We're getting into the higher-end headphone world here at GearUP... next up is the Sivga Luan, followed by the Focal Clear MG. Stay tuned and thanks for watching, y'all! Anyway, here's today's affiliate link in case you missed it: amzn.to/46dBv8o
I've had my Audeze LCD-Xs since January 2015 that I've spent $1700 on at the time. I've never bought a new audiophile grade headphone again after that. They have absolutely everything I look for in sound quality.
@@gearupaaron They're still soft, but have actually torn a little on the right ear when I was trying to make small adjustments. Seems like they get a little fragile after a while. Super glue helped a little, but I'm planning on replacing them soon.
@@skylerallens I also have a significantly older variation of the lcd-x (a refurbished pair that predated the suspension headband) and personally I swapped the original pads out for dekoni hybrids and I felt like it retained everything I loved about the lcd-x and improved the comfort. If you ever require a pad swap to fix the old pads wearing down I'd personally recommend them.
One of my favorite experiences of the old LCD-X (prior to the 2021 revisions) is playing Nier Automata on my fiio q5 with a balanced 2.5mm cable. A fantastic game for auidophiles because the music is such a big part of the experience. HIghly recommend. I have yet to listen to the new ones LCD-X but I still benchmark new headphones against the ones I have and always find new things I appreciate about the lcd-x in the moment. I'm curious what the Sony overlords will do to influence the brand, I know the maxwells were a big part of that, they are part of my daily use too.
@@gearupaaron yeah I just happened to be in the market for a wireless can that I could swap between some machines in my wfh setup right when they launched
@@gearupaaron Fair enough. At first they did seem heavier compared to my HD 600, but i soon became accustomed to them. I too was worried about the weight before purchasing them but i'm glad it's not been an issue for me so far.
@@gearupaaron I've come to love them. It took me a while though to break away from the sennheiser sound signature. I had my HD600's for over 10 years so it was an adjustmnet. Mostly in the soundstage which isn't the LCD-X's strong point. But the quality and detail is really something else on the LCD-X. I do a tiny bit of EQ'ing in the mids but not much at all. Maybe 3 DB boost at 4k. That's it. Not a huge believer in EQ'ing a 1700$ pair of headphones. I recently tried the MM500 from Audeze and prefer the LCD-X. The bass is just right. How about you?
I do agree with him, he is not exaggerating. I had them for about 2 years, and the weight was unbearable. Only using them for quick check of the mix and leaving them at the desk. Neck day at the gym is recommended for LCD-X and LCD-4 owners 😅
@ very much a more reference sound than it used to be. Not bad, just different. I personally returned my 500s cause I just realized after eqing the LCD X the warmth was just a perfect alignment for me.
@Silver749 It's just an odd misstep even when compared to other high end brands that allow their pads to be swapped out. Maybe it's because the X is from an old design philosophy? Anyway, thanks so much for watching this and your comments! 👍
My story since I bought the first version of the LCDX its been one of love and hate. I started hating their guts mostly because I bought them because of the big hype generated from the start and I found them muffled, not too revealing in details and obviously too heavy and wonky to wear as you say. However, years later and only after changing the pads to the new ones I FINALLY started to enjoyed them very very much. I agree about your sound impressions and I must say especially on orchestral music and vocals no other headphone I've tried can do better than these guys. Yes, they're expensive but they're equally expensive cans from other brands who aren't so resolving and impacting. I have the Arya Organics, the Focal Clears, and the Meze 109Pro and none of those can give me the sound the Xs do. So, I'm finally Loving my LCDXs, better late than never I suppose.
@@gearupaaron hmmm see told you interesting! lol I mostly listen to music on the go, so massive backless cans will injury me loool , still now I might give them a try 😄
@@rustamken4350 Loved them my unit just had an issue with the build quality. I did not purchase them as I want to try a few other headphones first but I definitely preferred them over the LCD X. The LCD 3 have better resolution over the LCD X and the bass hits a lot better than the X without getting bloated. I found the LCD 3 to be very easy to listen to and very emotionally engaging. Should my LCD X break and I don't find a better alternative the LCD 3 would probably be my next upgrade
My OG 2015 LCD X's are at Audeze right now being updated to the 2021 version. The update ameliorates to 17 db trough at 6k hz, making it EQ able to flat. Yes, it's a fantastic set. Once it's updated (fee is $590 for this service), it should compare favorably to just about anything out there. I really believe once you get past $1,000-1,500 you're paying for finishes, fancy boxes, expensive looking cables, and idiosyncratic tunings. Often a lot of those $5k phones are not as good as the stuff they sold for $1k in 2014. In any case, as long as you don't want to dance and headbang with them, the X's are second to none.
