Audeze LCD-XC 2021 Closed-Back, Planar-Magnetic Headphone Review 

Nice, honest review. You have hit on exactly what makes the LCD-XC the best headphone on the market for me ( I only really use closed backs). I have tried/owned every high end closed back on the market, Verite Closed, Stellia etc. The LCD-XC can become just about any headphone you need it to be with EQ, because it takes EQ better than anything I have tried, at any price. Even 10-12 db bass shelf without audible distortion. As far as the 'cumbersome' methods for EQ: I use Equalizer APO/Peace at my home office. I use my RME ADI-2 Pro at work or when in a hotel out of town. But my best discovery is the Qudelix 5K. As long as you use the 2.5 balanced connection the Q5K works beautifully with the LCD-XC. When I first got the Q5K I was VERY skeptical that this tiny little $100 device could power the LCD-XC properly. But it does a commendable job. Does the amplifier section sound as good as my JDS Labs Element 2 or RME ADI-2? No it does not. But the differences are far more subtle than I expected for sure and I certainly don't feel like I am in a penalty box when using it around the house or at Starbucks. 🍻

That you clearly distinguish between mass and weight is awesome! 😁

I must thank you a lot! I just got the LCD-XC and after 5 minutes of music listening, I wanted to send them back! I was so confused that my DT770 80ohms sound better than these with such a big difference in price tag. After EQ with TDR Nova - these sound soooo good IMO!

Thank you for this video. Videos likes this always remember me not to sell any of my headphones. I have tried something similar and very portable, with Chord Mojo 2 , and with two clicks up ( first two marbles ) and two clicks down ( the next two ) , using the famous blue Audeze cable from my LCD 4, i like them to the point that i think they should have been called LCD 4C.

Bryan. This is an excellent review and you’ve kind of woken me up because I’ve had the LCD XC’s for nearly five years and haven’t had great results with EQ’ing them and that is mainly because I haven’t been using hardware based EQ! 😮 I think the Schiit Loki may be a terrific answer to my prayers on how I can fix some of the Mid range and bass the LCD XC’s clearly have problems with most types of music. Again. Thank you. You bring to light some interesting and useful points. In the end, I might not sell the XC until I try the Lokius. Cheers my friend.

The Loki Mini has different attenuation/gain on different knobs. According to the site they go like this: Adjustment: +/-12dB at 20Hz and 8kHz, +/-6dB at 400Hz and 2kHz so the middle ones are +/-6dB but that bass boost you put on them is probably like +10dB. Great review. I generally hate Audeze but seeing your reaction to these after EQ makes me really really tempted to give them a shot.

Excellent and accurate review. I echo what 04yellowjacket has said and Wavetheory with some expansion of info. I have read and seen many reviews, before and after purchase of a LCD-XC 2021. There are usually a few things that are missed. This may help someone with this headphone or is considering them. I use these headphones daily and when properly EQed/tuned they sound glorious. Every time I consider buying a LCD-5 or EMF Verity Closed I just remember how I love listening to the LCD-XC 2021. Like Wavetheory said, EQ is a must, utter crap stock, the tuning is reference flat with some irritating peaks and bass region drop off. Resolve did a very comprehensive video review of this headphone including a separate video going over just EQing them. These headphone can take EQ like a champ, literally make them sound however you like. My bass is boosted to 10.5db (bass shelf) and is tweaked in 17 bands on Equalizer APO (Peter version). Damn it sounds glorious. From stock where I would never listen to, to so engaging sometimes I have to literally force myself to stop. Equalizer APO is free for Windows based systems. I have a thin longish neck and in my 50's. Before purchase I was concerned about the weight of the headphones. I can wear these headphones for 6 hours without a problem or any irritation. When listening to some music I am head bobbing, toe tapping and such with no issues. Here is a trick I learned, place the top of the headband slightly forward of the center of the top of your head. This fixes any moving of the headphone and distributes the weight so the weight does not strain your neck. If you EQ these headphones and want slam, I mean visceral slam and punch you will be boosting the bass and sub bass region. The amp matters. I have tried several sub $500 amps and DAP (from Topping, SMSL, Schiit, Grado, Sony, etc.) and the one I like the best so far and am using is a Schiit Jotunheim 2. Yes this headphone can be powered with just about anything. This headphone scales with front end gear. It needs a powerful amp so you can EQ it properly. When boosting bass via EQ you will be adjusting the pre-amp section down to prevent clipping. My pre-amp on Equalizer APO is adjusted to -21db. This requires a reasonably powerful amp so you will also have ample headroom, which keeps the amp from distorting. I run the setup fully balanced, but on a budget the Schiit Asgard 3 has enough power and works well also. The cable(s) that come with the LCD-XC are ok, look good, they work. When I changed the cable to a balanced Cardas Clear Light, the difference was very obvious after the cable broke-in. So a good aftermarket cable can improve sonics.

