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"For Those Demanding the Best"
The LCD-XC planar magnetic headphone has been in research and development for several years. It marks Audeze's first foray into closed-back design. Featuring exclusive Fazor technology, the XC is a fully-enclosed headphone with classic Audeze-quality sound for a more exclusive experience in noisy environments.
For the purest, most discerning audiophile listening sessions, open headphones remain the favored choice, but the closed-back LCD-XC is the best enclosed headphone experience you’ll find.
"Altogether serious and end-of-the-road headphones for those demanding the best," reports Srajan Ebaen in his January 2, 2014 review for DigitalAudioReview.net. "True full-range performance without room intrusions."
"I Can't Offer a higher Headphone Recommendation"
"I can't offer a higher headphone recommendation. Audeze has rewritten the rules of engagement again," raves Michael Mercer in Positive-Feedback.com, November/December 2013.
"From the butter-soft leather, to the gorgeous wood earcups, they exude luxury in a way most headphones don’t," notes Geoffrey Morrison in his November 5, 2013 review for Forbes.
Fazor Technology
Patent-pending Fazor elements are unique to the LCD-XC and LCD-X and help guide and manage the flow of sound in the headphone. The result is improved phase response, greater frequency extension, smoother frequency response, and remarkable 3D holographic imaging.
The LCD-XC comes with an ADZ6SE single-ended 1/4” TRS to 2x4-pin mini XLR cable, an ADZ6B4 balanced 4-pin XLR to 2x4-pin mini XLR cable, and a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter. It also includes a 'Ruggedized travel case,' a wood care kit, and warranty documents from Audeze.
Premium Wood Cups, Enclosures, and Ear Pads
We offer the LCD-XC wood cups in hand-worked Bubinga. The enclosures are made from precision-crafted anodized aluminum with sloped earpads of either premium lambskin leather or a leather-free super-suede microfiber. The earpads are designed with specially-crafted foam that offers the proper firmness and the right acoustic balance.
Audeze Planar Magnetic Transducer Technology
Planar magnetic speaker technology is a dramatic departure from traditional dynamic speakers. The unique design and functionality of planar magnetic transducers (or drivers) overcome many limitations inherent in cone drivers.
Planar magnetic transducers typically consist of two main components: a diaphragm with circuit and magnet arrays. The 'planar' in planar magnetics refers to the magnetic field that's distributed in the same plane (parallel) to the diaphragm. Planar magnetic diaphragms are thin and lightweight compared to much heavier moving-coil or dome diaphragms found in 'dynamic' drivers. This thin diaphragm is suspended in the magnetic fields created by the magnetic arrays.
Unlike a dynamic driver with a cone or dome attached to a voice coil, a planar magnetic diaphragm has a printed circuit spread across the surface of a thin-film substrate. When the circuit is energized with an audio signal, it interacts with the magnetic field and produces an electromagnetic force that moves the diaphragm back and forth creating sound.
Audeze employs a number of proprietary techniques that improve upon basic planar magnetic design, including the integration of unique, ultra-thin diaphragms and stronger and more optimized magnetic fields and circuit patterns. Audeze's goal is to bring the best in planar magnetic design and continuing to improve the personal audio experience.
Planar Transducer Advantages
Planar magnetic transducers offer numerous benefits compared to dynamic drivers, beginning with enhanced responsiveness. Since the force created by the magnetic field is distributed across most of the diaphragm surface, the planar magnetic diaphragm moves faster and with far greater accuracy to the input signal.
The magnetic force that drives the lightweight diaphragm delivers rapid acceleration thus achieving a wide frequency response, low distortion and excellent sound quality.
Planar magnetic transducers also offer added durability compared to conventional dynamic drivers. Because the circuit pattern is spread flat across the diaphragm surface, it can dissipate the heat generated by the current passing through it more efficiently. Additionally, planar magnetic transducers have few moving parts and can maintain performance without any sonic degradation. Dynamic drivers continuously degrade in performance over their life due to a multitude of moving parts and use of glue joints.
Amplifier friendliness is another attribute. The circuits found in planar magnetic diaphragms present an almost purely resistive load to amplifiers, making the transducers easy to drive. The impedance over the entire frequency range is completely flat vs. dynamic speaker, which could have variances in impedance values over the frequency range.