@@gearupaaron Since they replace both drivers and both pads, I am in effect getting a brand new headphone (complete with a 3 year warranty) for the price. So not bad, considering what you would have to pay to get anything else in its class.
They’re quite outdated for the price. Try Arya organic which overall is much better. Lcd-x is easy to drive, to EQ and easy to listen to, but not stellar in any way in todays market
Nah, I completely disagree. Arya Organic might be more pleasant for casual listening, but that's about it. The LCD-X is so much better in almost every other way.
We're getting into the higher-end headphone world here at GearUP... next up is the Sivga Luan, followed by the Focal Clear MG. Stay tuned and thanks for watching, y'all! Anyway, here's today's affiliate link in case you missed it: amzn.to/46dBv8o
I've had my Audeze LCD-Xs since January 2015 that I've spent $1700 on at the time. I've never bought a new audiophile grade headphone again after that. They have absolutely everything I look for in sound quality.
That's awesome... Thanks for sharing your experience! How have the ear pads fared?
@@gearupaaron They're still soft, but have actually torn a little on the right ear when I was trying to make small adjustments. Seems like they get a little fragile after a while. Super glue helped a little, but I'm planning on replacing them soon.
@@skylerallens I also have a significantly older variation of the lcd-x (a refurbished pair that predated the suspension headband) and personally I swapped the original pads out for dekoni hybrids and I felt like it retained everything I loved about the lcd-x and improved the comfort. If you ever require a pad swap to fix the old pads wearing down I'd personally recommend them.
every time i talk myself off the edge of getting super expensive first audiophile headphones this pair comes back up...
It calls to you, lol 😝
One of my favorite experiences of the old LCD-X (prior to the 2021 revisions) is playing Nier Automata on my fiio q5 with a balanced 2.5mm cable. A fantastic game for auidophiles because the music is such a big part of the experience. HIghly recommend. I have yet to listen to the new ones LCD-X but I still benchmark new headphones against the ones I have and always find new things I appreciate about the lcd-x in the moment.
I'm curious what the Sony overlords will do to influence the brand, I know the maxwells were a big part of that, they are part of my daily use too.
Thanks for sharing your experience it 🤙 Sounds like you have a Maxwell too?
@@gearupaaron yeah I just happened to be in the market for a wireless can that I could swap between some machines in my wfh setup right when they launched
I still listen to Pascal's Village theme , along with many others from that wonderful game, it has perma registered in my mind.
How do these compare to the focal clears?
Now that you have reviewed both the MM-100 and LCD X, would you say the LCD X is 3 times better as reflect by the pricing?
he answered this in the video
You're exaggerating with the weight. It's really not an issue. Two years I've been using them.
Maybe you have a stronger neck then I do 😁
@@gearupaaron Fair enough. At first they did seem heavier compared to my HD 600, but i soon became accustomed to them. I too was worried about the weight before purchasing them but i'm glad it's not been an issue for me so far.
How do you like your unit so far?
@@gearupaaron I've come to love them. It took me a while though to break away from the sennheiser sound signature. I had my HD600's for over 10 years so it was an adjustmnet. Mostly in the soundstage which isn't the LCD-X's strong point. But the quality and detail is really something else on the LCD-X. I do a tiny bit of EQ'ing in the mids but not much at all. Maybe 3 DB boost at 4k. That's it. Not a huge believer in EQ'ing a 1700$ pair of headphones. I recently tried the MM500 from Audeze and prefer the LCD-X. The bass is just right. How about you?
I do agree with him, he is not exaggerating. I had them for about 2 years, and the weight was unbearable. Only using them for quick check of the mix and leaving them at the desk. Neck day at the gym is recommended for LCD-X and LCD-4 owners 😅
I've had these for a while, the new 2021 6 fazor model sound is so warm and comfy. HUGE improvement over the 8 fazor model they had pre-2021
Thanks for sharing. I'm testing out the MM500 atm, and man, what a shift in Audeze's signature sound.
@ very much a more reference sound than it used to be. Not bad, just different. I personally returned my 500s cause I just realized after eqing the LCD X the warmth was just a perfect alignment for me.
Lcd x vs focal clear what will you choose personally for sound?
For relaxation, I'd go Focal, but for almost everything else, it's the Audeze 😁
@@gearupaaron 👍 i like bass, meaty sound with heft/weight and details, does lcd x is better in these?
To me - absolutely. I've also heard a fair share of users complain about the lack of bass, but thankfully you can EQ quite easily.
@@gearupaaron thanks bud
Surprised that the ear cups aren’t easily replaced.
Maybe it wasn't super popular 10 years ago. Still a crying shame though.
@@gearupaaron that makes sense. I forgot to consider the age.
