Second impressions (i.e. after 120 minutes listening to "various" tracks and from both the Oppo and a PC.

I've increased my initial assessment to "very good" to "excellent". One of the previous issues I mentioned has been adequately addressed, IMO.

1 - Regarding the "microphonic" sounds, I talked with Audeze CS. They state this is normal for planar magnetic headphones, and the rep further explained the technology and why it is normal. Succinctly, magnets and other ultra-thin "components" . The rep reassured me that under normal circumstances, they would be dead silent and even if I joyfully head-bobbed to my favorite tunes, it would be extremely minimal noise and no damage would or could occur. I can live with this and have somewhat verified same. The noise I'm referring to is a non issue (and isn't present at all) under normal and most circumstances.

2 - Audeze maintains these headphones are neutral. They further state the issue I'm reporting with the treble is subjective, and suggest I listen further to be become more acclimated to them. As I previously stated or at least meant to convey, the treble is "good", but it doesn't sound as airy as I'd prefer. This is exacerbated by the somewhat "weighted" bass. But again and all things considered, I'm inclined to listen more and become further acclimated to a "different" (than speakers; I have little headphone experience) type of sound.

3 - Their comfort is really something to reiterate. The "size" adjustment is exactly perfect.

4 - I did some listening via PC sound card (not a high end sound card, rather, a $2K dell I7 touch screen with a stock card) and the sound truly was "sweet". One thing I did purchase these headphones for was PC listening. Given their low impedance they do in fact play loud (and clear) with minimal amperage. As a supplement to my beloved Triton Reference, late night listening off the PC could potentially grow my collection halr.x10.mx/other.html that much faster.

Still in the evaluation phase...

Anyone think or opine that I should return and try my hand at something else? I've heard/read that Sennheiser HD 800 are the cats meow. They are a few hundred more. I'm not convinced they would be "better" for me or in my case though. And, I've read reviews that favor the LCD-X.

EDIT:

The LCD-X imaging and midrange detail is exceptionally good.

GDHAL,

I read your headphone reviews with interest. I've been curious because my only pair is very low-quality. But I had a recent experience that might provide insight into why you notice such a difference from your reference system.

Recently I bought a new very quiet, luxury car that has a pretty darned good Bose audio system with speakers all over the place. My impression was disappointment (not the car!), but that wasn't unexpected. It just isn't the same as the TRefs, no matter how I tweak the EQ controls. I now doubt that any car system can match the transparency of a top level stereo system. Only very rarely do I listen to my car system at all, even with the same digital files I use at home.

It may be the same for headphones. Can headphones ever achieve the same quality of sound as a well set up stereo system? I have my doubts. Only way to find out is to spend a bazillion dollars on the ultimate high end headphones and amp and see, but I know I'm not going to go there.

Charlie

Sennheiser HD 800 Are known for being very clinical, and certainly won’t have the bass of the lcd-x.

As I type this I'm listening with the headphones to some Frank Zappa from 11/14/84. Wow! I can say with certainty I am keeping them!

@charliehatch I agree that headphones cannot sound like (i.e. nearly as good as) a well setup two channel speaker system. I didn't expect the headphones to sound even close. I gleaned that information from the myriads of articles, reviews, etc. I've read on the Internet prior to my making this purchase. I'm content with the quality and what the LCD-Xs are, and simply am not as concerned with what they aren't. My expectation was only that they would be "more than good enough" to supplement my listening habits. And to this extent, they are.

@Timecop So I've read. I've literally googled "lcd-x vs hd800" and there are dozens of reviews, and they indicate (among other things) exactly what you've stated.

EDIT:

I can't imagine how another headphone could sound appreciably "better". That said and assuming GE would create such a product, I'll be curious to listen to a pair of headphones from our beloved Golden Ear! I bought the LCD-X creator package at $1200. I could believe though that in the case of Golden Ear, if they were to make a pair of headphones costing at the $1200 price point, it would sound "better".

EDIT 2:

I'm serious.... the imaging is fantastic and as expected rivals if not bests my T Ref two channel. But this too is/was expected as with the headphones there is no "room" to contend with. The imaging really is closer to 3D with these headphones than I've heard recently in any kind of listening situation.

And, truth be told, the LCD-X's in some sense are "noise cancelling" . I've got the volume just exactly perfect where I cannot hear anything else going on! Just making sure I stay completely on topic

Well it's been just about a week of ownership/usage.... I've increased my secondary assessment to "excellent" to "awesome and shouldn't be without".

The veiled treble has disappeared. So much so I called Audeze to inquire about "break-in". Representative Chris states (paraphrasing) the company does not offer an opinion on that, but that he personally does and states break-in in the particular case of these headphones has to do with temperature, humidity and - believe it or not - air pressure. He states air pressure is one of the very few things that can damage the headphone (having to do with an extremely thin diaphragm of sorts) . For instance, he states not to "cover" with the naked hand or otherwise the external outward facing portion of the headphone and do not "squeeze" them close to your head while listening. Fine. I have no issue with that recommendation.

Thing is, they really do sound very good (i.e. worthy of audiophile caliber). And, that is given the fact that my "best' amplification is from my Oppo UDP-205. Typically, I am using them from a PC using only the line out (i.e. not even a dedicated sound card). I can only imagine how good they would sound via a balanced connection from a true headphone amp like a Schiit Mjolnir.

The aforementioned said, T Refs rule!!!! I've actually used the T Ref sound as a benchmark to "judge" the headphones