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Audeze LCD-1 just landed!


Icarium

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.... Also, this seems to be very amp dependent I've found. Think K340 type of amp dependent.

They are K340ish in their amp dependence but as of now the amp(s) that I prefer for each is not the same. i.e. I prefer the GSX (SE or balanced) over the AA for the K340 but just the opposite with the LCD-1 (only SE right now). The new guy hasn't been here long enough for a non ipodbj opinion.

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I liked them and the build quality was better than I expected. My only complaints are 1) I felt like they sounded a bit veiled and 2) price.

The stock Yamaha YH-100 sounds like it's under water to me. Once I put those drivers into a properly damped Donut housing the transformation was nothing short of amazing to my ears.

Not only was there no veiled, layed back quality, but I'd actually characterize them as a bit forward sounding. Also crystal clear and extremely smooth sounding, so I have to think that better damping would change the character of your pair Monkey.

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The LCD-1 headset isn't pretty, but it seems to be made to last. There is no fancy wood or anything, but the grilles appear to be metal, and the rest of the construction seems sturdy as well. (I haven't conducted any destruction test, except for receiving them in a too large post package where the bag could slide back-and-forth inside.). They are quite comfortable too on my head.

(And if it would break anyway, then there are (currently) other cheap headphones using the same headset to take spare parts from.)

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  • 2 weeks later...

Recabled and ready :P

lcd1013.jpg

Marc sent me his pair to play with and I have to admit, I thought they were kind of alright when I first got them. Having just had the pleasure of his T50v1, I knew that these paled in comparison. They were a little better on the top end perhaps but they were not such an improvement over most of the vintage planars i own. In fact, I preferred my YH100s.

The weakest link was identified early on and I won't rehash it. BUT this has to be said, the baffle is very well made, solid feel, non-resonant etc and it is then bolted on top of this thin plastic frame and held in place with 2 measely screws. What's with that? This frame is holding back the potential of these drivers.

Modding - they respond well to modding as I had presumed they would. One of the most important things is to try and seal in the back wave from leaking out of the sides of the driver, I have not fully succeeded but I am hoping I have 98% of it blocked. In ortholand this backwave leak is much like the dysenteric ooze - it doesn't take much to spoil everyone's fun. The drivers are capable of tremendous bass but it is being cancelled to some extent by this leak. I used a thin neoprene gasket wedged under the edge of the pad to add some additional sealing but this is not airtight as I would have liked it to be.

I damped the driver additionally without losing the soundstage ( to my ears ), once Marc has them back and he approves, I will post the specifics of the mod for any interested. Personally I think it takes them to a different level. Bass is not as present as I would have liked but they are not bass shy - using my test tones, they are audible from 25Hz (lowest tone) right up to 20kHz without significant change. Possibly a little roll off between 40Hz and 25Hz but nothing to get excited about.

Other comments:

Pads - very delicate, be very careful when working with your headphones. The velour is not as big a problem as I anticipated but a thin leather pad would have been nice.

cables - they are sonically competent but a real PIA to use as they are neither supple nor light.

..dB

a few earlier images for those who don't browse the HF ortho page.

lcd1002.jpg

lcd1005.jpg

screw locations to open up the headphones

lcd1004.jpg

lcd1003.jpg

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