@Silver749 It's just an odd misstep even when compared to other high end brands that allow their pads to be swapped out. Maybe it's because the X is from an old design philosophy? Anyway, thanks so much for watching this and your comments! 👍
My story since I bought the first version of the LCDX its been one of love and hate. I started hating their guts mostly because I bought them because of the big hype generated from the start and I found them muffled, not too revealing in details and obviously too heavy and wonky to wear as you say. However, years later and only after changing the pads to the new ones I FINALLY started to enjoyed them very very much. I agree about your sound impressions and I must say especially on orchestral music and vocals no other headphone I've tried can do better than these guys.
Yes, they're expensive but they're equally expensive cans from other brands who aren't so resolving and impacting. I have the Arya Organics, the Focal Clears, and the Meze 109Pro and none of those can give me the sound the Xs do. So, I'm finally Loving my LCDXs, better late than never I suppose.
Can you briefly compare X vs organic ? Anything organic does better, or is it no contest ?
i was going to buy finally Lcd2 c butmade a fatal mistake and listened to these beauties so I will buy X for Xmas🎉
Merry Christmas! Let us know what you think of it then.
I must be the only person who hasn't a issue with the Audeze planars weight. (LCD-2 Rosewoods)...
You have a Schwarzenegger neck? 🏋️
I don’t either and I have the same model haha
Nope. I don’t have any problems with Audeze. I prefer the weight to cheap plastic crap other brands sell as “premium” headphones.
what amplifier is that?
During the sound demo? IIRC, that'd be the iFi Audio Zen Air Can (stacked with a Zen Air DAC).
vocals in symphony no 1 in d minor? did you mean number 9 (Beethoven)?
Hey Aaron! Great review 🙌 not a big fan of opened back headphones, but still interesting, many thanks! 👍
Don't prefer the ambient effect of the sound?
@@gearupaaron hmmm see told you interesting! lol I mostly listen to music on the go, so massive backless cans will injury me loool , still now I might give them a try 😄
Aaron ! , Thanks Much !.......
No problem!
YES
👍🤘
Try the LCD 3 and compare them.
Noted! I think they're sending me the MM100 followed by the MM500 and Maxwell first, and then we'll see if we can get a 3 onboard.
@@gearupaaron Nice I will have the LCD 3 on Thursday and I currently have the LCD X 2021 so I will let you know my thoughts.
@bryce74 You do that - definitely wanna hear your impressions 🤘
@@bryce74Hi, what you can say about audeze lcd-3?
@@rustamken4350 Loved them my unit just had an issue with the build quality. I did not purchase them as I want to try a few other headphones first but I definitely preferred them over the LCD X. The LCD 3 have better resolution over the LCD X and the bass hits a lot better than the X without getting bloated. I found the LCD 3 to be very easy to listen to and very emotionally engaging. Should my LCD X break and I don't find a better alternative the LCD 3 would probably be my next upgrade
My OG 2015 LCD X's are at Audeze right now being updated to the 2021 version. The update ameliorates to 17 db trough at 6k hz, making it EQ able to flat. Yes, it's a fantastic set. Once it's updated (fee is $590 for this service), it should compare favorably to just about anything out there. I really believe once you get past $1,000-1,500 you're paying for finishes, fancy boxes, expensive looking cables, and idiosyncratic tunings. Often a lot of those $5k phones are not as good as the stuff they sold for $1k in 2014.
In any case, as long as you don't want to dance and headbang with them, the X's are second to none.
Thanks for sharing! $590 seems kinda steep 😳
@@gearupaaron Since they replace both drivers and both pads, I am in effect getting a brand new headphone (complete with a 3 year warranty) for the price. So not bad, considering what you would have to pay to get anything else in its class.
you gotta have a pencil neck if you think its heavy
Yes, I think that's the proper medical term for it 🤣
I love sony
They’re quite outdated for the price. Try Arya organic which overall is much better. Lcd-x is easy to drive, to EQ and easy to listen to, but not stellar in any way in todays market
Nah, I completely disagree. Arya Organic might be more pleasant for casual listening, but that's about it. The LCD-X is so much better in almost every other way.
Just goes to show how subjective these things are at the end of the day. Both are fantastic, btw, would be proud to have both in my collection.
Audeze LCD x ist das beste was ich jemals hören durfte in Verbindung mit node x von blusound einfach der haaaaammmeeerrrr
What makes Arya organic bettter? I heard they are very sterile sounding, but maybe that’s just Arya
i think these are two great headphones. one loves the arya another the tuning of the lcd x. not so complicated.
First!!
Happy no-prize for you, lol!
@@gearupaaron The prize was watching the video 😆