Home Open Back Headphone Reviews Audeze LCD-2 Review: A Deep Dive Into Audiophile Excellence

Audeze LCD-2 Review: A Deep Dive Into Audiophile Excellence

by Stuart Charles Black
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Greetings mate and Welcome aboard! Stuart Charles here, HomeStudioBasics.com helping YOU make sound decisions, so…

Introduction

This was the first in the LCD line and is the headphone that put the company on the map back when they started in 2008.

Since then, there have been a plethora of headphones arriving on the scene, but I’ll never forget my experience with the OG LCD-2 back in 2018.

I vividly remember using one with an iFi micro iDSD Black Label, and if a perfect pairing exists, this was pretty close to it.

iFi micro iDSD Black Label Review

There are a couple of variations on the LCD-2’s build/design, but I demoed the model with lightly colored bamboo. The other option is Rosewood. 

To this day, it’s still one of the most striking headphones I’ve tried, and always stands out in my mind – both for the experience of listening to it and looking at it.

As much as the LCD-3 changed my life (for different reasons), listening to an LCD-2 made me look at expensive headphones in a more positive light.

In the past, audiophile-grade headphones, to me, were something of a hit-and-miss proposition, but they all generally had decent to pretty good resolution. 

In other words, most of the time, I wasn’t amazed by any one headphone in particular, but there were certainly exceptions.

The LCD-2 is one of them.

Amplification

It isn’t incredibly hard to drive at 70 Ohms Impedance and 101dB Sensitivity, but it’s nice to have an Amp/DAC like the Black Label that has plenty of power, features, and versatility.

Not expecting much, I plugged the LCD-2’s big bulky 1/4″ termination into the aforementioned pocket rocket and pressed play.

What would happen next still blows my mind to this day.

Audeze LCD-2 Review

Resolution

As good as the LCD-3’s resolution is, it’s not quite the same brand of resolution, if that makes sense.

With those headphones, it’s more of a visceral, almost surreal experience, and, you don’t necessarily enjoy it quite as much – at least I didn’t. 

With the LCD-2, the sound is just about as perfect as you can realistically expect. In other words, it is enjoyable. It represents everything that makes listening to music an amazing endeavor.

I remember feeling like I had never heard a more realistic, engaging sound, save for the 400i experience.

The resolution of the LCD-2 is incredible to the point of being astonishing. You’ll marvel at what a full-sized headphone is capable of and then some.

Transient response is perfect. Timbre is perfect. Attack, sustain, decay, release. Perfect.

Genre

The LCD-2 is a headphone capable of multiple genres, making familiar albums sound fresh and new.

You can enjoy them with anything bass-heavy like Rap, Hip-Hop, and R&B.

I believe their true bread and butter is Rock, as well as anything with subtle instrumentation going on. Think Folk, Acoustic, Country, etc.

They will also do extremely well with Jazz and Classical given their fantastic Imaging, Soundstage, and overall smooth, rhythmic portrayal of music.

Pair them with just about any genre and be taken away by their incredibly rich, detailed, and lifelike sound.

Bass? Perfect impact and slam. Every note is represented and articulated perfectly.

You’re getting a low-end that works for pretty much everyone: Bass heads, casual bass lovers, audiophiles, normal people, and everyone in between.

A bass head will appreciate the thump, while the casual listener or sound fanatic will appreciate the texture and detail.

It strikes a perfect balance, without being anemic but also not resembling something too obnoxious or overdone – like your mom’s meatloaf.

The mid-range is equally as stunning, with a rise in the presence regions that makes vocals and instruments sound sublime.

There’s no shout, it’s not irritating, there’s no overly flamboyant spikes, nothing. This is about as pure as it gets. 

Mid-Range

A good mid-range is a staple of any good audiophile headphone, and the LCD-2 understands this well.

Listening to an LCD-2 is as close to “being there” as is realistically possible given the fact that you’re listening to music through headphone drivers.

Right now I’m listening to “Out Of This World” by John Coltrane, and what an appropriate way to describe the LCD-2.

I believe Tyll over at the now-defunct Inner Fidelity once referred to it as “Spectacularly Yummy” and that’s just about the best way to put it.

It’s a piece of homemade Apple Pie. A perfect slice of New York Pizza. Lasagna that would have Garfield drooling all over himself.

In addition to the above, there’s a smooth, rolling, fluid quality about the headphones that’s hard to put into words.

Nothing is brash, abrasive, or harsh. The treble has some sparkle but avoids the pitfalls of an essy, biting top end at the all-important 9-10kHz region.

