Greetings mate and Welcome aboard!
Stuart Charles here, HomeStudioBasics.com helping YOU make sound decisions leading to a beautiful audio experience that will make you fall in love with music (NOT gear) all over again, so…
I’ve been wanting to write an article on the best Audeze headphones given how much experience I’ve had with many of them over many years dating back to around 2017.
I haven’t heard every headphone in the line but think of this guide as one that will change and adjust based on any future experiences/iterations they come out with.
So bookmark and share because the list will continue to grow as I listen to more and more of them.
For this particular article,
I will rank them from worst to first according to which I believe to be most worthy.
Also keep in mind that just because a headphone is ranked low, doesn’t necessarily mean I didn’t enjoy it in some capacity or don’t think it’s any good.
I would just consider it after the others if that makes sense.
In reality, it’s going to be really tricky (but fun) trying to rank these because outside of maybe a couple, I enjoyed the sound of them.
With that said, if you have a request, please, please let me know so I can potentially demo and add it to the rankings!!
In any event, let’s get rolling.
#8
Audeze LCD-XC
Price: Check Amazon! | Check B&H! | Check Audeze! | Official Review: Here!
Specifications
- Type: Closed-back, Planar Magnetic.
- Fit: Circumaural (Around the Ear).
- Impedance: 20 Ohms. What is Headphone Impedance?
- Sensitivity: 100dB/mW. What is Sensitivity in Headphones?
- Transducer size: 106mm.
- Sound Pressure Level: >130 dB with 15W. What is SPL?
- Max power handling: 15W (for 200 Ohms).
- Optimal Power Requirement: 1 – 4 W.
- Frequency response: 5Hz – 20kHz extended out to 50kHz.
- Material: Wood, leather.
- Cable: Mini XLR. What is XLR?
- Cable Detachable: Yes.
- Color: Brown, Black.
Coming in at #8 on the list is a headphone I think is decent outside of a couple of glaring issues: the mid-range and to an extent, the treble.
Even before looking at graphs of this one way back in 2017, it felt like someone was poking pins and needles into my ear.
It’s harsh, shrill, and very bright/essy/strident/sibilant – whatever you want to call it, it’s there.
In addition to that,
the mid-range feels shouty and much too in your face for my liking.
That said, the signature itself is handled well enough. It’s open, airy, spacious, and very detailed.
As with most Audeze headphones, there’s a nice sense of spacing and the bass rumbles excellently.
Ken Rockwell has always referred to it as “bottomless” and I think that’s the absolute best way to describe Audeze’s low end.
There’s not much roll-off here, and the mid-bass moving into the low mids is fine.
The problem lies around the presence region of roughly 2kHz.
There’s just too much there and I think most would agree.
This is in stark contrast to what Audeze usually does, which is a gradual decline after 1kHz rendering their headphones rather subdued and what some would call “dark.”
Now what’s interesting is that I normally enjoy a presence boost.
A lot of folks know how much I love the K702 and there’s certainly a bump in the same general area.
But with the LCD-XC, it just feels over the top and slightly unnecessary – reminding me of a Grado headphone which is never a good thing.
Recommended: 10 Grado Headphones Ranked Worst To Best
In any event, I’d probably consider these last.
They’re built well but are also incredibly heavy and comfort isn’t that great.
#7
Audeze LCD-1
Official Review: Here!
Some folks may scoff and call me crazy for this one, and that’s fine.
I am.
That said, it’s not that the LCD-1 was bad.
It’s incredibly neutral and clean sounding, but almost to a fault.
In addition to that,
there’s this thin, papery quality about it that may underwhelm you.
Everything sounds right, but there’s no excitement to the music. No sense of lushness or flavor.
I would compare the LCD-1 to just randomly eating plain raw broccoli (which I did yesterday).
Sure, it may be good for you, but you may feel slightly depressed afterward.
*redneck voice*
IT NEEDS SOME RANCH!!!
