Audeze Owners & Discussion Thread

[Hatzi]

4 minutes ago, Bengineer said:

Make a speaker taps cable and run them off the speaker taps?

 

Else the answer is A and E.

Thank you, was kinda expecting you to say f) all of the above!

 

How much A vs E we talking? 50/50 or more biased towards E?

[barbz127]

My favorite amplifier pairing with the LCD2 was the schiit jotunhiem 2 if youre looking for suggestions for point A.

[Bengineer]

6 minutes ago, Hatzi said:

Thank you, was kinda expecting you to say f) all of the above!

 

How much A vs E we talking? 50/50 or more biased towards E?

I would personally go a different headphone. But its budget dependant.

[Hatzi]

4 minutes ago, barbz127 said:

My favorite amplifier pairing with the LCD2 was the schiit jotunhiem 2 if youre looking for suggestions for point A.

Looking for anything, as im pretty much starting from zero. Appreciate all the advice.

[Hatzi]

Could move these on or the ls50's as I have a newborn (hence the interest in HP) and throw $1k at HP? How much can I improve on the LCD2's for a $1k?

[Bengineer]

Depends what you like.

 

Focal Clear sell on here for 1000-1200 and have much better balance and dynamics. More of a no fuss Headphone. LCD2 needs a decent amp and a fair bit of EQ.

[Hatzi]

13 minutes ago, Bengineer said:

Depends what you like.

 

Will I sound more of a prat if I say I dont like the look of the focal range? Understand they are very good, and I was thinking about buying one prior to the LCD2 purchase, just my personal preference ofcourse. The LCD2's look and feel nice to me., just a shame their primary purpose doesnt quite match their looks...

 

Sorry for the back and forth if its a drag feel free cut me loose. 

 

EIther way im guessing dedicated amp is going to be required to get the best out of whichever HP I settle on.

[Bengineer]

Dedicated amp AND EQ. They are tonally broken to my ears, but with the Audeze Reveal Plugin, or equivalent EQ, they aren't too bad.

 

[Neo]

The best suggestion will be to contact Wing at Minidisc in Chatswood. The store is open on limited capacity, take your headphones and let your ears do the judging. They have a great selection of headphone amplifiers and plenty of choice within your budget. 
Neo

[Hatzi]

12 minutes ago, Neo said:

The best suggestion will be to contact Wing at Minidisc in Chatswood. The store is open on limited capacity, take your headphones and let your ears do the judging. They have a great selection of headphone amplifiers and plenty of choice within your budget. 
Neo

Thanks Neo, great idea probably would of avoided this whole situation. In saying that i dont mind jumping in head first, just sometimes I hit my head on the bottom! Looking like dedicated amplification is a must, then I can stick with or switch headphones after I have removed the amp factor from the equation.

 

Now taking amp suggestions!

[Neo]

6 minutes ago, Hatzi said:

Now taking amp suggestions!

Well that’s simple what’s your budget and head to Len Wallis in Lane Cove and speak to Kiet. 
Neo

[Hatzi]

16 minutes ago, Neo said:

Well that’s simple what’s your budget and head to Len Wallis in Lane Cove and speak to Kiet. 
Neo

Not really sure, what im after is a much more immersive experience than my desktop setup and I would expect it to outperform it easily for all up $2k (HP and amp). If thats unrealistic at that value then maybe my expectations need some adjustment. I just assumed you get more bang for your buck with HP's. Prefer to go under that than over, its a slippery slope.

 

I just wanna enjoy music, but would like a holistic experience (sorry for sounding like tosser - im proper hating myself reading this back) in so far as quality of materials, design are factors even if not primary drivers. Music is first.

[Neo]

Then go to Minidisc pick up an amplifier for your headphones (support local business) and blissfully listen to music rather than engage armchair experts.

Neo 

[Hatzi]

2 minutes ago, Neo said:

Then go to Minidisc pick up an amplifier for your headphones (support local business) and blissfully listen to music rather than engage armchair experts.

Neo 

Wow that almost felt like a reprimand! Not engaging armchair experts, what else can I use the forum for?!?!? Joking ofcourse!

 

I was just looking for some direction as I was a bit lost with it all. Armchair experts or not I appreciate all the advice and turned to the forum for some guidance which it seems I got. Not looking for total consensus across the forum, just after some educated opinion whilst I chisel out a slow work day.

 

Also need to justify spending more money to myself, so its good to know in which direction to invest it. Making a dedicated trip to a hifi store will take me some time as having a newborn we avoid any non mandatory trips in order to keep our possible exposure down, so forums such as this a big help (at least to me).

 

Thanks again for the responses, much appreciate anyone who bothers to give me time out of their day for my dumb questions.

 

Cheers,

Hatzi 

[Neo]

This forum will give you opinion, places like Minidisc, Len Wallis will give you tangible feedback involving you. So you can make an informed decision after auditioning and pick what you like. 
Neo

[Kaynin]

22 minutes ago, Hatzi said:

for my dumb questions.

 

No such thing as a dumb question mate, it's only stupid not to ask questions and continue forth with your spending.

 

Yes forums are full of opinions, but much of it is based on experience.  That's valuable.

 

I like the LCD2's, but purchased the 3's which were offered at a good price.  I did extensive comparing though.  They're an excellent headphone, but you need the right amp to drive them well.  Having said that, I don't listen to my LCD's for 'overall' good quality reproduction of most music genres.  I listen to them for bass reproduction and a heavy sound.  I don't use any EQ because my system doesn't need it.  I think they're a specialist in this field, and it suits much of the music I listen to.  For anything else I use my Hifimans, which are better for 'all round' use.

 

Having said this, in the end it's certainly best to go in store and listen for yourself.  There's no denying it.  I'm fortunate enough to have a A2A store close enough to do this.  Regardless of life commitments, Neo is right, go in store to obtain certainty of what you're trying to achieve.

