AudioCircle
Audio/Video Gear and Systems => Headphone Mania => Topic started by: Goosepond on 24 Aug 2018, 08:24 pm
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I'm thinking of buying a pair of Audeze LCD-X. I've read a couple of Head-Fi reviews and both talked a lot about how heavy they are.
I don't know how concerned to be about their weight. I'm not really a headphone guy until recently. My only experience is I have an aging pair of HD650's. It would seem that the LCD-X is more than twice as heavy as the my Senns.
What say ye?
Thanks,
Gene
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I haven't looked up the weights but I've owned 650's and had LCD-X on my noggin, and I have to say it's no lightweight. Definitely noticeably heavier than the Senns. Goes with the territory with big planars. Hifiman alleviates this somewhat by using single-ended magnet structures (on only one side of the diaphragm) on some of their models, but that flattens out dynamics a bit.
Trying them on may be the only way to know for sure whether the weight is acceptable to you. I didn't mind the weight during my fairly short audition but can't say I wouldn't have after a CD's worth of music.have a different issue; I get the 'clammier' from most full size cans (especially closed ones with leather or 'pleather' pads, in which case my tolerance is about ninety seconds).
I tend to take reviews on Head-fi with a grain of salt, although anyone should be able to make a judgment about whether they're heavy or not.
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Thanks.
I wear my 650's a lot lately and weight is never a problem. But like you said, they do get a little hot but I take them off fairly frequently.
I just have an urge to see what's out there especially the planar mag thingy.
Gene
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The velour pads on most Sennheisers and Beyers are the most comfortable (to me) from that standpoint. IIRC the Audeze use leather or something similar. Most of the Audezes lean towards 'dark' in their voicing, but if you are good with the signature of the 650, that shouldn't be a problem.
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I've had the LCD-2.2 pre-fazor and the LCD-3 pre-fazor. I now have the LCD-2 Classic from last year. The comfort has been much improved over past models. The new headband is vastly better than what they used to have. The earpads are deep and plush.
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I've had the LCD-2.2 pre-fazor and the LCD-3 pre-fazor. I now have the LCD-2 Classic from last year. The comfort has been much improved over past models. The new headband is vastly better than what they used to have. The earpads are deep and plush.
So I take it you've never been bothered by their weight? From what I'm learning, because of their design, planar mags are just generally heavy HP's.
I'm also thinking about the LCD-3 rather than the LCD-X, both used.
Gene
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The weight of the LCD-XC didn't bother me but I found the (leather) pads got uncomfortable after a while. Unfortunately Audeze discontinued the vegan pads, which I was going to buy if I kept the phones (I didn't).
Not all planar magnetics are heavy, or at least not as heavy as Audeze. Interestingly the Audeze page for the LCD-X does not specify the weight. Found on another site that it's 600g. The only way to know if it's too much for you would be to wear them for a couple of hours I think.
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The weight of the LCD-XC didn't bother me but I found the (leather) pads got uncomfortable after a while. Unfortunately Audeze discontinued the vegan pads, which I was going to buy if I kept the phones (I didn't).
Not all planar magnetics are heavy, or at least not as heavy as Audeze.
True. The Hifiman 560 was pretty light, although, as I mentioned, the single-ended magnet design has some effect on dynamics.
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had a LCD 2.2 and now for the Last 1 year have the LCD-X it does not feel heavy at all
Asghar :popcorn:
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Tend to agree with A_Shah. Have owned several pairs of headphones have never
found weight to be an issue. I love leather pads, but do agree that in warmer climes
they induce sweating, but that isn't really about weight, it's about breathability.
I eventually went away from Audeze and find Senn HD800 and ZMF Atticus both
comfortable and given the right amp and music, just about right for my purposes.
YMMV,
Hibuck...
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Yep, you're right: YMMV!!! :thumb:
Also one of the HP's I'm thinking about are a slightly used (yeah, right) pair of HD800S. So damn many choices. But when I make a choice, I surely want it to be the right one. :scratch:
I've got a nice barely used (here we go again) Schiit Mjolnir2 that will get here Tuesday, and that just happens to be my 73rd birthday. So my ears are probably too old for any of this to make any difference anyway.