Seriously though, the LCD-1 is a headphone that looks perfect on a graph but kind of fails to deliver in terms of ferocity, slam, weight, and impact.
The detail and separation are there, but it comes across as hollow and empty-sounding.
Build-wise,
it’s decent enough but feels rather light and feathery – similar to its sound.
The cups rotate and fold, and it’s nimble and malleable.
Because of its weight, it’s one of the most comfortable headphones out of the entire line bar none and we’ll delve into why later.
The headphones are incredibly compact, sleek, and fold up nicely while retaining that utilitarian but still classy vibe.
In any event,
I think you can do better though again, I don’t think it’s a bad headphone. It’s just incredibly boring; similar to a K612.
You may disagree and that’s completely fine!
#6
Audeze LCD-X
Price: Check Amazon! | Check Audeze! | Check eBay! | Official Review: Here!
- Type: Open back, Planar Magnetic.
- Fit: Circumaural (Around the Ear).
- Impedance: 20 Ohms. What is Headphone Impedance?
- Frequency response: 5Hz – 20kHz extended out to 50kHz (per the Audeze website).
- Sensitivity: 96dB/mW. What is Sensitivity in Headphones?
- Material: Metal, lambskin leather.
- Color: Black.
- Cable: Detachable mini XLR. What is XLR?
- Weight: 21.6 oz. (612g)
- Cable Length: 2.5m.
This headphone has been supremely hit-and-miss for me over the years.
Sometimes when I listen, I think “Wow, these are the best headphones ever created in life.”
Other times I wonder what the hell Audeze was thinking.
I had heard or read somewhere that different revisions and models can yield radically different results, and I absolutely believe it.
That said,
the LCD-X, like the others in the line, dons roughly the same rise at 1Khz followed by a decline, but this time it seems like it kind of drops off a cliff whereas the others may drop off a ledge.
That said, the LCD-X is still a great headphone in many regards:
- It sounds fantastic will well-mastered CDs.
- Guitars sound crisp and alive, with a startling sense of body and fullness.
- the bass is refreshingly accurate, detailed, articulate, and textured.
In other words,
the sound signature as a whole is velvety, buttery, and pretty awesomesauce.
Treble
The overall sound of the treble is crisp but never sibilant. What does Sibilant mean?
This is a headphone that you can groove to for hours without listening fatigue.
Now, will some complain about a lack of sparkle up top?
Absolutely.
Again, the Audeze house sound isn’t for everyone.
The thing is, when you’re listening, you may not even care about that lack of “brightness” in the treble regions because everything sounds so natural and effortless.
In other words,
the treble does what it’s supposed to do and the trade-off is that cymbals and hi-hats will sound more realistic at the expense of standing out unnecessarily.
That is to say that they stand out, but for the right reasons rather than because of simply being forward, or accentuated as most companies tend to do with cheaper headphones.
Wearing an LCD-X, as with the others in the line, feels like you’ve got a small elephant strapped to your head, and I suppose that’s fine.
I mean, it’s not really that fine, but whatever.
#5
Audeze LCD-4
Official Review: Here!
Some people may raise their brow at this one since the LCD-4 was considered by many to be the best headphones in the world.
Well, I’d have to say that’s a resounding no.
I got a chance to demo the Focal Utopia and LCD-4 side by side out of a NAIM DAC V-1 and I’d take the Utopia in a heartbeat.
Again, it’s not that the LCD-4 sounds bad.
Like the others in the LCD line, it’s smooth, rolling, and rumbly, and there’s loads of detail in addition to the always fantastic resolution.
The problem?
It’s much too dark and veiled.
In fact,
out of all the Audeze headphones I’ve tried, I firmly believe the LCD-4 is, by far, the darkest of them.
Perhaps it was the fact that I demoed it next to a much more reasonable offering in terms of liveliness (Utopia), but the sentiment remains and left me with my jaw on the floor.
In other words,
I don’t feel as though the others in the LCD lineup come close to how veiled this one sounds.
Aside from that, yes, these sound incredible.
