AudezeLCD-X Over Ear Open Back Headphone New 2021 Version Creator Package with Carry case

So I bought a HD599, HD6XX, Hifiman Edition XS, Hifiman Sundara, LCD 2 Classic, and these. I wanted to try out different sounding headphones at varying price points and stick with the ones that got the most emotional response from me and enjoyment.Off the bat, I thought “these LCD X better absolutely blow me away for me to want to spend over 1,000 on a headphone”. Well I can say after listening to all the headphones for a while, I am keeping the LCD X, because they absolutely blow me away. After hearing how good they sounded, I couldn’t imagine deciding to keep any of the others.The best way I can decide the sound, is that it sounds thick, and full. The bass is insane especially with XBass on my Hip DAC 3 (which is an excellent little amp by the way, and powers these no problem even on low gain). It sounds like subwoofers in my ears, and the craziest part is that when the bass is strong, everything else still comes through clear with no distortion, unlike the Edition XS, which had very nice bass but would distort pretty easily. The LCD X gets louder than comfortable for me and still doesn’t distort.In reviews online, I always hear about things like “soundstage” and “slam”. As Listened to all these headphones, I began to understand those terms. The Hifiman Edition XS I’d say had the largest sound stage, which a lot of people like. Things sounded airy and spacious. Apparently Hifiman is known for this. I thought it was really cool, but honestly prefer the more intimate soundstage of the LCD X. It sounds like I’m hearing the music exactly the way it was meant to be heard, and if songs sound really large because it was recorded that way, then that’s how I hear it. If a song is recorded in a way that everything is mashed together, that’s what I hear. The Hifiman sounded excellent in things like Jazz and Classical, but the large sound stage almost sounded artificial to me at times. Some things often sounded recessed or too far away.As far a slam, well I know what that means now. Listen to Hotel California by the eagles, and when those drum hits come in before the main drop to the song, you’ll know what slam means. These got it.Anyways I could talk about sound all day and how amazing these are. The other reason I chose them over all the others is build quality. When you get these, you first get this hard plastic case. You open them and find these basically all metal/aluminum headphones that just feel solid. The whole experience of opening the case and grabbing these feels premium. The Hifiman was just cheap and wobbly and plasticky feeling, just like the sennheisers. Some people say these are too heavy, but they must just have weak necks or already have poor posture and are hunching forward. They definitely have some weight, but are very comfortable. I wear them all day with no issues, but I sit straight and have head and neck support on my office chair.As a final note, as compared to the LCD 2 C: the LCD 2C for me was pretty great in a lot of the same ways, but the X just sounds so much better out of the box. If you are on a tight budget, the 2C can sound pretty close to the X if you EQ on your computer, but I like to use my phone and the hip DAC so I can listen around my house, and the X just sounds incredible without EQ. The 2C still sounds great, and if it’s all you hear then you’ll be fine with it but the X is definitely a step up and is worth the extra money for me.

I am by no means an audiophile and lack the technical vocabulary to accurately articulate the sound these headphones provide. With that said, I will do my best to describe my experience.I currently own 6 pairs of headphones and these are becoming my favorites. My current other headphones are the Sennheiser HD 8XX, Focal Clear MG Pro, Focal Elegia, Dan Clark Aeon Closed X, Hifiman Sundara. I only add this information so you can understand by experience level and personal sound taste.Packaging - These are packaged like a tank. The carry case is very nice and feels quality.Build Quality - I think if you really wanted to you could break rocks with these things. They are all metal and build extremely well. There are no creaks or roughness when adjustijng them. Everything is silky smooth and percise.Sound Quality - Sound is so subjective. It is impossible to describe exactly what I hear because if you put these headphones on I guarantee they will sound different to you. Here is what I hear.The first thing that stood out to me was the clarity and the warmth. The first album I listened to with these was Days of The New - Days of The New. It happened to be delivered at the same time. The soundstage actually surprised me a little. I wasn't expecting them to be as wide as they are. They aren't as wide as the HD 8XX but few are. The guitars really sustained and the openess was just fantasticThe next albumn I listened to was Charles Mingus - Ah Um. I was immediately captivated by the instrument separation and the way the notes just sang! The bass was pleasantly punchy and full and the drums really were crisp and tight.Comfort - If there is a let down with these headphones it is in comfort. They weigh a ton and it feels like it. Despite having the wide headband and large comfortable pads after a few albums you really start to feel it on the crown of your head and in your neck. They are not uncomfortable, you just have to take breaks. I also have a GIGANTIC head and they fit fine which is rare for me.Conclusion - These are expensive headphones without a doubt, however, I really think they are a great value. You are getting what you pay for here. The sound quality and build are second to none. I would absolutely buy them again and recommend them to anyone in the market for them.