Disclosure: The LCD-2 was provided by Audeze for this review. Please read more about our product review disclosure here.

The Audeze LCD-2 has a rich history that spans over a decade, making it a true legend in the audiophile world. We’ve seen this headphone evolve significantly since its inception, adapting to new technologies and user feedback. The Audeze LCD-2 has been a popular topic among audiophiles for years. I’ve been curious about the hype surrounding these headphones and decided to put them to the test. At $1000 we are in high-end headphone territory, so is the LCD-2 really worth the investment, or is it all just marketing buzz?

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• Audeze LCD-2
• Dual 4-pin mini-XLR to 4-pin XLR cable
• 4-pin XLR to ¼” TRS connector cable
• ¼” TRS to 3.5mm adapter cable
• Travel case

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One of the first things you notice when taking the Audeze LCD-2 out of the box is that the design exudes premium quality from every angle. Metal is used for the earcup supports and the headband gives the headphones a sturdy, durable feeling when holding them. The wooden rings adorning the outside of the drivers add a touch of elegance and are made from Padauk wood, and quite nicely finished with a coat of high-quality lacquer. This finish reminds us of the nitrocellulose used on high-end guitars, suggesting it’ll maintain its luster for years with minimal upkeep.

The LCD-2 comes with a well-thought-out cable system. I appreciate the durability of the connectors, which are crucial for longevity in high-end headphones. The cable itself feels strong and of high quality, matching the premium feel of the headphones. I never had any issues with the cable getting tangled or in the way while using the headphones.

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room – the weight. At 595 grams, the LCD-2 is undeniably heavy. When I first put them on, it felt almost like I was donning a helmet. However, I found that comfort improves significantly after a break-in period, and you more or less get accustomed to the weight and size of the headphones. The suspension-style headband does an excellent job of distributing the weight across your head, making long listening sessions much more bearable.

One of the standout features is the leather earpads. They feel incredibly luxurious against the skin and contribute significantly to the overall premium experience. It’s worth noting that Audeze offers replacements for both the headband and earpads on their website, which is a thoughtful touch for long-term ownership.

The earcups are adjusted using a yoke and block system, which are also commonly found in Grado headphones. It seems daunting at first if you’re not used to such a mechanism, but it works extremely well at making sure the earcups don’t move up and down too easily.

I’m also impressed by the included hard case. While it might not be the most portable option, it certainly provides top-notch protection for these valuable headphones. The attention to detail in the build quality extends to Audeze’s three-year transferable warranty, giving one peace of mind about the longevity of your investment.

Overall, the design and build quality of the Audeze LCD-2 is exceptional. While the weight might be a concern for some, the comfort improvements made after years of iteration make it a non-issue. The use of premium materials, attention to detail in construction, and thoughtful design elements like the suspension headband all contribute to a product that feels worthy of its high-end status. For audiophiles who appreciate the craftsmanship in their audio gear, the LCD-2’s build is sure to impress.

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We’ve been diving deep into the design and comfort of the Audeze LCD-2, and now it’s time to explore the technical wizardry that makes these headphones stand out.

At the heart of the Audeze LCD-2 lies its planar magnetic drivers, a technology that sets it apart from conventional headphones. Unlike dynamic drivers found in most headphones, the LCD-2’s planar magnetic design offers several advantages:

1. Uniform Force Distribution: The planar magnetic drivers produce a uniform driving force across the entire diaphragm. This results in a nearly perfect piston-like motion, significantly reducing distortion across the frequency spectrum.
2. Large Diaphragm: The LCD-2 features a massive 106mm transducer size. This large surface area, combined with a highly flexible diaphragm, allows for effortless movement of large volumes of air. The result? Deep, powerful, and tight bass that outperforms many competitors.
3. Planar Wavefront: The large, flat diaphragm produces a planar wavefront, which our brains interpret as more natural. This leads to superior stereo imaging and sound localization, putting you right in the middle of the music.
4. Fazor Waveguide Technology: Introduced in 2014, the Fazor waveguides are designed to improve imaging and detail. These triangle-shaped waveguides have become a signature feature of Audeze headphones.
5. Dual-Sided Magnetic Array: The LCD-2 employs a unique dual-sided staggered magnetic array. This design gives music space to breathe and feel more realistic.

The Audeze LCD-2 boasts an impressive frequency response range of 10Hz to 50kHz. This wide range ensures that you’ll hear everything from the deepest bass notes to the highest treble, with remarkable clarity and precision.

One of the standout features of the LCD-2 is its bass response. Pre-FAZOR models were known for having some of the best bass of any open headphones, extending below 20Hz with ample slam and rumble. The current model continues this legacy, delivering a solid, linear low-end that audiophiles have come to love.

The Audeze LCD-2 has an impedance of 70 ohms and a sensitivity of 101dB/1mW. These specifications play a crucial role in determining the headphones’ power requirements and overall performance.