But I'm getting some cold feet (maybe that's my age?) and I'm also thinking of getting some XLR cables for my old 650's and that way I'll be able to compare the SE & XLR outputs of the Schiit and take this whole mess from there.
Ain't this hobby fun! :green:
Gene
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So I take it you've never been bothered by their weight? From what I'm learning, because of their design, planar mags are just generally heavy HP's.
I'm also thinking about the LCD-3 rather than the LCD-X, both used.
Gene
Hi,
The weight distribution of these recent models with the new headband or carbon fiber headband is much improved and very even throughout. You never feel any pressure at a particular spot. For me, these have my favourite earpads on a headphone. I preferred it over my Hifiman HE-500, Denon D2000 and HD 800. After a few days of break-in, the clamping force also improves quite a bit.
While the weight distribution is excellent, the fact remains you will still have to have some 500g on your head. I am not too bothered by it. I never use my laptop with these so I don't have to look down, and prefer to work exclusively on my iMac. Keeping your head up and relaxed will provide a better long-term experience. The new cable is also very light and pleasant to touch and non-irritating. I don't use headphones as long as I did in the past so I might not be the ideal person to ask about how these hold up after 3+ hours on a daily basis. I'd much rather listen on my Amphion monitors over the Audeze at my desk. I much prefer not having anything on my head even if it's the most comfortable headphone in existence.
Also, it's a good idea to audition all the Audeze models in your budget. You may be surprised with what you actually like. For example, in the past I preferred the LCD-2.2 as a whole over the LCD-3, despite the LCD-3 being better technically in almost every area. There was something very pleasing and engaging about the old LCD-2s. That's why they came back with the LCD-2 Classics without fazor. There were a lot of fans of those old LCD-2. A lot of them also had LCD-X and LCD-3. Please listen for yourself if possible.
HD 800 are very bright in their stock form. EQ helps, but it's still not ideal. I had Sonarworks and would still get fatigued with them. The HD 800 S improves on them, but it's still problematic. The Audeze's on the other hand with the Reveal plugins are the best I've heard in this price range.
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Hi,
Thanks everyone for all the good info. Lots to absorb. I don't listen with my HP for an extended period of time so maybe weight shouldn't be an issue. I still want to see what the planar mag thingy is all about so I guess we'll see.
Gene
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I know you guys are wanting to know how my HP journey is going so here is an update.
So I've had my Schiit Mjolnir2 for a few days. The seller included a batch of extra tubes, spacers, etc. I put the stock tubes in first just as a reference. He said they were crap so I went with his recommendation and put in a pair of Amperex something or other . I'm still using my old SE 650's and I'm probably just listening to them louder but so far, pretty good. :thumb:
I've got a nice used pair of inexpensive balanced cables coming so I can try them with the XLR output of the Schiit.
I also finally decided on a nice looking pair of 1 year old 1 owner Audeze LCD2's. The seller also included some custom cables for SE and XLR.
So in a few days I'll have this HP thingy all fixed up. But how do I stop??? :scratch:
Gene
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I own the LCD-x and the LCD-3 checked the weight checked on my postage scale.
LCD-x = 21.6 oz
LCD-3 = 19.33 oz
as a comparison: My
HD650 = 9.130 oz
HD-800s = 11.6 oz
MR Speaker Aeon open = 11.32 oz
Mr speaker Ether Flow C = 13.31 oz
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Thanks for that.
So if my LCD2's are in that same range, then they will be twice as heavy as my 650's. But they're only HP's, right? Who knows? :scratch:
Glad to see you have HD800s's. They're on my radar just to try better Senn's.
So how do you like the HD800s's?
Thanks,
Gene
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Thanks.
I wear my 650's a lot lately and weight is never a problem. But like you said, they do get a little hot but I take them off fairly frequently.
I just have an urge to see what's out there especially the planar mag thingy.
Gene
Gene,
Not only do I have the same curiosity about what else is out the (headphones), but my present in home cans are HD650, and IE6 earbuds. One of these days I'm going to pay Echo Audio in Portland a visit.
Enjoy the journey. :thumb:
Michael
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Hi Michael,
Just all of a sudden I'm really enjoying the HP experience. Within limits of course, I can move my head (and body :green:) around and not lose the sweet spot. I think that's what has gotten me hooked. While surfing the net and listening to music from my laptop, it's been a joy. I keep thinking sooner or later i'll go back to my speaker setup but I'm in no rush.