The resolution is there, the separation is there, and the bass again sounds exemplary – a hallmark trait of Audeze headphones.
In addition to that, driver matching is just about perfect.
Out of all the 120+ headphones I’ve heard, The Utopia and LCD-4 have the most accurate driver matching by far and it’s not even close.
To be clear, many folks aren’t going to like the drop-off after 1kHz and will find the lack of presence a problem.
I can understand the sentiment as, once again, Audeze headphones are truly not for everyone.
As always, in terms of comfort, jetliner on your head and built well.
#4
Audeze LCD-3
Price: Check Amazon! | Check Audeze! | Check eBay! | Official Review: Here!
Specifications
- Type: Open Back. Closed back vs. Open back headphones
- Fit: Circumaural
- Driver Technology: Planar Magnetic. What is a Headphone Driver?
- Frequency Response: 5Hz – 20kHz
- Impedance: 45 Ohm. What is Headphone Impedance?
- Housing: Zebrano Wood
- Material: Lambskin, Wood
- Cable: Mini XLR, 1/4″ with 3.5mm adapter
- Magnet: Neodymium
- Sensitivity: 91dB at 1mW
- Maximum Output: 130dB SPL. What is SPL?
- Weight: 543g
In all honesty, I wouldn’t be mad if you wanted to swap the LCD-4 and 3, or simply place the LCD-4 higher on the list.
That said,
listening to the LCD-3 was one of the most eye-opening experiences I’ve ever had with music and it’s something I will never forget.
I still remember vividly the first time I paired one with the Bryston BHA-1 over at Audio Advice.
I fired up an old favorite, “Dark Side of the Moon” by Pink Floyd, and specifically the song Time.
David Gilmour’s guitar sounded so weird and foreign. It was as if I had never actually heard him play before.
As if what I had always thought to be true was somehow a lie. A Matrix of sorts, if you will.
It’s hard to describe, but the sound of his guitar took on a life all its own.
It had this raw energy and transparency that’s difficult to put into words.
The LCD-3 is perhaps the most honest set of headphones you will ever encounter.
The Audeze house sound has a reputation for being somewhat dark, but on this occasion, it was like Gilmour’s guitar was put under a microscope.
Everything became so crystal clear that it almost sounded as if it was the first time you ever listened to the song.
You also really got a sense of who he was at his core. A glimpse into his soul if I may be so bold.
Every pluck, every slide of his hand, every note was heard with astonishing detail and clarity.
It’s hard to write this, but I can’t say with certainty that the song actually sounded good.
It was as if a veil had been lifted and you were made aware of every intricate micro detail to the point of concern.
“Is this the same song?”
I promise you I was flabbergasted and wondered why it sounded so strange.
“Why am I focusing only on Gilmour’s guitar?”
The song seemed to kind of be a lot slower than I remember as well.
Perhaps this is just a figment of my imagination, but I’ve never heard such clarity in music in my entire life.
There’s a lot to be said about that.
#3
Audeze EL-8 (Open)
Price: Check Amazon! | Check eBay! | Official Review: Here!
Specifications
- Design: Planar Magnetic.
- Type: Open Back.
- Fit: Circumaural (Over-ear)
- Driver Size: 100mm. What is a Headphone Driver?
- Frequency Response: 10Hz – 50kHz
- Impedance: 32 Ohms. What is Headphone Impedance?
- Sensitivity: 102 dB SPL with 1mW input. What is SPL?
- Total Harmonic Distortion: < 0.1% at 1kHz at 1mW.
- Weight: 16.2 oz. (460 g)
- Color: Black with Wood veneer accents.
- Material: Die-cast metal, protein leather.
- Cable: 3.5mm with 1/4″ headphone adapter
- Removable Cable: Yes
- Case: No
- Fold-able: No
- Apple Compatible: Inline Remote Apple-compatible version via lightning port connection or just standard cable (no remote/mic)
It’s hard to describe my feelings for this one without wanting to completely nerd out about it, but I firmly believe that the EL-8 is still one of the best headphones for hip-hop.
