Audeze LCD-X - Music Creator Special - Planar Magnetic Headphones (Lambskin Leather)

Audeze presents the models LCD-X and LCD-XC underneath the banner of the new Creator Edition series. The circumaural high-end headphones were specially designed for use with headphone preamps with low output power.

Headphone manufacturer Audeze commands a good deal of respect around these parts, mostly because their headphones are well-built and deliver a truly awesome sound. Does the Audeze LCD-X live up to this reputation? And if you’ve got $1699 to blow on headphones, is it worth the price?

Audeze’s most practical open-back headphones yet are still not all that practical, but are capable of jaw-dropping sonics.

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  Incredibly natural sound, Comfortable, Replaceable XLR cables

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  Big and heavy, Need a suitable amp, Eye-wateringly expensive

Awesome headphones! I have Grado SR 325i headphones, which are open backed, like the Audeze LCDX, but the Grado's don't leak sound no where as much as the Audeze. My wife doesn't mind the Grado's, but the Audeze don't hold anything back at all, and they're too much for her (too open!!).

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  Awesome sound quality

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  leaks too much sound for the wife

Absolutely awesome, that's all I can say!!

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  So far none.

Bottom line, I would personally recommend the LCD 2 over the LCD X. Although LCD X is great for bass lovers.

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  Great value in high-end, Super solid build quality, More comfortable than it appears by looking at the weight, Superb bass, Very detailed, Carrying case included, Very good stock cable, Industrial aesthetics, Smells insane, Very pleasant tone overall, - Sumptuous sound with amazing bass, - Clean,...

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  Still quite heavy, Soundstage is rather small, which might be a con for some people, While tuned very good, might lack some excitement for some, they don't sound too intense in any frequency, - Heavy, - May clamp depending on head shape, - Mids sometimes recessed, - Cable termination is...

Please don't read too much into the two 3-star edits I made since my prime motive in ordering the Audeze LCD-X's was to hope that it produced a sound closer to an electrostatic headphone than a dynamic headphone.

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  I appreciated the build quality, comfort level, and clarity produced by these headphones. Unfortunately, as I noted above, the Audeze produced a sound closer to that of a dynamic headphone than I had hoped.

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  I wish I didn't have to return these headphones. They are as advertised and cannot be faulted in any way. They are what they are and are true to what they're advertised to be. Some reviewers noted that they sounded like electrostatic phones; thus my interest in auditioning them.

I read a review of these cans (and they do somewhat resemble "cans") by Arnie Nudell, the designer of Infinity speakers, back when that brand was justifiably cool. He thought that these were the best of four contenders for best headphone on the market.

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  Vivid realismOpen soundAmazingly comfortable for weightLambskin earpads

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  Industrial-lookingHeavyLeather earpads require some maintenanceDon't even think of wearing them out in public--what if it rained?