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Audeze LCD-X Planar Magnetic Headphones Creator Package (Leather-Free)

BH #AU100LX10161 • MFR #100-LX-1016-01
 10 reviews
Audeze LCD-X Planar Magnetic Headphones Creator Package (Leather-Free)
Key Features
  • For Mixing, Mastering, Reference Hi-Fi
  • Neodymium Planar Magnetic Transducers
  • Open Circumaural Design
  • 10 Hz to 50 kHz Frequency Response
Professional engineers and audio aficionados will be thrilled by the leather-free Audeze LCD-X Headphones Creator Package, a pair of high-performance reference planar magnetic headphones, designed for professional mixing, mastering, and reference level personal Hi-Fi listening when connected to a low-powered external headphones amplifier or portable device. The Music Creator Package offers the same LCD-X headphones, but with only the standard single-ended 1/4" to dual 4-pin mini XLR cable and an economy travel case.
In Stock
$1,199.00
$100/mo. suggested payments for 12 Mos.
with the credit card.§ 
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Add a protection plan from $162.99
Earpads
Leather
Leather-Free
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Audeze LCD-XC Overview

  • 1Description
  • 2Planar Magnetic Technology
  • 3Performance
  • 4Neodymium Magnets

Professional engineers and audio aficionados will be thrilled by the leather-free Audeze LCD-X Headphones Creator Package, a pair of high-performance reference planar magnetic headphones, designed for professional mixing, mastering, and reference level personal Hi-Fi listening when connected to a low-powered external headphones amplifier or portable device. The Music Creator Package offers the same LCD-X headphones, but with only the standard single-ended 1/4" to dual 4-pin mini XLR cable and an economy travel case.

The headphones are sensitive enough to be driven by portable music players such as iPods, iPhones, and other smartphones. Instead of utilizing traditional dynamic cone drivers, the headphones implement a neodymium planar magnetic transducer design to deliver a frequency response of 10 to 50 kHz with a THD of less than 1%, an impedance of 20 ohms, an efficiency of 103 dB per 1 mW, and a total output SPL of over 130 dB when driven by 5 watts. The headphone earcups are made of anodized aluminum with black, open-cell foam covered egg-based protein leather-free earpads. The Audeze LCD-X are handmade in the USA.

Planar Magnetic Technology
Planar magnetic technology differs from traditional dynamic cone designs by suspending a thin lightweight diaphragm within a parallel plane comprised of an array of magnets. The diaphragm is much lighter when compared to a traditional dynamic cone and has a printed circuit spread across a thin film substrate on the surface of the diaphragm as opposed to a cone attached to a voice coil. When the audio signal from the amplifier reaches the circuit, it magnetizes the diaphragm within the field and produces sound.
Performance
The benefits of a planar magnetic design include faster transient response due to the lighter diaphragm, a wide frequency with low distortion, better heat dissipation, fewer moving parts for greater durability without the kind of sonic degradation for which cones are susceptible, and better amplifier compatibility because the circuit functions as an almost entirely restive load.
Neodymium Magnets
The magnetic structure creates a uniform magnetic field across the diaphragm without the need for additional ferromagnetic material traditionally found in other planar headphones to remove magnetic interference, reduce harmonic distortion, and lower overall weight. The headphones also feature Audeze's patent-pending Fazor elements that guide and manage the flow of sound through the earcups for a more enveloping sound stage and improved frequency extension.
UPC: 819343013840

Audeze LCD-XC Specs

Key Specs
Earpiece Design
Over-Ear (Circumaural), Open-Back
Earpiece Swivel
Not Specified by Manufacturer
Foldable
No
Impedance
20 Ohms
Active Noise Cancellation
No
Frequency Response
10 Hz to 50 kHz (Wired)
Audio Connector
1/4" TRS Male Straight
Headphone
Earpiece Design
Over-Ear (Circumaural), Open-Back
Earpiece Swivel
Not Specified by Manufacturer
Earpiece Connection / Wearing Style
Headband
Foldable
No
Driver Type
Planar
Driver Size
4.2" / 106 mm
Magnet Type
Neodymium
Impedance
20 Ohms
Active Noise Cancellation
No
Performance
Frequency Response
10 Hz to 50 kHz (Wired)
Sensitivity
103 dB
Maximum Sound Pressure Level (SPL)
130 dB
Maximum Power Handling
5000 mW
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
0.1%
Wired Connectivity
Audio Connector
1/4" TRS Male Straight
Cable Design
Y-Type, Braided
Audio Connector to Earpiece
2 x Mini XLR 4-Pin
Cable Length
6.2' / 1.9 m
Color
Black
Environmental Protection
None
Weight
1.3 lb / 612 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight
6.25 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
13 x 11.25 x 9.5"

Audeze LCD-XC Reviews

Rusted

By michael
Rated 1 out of 5
Date: 2023-05-01

I purchased the LCD-X headphones ($1199) in June of 2022. The button on the right wire clip got locked and stuck the first time I plugged them in. It still sticks. I used them four times mixing a folk singer mixing at a school. Other than those four times, they stayed in the box, in a humidity controlled studio. I took them out about a month ago (April 2023) to find the adjuster blocks on both sides had corroded (rusted) onto the shaft and the adjuster screw. That corrosion blemished the shaft piece on both sides. So for $1199 I have a faulty wire connector, rusted adjuster pieces and marred shafts on both sides. I don't know if the same alloy has been used internally, but I'm fearful it could be and could also be rusted. The thing I can't get over is that I used these 4 TIMES and they've been left in the box. Audeze acknowledged the problem and would not offer a return being that it was beyond 30 days (even with faulty pieces). If you are thinking of buying these, don't do it. Honestly, they do sound great. But I have many pairs of cheaper headphones and a lot of gear and nothing in this studio has ever rusted the the LCD-X's. And better companies have better return policies for faulty equipment.

