Audeze is a company that needs no introduction in the audiophile community. It’s been a staple since 2009 with the release of the LCD-2, which became an instant classic for many. I was in elementary school when it came out, so I didn’t hear it when it was new, but years later I had a chance to try it.

That, along with other Audeze products (LCD-3 and LCD-4), never quite fit my tastes. In 2021, Audeze updated the LCD-X, as its previous version was not very well received. So, let’s see if the 2021 LCD-X is something I enjoy!

The LCD-X is built like a tank — and weighs as much as one too! Like with all other Audeze products, it really feels like a premium headphone. It comes with an excellent case and is built very solidly.

The look of the LCD-X is fantastic and easily one of my favorite-looking headphones of all time. It just looks so cool.

The weight is a problem. At 612g, it’s a chonker, and your neck might start to feel it. I’d say this headphone is heavy enough that many neck doctors would probably question whether it’s safe to use for long periods.

I found myself getting used to it after using it for a few days in a row. However, if I switch to a lighter headphone and then go back to the LCD-X, I immediately notice the difference again. Because of that, I would say comfort is definitely an issue with this headphone.

The bass is usually the main praise of any Audeze headphone, and this one is no different. The bass here slams — hard — and you can EQ the hell out of it to get some seriously explosive sub-bass.

I would go as far as to say it’s capable of delivering the best bass I’ve personally ever heard from a headphone. The LCD-X is basically flat from 800Hz down to about 20Hz.

The lower mids on this headphone are elevated. From 300Hz to 800Hz, it’s about 2.5–3dB above Harman. This can easily be EQ’d away if it bothers you. It doesn’t bother me — at least not with the stock tuning — and it actually adds a bit of welcome weight.

Vocals on this headphone can come off as slightly recessed, but not lacking clarity. This may sound strange to some or very accurate to others, but when vocals become recessed, they sometimes sound muffled. (The Hifiman HE-5LE has this issue to my ears: recessed and muffled.) Fortunately, the LCD-X doesn’t have that problem. Vocals sound decently clear, and I really enjoy the presentation.

Some could argue that the recessed mids add to the sense of staging, and I can understand that perspective. It does make the presentation feel less up-close and personal, which some listeners may not like. (You can see this pretty clearly on a graph — a major recession around 4kHz.)

With the LCD-X’s stock tuning, I understand the treble presentation they went for. There are no massive peaks in the treble (though there are some dips) until you reach the “air” regions (around 12kHz in this case). This adds a sense of “airiness” to the sound, which some people may not enjoy — but for many, it comes across as extra “detail.” I think it complements the stock tuning well enough, and at no point did it really bother me.

If you’re sensitive to this region, you might need to EQ it away. There’s also a chance this peak simply doesn’t exist for you, depending on your personal HRTF (head-related transfer function).

From 6kHz to 10kHz, the treble is more recessed compared to the target. Again, I’m pretty okay with this, but some may find the treble presentation a little too dark. I personally never found myself wanting much more — at least, not yet.

The soundstage on the LCD-X isn’t massive, but because of the recessed vocals, it can sometimes come off as larger than expected.

I found myself enjoying the soundstage — it’s a nice, open sound that never feels boxed in — but it also doesn’t do anything out of the ordinary. It’s satisfying, just not mind-blowing.

The LCD-X is a great-sounding headphone for those who enjoy a more laid-back tuning.

I do find it more energetic than an LCD-2C (at least to memory), but it’s still on the relaxed side. If you’re someone who prefers a “correct” or Harman-target style of sound, this may not be for you.

That being said, this headphone takes EQ exceptionally well — it’s one of the easiest headphones I’ve ever had the pleasure of EQ’ing. Not EQ’ing it would be taking away from one of its biggest strengths. As I always say, EQ is free — it never hurts to take a stab at it. You can seriously tune this headphone into whatever you want, and it’ll handle it beautifully. (It’s also worth noting that online measurements show the LCD-X has extremely low distortion, which certainly helps.)

Many people consider Stax headphones the antithesis of Audeze — and in some cases, that’s true. It’s rumored that the original LCD-2 was designed with the Stax 007mk1 in mind! However, the L700 and LCD-X are very different headphones.

If you want a more “weird” experience — something that sounds truly unlike anything else — the L700 is a fantastic choice. It’s very different from many of its competitors, for better and for worse. The L700 is laid-back, but the LCD-X is even more so. Because of that, people who enjoy deep bass and more recessed vocals may prefer the LCD-X.

Both headphones take EQ well, but no matter how hard you try, you won’t get the kind of bass slam from the L700 that you get from the LCD-X.

My friends who are obsessed with vocals tend to love the Stax more, while others lean toward the Audeze. Also, the L700 Mk2 is way more comfortable, and that could play a role in your decision too.

Audeze LCD-X (2021) ≥ Stax L700 Mk2

These two headphones are very different, and even a quick look at a frequency graph shows it.

The Ananda Stealth has the famous Hifiman scoop from 1k–2.5kHz, which I’m personally not in love with. Many people enjoy it, but it’s not for me. Interestingly, where the LCD-X is scooped in the upper mids, the Ananda fills that region in. Which one you prefer depends entirely on personal taste.

Some people describe the Ananda as having a wider soundstage — possibly due to that 1k–2.5k scoop. It sounds less laid-back and more energetic in the upper mids and treble, with a noticeable spike around 7kHz (which I do hear).

Neither headphone is especially comfortable. The Hifiman has too much clamp force, while the Audeze is just heavy.

The build quality of the LCD-X is far superior, but it’s also much more expensive. So for the price, the Hifiman is a steal.

That said, if we’re talking purely about sound, I personally prefer the LCD-X.

Audeze LCD-X (2021) > Hifiman Ananda Stealth

I never took the LCD-XC home, but I was able to demo it at a shop and get a good impression.

I’ll keep it simple: I really did not enjoy the LCD-XC and found the LCD-X to be far superior.

This probably shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering one is a closed-back and the other isn’t — but still.

Audeze LCD-X (2021) > Audeze LCD-XC (2021)

• Style
• Over-ear, open-back
• Transducer type
• Planar Magnetic
• Magnetic structure
• Proprietary magnet array
• Phase management
• Fazor™
• Magnet type
• Neodymium N50
• Diaphragm type
• Ultra-Thin Uniforce™
• Transducer size
• 106 mm
• Maximum SPL
• >130dB
• Frequency response
• 10Hz - 50kHz
• THD
• <0.1% @ 100 dB SPL
• Sensitivity
• 103 dB/1mW (at Drum Reference Point)
• Impedance
• 20 ohms
• Max power handling
• 5W RMS
• Min recommended power
• > 100mW
• Recommended power level
• >250mW
• Cable
  
• 1.9m (6.2ft) length 4-pin XLR with Single ended 1/4" (6.3mm) adapter
  
• Wire material
  
• 20 AWG high-purity OCC audio-grade copper
• Weight
• 612g