The planar magnetic LCD-X is the most successful headphone from Audeze, cherished by professionals and audiophiles alike. It was launched back in 2013 as a low impedance, high sensitivity option to the LCD-2 and 3. It was aimed at professionals, and it was indeed a successful venture. Audeze has made some silent but major changes to the headphones over the years but didn’t release a statement on the details until 2020. The latest version of the LCD-X is often cited as the LCD-X 2021. According to Audeze, all LCD-X’s produced after late 2020 are the new version.
There have been significant changes to the driver, both the diaphragm and the magnet array. The original version was specified as 22 Ohms and 96 dB @ 1mW, after 2021 the numbers are 20 Ohms and 103 dB. The LCD-X now comes with upgraded pads, a new headband, smaller Fazors (waveguides), and different grills than the original.
The Clear MG was introduced in 2021, taking over after the first Clear, launched in 2017, soon after French high-end speaker-manufacturer Focal entered the realm of high-fidelity headphones with the first Utopia in 2016.
The Clear MG is called MG because it uses pure magnesium in the diaphragm. It is a very light and stiff material, although not quite as light and stiff as beryllium, which is what makes up the driver of the Utopia. The first Clear (often referred to as Clear OG) had aluminum-magnesium alloy diaphragm drivers.
LCD-X 2021 SPECIFICATIONS
- Style: Over-ear, open-back, wired
- Transducer type: Planar Magnetic
- Magnetic structure: Proprietary magnet array
- Phase management: Fazor™
- Magnet type: Neodymium N50
- Diaphragm type: Ultra-Thin Uniforce™
- Transducer size: 106 mm
- Maximum SPL: >130dB
- Frequency response: 10Hz – 50kHz
- THD: <0.1% @ 100 dB SPL
- Sensitivity: 103 dB/1mW (at Drum Reference Point)
- Impedance: 20 ohms
- Max power handling: 5W RMS
- Min recommended power: > 100mW
- Recommended power level: >250mW
- Cable: 1.9m (6.2ft) length, XLR termination on headphone end with single-ended 1/4″ (6.3mm) TRS jack.
- Wire material: 20 AWG high-purity OCC audio-grade copper
- Weight: 612g
- Made in the USA
Price on Amazon: LCD-X
FOCAL CLEAR SPECIFICATIONS
- Impedance: 55 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 104dB SPL / 1 mW @ 1kHz
- THD: 0.25% @ 1kHz / 100dB SPL
- Frequency response: 5Hz – 28kHz
- Speaker driver: 1 ⅝” (40mm) ‘M’-shaped magnesium dome
- Cable connector on headphones: Standard 3.5 mm
- Cables supplied:
- 1.2m mini-jack cable with ¼”/6.35mm) jack adapter
- 1 x 3m 4-pin XLR cable
- 1 jack adapter, 3.5mm female to ¼”/6.35mm male
- Carrying case provided: 250x240x120mm
- Weight: 450g (0.99 lbs)
- Included in the box are two cables: one short cable that terminates in a 3.5mm connection and one long cable that ends in a 4-pin XLR termination. A 1/4″ adapter is also included. Nice carrying case.
Price on Amazon: Clear MG
BUILD, DESIGN AND COMFORT
Neither of these headphones are especially small or light, but there’s still a large difference. LCD-X is built like a tank and has a very high weight. If the 612g does not bother you, and many are totally fine with it, the LCD-X is very sturdy and comfortable to wear. It has large soft pads, a great suspension headband, and lots of swivel action.
At 450 g, the Clear MG is 160 g lighter, and it’s very noticeable. It’s got smaller, oval pads and a padded headband. There’s not too much swivel action, and I just barely get a good fit. I have this problem with several headphones, our heads are all shaped differently.
One big advantage the Clear MG has is the ability to easily swap pads. They snap on and off, while the LCD-X has glued-on pads. Pads indeed influence the sound of the Clear MG significantly, a characteristic I’ve noticed across all Focal headphones I’ve tested. I don’t always find the stock pads to sound the best.