Outperforms all of my closed back headphones.

By Clarence
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2021-12-23

Outperforms my other closed backs--Ether C Flows, Aeons and Fostex. Not as wide a soundstage as my open backs, for obvious reasons, but still are spacious. They're heavy but not uncomfortable, and I replaced the pads with Dekoni Fenestrated Sheepskins. They require a lot of power to drive. I have headphone amps including tubes, but I test drove them on simply the Audioquest Dragonfly Cobalt, and they sounded great!

Great Sounding Headphones

By Joseph
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-07-27

I have had these for a week or so and they are great sounding headphones. I am using a Burson conductor V2+ to power it and it does a great job. Listening to Cat Stevens Tea for a Tillerman on Vinyl sounds great, as does other music I am listening to . Still testing and trying different music, in which I am hearing things that I never heard before. These headphone are a must!!!

Fantastic!!!

By Michael
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2019-06-07

I've owned dozens of headphones. My favorite setup prior to these was my Sony MDR-z7 paired with the PHA-3 amp, run with balanced cables. To me, that was the best combination of excellent sound and separation while still being flat out fun to listen to. I was in a bind and had to sell it. I am so stinkin' glad I did. I was in a position to go back to my audio-crack (headphone addict...you know who you are) and was able to pick these up. I have to have closed back due to my living situation and 5 kids. Besides the presentation and amazing build quality, these were impressive out of the box and even plugged directly in. Better separation and detail than the Sony's, truer soundstage, and still bass body enough to keep fun. In fact, the accuracy (without the harshness) made these even more fun as I just got lost in the music again. I knew I had to pair with an amp, but budget would be tight (I mean, these are cheap). The Aune x1s did a very good job, and is probably the better budget option. I did venture to get a Jotunheim, for balanced, and I liked it, but something in the signature just didn't sound as smooth and natural as these should sound. Then, I tried the Fostex HPA4BL. I am so glad I did! Great build and, to me, the better pairing than the Jot. It just sounded more natural and smoother. I've said enough, but regardless of your amp choice (or not...I do use a USB-C adapter straight into my iPad Pro 11 when not at my desk, and sound fantastic), I just can't imagine being disappointed with these cans. There is a weight, but it's distributed well. Plus, you should feel like something substantial is embracing your cranium if you're gonna have a mental glitch (wife speak) enough to spend this kind of money. P.S. - They do sound fantastic with movies on my upgraded iMac and mixing. Out.

Simply The Finest

By Charles
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2018-07-11

Wow what a good sound and the attention to detail on these hp's is very good, just got them I've been looking for a really good closed back headphone and to my ears these are the best sounding, the level of quality, tonal balance and transparency of these hp's are second to none. They come with a new cable not that old Audeze ribbon type cable, and this new cable is much more attractive. Also the headband has changed these are weighty hp's for sure but very balanced. The sq of these hp's are something you really need to hear simply amazing sounding, I'm very pleased with this purchase and feel the LCD-XC's are a must have for anyone who enjoys their music..enjoy

Stunning!!!!!!!!

By GhostlyFour
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2018-02-14

Used to have the best Stax phones, twice!, and the Audeze beats them hands down!

Skip these as "audiophile" headphones.

By Steven
Rated 2 out of 5
Date: 2022-12-28

I can't attest to these for mixing/mastering, but these are terribly dull sounding headphones. I absolutely understand that you want something "transparent" for mixing/mastering, but even then, I personally couldn't see relying on these for that. For "audiophile" applications, spend a few hundred more and go with the ZMF Auteur headphones. The Auteur sound infinitely better than the LCD-X, and are far more comfortable as well. I swapped a bunch of gear in my chain at once, including phono stage, and added a headphone amp. I purchased the LCD-X at the exact same time, and thought that I was going to have to track down whatever was making my personal "reference" vinyl sound so lifeless. Turns out it was the LCD-X. ZMF Auteur to the rescue - soundstage, separation, low end, high end sparkle - all of that returned.

Nearly perfect

By Nghi
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-01-12

Clarity meets and exceeds HD800S levels of clarity, especially when it comes to instrument separation. Imaging is excellent as is the sound stage, granted the soundstage is not as expansive as the HD800S. Bass is tight and accurate. I find myself reaching for these cans over the HD800S and HD660S. 5/5 stars

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YOUR RECENTLY VIEWED ITEMS

Is this the 2021 version with 6 magnets instead ...

Is this the 2021 version with 6 magnets instead of 8?
Asked by: Shane
The Audeze LCD-XC Closed-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones Creator Package that we have in stock is the most recent version available from the manufacturer.
Answered by: Lisa
Date published: 2023-01-30
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