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Incarnation139 OP t1_j2qurqw wrote

Preface: This pair of LCD-4 is made in 2016 but is equipped with 2021 pads. I am using the Flux FA-22 and Schiit Modius as the source.

Audeze was a brand that I was exposed to when I first joined this hobby, but I never got around to buy any of their headphones because I knew that I would not like the tuning. However, as I have gotten more entrenched in the hobby, I learned to use my own ears for equalization and now I EQ pretty much every headphone I get my hands on. Thus, I gave Audeze a shot.

Without EQ, I finally got to experience what Audeze's "house sound" is like. To my ears, it is quite wonky. It's overly rich and warm with pretty annoying upper treble/air. However, I do equalize everything, so this wasn't much of a problem.

The bass on the LCD-4 is impressive. The extension is insane and the sense of detail/tactility is awesome. I do think that the original Hifiman HE6 (as well as the Focal offerings) have better punch, but the LCD-4 beats both in tightness and detail, while not being too behind in the slam department. These headphones can also take EQ without any problems. Just for fun, I equalized the subbbass up +12db and the LCD-4 did not break a sweat.

The midrange is great, but these took me a bit of time to EQ them to the way I wanted it to be. The SR-009 blew me away with its midrange resolution, and to my ears, the LCD-4 easily competes with it. The midrange is a bit on the drier side however, so it's not perfect.

The treble was also great after EQ. It was a bit dark so I boosted the lower treble a bit while toning down the air frequencies. The treble, like the midrange, is insanely detailed. I still think the SR-009 has a slight edge in the treble (in terms of technical prowess) compared to the LCD-4, but it is very, very close.

Overall, the LCD-4 is a an extremely capable headphone, but it requires a bit of love to shine :)

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Qazax1337 t1_j2rbno5 wrote

Jumped in at the deep end there! Lovely headphones.

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TheFrator t1_j2rtyu7 wrote

Gorgeous set! I'm glad Audeze was able to capture what they had with the LCD-4 and cut it's weight down with the LCD-5. Because that 4 is too heavy for my weak neck.

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Dr-Soot t1_j2rb6tq wrote

Love the Fluxlab amps. Miss mine. Enjoy!

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imoverblox_ t1_j2s46gx wrote

Congrats! Lcd-4 are bar none my favorite headphones. The relaxed treble, incredible dynamics, fast transient speeds, all make me want to buy one. Have fun with it!

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metal571 t1_j2yzuga wrote

Well, these are pretty decent. I haven't heard them with the newest pad rev, but glad to hear it seems to still respond to EQ as well as I remember.

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Incarnation139 OP t1_j2ziy68 wrote

Your review definitely pushed me over the edge to buy a pair! It's a keeper (for as long as it will last me)

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School-Tricky t1_j2zn9dv wrote

I like your description of the bass technicalities. Not the punch of Focal (never tried HE6). But the texture and tightness is on another level. Even my Celestee punch harder than my Audeze, like a jack hammer, but they can’t hold a candle to the sub-bass extension, instrument separation, and timbre down there.

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GooseEntire1705 t1_j2sykli wrote

Welcome to the club!

Did you get the ebony wood version? it's the best headphone in my collection, the best bass, stereo imaging and vocals I have ever heard in a headphone. Enjoy!

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Incarnation139 OP t1_j2t32cc wrote

I'm not entirely sure what wood it is, but I agree. Impeccable imaging and the bass is sublime!

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Tough_Consequence246 t1_j2t6o4j wrote

Awesome! Now RD mod them! No EQ necessary after that. Makes them sublime, mashes the 4 up with an HD650. More info: rhythmdevilsaudio.com

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Incarnation139 OP t1_j2tzebz wrote

I've seen rthythmdevils on SBAF from just lurking, but those mods seem really interesting. I will need to look into them.

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