I've had the LCD-2 for three weeks now, and I think they've settled in long enough for a review.
The FR printout says 7/10/11 as the date of testing, and the headphones come with the new leather headband and ADZ-5 cable. I haven't confirmed with Audez'e if it's really the r.2 driver, but all signs point to very likely. I'm using FLAC/320 kbps mp3s on the PC, going to an ENMA/E9 chain.
First impressions were really unimpressive, with really congested sound and an overall blunt and foggy presentation. I do remember my previously auditioned pair being much better, and this unit was freshly cut from cable ties from the box so I stuck with it through the settling in process. By the third day the bass was well separated and non-intrusive, and the highs opened up for a much more separated sound, which is what I remember from my poisonous first listen.
Incredibly well performing bass. Deep extension and flat response, no BOOM BOOM midbass, but very very low kicking, like the type that you feel in your chest. For me, movie watching, gaming and synth bass needs a bit more midbass hype, but it's a testament to the LCD-2 bass linearity that it could deliver so many varying textures between bass instruments without any dominating the sound. Percussion sounds like real life and carry great energy, though cymbal brightness could need a touch more tiss to it. I wouldn't call it a basshead can at all, even though it specializes in the lower half of the spectrum.
Rich, rich vocals and instruments in the midrange.The LCD-2s have the most solid tonality I've heard so far. Vocals have more coherent mass and are presented like solid columns in the soundstage, making the rest of my cans sound unnatural in comparison. Piano key strikes have great body and convey the size of the instrument behind them. Guitar distortion remains crunchy and growly and have great balance between weight and aggression, and doesn't degrade into thin noise. The two instruments stand out the most for me because of prior experience, and I can say that I don't really find anything lacking in their delivery.
The highs are noticeably rolled off, but I don't really feel like I miss them most of the time. The sound is forward enough to be engaging, and still smooth enough at the higher end to never become painful to my ears. If I had to be critical, I'd say that it needs a bit more air and brightness at the top end, but if compromises the existing richness of the sound, I can live without it. You can tell the eardrum piercing parts in the tracks that are guilty of them, but they never cross the line to become painful.
Soundstage presentation is kind of hard to describe. It's accurate to the recording. That is, if the recording is meant to be delivered as a solid wall of sound, it will be, and live performances accordingly deliver a wide arrangement with good separation. But the black background is a lot closer than what I'd expect from an open can. It leaks a lot and has very low isolation, but it isn't as airy and transparent like an open can at all. Imagine standing in front of a concert stage with the performers arrayed wide in front and to the sides, but with the stage background right at their backs.
Comfort is a bit on the negative side. The LCD-2s are heavier and clamp harder than average, putting vertical pressure on my neck and sideways at the temples. Fortunately this relieves the top of the headband from much of the weight. If I had to choose, I'd take clamping pressure over a sore spot at the top of my head. I'd say I can wear it for an hour or two before needing a break. It's never painful, but you never forget you have half a kilo of stuff pressing against your head. Mildly annoying when in long stretches of gaming or watching movies. Not as much of a problem when in bed.
As a whole, I think it delivers the richest and most tonally satisfying sound I've ever heard. Too bad it feels like a really weak guy is trying to crush your head at the same time. But hey, I can live with that.
