I've just ordered by dealer demonstrator pair of Audeze LCD-2 closed-backs. I need some cans that don't bother other people around me, and I get requests about affordable closed-backs all the time. The LCD-XC are very expensive, so I'm hoping the LCD-2 closed-backs are a good, lower-priced compromise. I'm also trying to get the new Neumann closed-back, the NDH-20, for my customers who need studio cans that don't leak. I will report back on developments.

I think it's fair to say that the high-end headphone market has matured. We now have many flagship-type offerings of the planar variety (Audeze, Mr. Speakers, HiFiMan, Abyss), dynamic variety (Sennheiser, AKG, Beyerdynamic, Fostex, Focal), and then electrostatics and IEM's. In all that time, I have never encountered headphones that I love, out of the box, as much as the Audeze. The freedom from distortion (unmatched by any dynamic-driver headphone except the new Neumann closed-back), effortless low-end, and pure voluptuousness are unmatched. Once you step up the LCD-3 or LCD-4, imaging gets very close to the Sennheiser HD800. I switch back and forth between the Audezes and Sennheiser HD800 in my own listening. However, I have to EQ the HD800 to tame that unbearable 6khz peak and ramp up the bass, and of course that increases bass distortion considerably, resulting in a somewhat flabby bass. For the price of the marvelous soundstage of the HD800, it is often worth it. But for most popular music, the Audezes remain unrivaled. Yes, there are lots of good choices, but I have yet to hear any other headphone which balances all my personal preferences as well as the Audeze. Now, if only they were lighter on the head!

I now have the Audeze LCD-XC in stock for demo purposes, with more stock coming in. I am holding off on the LCD-X for now, but I always have the LCD-2 and LCD-3.

Tags: LCD-XC

Audeze now has a closed-back model, the LCD-XC, for a higher WAF/SAF. The coolness factor is . . . uh . . . unchanged. I may try to show one at the January 2014 Austin Head-Fi Meet. Stay tuned.

Audeze fulfills my orders for both LCD-2 and LCD-3 immediately now, though I haven't tried ordering more than a couple at a time. I also keep at least one of each in stock at all times.

Nice Cans' demo pair of the Audeze LCD-3 arrived today -- I can't wait to spend some time with it. Audeze always provides a plot of each unit's frequency response. (Click on the link for a larger version.) This is an extraordinarily flat response for a sound transducer. Regarding the dip in the upper frequencies, recall that the ear's natural sensitivity is higher in that range, so a truly "flat" headphone sounds too bright.

Tags: LCD-3, planar-magnetic, response graph, frequency response

As of June 21, 2013, Nice Cans is an authorized reseller of Audeze. I should have the LCD-2 in stock imminently. LCD-3 is, alas, on backorder. Call me for availability.

I've reserved a table to show off my stock headphones at the March 2 Austin headphone meet at the Norris Conference Centers, 2525 West Anderson Lane, Suite 365.

I'll be showing the top-tier BeyerDynamics, Sennheisers, and the new Denon AH-D7100. I am hopeful that I'll have both Audeze's on hand, too.

I'll be sharing a table with CablePro, and I will probably have some information and goods on hand from RK Audiology, with whom I partner to provide IEM's. Finally, I hope to be able to show off the Centrance HiFi-M8 portable DAC/amp that is creating a buzz. Centrance may show up to personally demonstrate the product -- it should be awesome. The link to the meet is below. I hope to see you there!

http://www.head-fi.org/t/633886/3rd-annual-austin-texas-spring-meet-march-2nd-2013/195#post_9034033

Sound and Vision magazine online has posted a glowing review of the Audeze LCD-3. Check it out.

We're hoping to formally launch Nice Cans of Austin in late January, 2012. We should have some items in stock before then, so feel free to contact us to discuss.

Tags: nice-cans