Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

Mockbubbles2628 OP t1_ja4fxrw wrote

I started with some Hifiman Sundaras, an Atom AMP and a Khadas tone board 2 years ago, it was a rocky start but I grew to love them, I wanted an upgrade that will give me more of everything, I tried the LCD-X, focal clear MG and Hifiman Arya in an audio store

My initial impressions were actually quite low, I couldn't tell much of a difference between my sundaras and the clear MG / LCD, the aryas sounded the best but where way to airy and I didn't really like the crazy wide soundstage and for rock music everyone says the LCD-X are better anyway. I'm not sure if the AMP / DAC I was using in this store was any good tbh, my old sundra stuff sounds better

The LCD-x sounded weird, and I know this now because without a harman EQ they do sound.. strange (this almost caused me to walk out the store without buying anything, but luckily I knew that they sound weird with no EQ). The clear MG sounded better than the LCD-x initially but they lacked some of the bass that my sundaras had and I didn't like how the headphones looked, also everyone says the clear MG are a jack of all trades, which I dont need, I need rock music cans because that's what I listen to

The store had an open box deal for the LCD-x for 850GBP, and the Clear MG was 1100, considering the LCD also comes with a literal nuclear launch box they where the obvious choice

So after plugging them into a SMSL SU-9 DAC and SP200 AMP and putting on a harman EQ they sound incredible, they dont have that annoying hiss that my sundaras had with some vocal frequencies, the bass is insane and the soundstage is decenetly improved (if the LCD-x is 10/10 then sundaras are a 6), Vocals sound cleaner and more separated from everything else, they feel sturdy as hell, the cable is really nice although the mini XLR looks likes it has just cheap heatshrink to indicate the polarity, which is really questionable but whatever.

All the reviews I watched said the weight of them (like 650g vs 350 ish of the others) was a huge issue, I just see this as a way to get a hench AF neck, I've had them on for a few hours and It's not really an issue, I'm sure I'll get used to it

17

rbmag1 t1_ja51vd2 wrote

Sounds like you got a good deal with the open box! do you mind saying where you got them from? I'm UK-based and have been keeping an eye out for a deal on the LCD-X for a while now but haven't found anything that good

5

jsk-ksj t1_ja5bus1 wrote

Keep an eye on ebay. I'm in uk & got a pristine pair of lcd-x 2021 (no box or carry case) for £600 2 months ago. Patience is the key & some haggling.

4

Mockbubbles2628 OP t1_ja776x4 wrote

I'd avoid ebay for something like this, there's no warranty and you don't know if the first owner damaged them In a way that you'd never know until too late

I'm usually a big fan of buying used but unless it comes with a warranty I'd never do it for headphones, luckily mine came with 3 years so I got a really good deal

3

Mockbubbles2628 OP t1_ja532si wrote

So I didn't even know they had the open box deal available, I was under the impression I would have to pay full MSRP but the owner told me they had open box for a 200 pound discount. I'd suggest not going to the store I did because the owner was a total snob and not that pleasant, I think he only gave me the open box because I wasn't that impressed by the in store demo.

2

blorg t1_ja71hd6 wrote

Audeze have an open box/B stock sale at least once a year, usually in November. That's where I got my LCD-X, $699. They will ship internationally, I'm in Asia, shipping is around $100 and you would have to pay VAT on import and any warranty needs to go back to the US at your cost. But it's still a good deal IMO.

If you CAN get them locally, obviously do, it's better for the warranty etc. But this maybe an option for you. Audeze LCD-X is $1,950 retail here, and the only shop that has it even listed it looks like the old one, with the old headband, which was much worse.

I can't see any reason whatsoever as to why it is B stock, it looks perfect. And Audeze say with the B stock, it's never sonic issues, they don't sell anything with a sonic issue. It's anything that came back to them for any reason, and I think most of it, it's pretty much mint, I also have a B-stock Euclid IEM and it's also perfect.

1

1trickana t1_ja5suyt wrote

Bloody hell I didn't realize they were 650g, that's crazy

3

blorg t1_ja711eq wrote

The weight is very well distributed with the headband, I have no issue at all with the LCD-X but get hotspots with the Hifiman HE6SEV2 which is only 470g.

2

Mockbubbles2628 OP t1_ja779kc wrote

They're huge and made of pure lead probably, probably make sound with some alien technology

1

RawffleWaffle t1_ja5kxah wrote

Thanks for the review! You're literally me because I currently have Sundaras and was considering the Arya, LCD-2/LCD-X, or Focal Clears as an upgrade lol

2

Mockbubbles2628 OP t1_ja74nnw wrote

I'm glad I could help, if you also like rock music then I think the LCD x is a easy choice

2

ThisIsNotJP t1_ja6kfzf wrote

EQing has honestly saved me and glad I learned about it before buying my DT 1990 Pros ... Almost returned them before I EQ'd

EQing really saves certain headphones!

2