Both headphones have detachable cables. Focal gets a point for having 3.5 mm connectors, while the Audeze has the same 3-pin mini XLR as all major Audezes.
LISTENING COMPARISONS
Related equipment: Topping A90 amp and the RME ADI-2 DAC FS as a source.
Our Odyssey by Youandewan
This is a quite monotonous track with a pulsing bass line that goes all the way through the song. The LCD-X and Clear MG aren’t too far apart.
They both have good base performance, but the LCD-X is slightly fuller, deeper, and meatier in a good way. The Clear MG has an airier sound with a bit brighter tonality.
10:15 On a Saturday Night by The Cure
The Clear MG is much more spacious and open sounding. The tuning isn’t far apart, broadly speaking, but they certainly sound different. Imaging is good with both. The LCD-X sounds more intimate, and warmer. The bass is fuller. The level of detail seems similar.
Akka-Safad by Faraj Suleiman
This is a very lively piano trio piece. I like it a lot with the LCD-X. There is a lot of warmth and detail. The imaging is great, even though the stage is a bit small. The bass is really fabolous.
With the Clear MG, everything opens up and at the same time the imaging gets a bit more diffuse. The fantastic warmth and extremely solid bass of the LCD-X are replaced for a lighter and brighter experience. It is not that the frequency responses are very different, it’s just like you are sitting further away from the music. This might not be a bad thing for many listeners who find the LCD-X to be too intimate, but I like the classic Audeze experience.
Jambi by Tool
The guitars, the bass, and the drums sound massive and fat with the LCD-X. It’s dark and delicious. The vivaria c are a bit polite sounding. There’s good separation and imaging, but a very intimate soundstage.
With the Clear MG, the soundstage is way more open. The bass drum isn’t as massive, and the guitar riffs are crisper-sounding. The vocals are drawn further back than with to the LCD-X.
Nevermind by Leonard Cohen
The bass is more powerful with the LCD-X. The Clear MG sounds drier and feels like it doesn’t dig as deep. Cohen’s voice is very intimate and warm with the LCD-X; with the MG, it’s a bit more distant. The soundstage off the Clear MG is significantly larger.
Never Forget the Good Ones by Solveig Slettahjell
The vocals are beautiful, intimate, and warm with the LCD-X. The MG is lighter; there’s more texture and less fullness to the vocals. The soundstage is generally more airy and less thick-sounding.
Sunrise by Norah Jones
The Clear MG is very spacious. The soundstage is not huge, but there is very good instrument separation and a sense of air. Jones’ voice is floating in space more than with the LCD-X, which has a thicker and meatier presentation. However, they’re not really very far apart or dissimilarly tuned. Both are great, with a warm, full sound and great detail.
Graceful Touch by Tord Gustavsen Trio
This sounds very delicate and nicely balanced with the Clear MG. Spacious, lots of air; the piano is both fragile and crisp. The LCD-X is less spacious, with a thicker and warmer character that is also delicious and delicate in a different way.
Keep Distance by Magnus af Uggla
They’re very similar here. There’s a little more air with the MG, and the LCD-X is a bit fuller.
Self Portrait in Three Colors by Kurt Rosenwinkel
The Clear MG has a much more spacious sound with this guitar-led jazz trio. The LCD-X sounds more intimate, like sitting in the front row in a small jazz club; the MG makes the club larger and puts you back several rows.
Bored by Deftones
This metal track sounds a lot fuller-bodied with the LCD-X than with the Clear MG. It is a big difference, even though the tonality is relatively similar.
In The Mountains by Espen Eriksen Trio
A very dynamic piano trio track that sounds good with the LCD-X but even better with the Focal Clear MG. The drums are more dynamic, the piano sounds crisper and clearer.
Young Vivaldi Violin Concerto RV 813 III by Ensemble Modo Antiquo
I think this sounds quite a lot better with the Clear MG. LCD-X is nice, but the lack of airiness gets a bit too obvious with this string piece.
