Article: Subjective: Audeze LCD-4z Headphone Review

[gmgraves]

46 minutes ago, kennyb123 said:

I think the reason we concluded differently is because your rhetoric took into account the price of these and mine didn’t.

I don’t believe that any audio enthusiast who listened to these without knowing the model or the price would say they sounded wretched.  But after telling them the price, you’d see varying reactions, including the hyperbolic reaction you had.

 

The lesson you should take away from this is to not let the price influence your description of how a product you’re reviewing actually sounds.  Save your opinions for the conclusion.   Avoid hyperbole altogether as there is really no upside for the reader or for you.
 

It’s pretty clear that you react very emotionally to the idea that there’s a product out that costs so much and yet is so flawed.  Nothing wrong with that - as long as you don’t get carried away.  Sonis probably got it right as far as these headphones, but he damaged his brand by going overboard.  Chris, on the other hand, handled his review exceptionally well and conducted himself in a way that was above reproach - and in doing so greatly enhanced his brand.  

I’m sorry, when a pair of headphones sounds this bad REGARDLESS OF PRICE, they’re a lousy product. Obviously you weren’t paying attention earlier today when I said that a $300 pair of HiFiMan 400s phones sounded not just better, but much better. And don’t tell me that price isn’t a factor in all purchases. How would you feel if you spent $200,000 for a new car and later found that an old East German Trabant was better made, more luxurious and out-performed your new $200,000 baby? You’d be pretty pissed, I’ll wager. If not, there’d be something wrong with you.
 

P.S. I don’t give a tinker’s damn what you think of my “brand”. Plenty of other folks agreed with my evaluation. It was honest, truthful and spot-on. Like I’ve said to you before: if you don’t like my writing style or what I write, don’t read me. It’s really quite that simple. Now have a nice day!

[gmgraves]

Just now, gmgraves said:

Never mind.

 

[gmgraves]

1 hour ago, kennyb123 said:

 

All I'm saying is that when reviewing a product as Sonis, it would behoove you to keep your emotions in check.  I have no problem with you switching to gmgraves to let your emotions run free.

 

Clearly having a civil discussion about the appropriate tone to take in a review is off limits with you.  I'll say no more.  

Thank the gods for small favors.

[gmgraves]

31 minutes ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

Hey George - It's often not what you say but how you say it. Your responses here are a bit over the top and don't encourage more interaction between the members of this community and those who work very hard to write in-depth reviews. Please show a bit more respect to the people commenting on your review(s) and take your own words to heart, "all subjective reviews are, almost by definition, relative."

 

 

Yeah, I’m afraid that I got a little snippy with Kennyb123, but he has been dogging me about this Audeze review since day one, and won’t let it go. I get it, he doesn’t agree with my assessment of these ‘phones. I don’t understand how anyone could defend them, but it takes all kinds. But for heaven’s sake, let’s move on already!

 I will endeavor, in the future to be more tolerant and show more respect to those who comment on my reviews. Perhaps the best way for me to handle this is when I feel that I’m being baited by someone who just wants to argue, that I not respond to those posts at all. After all, I really do not wish to offend anyone if I can help it. And if I did offend Kennyb123, I humbly apologize. 

[gmgraves]

3 hours ago, 1IH said:

Well I hate to revive a thread from the depths of the year of the Covid, but my take is on topic.

I have had these headphones on my short list for a few months (current cans are Empyreans and HE1000SE on the higher end and a few sets of Meze Classics 99, (past owned are most Senn's as well as Elex, Clear, and Stellia's) and my dac/amps have stretched from 200 Schiit stuff to $6500 Holo Audio combo's with a myriad in between (A90/D90, Burson, and on and on) so I say this with some equipment experience and admittedly some 45yo+ well listened and AGED ears too.  I appreciate the follow up from Chris as well as the further comment on the LCD4z from Kennyb.  Those two have allowed  me to take the LCD4z off of my current list.  Thanks.

As for the original Sonis review and his subsequent comments as his reviewer (persona) and his other login, I will gladly not read any of his reviews going forward.  Not pleased that it took 2 articles and 12 pages of comments to come to the end result but nonetheless sometimes the squeeze isn't worth the juice after all.

 

Sorry to hear that you feel that way, but I can’t please everybody and don’t even pretend to try.
OTOH, I’m glad that I was instrumental in saving you from making a big mistake and buying into an expensive, horrible pair of headphones. Believe me, this side of a pair of Stax SR-009s your HE1000SEs are about as good as dynamic phones get. So, my advice would be to put your money in something else - maybe lots of new music!