At 70 ohms, the LCD-2 has a relatively low impedance for planar magnetic headphones. This makes it easier for amplifiers to provide the necessary voltage for transient peaks, and with a sensitivity of 101dB/1mW, the LCD-2 is reasonably efficient. All this means it can achieve good volume levels with moderate power input. This also makes the headphones more accessible, meaning you do not need to have a powerful amp to drive them. I had no issues getting good volume from my laptop’s headphone jack, or even the Apple dongle DAC, but I do notice that the soundstage does expand a bit as you give the headphones more power.

Sources used for this review:

• Qudelix T71
• Sony NW-WM1AM2
• HiBy R4
• Samsung Galaxy Fold 5 with Apple USB-C to 3.5mm dongle
• iFi Zen DAC V2
• iFi ZEN CAN 3

These headphones have made quite a name for themselves in the audiophile community, and for good reason. Let’s break down the various aspects of the Audeze LCD-2’s sound quality and see what makes them stand out.

Bass

The bass on the LCD-2 is nothing short of fantastic. It has excellent linear extension down to 20Hz, providing an incredible sense of depth and presence. What’s remarkable is how the bass maintains its power without overpowering other frequencies. It’s defined, detailed, and well-textured, offering a satisfying punch and slam that enhances the listening experience.

It is incredibly well-balanced in the sense that it caters to pretty much everyone, whether you are a casual listener, a bass head, or a critical listening audiophile. There’s an excellent amount of thickness and slam without overdoing it. Just……perfection.

Midrange

The midrange is very good, and I mean very good. Smooth, and warm, it hugs you and makes you feel right at home. They’re colored, and at times can sound a bit distant, lacking presence, but they still sound so good it’s hard to notice unless you’re really paying attention. Playing around with some EQ can really bring out the mids though, making them sound more natural and rich (I’ll leave my EQ settings below at the end of this section).

Treble

Moving on to the treble, the LCD-2 performs extremely well. Not bright, but well articulated with splendid extension. You won’t get any peakiness but instruments such as flutes or cymbals, the LCD-2 is on the darker side overall so absolutely nothing will sound aggressive. There is an airy quality in the upper treble with a bit of sparkle but doesn’t overpower the rest of the sound. Simply put, the treble sounds fantastic.

Soundstage and Imaging

Contrary to some opinions, I find the soundstage of the LCD-2 to be quite expansive. I never once thought “Hmm, this doesn’t sound very wide”. The imaging is excellent, allowing one to easily distinguish the location of sounds within the soundscape.

What really stands out is the instrument separation and layering. Even in complex musical passages with multiple instruments and vocals, I had no trouble discerning individual elements.

You might think then that these qualities would make the LCD-2 ideal to use a gaming headphone, and yes, they do. Playing Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 multiplayer I was able to accurately pinpoint enemy movements and gunfire. When playing Skyrim I felt incredibly immersed, especially in the more wide-open environments. So, if you plan to also use the LCD-2 for gaming, rest assured they will perform admirably.

To wrap up, the Audeze LCD-2 offers a sound signature that delivers an exceptional listening experience. Its strengths lie in its powerful yet controlled bass, rich and smooth midrange, detailed treble, and impressive soundstage and imaging capabilities. I think the LCD-2 is suitable for every genre, but really excels at rock, acoustic, and classical music.

The LCD-2 really benefits from EQ, and while I was able to get settings that sounded pretty good, I actually think the EQ posted in this reddit post sounds the best (at least for the unit I have). For my EQ I used PEACE + Equalizer APO (see my EQ guide here), here’s the EQ settings:

Preamp: 0 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 100.0 Hz Gain 1.5 dB Q 0.70
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 1000 Hz Gain -3.0 dB Q 2.00
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 3000 Hz Gain 2.5 dB Q 2.00
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 4500 Hz Gain 4.5 dB Q 1.8
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 6000 Hz Gain -6.5 dB Q 1.6
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 9000 Hz Gain 4.5 dB Q 4.0

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The Audeze LCD-2 is a remarkable piece of audio equipment, which is showcased in its ability to handle most genres with finesse. Its unique sound signature, characterized by a warm tone, deep bass, and exceptional detail retrieval, has a profound impact on the listening experience, making it incredibly enjoyable and immersive.

While the LCD-2 may have some quirks, such as a hefty weight, and slightly distant midrange, its overall performance is impressive. The planar magnetic technology, combined with Audeze’s commitment to continuous improvement, has resulted in a product that stands out in what is getting to be a crowded audiophile market. For those willing to invest in high-quality headphones, the LCD-2 offers an excellent option in the $1000 price range, and I can highly recommend it.

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I’m not always able to cover all the details of a product, both hardware and software, in our reviews. If you have any specific questions you’d like answered about this product please feel free to leave a comment or contact me directly.

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