Brahms Symphony No. 2 III by Paavo Järvi
Here, the lack of air isn’t as obvious with the LCD-X. Probably there is so much going on in the symphony that it doesn’t matter as much. Anyway, it sounds very good. It is smooth and delicate, with great extension in both directions. The complex passages, especially the big crescendo, are handled with authority and elegance without becoming harsh or unpleasant, as they can be with other headphones, which distort.
The Clear also sounds very good. As always, it is more airy and also has a thinner sound. It’s a different vibe; Not as velvet-like as the LCD-X, but crisper and more articulate. Personally, I prefer the LCD-X here, but both are very good.
Cadenza by Marcin Wasilewski Trio
The Clear MG sounds more articulate, it’s more defined and dynamic. Especially noticeable in the treble with some of the percussion. The LCD-X has resolution but lacks dynamics. That doesn’t mean it’s not a great listen, though.
Summer 3 -Vivaldi Recomposed by Max Richter
This sounds a lot better with the Clear MG. With the LCD-X, the strings sound a bit harsh, with the MG they sound just right. It also has a lot of nice air and better separation.
Lift Me Up by Rihanna
I finish with this song to make a point. There is a huge difference between the LCD-X at low listening levels and higher listening levels. With this song, it’s easy especially apparent. The LCD-X is really good if you play loud, but boring and flat sounding at medium levels. The Clear MG is at its best at medium levels; at high listening levels it can become a bit sharp and unpleasant, especially noticeable in this song.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
In terms of tonal balance, they are not very far apart. They have a similar amount of bass, the mids are slightly dark, and the treble is well balanced and not bright.
Treble
Neither are overly bright nor especially dark, but the Clear MG has slightly more treble energy. In terms of treble resolution, I find them quite similar, but the Clear MG has more articulation and feels more defined and dynamic.
Midrange
They have quite similar tuning with a present but relaxed midrange The upper mids are a bit less energetic than on many headphones. However, the Clear MG has a bit more upper mids energy than the LCD-X. Both have a smooth and somewhat silky midrange presentation, but the LCD-X more so than the MG.
Bass
The bass quantity is similar. They are neither bass heavy nor bass light; they have a very linear bass response down to appr. a very respectable 30 Hz. The bass quality is great on both but they sound different. The LCD-X is fuller and meatier sounding, a bit thicker and warmer.
Soundstage and Imaging
The LCD-X has a very intimate soundstage. Audeze has never been known for making their headphones sound like a concert hall, and the LCD-X is as intimate as any of its siblings. However, it must be said that when you crank up the volume a bit it really opens up. Also, I think imaging is quite good and precise with the good layering and decent depth.
The Clear MG is much more open: When it comes to sound stage width and height, the Clear MG is completely superior. It’s not as large sounding as e.g. the Hifiman XS or Sennheiser HD800, though.
Anyway, it’s still a headphone, and whether or not you prefer it over the LCD-X depends on the experience you want. Personally, I have no problem appreciating the LCD-X for what it is.
Details, Dynamics and Timbre
With regards to the detail retrieval level I find them quite similar, but they present detail differently. The LCD-X is smoother and more liquid, the Clear MG is more articulate with stronger definition and microdynamics.
The Clear MG is generally better with dynamics. It’s a bit snappier; there’s more punch, and it’s more articulate.
However, it’s important to note that when played at louder volumes, the LCD-X becomes significantly more dynamic. Its performance improves progressively with volume. The Clear sounds optimal at medium levels, and definitely surpassing the LCD-X at lower volumes. Yet, it can become somewhat shouty when played at very high volumes, whereas the LCD-X just keeps gets better. That being said, I have it no problem enjoying have it no problem enjoying the LCD-X at normal/medium listening levels.
When it comes to timbre, it is a matter of preference. It is also a matter of adjustment. They are not very dissimilar in absolute terms, but going back and forth, you still have to adjust. My personal preference for the midrange tends to go to the Audeze, but sometimes it’s a bit too laid-back and I prefer the crisper sounding mids of the MG.
