For a long while customers asked us for a closed-back version of our headphones. We had to design a new transducer that was subsequently placed in the LCD-X. The closed-back LCD-XC offers all the benefits of the LCD Collection’s open designs but closed-backs isolate the listener and reduce ambient noise. The bass is phenomenal and if you’re a DJ or studio engineer the LCD-XC is definitely the headphones for you. Like all Audeze headphones the LCD-XC is equipped with Fazor technology it’s sensitive enough to be driven directly by portable players like iPods, iPhones, and the better smartphones but an external amplifier produces better results.