There are moments in your listening experience that will always stand out to you, and hearing some remixed Cassidy song on Soundcloud (which isn’t available anymore) was one of those moments.
It was as if, after listening to music all my life, perfection was finally achieved.
I couldn’t have asked for a better sound if I tried.
Again, it’s smooth, bottomless, detailed, and effortless.
Bass
As with pretty much all Audeze headphones, the bass here is marvelous and essentially a flat line on a graph.
This means you’re getting excellent sub-bass extension without the mid-bass bloat that accompanies most consumer products.
It’s deep, it hits hard, and it thumps, but it doesn’t ever sound clammy or bloomy.
Ken Rockwell described it best in his review:
Bottomless is just about the perfect word to describe the EL-8’s bass. It’s truly remarkable.
If you’re coming from Beats headphones or even many entry-level to mid-fi dynamic headphones, prepare to be blown away and then some.
Mid-Range
The mid-range, as with most Audeze headphones, tends to sound a bit relaxed and some say even dull.
I wouldn’t necessarily argue that, but I don’t find it to be an issue most of the time – something Rockwell points out above.
It seems like Audeze kind of takes a page out of the HIFIMAN book in this regard as both companies tend to gradually roll off the mids after about 1kHz.
This may cause the EL-8 to sound almost too laid-back, and certainly, this is a minor caveat to keep in mind as vocals and instruments may come across as a bit lazy at times.
Treble
As with the mids, the treble is very relaxed and not bright, essy, or sibilant in the slightest.
This is the subject of never-ending debate with audiophiles and I tend to stand somewhere in the middle.
There are times when yes, I feel as though the EL-8 could have more sparkle or sizzle.
But then again, the overall sound is so good that to me it’s not a huge deal – especially considering how many manufacturers tend to overdo it.
Again, you won’t have to worry about that (overdoing it) with the EL-8 as it’s tuned extremely well.
Hi-hats, cymbals, and the treble area, in general, all sound extremely correct – this is something that won’t make sense to you until you compare a planar with a dynamic.
Comfort is again phenomenal, and they aren’t nearly as heavy as the LCD line which is great for people who don’t want to feel like they have an enormous boulder on their heads.
The only problem is that Audeze doesn’t actually manufacture these anymore.
Oh well. It was fun while it lasted.
Wait, actually, you can still find them on Audeze’s Legacy Product Page which is neat.
Hopefully, they bring ’em back.
#2
Audeze Sine
Price: Check Amazon! | Check eBay! | Official Review: Here!
- Design: Planar Magnetic.
- Type: Closed Back.
- Fit: Circumaural (Over-ear)
- Driver Size: 70mm. What is a Headphone Driver?
- Frequency Response: 10Hz – 50kHz.
- Impedance: 20 Ohms. What is Headphone Impedance?
- Sensitivity: >120dB. What is Sensitivity in Headphones?
- Total Harmonic Distortion: <1% full spectrum @ 100dB.
- Weight: 300g.
- Color: Black.
- Material: Metal, Plastic, Genuine leather on the outside of the earcups and headband, faux leather on the earpads themselves.
- Cable: Cipher cable with 2.5mm stereo and 3.5mm to 1/4″ stereo adapter. The cipher cable is iOS only and does not come packaged. You will have to purchase separately. The Cipher cables inline remote contains a built-in Amp/DAC which allows you to control the sound how you want. Not only that but there’s also a dedicated 10-band EQ app that works with any music player on your phone.
- Removable Cable: Yes.
- Case: No.
- Foldable: Yes. Folds flat.
- Built-in mic: Yes. Can be used for phone calls and is SIRI-compatible.
The Sine is another Audeze product relegated to the Legacy page, but it’s still super high up on this list and in fact, does everything the LCD-1 did, but way better.
The only real problem with these (and I’m sure it has something to do with them being discontinued) is the on-ear fit.
