LCD-2 (Fazor)
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published: Jul-4-2017, updated June -4-2021
NO SMOOTHING is applied to the shown plots. Most measurement sites have some smoothing applied which ‘irons flat’ sharp peaks and ‘wiggles’. I do not use smoothing because some info about sound quality is lost when plots are smoothed.
Aside from a small correction of the microphone itself also some correction in the lowest frequencies is applied to the plots to compensate for the perceived loss of bass when using headphones. This is described HERE in more detail.
A ‘horizontal‘ frequency response curve on the shown frequency response plots on this website thus indicates a perceived ‘flat’ tonal signature for most headphones.
ALL measurements are made with a good SEAL on a flatbed measurement rig.
The shape of your head, bone structure, pad size, pad ‘softness, (compliance), hair or no hair and or wearing glasses may (drastically) change the frequency response of some headphones, so… your personal experience may differ substantially from these plots.
Frequency response (tonal balance) is the most sound-determining aspect of headphones. A horizontal line shows audible neutral response in the plots on this website. Deviations in different severities at different frequency bands have an effect on the sound character.
The bigger the deviation the stronger the effect.
Below an aid to help determining the sound character of headphones with relation to the frequency response.
Audeze LCD-2
The Audeze LCD-2 is an open orthodynamic headphone. The LCD-2 has undergone quite a few revisions and this is the late 2016 version. Some of the early ones seem to have issues with one of the drivers giving up the ghost. The later models don’t seem to be afflicted and warranty appears to be generous.
It has a 4-pin mini XLR connector on each cup and thus has a cable with a Y-splitter in the middle. These are easy to source unlike the connectors on the EL-8 and headphones like the HD800 for instance.
This headphone is quite heavy in weight which may put some people off.
It is intended for home usage. The headband and pads are soft and made of real leather or micro-suede (your choice).
The cups are made of real solid wood and is available in a few different wood types.
It really should be driven from better DAP’s or from decent headphone amplifiers etc.
A phone or tablet will not cut it.
Note that this headphone was measured at 
where unavoidable background noises were present in the demo room. Distortion levels and spectrum plot performance may thus be better in reality than shown on the plots.
specifications:
Type: Over ear, open
Usage: Home.
Driver type: orthodynamic
Pads: Lambskin leather or micro-suede
Foldable: No
Headphone connector: 4-pin mini XLR
Cable entry: dual
Cable: 2.5m with 6.3mm TRS plug
Driver size: 80mm diameter, active area 65mm x 50mm
Nom. power rating: 5W (15W peak power)
Nom. voltage: 18 Vrms (32V peak power)
Nom. current: 250 mA (0.45A peak power)
Max. S.P.L. 130 dB (at 18V)
Impedance: 70 Ω
Efficiency: 93 dB @ 1mW
Sensitivity: 105 dB @ 1V
Weight: 550 g.
Clamping force: Medium
Accessories: 3.5mm TRS to 6.3mm TRS converter, ruggedized travel case
Measurements:
Below the frequency response of the LCD-2 (Left, Right)
The frequency response shows a neutral tonal response. Bass as well as sub-bas is there and of high quality. While the mids are quite neutral it does (very slightly) lack some ultimate ‘clarity/presence’. The dip around 4kHz is responsible for this. That dip is smaller in reality than it measures because the so-called Concha-gain will make this measured dip smaller than it looks. It is still there though, just not as deep as the plots suggest. Treble extension of these Fazor versions is quite good.
The treble level is slightly lower in amplitude than the mids and together with the small dip makes this headphone sound slightly or the ‘darker’ side.
The Audeze line-up has a few similar looking models that differ somewhat in tonal balance and nuances. Below a plot with the open versions in the Audeze line-up.
LCD-2, LCD-3 and LCD-X (alas the LCD4 was not present at that time)
As can be seen the differences in tonal balance are not very big between 30Hz and 3kHz. Most differences can be found in the area between 3kHz and 7kHz.
Below the phase response which looks really nice overall (the 180 degrees is a measurement thing, 180 degrees = 0 degrees). Only ‘sharp’ and substantial phase shifts are potentially audible. Above 10kHz measurement errors are dominant.
Below the distortion plots of the LCD-2: (only right channel shown)
The distortion products are shown in dB.
The distortion is impressively low.
Below the same plot except shown in percentages.
Do note that some of the distortion ‘spikes’ may well have been caused by sounds in the demo room from ears unlimited when it was measured there. When it would have been measured in a very quiet room the results may well have been somewhat better.
Below the CSD of the LCD-2 (Left and Right channel are overlaid)
There is very little to worry about here. A few very short lived resonances around 8kHz. Below 3kHz the CSD isn’t as clean as above it.
A somewhat related measurement is Group Delay. The GD plot is shown below.
Some pad bounce at very low frequencies. Otherwise there are alarming values indicating problems.
Below the spectrum plot of the LCD-2 (Right channel).
This plot too shows little issues. Bass and mids are quite clean.
The small signals around 1.5kHz may well not be coming from the headphone but are most likely sounds present in the demo room it was measured in.
By lack of oscilloscope shots (not enough time to measure that) below a step response plot of the LCD-2. (Left and Right channel are overlaid)
Very little and reasonable short lived ringing and a fairly flat response. The fact that the rising edge does not reach the 0dB line also is evidence of the slightly ‘dark’ sound signature.
summary
The LCD-2 is a headphone that measures quite well. Quite good in the distortion department, especially in the lows. Good in tonal accuracy but slightly lacking in clarity/presence and upper treble level.
Recommended for home usage only, preferably from a decent headphone amp or output stage. Some people may not like the rather high weight. Comfort on the ears is good though. The pads do seal quite good which some find uncomfortable as it kind of ‘sucks’ to your head when you pull the headphones from your head.
DIY-Audio-Heaven 