Audeze LCD-X + Gustard H10

Following the release of the LCD-2 and LCD-3 headphones, Audeze had captured the hearts of many an audiophile with their bold house sound and unique aesthetics. Not a company to rest on their heels, Audeze's LCD-X was the next big unveil. Featuring the same open-back, over-the-ear design as its predecessors, the LCD-X has the same deep soundstage and nitty-gritty detail that makes all Audeze headphones so enjoyable to listen to. However, the sound signature of this headphone is markedly different and impresses immediately. Magick Man has an opinion as to why the LCD-X is such a fantastic headphone, stating that "these are the best orthos you can buy". 

With an impedance of 20 Ohms and rated at an efficiency of 103 dB at 1 mW, the LCD-X is surprisingly easy to drive and listen to even out of smartphones or portable amplifiers. As the most neutral headphone in the Audeze LCD lineup, the X is fantastic for studio use and for audiophiles who prefer to hear music the way it was recorded. Clear, detailed, and dynamic, the LCD-X is one of the most discussed and favorably reviewed headphones on Head-Fi.

You need a beefy headphone amplifier to hear the LCD-X at its best, and the Gustard H10 will deliver in spades. Well-designed and solidly built, the Gustard H10 is a powerful, Class A, output stage headphone that features two independent amplification circuits for the left and right channels, four gain switches, two RCA inputs, and two balanced XLR inputs. On the back of the H10, the four gain switches (-12, -6, +6, +12) allow the unit to drive a variety of different impedance headphones, making it one of the most flexible and cost-effective amplifiers currently on the market.

It's not just the sound that's striking; Audeze's gone the extra mile to ensure build quality is magnificent. From the polished anodized aluminum earcups to the premium lambskin leather or plush microsuede earpads, the LCD-X looks and feels the part of a top-of-the-line headphone. Equipped with cables to plug into a balanced 4-pin, 1/4", or 1/8" sources and armed with a Pelican travel case you can to go, Audeze's LCD-X is ready and willing to take on whatever you plug it into, wherever you want.