Audeze instead opts for some air after 10k, as well as some emphasis at 8. This makes for an almost perfect rendition of the treble region and sounds sublime. There’s presence, sparkle, and openness, but not at the expense of the other frequencies.

Please keep in mind that I didn’t necessarily feel that way about the others in the lineup. In other words, the LCD-2, for whatever reason, has never sounded overly dark to me, but headphones like the LCD-4 most certainly have.

Out of all the headphones in the line, I think the LCD-2 was tuned the best, or at least close to it.

LCD-2 vs. LCD-3

Audeze LCD-X Review

One of the main differences between the LCD-2 and 3 is the fact that the former rolls off a lot more gradually after 1kHz vs. the somewhat jarring dip of the LCD-3.

This, to me, is one of the main reasons why the LCD-2 is more enjoyable and less clinical. While at times the LCD-3 can feel like a bit of a slog/chore, the LCD-2 is anything but. It’s audio bliss in every sense of the word. 

After hearing one, my perception of headphones changed quite dramatically.

I’m pretty cynical of super expensive headphones nowadays (mostly due to the law of diminishing returns) but the LCD-2, like the Utopia and a few others, is certainly an exception.

In other words, I kind of understand why it’s priced higher though headphones reaching into the thousands are still rarely worth it in my opinion.

There’s almost nothing like listening to an LCD-2 with good source material, and, to be quite honest, few things about the headphones themselves bother me.

Speaking of…

Build & Comfort

Build quality is top-notch per my experience, but I will say comfort is very hit-and-miss due to their gargantuan size and weight.

If you’re into feeling like you’ve got a jet engine strapped to your melon, by all means, buy one.

It isn’t that it’s not comfortable. That’s not the issue here, dude. I’m talking about drawing a line in the sand.

They clamp fine, and they don’t dig into the top of your head. Great.

But they’re much too heavy.

For the average person, I’d say you’ll be adjusting them roughly every 30-45 minutes.

And, I was kind of expecting more headband padding given how freakishly heavy they are, but I digress.

You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who actually enjoys the comfort of an Audeze, but there is good news:

They’ve since come out with the LCD-2C (Classic Version) which is a throwback to this original model.

This time around it’s more affordable and also lighter on your head. You may opt for the Classic instead.

More on that in a bit.

Headband

The headband adjustment mechanism reminds me of a Grado and it’s not necessarily a bad thing, but you may be a bit puzzled as to why such a large and in-charge headphone has such seemingly tiny adjustments. It’s just a bit awkward.

The cable terminates in a Mini-XLR going into the ear cups, with a 1/4″ jack at the business end.

This 1/4″ jack is beefier than a Wendy’s Baconator, but I find that it’s OK given the actual cable isn’t equally as ginormous.

Audeze’s got their signature grilles on each side, and I think it rounds out the look quite nicely.

The aesthetic is very pleasing to the eye, and for whatever reason makes me feel like I’ve invested in something entirely worthwhile.

As far as the earcups themselves, they are deep, spacious, and made of real leather which is a nice bonus – especially given the rather steep price tag.

Given that the LCD-2 I demoed has been through hundreds (if not thousands) of hands since its inception, the leather is still completely intact with no signs of wear.

Because the 1/4″ jack on this beast is so beefy, I’d recommend a good desktop Amp/DAC with a 1/4″ input.

You can use a 3.5mm adapter with other Amp/DACS, but it may prove cumbersome.

Video Review

This is a bit older so keep that in mind!

Closing Thoughts

The Audeze LCD-2, like few other headphones, completely changed my life; this time in the best way possible when considering the bizarre nature of the LCD-3.

Characterized by a perfect bass response, a great mid-range, impeccable resolution and micro detail, excellent imaging and timbre, and an above-average soundstage, the LCD-2 is an almost perfect headphone in every conceivable way.

However, because they’re so heavy, I’d rather you try an LCD-2 Classic and see if the Audeze house sound is up your alley.

It offers a compelling alternative that retains much of the LCD-2’s sonic excellence while addressing the concerns of weight and cost, making it a great option for those seeking a balanced listening experience without the heft of the original.

Learn More:

 

If the heaviness factor is still too much, my other go-to recommendation above mid-fi is most certainly the HIFIMAN Edition XS.

Learn More:

NEXT: HIFIMAN EDITION XS REVIEW

 

Audeze LCD-2

Price: Check Amazon! | Check Audeze! | Check eBay!

Specifications

Well that’s about it for today my friend. I do hope you’ve enjoyed this Audeze LCD-2 Review and came away with some valuable insight.

Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Please let me know down below or Contact me!!

So would you consider investing in a headphone like the updated LCD-2C? I would love to hear from you. Until next time..