Bass timbre feels more natural with the LCD-X because of its fuller sound, but the Clear MG is also good.
The treble sounds good with both. Audeze is known for a laid back and dark sound, but the LCD-X has a very clear and clean treble that sounds very natural to me. It’s not a treble-head’s dream, and neither is the Clear MG, which is also on the slightly dark side, depending on what your reference point is.
PADS
As mentioned, because they’re glued on, swapping pads on the LCD-X is something you just don’t do unless they’re worn out. The Focal is much more fun in that regard, and you can change pads in two seconds.
There is no doubt that swapping pads certainly has an effect on the sound. After trying several alternatives I have available, there are other pads I like better than the stock. I especially find the Dekoni fenestrated sheepskin pads to sound great with the Clear MG (and also the Elex/Elear). I’ll publish a separate article with comparisons of various pads on the Clear MG.
AMPLIFICATION
Desktop Amplifiers
Both of these headphones are easy to drive and on my Topping A90 the volume wheel is set almost identically; the LCD-X just a few degrees lower.
They are quite similar with regards to how they respond to different amplification. The Topping A90 desktop amp, my go-to test amp, does a great job with both.
The Schiit Magni Heretic sounds very good with both, but I prefer the A90 which is more organic. The Magni comes off as a tad dry in direct comparison.
Moving on to the Mytek Liberty THX AAA amp, it’s less warm-sounding than the Topping but slightly tighter and more detailed, with better definition and clarity.
The hybrid tube amp Sparkos Labs Gemini is a tad warmer and more liquid-sounding than the Liberty, but sounds pretty much as detailed.
Saving the best for last, I find the Woo Audio WA22 tube amplifier to be magical with the Clear MG. It somehow manages to be rounder, warmer, more dynamic, articulate, and detailed at the same time. It is not a huge difference, but it is big enough to add an extra touch of magic. The WA22 is great with the LCD-X too, but the difference to the other amps mentioned is not as big as with the Clear MG.
Portable DAC/Amps
Moving on with some portable options, the xDuoo Link 2 Bal is really impressive with both headphones. I only tried it in balanced mode, but this little thing is quite powerful in unbalanced mode too. It sounds spacious, dynamic, and detailed. It’s not as effortless sounding as the desktop amplifiers, but it gets really close. There’s plenty of power to spare in terms of listening volume.
The Dragonfly Cobalt sounds good too, relatively similar to the xDuoo. However, it’s a tad drier sounding, which makes me prefer the significantly cheaper xDuoo.
The THX Onyx USB C-dongle also sounds good. It’s a little warmer than the Cobalt, but I still prefer the xDuoo.
Finally, I use the ifi xCan portable amp as a dedicated amplifier with the THX Onyx as a DAC. It sounds a little bit more organic and smooth, making it a little better than the other portable options. Still, even though it sounds very good, I prefer the desktop amps.
CONCLUSION
The Audeze LCD-X and Focal Clear MG both maintain a balanced tonal profile with linear high quality bass, present but lush mids, and a somewhat neutral treble.
Comparing the two, the Clear MG has a more airy and slightly brighter sound. The LCD-X delivers a somewhat fuller bass response, smoother mids, and a quite intimate soundstage,
Both headphones excel in detail retrieval but differ in how they render the detail. The LCD-X is smoother and more liquid, while the Clear MG is more articulate and dynamic.
They are both easy to drive and can be used with modest portable gear. They do, however, scale with better amps and sources, and benefit from a good desktop rig.
In terms of comfort, a factor you might want to consider is the significant weight of the LCD-X, even though it is extremely well distributed. Further, unlike with the glued pads of the LCD-X, swapping pads on the Clear MG is extremely easy and gives a great opportunity to tune the sound.
In conclusion, these are two great headphones, and both are among my favourites in this price range. Even though they are not cheap, they give you an experience very close to what much more expensive headphones can offer.
Buy on Amazon: LCD-X
Buy on Amazon: Clear MG
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