Audeze LCD-XC - User Manual

The Audeze LCD Collection User Manual provides comprehensive information about the Audeze LCD headphones, renowned for their exceptional sound quality and innovative design. These headphones combine leading-edge planar magnetic technology with advanced acoustic design to deliver an unparalleled listening experience. The manual emphasizes the importance of reading through its contents to maximize the enjoyment and longevity of your Audeze LCD headphones.

Function Description

Audeze LCD headphones are high-fidelity audio devices designed for critical listening and immersive sound experiences. They utilize planar magnetic transducers, a sophisticated technology that employs ultra-thin diaphragms suspended in a magnetic field. This design allows for incredibly fast and accurate sound reproduction, resulting in a wide frequency response, powerful bass, and detailed highs. The LCD Collection is celebrated for its ability to deliver a flat frequency response down to an impressive 20Hz, ensuring that every nuance of the audio is faithfully reproduced. Each pair of LCD headphones undergoes individual testing and measurement to guarantee optimal performance. Upon product registration, users can even request their specific frequency response chart, highlighting the meticulous attention to detail in their manufacturing.

The headphones are designed to be versatile in their application. While they are efficient enough to be powered by portable devices like iPods or iPhones with a mini adapter, their performance is significantly enhanced when driven by a dedicated amplifier. Audeze recommends an amplifier capable of providing at least 1 watt of output without clipping or excessive distortion to unlock the full potential of these headphones.

The LCD-XC model, specifically, is a closed-back circumaural headphone developed based on customer feedback. It offers all the acoustic benefits of the LCD-X while providing isolation from ambient noise, creating a private listening environment. This is a significant achievement given the inherent challenges of enclosing planar transducers without compromising sound quality. The LCD-XC is considered the finest closed-back planar headphone available, capable of being driven by portable players but yielding superior sonic results with an external amplifier.

Usage Features

The Audeze LCD headphones are designed for comfortable and secure wear, ensuring an optimal listening experience. The earpads are sloped to position the headphone drivers optimally, contributing to a natural and lifelike sound. These earpads are crafted from high-quality lambskin leather with soft foam inserts, providing both comfort and excellent acoustic sealing. A leather-free microsuede option is also available for those who prefer it. Upon receiving the headphones, users are advised to fluff up the ear pads to ensure maximum comfort and seal.

The headband is constructed from spring steel, engineered to provide an excellent fit and a comfortable seal around the ears. When wearing the headphones, it's important to adjust the height similarly on both sides to ensure the headphones sit symmetrically on the head, which helps maintain the intended soundstage and comfort.

The headphones come with mini-XLR connectors for the cables. To connect the cables, users should look for the small R/L indicators on the cable and match them to the corresponding connectors on the headphone. The connectors are designed to lock flush with the socket. To remove a cable, a small black button needs to be pushed while firmly pulling the connector. The LCD-3, LCD-XC, and LCD-X models are supplied with both a high-quality balanced 4-pin connector cable and a single-ended 1/4-inch cable, offering flexibility in connectivity options.

A crucial aspect of using Audeze LCD headphones is managing volume levels. The manual strongly advises users to reduce the volume levels of their amplifier and/or audio device before listening. Volume perception is subjective, and prolonged listening at excessive levels can cause irreparable damage to hearing. Users should gradually increase the volume until desired levels are reached, promoting safe listening habits.

Maintenance Features

Proper care and maintenance are essential for preserving the pristine condition and longevity of Audeze LCD headphones. The enclosures of the LCD Collection are meticulously handcrafted from either anodized aluminum or various types of wood, each requiring specific care.

For headphones with wooden parts, such as the rings and cups, occasional polishing is recommended approximately every six months. The headphones come with a preserving wood care kit for this purpose. The process involves applying a few dabs of the supplied oil to a polyester cloth, firmly wiping the rings, allowing the oil to soak in for 20 minutes, and then polishing the wood with a dry, soft, lint-free cloth. This helps maintain the wood's appearance and protects it over time.

Both the wood rings and earpads require occasional care to keep them in optimal condition. In addition to the wood care kit, an optional leather care kit is available for purchase on the Audeze website for maintaining the lambskin earpads.

The manual also addresses the importance of proper disposal and recycling. A symbol indicating that the product must either be sent for repairs and reuse or for treatment and recycling through an approved disposal system is included. For information on recycling and waste disposal agents for Audeze products, users are directed to contact support@audeze.com.

The warranty information outlines the coverage for different components. The LCD Planar Drivers are covered for 2 years (3 years with registration), while earpads, headbands, enclosures, and cables are covered for 1 year. The warranty specifies that normal wear and tear from use on earpads and headbands is not covered. For wooden enclosures, any removal of the wood cups will void the warranty. Variations in wood grain and color, as well as changes in color and finish due to aging, are natural characteristics and not covered under warranty.

To be eligible for warranty service, a valid bill of sale from an authorized Audeze retailer, detailing the retailer's name, original date of purchase, and the product's model or SKU number, must be included with the repair item(s). Audeze reserves the right to repair or replace defective parts with new or refurbished components. In cases of product obsolescence, a suitable replacement will be chosen based on features, intended use, and the retail price of the original product. All warranty replacements are guaranteed for 90 days or until the conclusion of the original product's warranty period, whichever is greater.