I hope you'll get a chance to review the Neumann NDH 30 real soon.

I had the same feeling about the XCs as you (well, maybe not as extreme), but over time I learned to appreciate the headphones. I don't think the bass was so bad, but the upper mids was a bother - because of that I learned to listen to them at moderate volume level. Having read many positive reviews I even became somewhat disappointed with them and regretted I chose them over DCA Noires. I've started to think about some modding: I made some felt filters, whch increased the bass, but cut out the treble, which made the mids stand out even more. I thought about pad rolling, but those adhesive rings scared me off etc.Then I've read some interesting posts about their cups resonance and inspired by them I've just loosened up cup screws by a fair amount. And call me crazy, but it changed the headphones for me, by MUCH. There's still some mid fowardness, that's true, but the scene has opened up, the bass increased (especially mid bass, givin them some welcomed body) and overall I'd say they've become pretty balanced and extremely enjojable to listen (now I think I prefer them over my Anandas and Clears, even when I don't have to wear closed backs). So yeah, I think for everyone dissapointed by these cans, it's worth to give it a try, there's virtually no risk involved.

Had the 2021XC for a few months. Sounded really good. But the weight became too much and a deal breaker. Ended up selling them. Audeze should look at the new ZMF Crescent strap on the headband that they use on the ZMF headphones now. So comfortable that you don't even feel a Verite Closed on your head. Audeze should do a copy cat version for their ridiculously heavy headphones. I won't buy another Audeze HP until they address the weight issue like the LCD-5 did

thx !!!!

lol, so clinical.... good review.

Hi, Great review, as I don’t have the Schitt yet, can you tell me roughly what your EQ settings are? Kind regards. Anthony

I'm undecided between this audeze or the Sony MDR Z1R, which one should I buy?

Can you hear the difference in improved sound quality using balanced cable vs unbalanced in LCD-XC?

Can you share PEQ settings for Equalizer APO?

Auedezes have wonky tunings but they don’t have hard to correct issues like big narrow spikes or dips, so they’re easy to EQ with even a super basic eq like the Loki

I never use EQ. LCD-X is awesome out of the box.

Which EQ app are you using for this headphone?

do they sound better than the 2021 lcd x?

Which headphone AMP you use for this Headphone?

Audeze LCD-XC or Sony Z1R?

I got a Koss Porta Pro, did some EQ & now it sounds like a Orpheus HE1 ; )

hello,i have and love sound straight from my hifiman ananda bt,no EQ needed + astell kern SR25 II. need a closed headphone with similar sound .I dont like bassy headphoes.what you can tell AH-D9200 vs Audeze LCD-XC? im tried at local shop 9200 ,very like sound but a bit too much highs and seems like semi open sound with big soundstage.tried focal stellia at same shop and not liked it. stellia sounds like my bathys -no soundstage and dark.

Ergonomically the Neumann ndh20 rock

Focal Radiance or these? Your thoughts pls.

$500 for an extra cable and a smaller case???? That cable better be made from osmium plated angel aortas and that case from reinforced-elasticized dragon scales.

Every professional creator uses EQ, there is no headphone that doesn’t need eq for mixing

Don't get it, for 1600 EUR. Every headphone CAN sound better with EQ! But not many headphones NEED eq to sound good. For me every headphone in this price range has to sound good out of the box. Taking the ridiculous weight and sub par comfort in equation i won't bother even with trying this headphone. Meze Lyric, Denon D9200, Focal Radiance, better and far more practical options out there.

Man can hear half a decibel 😂😂😂

The headphone of the year is definitely Kennerton Rognir . Apparently the best sounding headphone for it's price

if headphones 'need' to be EQ'd then, they're not good headphones, surely?

They need EQ because they are not good enough & they charge for this!? 😅

When you EQ you lose bits.

Bit suspicious of a review from someone who doesn’t know what a parametric eq is.

paying 100 dollars for eq sounds dumb to me

This dude's hearing is badly damaged. Go watch the headphone show and get a real expert review this.