All the best and God bless,

 

 

-Stu

[Xtr@Ba$eHitZ]

Can’t decide which headphones to purchase? Interested in a complete buyers guide outlining over 40 of the best options on the market? Click on over to the best audiophile headphones to learn more!!

Be sure to also check out our Reviews and Resources page for more helpful and informative articles!

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Audeze LCD-2

4.4

Sound

5.0/5

Build & Aesthetic

4.7/5

Comfort/Fit

3.0/5

Soundstage

4.9/5

Pros

  • Smooth, Detailed Sound
  • Great Soundstage
  • Good Build

Cons

  • Too Heavy and Uncomfortable

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22 comments

rupert wills August 7, 2022 - 12:45 pm

Hi
Not sure if I’m sending message to the reviewer of the lcd 2 but here goes. Thanks for great review. I would love to buy a pair of the lcd2 (not classic version) but am put off by all the talk saying that these headphones HAVE to be EQd. I only have a Marantz CD player and integrated amp (which give a great sound) to use the headphones on so are they ok to use without EQ. Reading your review you say that 99% of people would be happy with the headphones. Hope this makes sense . Your help would be much appreciated… many thanks and greetings from Ireland.. rupert

Reply
Stuart Charles Black August 8, 2022 - 3:27 pm

Rupert,

Thank you for the comment and my pleasure!

I think the issue you’re alluding to is the dark treble and roll-off after 1kHz. This can make the LCD-2 (and most LCDs actually) sound a bit dull and almost too laid back. In other words, this sound signature isn’t for everyone and I should probably go back and clarify that.

I do think most people will enjoy it, but maybe 99% was a bit generous, yeah?

Reply
Doug Stott November 25, 2022 - 10:07 pm

Having had a pair of LCD-2’s since soon after they came out, I am still more than happy with their natural sound and open nature. A lot of headphone manufactures boast certain frequencies which may appear exciting at first, however, it can become fatiguing; there are no such worries with these headphones as the sound is very natural when compared to a good sounding pair of speakers.

Having auditioned various top of the range Sennheiser, Grado and Stax, the Audeze LCD-2 won me over. Sorry to repeat, but, to get the best out of the headphones you really do need a decent headphone amplifier. My headphone set up uses an old Denon CD-Receiver to optically feed a DAC with a built equaliser and headphone amplifier (RME ADI-2-PRO)

Trying different integrated headphone sockets with the LCD-2, including a Marantz CD Receiver M-CR610 and a large Denon AV receiver, gave sufficient volumes, however, you end up with the soundstage being less open and less separation between the instruments and voices. Trying the headphones on an Audiolab 8200CDQ headphone output gave improvements, as did directly connecting the speaker outputs from another CD-Receiver to feed into a headphone socket. If heard in isolation the above results would impress many.

It is only when you try the LCD-2 with a DAC/Headphone Amp like the RME, that you realise the capabilities of the LCD-2, wow… the openness and clarity goes into another level and the sound never ceases to amaze me. Good Luck

Reply
Stuart Charles Black November 26, 2022 - 4:39 pm

Thank you for your opinions, Doug!

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Neil Mitchell November 27, 2022 - 10:54 pm

Stu that review was totally wicked, not just as far as potatoes go but reviews too. Your assessment of the LCD2 is as accurate as I have ever seen, and I agree totally with all of it!! I actually have a 2020 2C which evidently has the same drivers as the 2 but no fazors, so I added some fazors and the headphone sounds great. No fazors meant no treble, plus it always sounded like the vocalist was standing behind the band. Fazors bring everything up front plus I’ve realized the treble actually IS pretty darn great, always clear and never harsh just as you have said. It’s a very pleasurable headphone to listen to, especially after I get an industrial crane to support my neck. Thanks for the great review Stu, hope all is well with you!!

Reply
Stuart Charles Black November 28, 2022 - 2:42 pm

Thanks for the love man! Haha we is bringing back Wicked Potatoes! As far as cranes go, I have one of these to help support mine: https://tinyurl.com/27hydr5m xD xD

Reply
Neil Mitchell November 29, 2022 - 3:29 pm

HA HA HA!!!
I laughed pretty darn hard at that crane Stu, thx brother!!!

Reply
Stuart Charles Black November 30, 2022 - 6:17 pm

LOL. So you’re saying I’m funny?

Reply
Neil Mitchell December 1, 2022 - 4:25 pm

No doubt about it, Stu!! I totally expected a picture of a construction crane and got a real from the wild crane instead. Now THAT’s some quality humour right there!! All the best my friend keep it going, your site looks better than ever and I always check it out to see what you’re up to!!

