In this article we look at the high-end Audeze LCD-4z reference headphone. It is selling for $3,995 USD.
Disclaimer: The Audeze LCD-4z was sent to me by Audeze directly, in exchange for our honest review. Audeze is not related to Headfonia in any way.
Audeze
If you’ve been following the personal audio world for the last 10+ years, then Audeze will ring many bells. The California, USA based company completely changed and upped the headphone game to new levels. Bio from the Audeze site:
Audeze’s origins go back to 2008 when founders Sankar Thiagasamudram and Alexander Rosson met engineer Pete Uka who developed specialized flexible circuit materials for NASA. They quickly realized the material might be perfect for headphones. And the rest is history.
Since then, Audeze has launched many successful audiophile headphones and IEMs and lately they were focusing a lot on their gaming headphones. We’ve reviewed almost all of the Audeze products here on Headfonia, the latest ones being the Maxwell and MM-100. If you’re not familiar with Audeze’s LCD and other headphones, then I strongly suggest to read up on them first.
In this review we’re checking out the Audeze LCD-4z, let’s get started.
Planar Magnetic Technology
As the LCD-4z is a planar magnetic technology headphone, we’re giving a very short summary of the tech for those not familiar with it.
Audeze feature proprietary planar magnetic designs with extremely thin-film driver materials and powerful custom magnets. Planars overcome many limitations inherent in typical cone drivers; our lightweight diaphragms are, for example, faster and more responsive than heavier moving-coil or dome drivers. Planar magnetic diaphragm also have a voice-coil circuit spread across the diaphragm surface. The diaphragm’s voice-coil circuit interacts with the magnetic field to produce an electromagnetic force that moves the diaphragm back and forth creating the sound you hear when energized by an audio signal.
If you want to read more about the technology, you can do this here:
https://www.audeze.com/blogs/technology-and-innovation
https://www.audeze.com/blogs/technology-and-innovation/planar-magnetic-technology
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headphones#Planar_Magnetic
Audeze LCD-4z
Let’s be clear that the LCD-4z isn’t a new headphone, it however has been updated compared to the original version. The LCD-4z’s dedicated website can be found here.
At the heart of every open-back LCD-4z is Audeze’s most powerful double-Fluxor magnetic array, which controls a specialized diaphragm made from their nano-scale film (advanced 106mm nano-scale driver). These technical innovations – according to Audeze – mean that the LCD-4z is capable of incredibly precise sound reproduction while not requiring a dedicated headphone amplifier. At only 15ohms impedance and 98dB sensitivity, the LCD-4z in theory is compatible with just about any device with a headphone jack. But more on that later.
Advanced 106mm nano-scale driver for incredible resolution and musicality
The LCD-4z cable is specially tuned with directional OCC high-purity copper strands that provide a low capacitance and low resistance path for the signal to travel from your amp to the drivers, maintaining unsurpassed clarity and precision. It comes standard with an XLR terminated cable for a balanced system or use it with the single ended adapter.
Price, Box & Accessories
The LCD-4z is a professional, reference headphone and it has an impressive price-tag of $3,995 USD, putting it in the high-end tier.
The LCD-4z in theory comes delivered with a really nice travel case and a premium 2.5m 4-pin balanced XLR cable with both a 4-Pin XLR to 1/4″ as well as a 1/4″ to 3.5mm single-ended adapter. You also get a Certificate of Authenticity and the usual Warranty Card (See User Guides). Our review version came with the cable, one adapter to 1/4″, both cards and a set of keys for the hard case.
It is a full package which you of course expect at this price point.
Design, Build Quality
The Audeze LCD-4z looks like a typical old-school Audeze headphone but when taking a closer look you will discover it actually is quite special.
The LCD-4z features a cast-magnesium chassis and yokes, a carbon fiber headband, as well as genuine leather earcups and head strap. I really like the special gold-accented panels and details, logos, and rods. This probably is the most luxurious looking Audeze in the line-up.
Each LCD-4z is carefully assembled and tested by the Audeze experts in their California workshop. I can’t find any flaws regarding build quality, but that isn’t really a surprise as I saw how the factory operates when I visited it last year.
The LCD-4z gets top marks again here.
Fit, Comfort and Isolation
This version of the legendary LCD-4 features a new magnesium chassis design which is over 20% lighter for greater comfort. That said the LCD-4z still weighs a hefty 560g,making it one of the heaviest high-end headphones on the market. The carbon fiber suspension headband and ventilated leather head strap do an excellent job distributing the weight over your head, but you can’t make all the weight disappear. This is especially noticeable with longer listening sessions.
The broad, deep ear cushions cradle your head and ears in soft premium leather, but I actually find them a tad too soft, and my left ear often touches the inner side which annoys me. I clearly prefer the tougher old-school pads like the ones from Dekoni. This of course is personal so you could love these soft cushions the LCD-4z comes with. When playing with the headphone on your head, you can also hear the drivers flex, something I haven’t experienced in a long time.
From a side pressure perspective, I feel Audeze hits the sweet spot with this one. It’s a comfortable kind of pressure and just enough to keep the headphone on your head when moving around or bending over to switch cables on the back of your gear
Isolation wise, as this is an open-back headphone, all of your music will leak out and all outside noise will leak in. It is recommended to be used in silent environments.
Sound – Intro
This is the section in which we check how the companies describe the sound of their own units. For The Audeze LCD-4z we find the following:
The LCD-4z immediately envelops you in your favorite music, with voicing that is tuneful but detailed, precise yet entertaining. The subtle midrange warmth draws you in to the music, while the powerful low end provides foundational groove and energy. The broad, nuanced soundstage immerses you in a live sound experience every time you hit play.
Let’s find out if we can agree to that!
Sound – General
I of course listened to the LCD-4z in a multitude of setups as you will see later in this article. DACs used were the Musician Aquarius and the Violectric V850, streaming music from my local library and Tidal, using ROON.
First of all I want to mention that the 4z is rather transparent, it will show you the impact of changing components. It’s also not forgiving when it comes to bad quality files or recordings, the principle of “Crap in, crap out” applies here.
The Audeze LCD-4z is a reference performer and no matter what you throw at it, it does everything in an effortless and ear pleasing, natural way. Its tuning is neutral to slightly warm, and this works very well. Resolution and musicality combined, what’s not to like? So yes, the LCD-4z sounds more smooth but refined. It’s the kind of high-end sound you never can get enough of, and it makes you want to listen to more and more of your favorite tracks.
The LCD-4z has a nice soundstage in both directions, aided by the spacious and airy character in both of the bass and mids section. There is definitely good depth and layering, but there are reference headphones with a better performance in this regard.
The LCD-4z does have slightly lifted bass, but you won’t hear me complain about that at all. The 4z’s bass goes deep and it has some subs presence, but it’s not the biggest or the one with the most rumble. Bass and mids are presented in a warmer way, delivering the smoothness which most of us like. You get a good amount of body and weight, but never too much. The LCD-4z (bass) isn’t the ultimate performer concerning PraT and punch, but it isn’t a slouch either. What I adore in the mids are the easygoingness, effortlessness and the vocal placement. The vocals sound natural and they blend in perfectly on the stage in a very realistic way.
The 4z’s upper segment is on the softer side. It is airy and spacious but very safely tuned. It’s really soft on the ears and easy to listen to. There is little top end energy though and the treble section has limited extension.
The 4z is a very safe bet tuning wise. If you like the LCD-5’s dynamics and vocal presentation, the LCD-4z won’t satisfy your appetite.
The part on sound continues on the second page. Click here or use the jumps below.
Page 2: Synergy, Comparisons, Conclusion, Summary, Specifications
