It's very rare that wearing headphones, you immediately understand that this is the option that suits you, and that's what happened with me with Audeze LCD-3. Undoubtedly the flagship of the world of headphones has been in my hands for a long time, and only now I can definitively formulate thoughts and share them.
Audeze is a classic example of a "garage startup", a small company with a completely closed production cycle. All of their LCD series headphones are assembled in a small edition without the involvement of any OEMs and outsourcing contractors. Also, the company has its own vision of the sound, what is called "house sound" in English, despite the difference in the nuances in the sound of individual models, as a whole their presentation is similar.
The lineup, in addition to the older LCD-3, also includes: the younger model LCD-2 (the first development of the company that performs the role of a budget proposal), the LCD-X, optimized for less powerful sources and LCD-XC, made in closed acoustic design.
The headphones use large isodynamic radiators of their own design with a powerful magnetic system. This allows you to achieve an epic sound, close to live concert recordings. Special elements, called phasors, are located inside the cups and serve for a more accurate direction of sound waves, providing a very unusual transfer of volume to the headphones. Faders in Audeze appeared after the launch of the LCD-3 on the market, so now there are models on the secondary housing with it, and without it.
LCD-3 is assembled completely manually, which gives them a certain level of exclusivity, but each separate pair is slightly different in sound. Judging by the measurements of frequency response, laid out by different people on the Internet, this difference can sometimes be quite appreciable.
The price of headphones is very inhumane, it is possible at the recommended price of $ 1950, but it is a recognized flagship, and it is these prices dictate the current situation in the market of headphones.
Specifications
- Acoustic design: open
- Emitter: isodynamic, 106 mm
- Peak power: 15 W
- Sound pressure level: up to 130 dB
- Frequency range: 5 Hz - 50 kHz
- Total Harmonic Distortion: <1% over the entire frequency response
- Impedance: 110Ω
- Efficiency: 102 dB / mW
- Optimum power of the amplifier: 1 W - 4 W
Packing and delivery kit
Without becoming idle, Audeze, nevertheless, did not abandon a number of steps in the "luksheri" segment. LCD-3 are sold either in a wooden box or in a large plastic case with a handle that allows you to securely protect your headphones for $ 2000 from any possible adversity. Of the accessories, a 2.5-meter cable with a 4-pin XLR connector, the same length with a 6.3 mm connector, a 3.5 mm adapter, a cloth and a special skin care liquid for the ear cups (if you choose leather option).
Also in the box you will find an envelope with a guarantee coupon (the warranty on the headphones is 3 years) and the chart of frequency response.
In general, the delivery package makes a pleasant impression, everything is folded neatly, all possible accessories are present.
Design and comfortable wearing
The appearance of Audeze headphones is difficult to confuse with models of other manufacturers. Despite the external restraint, they have many unique branded elements. The bowls are made of polished to perfection Zebrano wood, on their outer side are located familiar to all fans of personal sound metal grilles with a stylized letter A. Another brand name element - angled chrome plated connectors for cable connection. They not only give the headphones a distinctive appearance, but also help to comfortably wear, with this connection the cable does not cling to the shoulders.
Very reasonably made forks - pure metal, no plastic. Their guides are attached to the headband with a mechanism that provides reliable step-by-step adjustment. Traditionally for headphones of this type, the cups can rotate around two axes for a more comfortable fit. Headband - metal, covered with leather.
Incredibly convenient and complete ear cups, they are very deep and soft, which provides an ideal fit and convenience. They have a bevel to the front side, which provides a better pseudo-volume construction. In Audeze offer two versions of the ambush: from Italian sheepskin leather and from micromachine. Unfortunately, the LCD-3 ear pads are attached to double-sided scotch, so independent replacement will almost certainly lead to damage to the ear cups and the appearance of the headphones, so before buying, you should immediately think about which material you need.
The cable of this model is interchangeable, in this price category it is difficult to expect otherwise. Use convenient standard 4-pin Micro XLR-connectors, which simplify the selection of replacement models. The complete cables are very convenient, despite the long length, their weight is at an acceptable level.
By themselves, the headphones are rather heavy, 550 grams of their weight (excluding the cable) are caused primarily by a powerful magnetic system. A pail on the head is the load that it is hard not to notice, nevertheless, there is no strong discomfort of the LCD-3, soft ear cushions and a comfortable headband ensure correct mass distribution, minimizing discomfort.
LCD-3 is a completely open model, so they are only for listening to the house, otherwise you will be disturbed by external noise, and you will disturb others.