Gene
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Thanks for that.
So if my LCD2's are in that same range, then they will be twice as heavy as my 650's. But they're only HP's, right? Who knows? :scratch:
Glad to see you have HD800s's. They're on my radar just to try better Senn's.
So how do you like the HD800s's?
Thanks,
Gene
The HD-800s are nice. I use a Woo WA-22 . The 800s are a little more detailed/accurate than the others.
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The HD-800s are nice. I use a Woo WA-22 . The 800s are a little more detailed/accurate than the others.
Sounds good. I just missed out on a pair today on Head-Fi. They were practically new and came with SE/XLR cables. I probably should just settle on what I'll have but that's no fun!
Gene
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Just an update.
I'e been listening with my HD650's with an XLR cable. These old guys are really performing. I'm not sure what more I could want.
Wait I've got a pair of LCD2's I have't even hooked up yet and they've got both SE/XLR cables. Yep another good HP experience using the XLR cable.
I'll have to try switching the two and see what the differences are.
Oh and to answer my own question, yes the Audeze is heavy, but too heavy? No way! :nono:
This is fun!
Gene
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I also have the 650's and just bought a set of Focal Clear's, they are really heavy, much more so than the 650's, but they are still very comfortable to me.
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Yep, I also had my eyes on a pair of Focal Utopia's but way too rich for my old ears!
Gene
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If you really like the sound of the HD650s (and I do), then the Beyer T1 is actually the ultimate expression of that type of sound. I've had a pair of T1s for 6 years now and no desire to change to anything else. For context, before getting the T1s I was an active member at Head-Fi and had churned through probably a dozen high end headphones before finding the T1s.
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There's a hell of a lot of activity over there.
Gene
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I'm also spoiled in that I get to attend RMAF every year and their head-fi section is huge. Huge. So I get to hear basically everything, for as long as I want, as many times as I want. Other headphones definitely have different strengths (and weaknesses) vs the T1s, but overall I am pretty happy with my choice. I'll take the HD800 as an example. It does some amazing things. But after hearing it a bunch of times at CanJam, it's just way too bright for me. So that's easy to let go of the thought "maybe the HD800s are better". I also discovered I am just not a fan of planar headphones (ironic since I LOVE planar magnetic drivers in speakers). So that cuts out an entire class of "what if" thoughts.
Basically, you should try to hit a CanJam if there's ever one anywhere close to you. Or go on head fi and see if there's any meetups in your local area - those are also fun and very educational.
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Tyson,
I went thru many headphones and settled in on the T1's as well. I still have the T90's and DT1350's, but the T1's are my goto headphones....I always wondered about the Senn sound so I bought a set of the HD600's and they too are very nice....different sound but they are neat as well...but the T1's are the the nicest hps I have heard..even going thru Audeze and several other$1K hps....they are indeed special....
Pairing with a BH Mainline, I have stopped looking and just enjoy the music!
Alex
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Tyson,
I went thru many headphones and settled in on the T1's as well. I still have the T90's and DT1350's, but the T1's are my goto headphones....I always wondered about the Senn sound so I bought a set of the HD600's and they too are very nice....different sound but they are neat as well...but the T1's are the the nicest hps I have heard..even going thru Audeze and several other$1K hps....they are indeed special....
Pairing with a BH Mainline, I have stopped looking and just enjoy the music!
Alex
It's nice isn't it? When you find that one piece of gear you can live with, long term. I'm like that with the T1s, and my speakers and my preamp. DACs and amps, well that's another story :lol:
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Yes it is...
I built 10+ headphone amps and many commercial retail amps and dacs...
The best overall amp I have ever heard with these cans are the BH Mainline..tubes, old school for sure.
The best SS amps sound very, very good as well, even more "accurate" and unmerciful at times, but that Mainline and its glowing magic makes me smile often!
Alex
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Chiming in to say the 800s are the bees knees. I use them alongside LCD 3s. Not sure what I like better.
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Since I started this thread, I'll add that I also just got a nice pair of used Senn. HD800S's. As far as I'm concerned, they are all good. :thumb:
Gene