Sweet Luscious Audez'e LCD2

So, a blissful few days of having the Audez'e with me came to an end. It was indeed a very good pair of cans to start with. My quest for listening to a pair of 'balanced' headphone, driven my Bryston BHA-1 amp was indeed fruitful. I am fully convinced that whenever its possible to use a balanced connection, I should use it. Similar to my main hifi set up which is fully balanced from source to DAC to amp.

Now, the 5 mins audition I had during the KLIAV show this year, prompted me to seriously audition this unit at home. A few weeks after the KLIAV show, Mr. Aaron from David & Associates called me up to see whether I was still interested in the unit. For me to part with RM4300, I really had to make sure that the unit suits me well in all aspects of head-fi. So, he offered to loan me the unit for a few days which I am truly grateful of his trust to leave the demo unit with for a few days.

BUILT

The built definitely reflects the selling price. Sturdy, refined in details, flawless.  Compared to my Alessandro Grado MS Pro, its like comparing a Mercedes with a Toyota. The leather quality on the LCD2 is soft and very comfortable to the skin. The unit I was given was a lambskin unit. They also have an option for leather-free super suede microfiber fabric.

The headband though thin compared to the cans itself provides adequate stretchable width to go over my big head as shown in the picture above. (YES, Ultraman is the best ever superhero).

The unit comes with a flat cable with a 1/4" jack on one side and a pair of 4 pins mini XLR connection on the other side to connect to each can. The locking mechanism comes with a small soft button to slot into each can. Sturdily built to precision as the cable locks in tightly into the cans. No wiggly cables.

The ear cups of the LCD2 are made from Caribbean Rosewood. They also have a unit made of Bamboo composite which is retailed at RM3800. 

As I opted to listen to a fully balanced cable, Mr. Aaron also provided me with a pure silver 4 pins XLR cable from ALOAudio.

SPECIFICATION

The Audeze LCD2 features a planar magnetic design which is claim to recreate sound precisely as the artist intended. The LCD2 uses thin-film diaphragm housed between a push-pull magnetic structure.

• Style:  Circumaural - open
• Transducer type:  Planar magnetic
• Magnetic structure:  Proprietary self-closing design, acoustically transparent
• Magnet type:  High-grade Neodymium  
• Diaphragm excursion:  2.5 mm peak to peak
• Transducer active diaphragm area:  6.17 sq in
• Sound pressure level (SPL):  130 db (maximum)
• Frequency response:  5 Hz - 20 KHz, usable high-frequency extension of 50 KHz
• Total harmonic distortion (THD):  Less than 1% throughout entire frequency range
• Impedance:  60 Ohms, purely resistive
• Efficiency:  90 dB/1 mW
• Maximum power handling:  15 W (for 200 ms)
• Optimal power requirement:  1-4 W
• Cable length:  2.5 m or 8.2 ft
• Weight:  490 g (without cable - Bamboo Composite)
• Weight:  522 g (without cable - Rosewood)

THE SET UP

Source 1:

• MF M1 CDT to M6 DAC to M6i amplifier to Bryston BHA-1 headphone using all Siltech interconnects. All balanced except from M6i to Bryston headphone amp using single ended RCA interconnect.

Source 2:

• Clearaudio Concept turntable to MF M1 ViNL phono stage to Bryston headphone amp via its Balanced input using VDH XLR cables.

THE SESSION

I listened to the following tracks for this demo.

• La Voce Del Silenzio - Andrea Bocelli (CD)
• My Hero - Foo Fighters (CD)
• Until It Sleeps - Metallica (CD)
• Siboh Kitak Nangis - Zee Avi (CD)
• Patience - Guns and Roses (LP)
• Unforgettable - George Benson (LP)

If my fellow blog followers can notice, I am not using my usual test tracks except for My Hero and Siboh Kitak Nangis. Reason being is that I would like to avoid being over critical finding that level of details in the common tracks I use. I would prefer just to get the honest presentation from the LCD2 based on any music thrown on it.

The first track by Andrea Bocelli is also a strong track with a forcefull orchestra arrangement. The  LCD2 did not dissapoint me at all as the presentation was very bold but lively. Although it is an open back design, it provided a more controlled low end notes compared to my MS Pro. Vocals on this track was also very upfront.

Comes in My Hero, the kick drums from this track is very well defined but still  maintains the clarity that I enjoy from MS Pro. Cant believe that this is an open back design. The grungy guitar of Grohl, was very evident and his vocal was at its best growling sound. Using the MS Pro, these aspect of the track was more dispersed rather than centralised.

Just to test more on the low end notes, I put on Metallica - Until It Sleeps and of course in the spirit of their maiden concert in Malaysia soon. Again, Lars's kick drums and also his hand works on the snare were truly exceptional through these cans. The kick drums were controlled, defined and the snare was very detailed as you can even here the back beat of the sticks on the snare.

Forget drums for awhile as I wanted to hear string works. What is better than the sound of ukelele? Zee Avi's track in her native language was another track that was well presented through the LCD2. However, as I am used to this song being presented in a more open and airy presentation, it sounded a bit closed up. Not in a bad way but its different from what I am used to.

Patience was played from a second hand LP I purchased during KLIAV show. Spinned it and  as Axl Rose  screeching his voice, the LCD2 just continue to deliver a well balanced tone throughout the song. It managed to convince me that the LP benefit a lot from the unit performance.

Last but not least, George Benson tribute to Nat King Cole. Unforgettable.... The word sums it all out... An unforgettable experience with very fine cans. This is a brand new LP I purchased where practically the produced sound matches well with the headphone amp.

The only issue is that, playing an old record , the crack n pops are very clear. But the melodious sound coming out from these cans is truly precise.

VERDICT

A must have for those who really appreciate defined and controlled bass which also comes with a midrange and treble balance.

 

It suits well Bryston BHA-1 amp using both single end 1/4" jack and 4 pin XLR. 

Unfortunately for me, the weight of the unit does not provide comfort to me. I have tried and hope that there is a way to get use to it but after 3 days with me, I still find that the unit is pretty heavy. My quest for a high end headphones continues.


Authorised distributor in Malaysia:

David & Associates International (Asia)
B-2-18, Jalan PJU 1/43,
Aman Suria Damansara,
47301 Petaling Jaya

Contact Aaron Mah:
Mobile: +60 19 3122030
Email: dnaintl001@gmail.com