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N0TaC0PP t1_iuh7esd wrote

I have the Edition XS and the LCD-X 2021, I pretty much agree with everything you said.

I'm not an audiophile, so all I will say is I like the presentation better on the Edition XS. I am always wowed by the Edition XS.

The bass on the LCD-X is amazing, the impact is on another level while keeping clarity. I need to EQ the LCD-X bass to get that magnificent impact.

I wish I could take the clear impact bass from the LCD-X and give it to the Edition XS. There would be no need to ever upgrade again.

Have you tried the Arya Stealth?
I am selling my LCD-X and am thinking of returning the Edition XS to get the ARYA Stealth.

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Wellhellob t1_iuhfv1z wrote

XS to Arya Stealth:

More controlled but more punchy and dynamic bass. Controlled as in it's more fast, precise and doesn't linger. XS's bass softer and looser, little bigger and wilder. The amount is same i think but delivery different.

More concentrated soundstage. More immersive and closer with more precise imaging. Overall more aggressive and engaging sound.

Excellent separation, detail, technicalities. Easy upgrade here

Less treble but i must say the treble little more offensive on Arya SE than XS. XS have more treble but it's softer, gentler.

Way better build, way better overall fit but more clamp force.

Way better timbre.

More physical and fuller sound.

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N0TaC0PP t1_iui1nf5 wrote

thanks for the info!

How does the bass EQ compared to the XS?

I usually add a bass shelf and bass filter with +6db of bass or sub-bass(depending on song). I find the XS get muffled with too much bass. The LCD-X can EQ much further while keeping the bass clean and impactful.

I will probably buy the Arya SE off amazon to compare to the XS.

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Wellhellob t1_iuij6kk wrote

Arya SE sound sharper, incisive overall. XS can be ''blobby'.

You can eq as much as you want but i don't know how is LCD X.

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hurtyewh OP t1_iuh8nnm wrote

I'm not sure since one Arya I tested I assumed was the Stealth, but I didn't realize to make sure if it was the V2. Many say that the Stealth does bass much better, but the measurements show an sub-bass drop that wasn't present on the V2 so I find it very hard to believe that there's a meaningful difference. As I mentioned I'd much have the bass of the XS than Arya, but Anands is also better than Arya in the bass. Were I to look for an upgrade I'd check the Ananda first though from memory (which is always questionable) I don't recall them being that much better. HE1000v2 would be to me much more interesting than the Arya with it's new competitive pricing.

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Wellhellob t1_iuhfaol wrote

That's a big no. You must've heard v2. Stealth definitely more dynamic than any of these.

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hurtyewh OP t1_iuhg76q wrote

Well I'll go check when I get the chance. Headphones.com review compares the Stealth to V2 saying:

"Now, if the Arya Stealth pulls the short end of the stick here for any reason, it would be for its perception of ‘slam’ and ‘texture’ characteristics. Bass transients on the Arya Stealth are articulated somewhat...softly even with the aid of DSP from the iFi Micro Black Label’s XBass switch. Take for example the typically heavy, impactful drum machines of Apink's "My oh My" which are best described as sounding somewhat puffy and aloof on the Arya Stealth."

So I'm guessing my hunch is correct for my preferences at least.

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Wellhellob t1_iuhhclv wrote

I'm talking about egg shape headphones. Arya Stealth have noticeably better dynamics than XS and especially Ananda.

Compared to other cans like HE6 yeah Arya SE falls short. They have this atmospheric bass. You don't get direct pressurized hit from earcups, you get a soft hit from somewhere in the soundstage. But SE have this fast transient-y punchy bass unlike XS and Ananda. Ananda is completely flat in my book. It's dynamics so bad that it almost breaks the headphone. XS is fine but it doesn't have the immediacy of Arya SE. XS bass sound kinda bigger and looser, leaves more linger in the stage.

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