rangy headphone . I think the bump in the mid-range is the most prominent feature of the tonal balance. The treble is okay but as you say, a lot of ups and downs in the treble frequencies.
I was surprised with the bass. I heard so many people rave about the bass but I don't find it all that special. Yes it's clean,distortion free, smooth and very well extended; but for my taste it isn't enough bass. Rtings frequency response graph shows that that mid-range bump is higher in level than the bass and the treble.
I believe the LCD 2c is the pre-fazor version. it could be the amp that you're using that doesn't mesh well with LCD2c.
Holographic sound? You guy are losing it....
Means like there’s a depth to it that isn’t quite tangible. For me anyway.
XS are much better headphone sound vice , but build quality really sucks, XS with Arya headband would be my endgame.
I believe you can buy an Arya headband for like $75 from Hifiman.