Sound
The following equipment was used for listening:
- Apple MacBook Pro Retina 2013 as a source
- Yulong DA8 and Accurate Audio V800 as DACs
- Yulong A28 in Accurate Audio V200 Amplifier Role
- Fidelia as a player
- High Definition Records in Lossless-formats (Dr. Chesky The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc and others)
Before listening to the headphones were warmed for 72 hours.
The developers of Audeze have set themselves a fairly simple task: to achieve for the LCD-3 sound with the maximum effect of presence at a live concert. This they managed to achieve with brilliance, the pseudo-volume that creates the headphones, practically has no equal. To do this, however, had to give up the neutrality of filing, so the LCD-3 headphones are more flavorful than many other tops. The sound of the model has a slant in the dark, with the accentuation of frequencies up to 1 KHz (of course, within reasonable limits).
Bass LCD-3, perhaps, as close to the ideal among all the headphones that I've ever heard. Volumetric, detailed, fast, it correctly conveys all the nuances of this range, and its density and impact have very few equal. This gives the effect of full presence for percussion, double bass, and other instruments that depend on this range. It is important to note that LCD-3 have a very good depth of LF and do not accent midbass, as many other models do.
The midrange is also very good, despite the decline in the region of 1 KHz. The resolution of the MF range is remarkable, and this is what makes the main contribution to the construction of an imaginary scene in width. Even more interesting is the depth of the headphones, they manage to take the vocals slightly forward with respect to other instruments, this gives an amazing effect of naturalness and liveliness. Of course, well the LCD-3 also conveys the character of the instruments, coupled with the emotions embedded in the recording.
The HF range is the most compromising place that the developers decided to sacrifice. Despite the good high-pass resolution, they are quantitatively inferior to the rest of the range and because of this they seem to be taken to the background. On the one hand, it provides a pleasant, not tiring sound, on the other hand - high frequency in the LCD-3 for some (albeit rare) tracks is not enough. In addition, the upper frequencies of the LCD-3 are quite uneven, which sometimes gives the effect of friability and nonsassembly, but again, against the background of excellent LF and MF, I can not call this a serious problem.
Compatibility
This, of course, is not as monstrous as the HiFiMan HE-6, but LCD-3 also likes to get better, and the source should have a good resolution. So no mobile application of these headphones is provided, as well as the ability to use them with tablets / smartphones. Here, as with an expensive sports car, you want to drive it - be kind enough to spend money on quality gasoline. I tried both of the available bundles - Yulong and Accurate, both very well opened headphones.
Genre LCD-3 is very versatile, although, of course, they are better at jazz, rock, heavy styles and electronics. Orchestral classics on them may sound a little unusual because of the features of the scene. For similar genres, perhaps, the same Sennheiser HD-800 or HiFiMan HE-6 will do. To the quality of recording headphones are very critical, so no MP3 with them do not listen.
Traditional tracks are examples.
Dream Theater - On the Backs of Angels. LCD'shki - headphones are largely rock and metal, and on what are they tested, if not on the best works of geniuses of progressive metal? A complex multi-track track, which includes the virtuosic work of all musicians. Headphones can cope with it perfectly, they transmit all the nuances without dividing them into separate instruments, instead, a single and integral monolithic track is stored.
Musica Nuda - Lirico Lirica. The amazing penetration of the jazz works of a virtuosic Italian couple. Another style of music for which headphones were created. Their effect of a live concert is simply stunning, it seems that Peter sings right before you, the same goes for the other instruments. Thanks to LCD-3 you can discover for yourself the audiophile side of listening - enjoying the level of recording, the spectacularity of live performances, this adds a new level to your favorite tunes.
Blues Pills - Jupiter. It's silly to deny the fact that in rock and metal music, a wave of enthusiasm for the sound of the '70s has now gone. A lot of bands rediscover classic hard rock, a mixture of rock and blues and other lovely finds of that time. Blues Pills are clearly among the leaders of such experiments, mixing everything in a single boiler, from Led Zeppelin to Black Sabbath, and spicing it with excellent female vocals. In doing so, they clearly withstand the canons of sound of that period, so without good headphones here can not do. LCD-3 with their darkened manner of serving perfectly suited for this music, perfectly conveying the vintage effect that the musicians tried to achieve.
conclusions
The case when the developers set a goal and brilliantly implemented it. Audeze LCD-3 turned out to be perfect headphones for live genres and for them phrases about the "live concert effect" are not empty words. Of course, this will have to be paid for by "nonuniversality" and a very high price, but what you will not go to achieve an ideal, especially if you listen to the appropriate styles of music.
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