Rayshaun Thompson is a film composer, record producer and EMMY nominee whose work spans a wide spectrum, but always aims to stir emotions and create a strong vibe.
Chris Henderson is the owner and designer for Hendyamps studio gear and guitar amplifiers, a platinum certified mastering engineer, musician, music sync artist, score composer, studio owner, and videographer.
David Sanford has composed, arranged and studied music for over 45 years and is currently the Elizabeth T. Kennan Professor of Music at Mount Holyoke College.
Claudia Engelhart has been doing live sound for over 40 years, and has been the Sound Engineer/Tour Manager for Bill Frisell since 1990.
February 18, 2021
"Though Audeze produces some of the most high-end planar magnetic headphones on the market, their high-end headphones can cost more than renting 40 hours of professional studio time. That’s why I have no qualms in saying that their entry-level Audeze LCD-1 headphones are more than accurate enough to serve as a reference tool for home recording artists."
"The standout technology that sets the LCD-1s apart from the competition is its 90mm planar magnetic drivers. Compared to moving-coil drivers, planar magnetic drivers have a lower distortion factor as well as a more accurate transient response, which really helps bring out both low-end sound and short-lived peaks like snare hits. This is aptly demonstrated by the LCD-1s buttery smooth sound."
"The Audeze LCD-1s provide an overall balanced sound signature without making the audio feel flat or lifeless. The low-end delivers a full and present thump without bleeding into the midrange. It won’t pack the same punch as closed-back headphones like the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, but this is a good thing in the studio context. Vocals and other mid-range instruments sit neatly in the mix, which really showcases the superior sound staging capabilities of these cans. The treble output of these headphones is a true high point (pun intended) for the sound, as the amount of detail you get in the twang of a guitar string or the snap of a rim shot really brings the audio to life. That said, a slight bump in the 3-4KHz frequency range does colorize the sound some, but not enough to shake our faith in the sonic accuracy of these headphones."
"So what’s left to dislike about a pair of headphones that checks this many boxes? Not much. By nature, planar magnetic headphones are heavier and bulkier than moving-coil headphones, and so they aren’t the most comfortable pair of cans I own. The clamping force of the headband was also a bit much for me out of the box, too, but the sample unit I received has become notably more comfortable after repeated use. The open-back design might make them hard to use to monitor live recordings too but they are still a top choice for mixing."