Reply
Stuart Charles Black December 1, 2022 - 4:58 pm

Haha, thanks man! I always try to keep people on their toes LOL.

But as far as me being funny:

“Let me understand this because maybe it’s me I’m a little f’d up maybe, but I’m funny how? I mean funny like I’m a clown? I amuse you? I make you laugh? I’m here to f’in amuse you? What do you mean funny? Funny how, how am I funny?

xD

> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yL9rSwrsMHw

Reply
Neil Mitchell December 6, 2022 - 11:16 pm

HA HA HA definitely a true classic, Stu!!!! One of my favorite scenes!!!
Hey last time I talked to you you were thinking of growing potatoes in your apartment or something, hope the crop was a good one!!

Reply
Stuart Charles Black December 7, 2022 - 10:08 pm

LOL. My potato experiment was a partial success and part failure.

They started out like gangbusters with lots of vine-age growth (which indicates potatoes are growing under the soil), but then the stupid bugs took over (I don’t even know what they’re called), but man are they ever a pain in the ass. This was back when it was still warmer out. They basically eat the leaves and ruin my life.

I tried some Diatomaceous earth but I think it was a bit of overkill lol. It kind of kept them away but I must have looked semi-crazy swatting at these things with old shirts on my porch haha. Some other random things that happened:

Dead roach in the pot. Ew. threw him out.
More bugs, this time of a different variety. Super annoying.

To sum up, I finally decided to just flip the pot and see if anything happened. Potatoes did grow, but they weren’t wicked LOLOL. Wickedly disgusting, maybe. They were pruny and gross because of all the stuff that happened.

I’m def going to fine-tune this process for next year and hopefully get some wicked ones. Heheh.

Reply
Neil Mitchell December 7, 2022 - 11:13 pm

Stu, your potato story was extremely funny LOL. It started out reasonably normal and docile like and then got more bizarre and eccentric as it progressed, until it finally reached a state of total bedlam as ONLY you could orchestrate with such skill and finesse. Very hilarious, in the Vegas style you almost remind me of a headphone “Carrot Top”, weaving occasional normalcy in between bouts of well placed insanity. Nicely done!!!

Reply
Stuart Charles Black December 8, 2022 - 3:00 pm

HAHAHA. Now if I could only channel all of my random thoughts and ideas into a movie script. Thanks for the love man!!!

Reply
Neil Mitchell December 11, 2022 - 1:50 am

Any time, man. Trust me, if not a movie script then the “Stu Black Headphone Comedy Hour” would be one MAJOR hit, probably bigger than Sullivan, thank ya, thank ya very much!!!

Reply
Stuart Charles Black December 13, 2022 - 3:52 pm

LMAO. I think you deserve one of these:

Reply
Neil Mitchell December 15, 2022 - 12:44 am

I think so too!! Thanks for all the great laughs, Stu!!
All the very best!! Nothing but safe and happy travels
to you and your family this Christmas season!!
?????

Reply
Stuart Charles Black December 20, 2022 - 4:37 pm

Thanks man! You as well. It’s always great to chat. Keep me posted on everything!

Reply
Rupert wills March 29, 2023 - 5:02 pm

Hi Stuart,
Greeting from Ireland. I hope this email finds you in good health. I am considering purchasing a pair of Audeze LCD2 rosewood headphones. I am being put off by all the talk about having to EQ them otherwise they don’t sound great. I have no way of EQ ing them so your advice would be appreciated. Manythanks
Rupert wills

Reply
Stuart Charles Black April 3, 2023 - 1:01 am

Hey Rupert,

Thank you for the comment! I would say that it really depends on the user. I don’t personally find the need to EQ the LCD-2. Yes, it’s going to be darker in the treble area, but the resolution of the headphone is so good you may not care.

Reply
hojin April 20, 2023 - 11:53 am

Hi Stuart.
Even though I was a beginner, I read your writing very interestingly.
I own LCD-2F.
Although I was listening to it directly with my laptop, I was satisfied.(Of course the volume is the largest!)
I want to add DAC and AMP even now.
Can you recommend whether K5PRO AMP/DAC, ATOM/ANOTHER DAC, IFI Micro IDSD Black Label or other combinations that suit the LCD-2F?
Thank you for good articles~!

Reply
Stuart Charles Black April 22, 2023 - 2:50 pm

My pleasure! So glad you’re enjoying them. I did really love the Black Label with the LCD-2, but I don’t think it’s necessarily something you need to drop a bunch of money on. An ATOM, K5 Pro, or K7 will all do the job fine!!

With the ATOM, just pair it with an ATOM DAC. Let me know if you have any questions!

-Stu

Reply

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