It was awkward and not ideal, with some strange design choices.
Even so, the build quality seems pretty rugged overall.
I wouldn’t feel uncomfortable dropping these as they’d probably survive some abuse, but I also wouldn’t push the envelope too much.
Style-wise, they’re fairly utilitarian and unassuming.
There’s nothing too special going on aside from the fact that they were designed by a subsidiary of BMW.
So there’s that.
The only thing I’m not feeling is the leather on the outside of the earcups.
I think it’s one of the poorest design choices they could have come up with.
Why?
Because they easily get dinged up, nicked, and scratched, and when you run your finger across the material you’ll understand what I mean.
It just feels like a strange design decision and I would have rather seen a sleek matte black finish here.
It was obvious that the demo model I used had been through the wringer a few times and to be perfectly honest, it distracted quite a bit from their overall pleasing aesthetic.
Aside from that minor complaint, the Sine is a wonderfully built headphone that utilizes metal as well as genuine leather for the earcups and headband padding.
This is something you won’t see very often so I thought it was a nice touch.
Earcups & Headband Adjustments
The other thing that stands out here is the angled wires connecting to each cup.
This prevents the cord from pulling out if you happen to get caught on something and looks to be a solid aspect overall.
You’ll also enjoy the headband adjustments themselves as they move up and down in an incredibly smooth and fluid motion.
This allows you to easily get the best fit on your head without having to fumble with the click mechanisms most headphones employ.
Aside from that, the cups themselves are rather small which leads me to one of the few complaints I have with the Sine.
Comfort
Being on-ear, comfort was perhaps the only thing holding these back from greatness when I demoed them back in 2017.
You can almost see why they were discontinued by Audeze and are no longer in circulation.
There were a few issues that I still remember clearly even to this day:
- The clamp was fairly tight which will bother you after some time and there’s no getting around that.
- Being Supra-Aural (On-ear), they will start to hurt your ears. So it’s kind of a double whammy.
On-Ear headphones in general are a rather dicey proposition because not only do they dig into your lobes, but oftentimes they leave traces of perspiration on the pads which can become ear-itating after a while.
I’ll see myself out.
That said, I think the sound made these worth it because it was truly something to behold.
Sound
The sound here is incredibly accurate and detailed, but it also has a sense of impact and weight which was lacking in the LCD-1.
In addition to that,
Timbre is spot on and feels correct, with a realistic sense of attack, sustain, decay and release.
The bass is again wonderfully deep and effortless, and to be honest, it doesn’t get much better than a Sine.
Frankly, I’m shocked this isn’t currently available but hopefully, they bring it back in the future.
#1
Audeze LCD-2
Price: Check Amazon! | Check Audeze! | Check eBay! | Official Review: Here!
Specifications
- Type: Open Back, Planar Magnetic.
- Fit: Circumaural.
- Frequency Response: 10Hz – 50kHz.
- Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.1% @ 100dB
- Impedance: 70 Ohms.
- Sensitivity: 101dB/mW.
- Materials: Bamboo Wood, Leather, or Leatherette.
- Weight: 460g.
- Cable: 1.9m 1/4 in. to dual 4-pin mini-XLR cable
- Accessories: Professional Travel Case
Rounding things out is the Original Gangster LCD-2, which is still a great headphone to this day and is my absolute favorite.
One of the main reasons it takes top honors is that out of all Audeze headphones, it’s the most accessible from a sound signature standpoint.
Why?
Because it mitigates some of the issues in the line.
In other words,
The mid-range after 1kHz still takes a dip without feeling like it’s falling off of Mt. Everest.
I kind of skipped over this one at first and went straight to the LCD-3 when I was demoing the line, but this is a fantastic listen and provides stunning resolution and clarity across the board.
I was also impressed with its Imaging and Soundstage capabilities.
- Read: What is Soundstage?
There are some folks out there who will tell you that an Audeze doesn’t provide a very good width to the image, but I would beg to differ.
This headphone provides you with some nice out-of-your-head moments and will have you turning your head more often than not.