Edited October 14, 2021 by Kaynin

[Bengineer]

23 minutes ago, Neo said:

This forum will give you opinion, places like Minidisc, Len Wallis will give you tangible feedback involving you. So you can make an informed decision after auditioning and pick what you like. 
Neo

Going out and listening is the best, obviously.

 

But there is a lot of experience with people here also. I've personally heard and owned majority of contenders north of $1000, I don't not know what I'm talking about

[Hatzi]

Love it guys, leveraging your experience is what makes this forum successful in my opinion. If I go to Len Wallis or equivalent I will be led by the salesperson only, and not have a background of knowledge to work off. I get it, trust my ears however the dealer may not stock the amp/HP most right for me, or it may not be available to listen to. All im after is some direction, which I may or may not follow, it is much better than going in wide eyed and mystified.

 

At least with armchair experts they dont have a financial incentive to push a product! Many times on other forums ive managed to gather meaningful insight into what I was seeking and you can usually determine who you have a synergy with in terms of taste. 

 

In saying that anyone want to chime in with a couple of amp suggestions UP to $1k or is this too hot a potato? Happy for it to be less. Very happy.

[Kaynin]

11 minutes ago, Hatzi said:

Love it guys, leveraging your experience is what makes this forum successful in my opinion. If I go to Len Wallis or equivalent I will be led by the salesperson only, and not have a background of knowledge to work off. I get it, trust my ears however the dealer may not stock the amp/HP most right for me, or it may not be available to listen to. All im after is some direction, which I may or may not follow, it is much better than going in wide eyed and mystified.

 

At least with armchair experts they dont have a financial incentive to push a product! Many times on other forums ive managed to gather meaningful insight into what I was seeking and you can usually determine who you have a synergy with in terms of taste. 

 

In saying that anyone want to chime in with a couple of amp suggestions UP to $1k or is this too hot a potato? Happy for it to be less. Very happy.

 

 

Mate according to A2A the Auralic Taurus headphone amplifier was made to pair with the LCD 2 & 3.  Having heard both combinations, I can only attest that it's a superb combo.  Not sure how that will fit in to your budget though....second hand will be the answer.

[Hatzi]

2 hours ago, Kaynin said:

 

 

Mate according to A2A the Auralic Taurus headphone amplifier was made to pair with the LCD 2 & 3.  Having heard both combinations, I can only attest that it's a superb combo.  Not sure how that will fit in to your budget though....second hand will be the answer.

Thanks mate, seems I’m a fair way off on my budget expectations. Will have to give it a listen and break open the piggy bank if it stacks up. Cheers for the recommendation.

[eLicky]

If Minidisc is local to you, definitely take them in and try with their sources, not only can you multiple sources but also pricey ones to show you what the LCD can do. With that said, they're a dark sounding headphone, thick detail, if the signature suits and you understand them they create a strong atmosphere but if you're after a clean clear sound high in clarity they aren't tuned for that. Being new you need to find out what sound signature you like.

[Hatzi]

24 minutes ago, eLicky said:

If Minidisc is local to you, definitely take them in and try with their sources, not only can you multiple sources but also pricey ones to show you what the LCD can do. With that said, they're a dark sounding headphone, thick detail, if the signature suits and you understand them they create a strong atmosphere but if you're after a clean clear sound high in clarity they aren't tuned for that. Being new you need to find out what sound signature you like.

Exactly what im after! I was just doing the early legwork in forum. I wanted to see if they can really sound good given better source equipment. Dark is good, ultimately i'd like more than one pair I just didnt want dark to be a nice way of saying dull. Thank you.

 

Chatswood is very doable, being at the far end of the northern beaches nothing is ever close...

[DrTobiasFunke]

I bought some LCD-2's ages ago after buying into the positive reviews.  

I didn't listen to them beforehand.  (Got them second hand via this forum..)

I was very disappointed with them immediately.  'Dark' indeed...

I learned from that experience that I prefer a brighter sound.

So yeah...  half the trick is finding what sound signature you prefer.

Definitely recommend auditioning.  (Also a big fan of EQ)

Given that you've already got the LCD-2's, it makes sense to try out some different amps and see if that lifts your opinion.  I'll be interested to hear how that goes!

And while you're there, listen to some Focals too 

[eLicky]

7 minutes ago, Hatzi said:

Exactly what im after! I was just doing the early legwork in forum. I wanted to see if they can really sound good given better source equipment. Dark is good, ultimately i'd like more than one pair I just didnt want dark to be a nice way of saying dull. Thank you.

 

Chatswood is very doable, being at the far end of the northern beaches nothing is ever close...

I'm on the northern beaches myself, near Manly beach.

I prefer brighter sounding headphones by default, and for years anything warm or dark sounded vieled, like listening to music through a wooden door or wet carpet but I did enjoy the original LCD-2, I understood them and would own them. When you goto into Minidisc listen to their Sennheiser HD800S, let us know what you think.

That's what I use these days for full-size headphones.

[Hatzi]

1 minute ago, DrTobiasFunke said:

I bought some LCD-2's ages ago after buying into the positive reviews.  

I didn't listen to them beforehand.  (Got them second hand via this forum..)

I was very disappointed with them immediately.  'Dark' indeed...

I learned from that experience that I prefer a brighter sound.

So yeah...  half the trick is finding what sound signature you prefer.

Definitely recommend auditioning.  (Also a big fan of EQ)

Given that you've already got the LCD-2's, it makes sense to try out some different amps and see if that lifts your opinion.  I'll be interested to hear how that goes!

And while you're there, listen to some Focals too 

Hard to not take Discipline Daddy's advice! (arrested development joke - nothing weird going on here)