Initial Impressions (will likely be replaced by more indepth review)
Pros: Unbelievable depth and quality of bass, full and accurate while still natural mids, slightly recessed trebles that are non-fatiquing, and drop dead gorgeous looks!
Cons: Price, weight, recessed highs, some may consider the mids to more warm than analytical if they prefered AKG's sound signature
Aesthetics
The Audeze LCD-2 has truly got to be one of the most beautiful headphones that I have seen. The Carribean Rosewood cups are gorgeous and nicely contrasts with the metal black grills. The logo is non-intrusive. I wish the faux suede pads and headband came in black however, like the stock lambskin leather ones. The dark mocha brown doesn't seem to mesh that well with the rosewood and matte black of the grills.
Comfort
I have not had a chance to try the lambskin pads out before, but I can say the suede pads are amazingly comfortable. They are soft and "clothy" while being firm at the same time. The headband at first felt like the pads were digging into my head, but some "fluffing" addressed that. Compared to the HD650, the LCD-2 feels very solid on my head and my neck does get sore after a couple of hours sitting in an upright position. The angled pads may also take some getting use to if you are not familiar with the pad designs.
Sound
Trebles - Can be considered a bit recessed and rolls off just a tad, but I personally like it that way. They are still clear, detailed, and separated, while still sounding very smooth and natural to me. I can definitely say that I did not at all find the highs fatiguing even after 2 hours of listening to violin heavy orchestral music.
Mids - The mids are full of sound while maintaining both accuracy and natural sound. Vocals were presented incredibly smooth, very similar to the mids of the HD650 (will have to directly compare later) without feeling colored at all to me. More direct comparisons is needed, but my immediate impression is that I actually like the mids of my LCD-2 more than the HD650.
Bass - Very, very impressive and as it should be! This is the X-factor for these headphones that differentiate them from any other headphones I have heard. It is like listening to layers upon layers of bass, all smoothly stacked on each other. There was a detail and depth in the bass that really blew my mind away. That being said, these cans are not meant for bassheads (mind melting booming bass). One thing I have learned in my journey of audiophile headphones is that there is a huge different in accurate bass and booming bass that continues to resonate in your head long after the sound is done. The bass in the LCD-2 is well-defined and goes endlessly deep.
Soundstage - While not as big as the K701 is, the soundstage is still impressive nonetheless. I would guesstimate in my no where near expert level that the soundstage seems to extend about 15-20 feet away from, the at times things seem presented closer. Sources of sound are very clearly defined as well. I can hear where sound is actually coming from and what is making it. It is very clear and not muddied at all.
The Audeze LCD-2 has truly got to be one of the most beautiful headphones that I have seen. The Carribean Rosewood cups are gorgeous and nicely contrasts with the metal black grills. The logo is non-intrusive. I wish the faux suede pads and headband came in black however, like the stock lambskin leather ones. The dark mocha brown doesn't seem to mesh that well with the rosewood and matte black of the grills.
Comfort
I have not had a chance to try the lambskin pads out before, but I can say the suede pads are amazingly comfortable. They are soft and "clothy" while being firm at the same time. The headband at first felt like the pads were digging into my head, but some "fluffing" addressed that. Compared to the HD650, the LCD-2 feels very solid on my head and my neck does get sore after a couple of hours sitting in an upright position. The angled pads may also take some getting use to if you are not familiar with the pad designs.
Sound
Trebles - Can be considered a bit recessed and rolls off just a tad, but I personally like it that way. They are still clear, detailed, and separated, while still sounding very smooth and natural to me. I can definitely say that I did not at all find the highs fatiguing even after 2 hours of listening to violin heavy orchestral music.
Mids - The mids are full of sound while maintaining both accuracy and natural sound. Vocals were presented incredibly smooth, very similar to the mids of the HD650 (will have to directly compare later) without feeling colored at all to me. More direct comparisons is needed, but my immediate impression is that I actually like the mids of my LCD-2 more than the HD650.
Bass - Very, very impressive and as it should be! This is the X-factor for these headphones that differentiate them from any other headphones I have heard. It is like listening to layers upon layers of bass, all smoothly stacked on each other. There was a detail and depth in the bass that really blew my mind away. That being said, these cans are not meant for bassheads (mind melting booming bass). One thing I have learned in my journey of audiophile headphones is that there is a huge different in accurate bass and booming bass that continues to resonate in your head long after the sound is done. The bass in the LCD-2 is well-defined and goes endlessly deep.
Soundstage - While not as big as the K701 is, the soundstage is still impressive nonetheless. I would guesstimate in my no where near expert level that the soundstage seems to extend about 15-20 feet away from, the at times things seem presented closer. Sources of sound are very clearly defined as well. I can hear where sound is actually coming from and what is making it. It is very clear and not muddied at all.