I would definitely call this Soundstage wider than shoulder-width, which ends up being larger than the majority of headphones you’ll come across.
The sounds are like little grains of garlic sprinkled left to right, and it really adds to the immersion and intimacy.
You start to feel, how shall I say, “one with the track” if that makes sense?
AND NO I WASN’T HIGH!!
Putting an Audeze on your head isn’t the most comfortable feeling in the world (which is putting it mildly), but that’s fairly standard and most people understand that going into it.
The good part about it is that you truly feel like you’re in another world when listening to music.
Kind of like this:
As if you did escape real life for a while. It was like nothing else mattered for that period of time.
It just feels right.
The best part about an Audeze like this is most certainly the buttery smooth sound.
The bass is what I like to call perfect, as it pretty much resembles a flat line on a graph, digs deep, and has a really sweet rumble to it.
It’s articulate, textured, and has just enough slam for my tastes.
I am a former bass head but do prefer a more balanced signature nowadays.
The LCD-2 certainly delivers in that regard.
There’s a tasteful amount of mid-range presence around 1k, and it ends up being just right.
Vocals and instruments stand out, but they aren’t over the top and it never feels unnatural sounding.
The best way to describe the sound of the LCD-2 is buttery smooth, with an effortless articulation that allows you to listen for extended periods without fatigue.
The only issue of course is comfort, again. I’m not going to continue beating the dead horse.
Anyway, the LCD-2 is still relevant and still receives mostly high marks from me.
My Video Review
Final Verdict
Well, I think the LCD-2, out of the headphones I’ve heard, is still the top dog. This may change in the future, but I can’t think of another headphone in the line that represents the Audeze sound quite as brilliantly.
And even despite the weight, I still think you’ll love it.
That said,
I’d rather you save some money (and medical bills) by going with the LCD-2 Classic. It’s lighter and won’t break your neck in half. It’s also roughly $200 more affordable.
Interested?
Learn More:
Well, that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this article on the best Audeze headphones and came away with some valuable insight.
If you love what I do here and want to support the blog and channel in a more personal way, check me out on Patreon and discover all the value I have to offer you.
Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Please let me know down below or Contact me!!
Agree with these rankings? Disagree? I would love to hear from you. Until next time…
All the best and God bless,
-Stu
10 comments
Hey Stu,
Love the content on your site and while I don’t agree with you about everything (the Phillips Fidelio X2HR should be mentioned in more guides IMO), we agree on lots of things (e.g. DT770, Sennheiser HD25) and I really enjoy the way you make complex geeky shit very accessible and understandable.
I wanted to mention I think this taking is probably outdated and should be redone with the 2021 version of the LCD-X, I think it will now come up on top of the list.
You should also audition the MM-500, excellent headphones IMO and would be a very high recommendation from me for mixing and music production.
Cheers!
Hey man! Thank you so much for the kind words. Much appreciated! It’s so funny you mention the MM-500. I was in Audio Advice on Saturday and literally had them in my hands LOL. But I didn’t demo them. The first thing that jumped out at me was how much more compact and lightweight they felt. It was pretty cool.
In any event, I was actually demoing the Celestee and Clear MG because I’m planning to do a similar article as this Audeze one only focusing on Focal headphones. But yeah, I would also love to get my hands on the newer LCD-X! I also saw that one on the shelf but I will have to ask if it’s the 2021 version. I will keep you posted!!
I was just listening to the new Talking Heads 2023 remaster through my speakers Elac Uni-fi reference thinking that no headphone can give me this experience but…after seeing this and other reviews about the lcd-2 I’m feeling so tempted. God damn it man, this hobby is something you have to hide from wife/ family because I’d judge the fuck out of me if I were them.
Haha yeah for sure man! It can be hard not to go down the rabbit hole. I certainly have and am still recovering from it. xD I wouldn’t stress over it too much. What kind of sound signature does the Uni-Fi have?
Neutral. Super flat. Not everyone wants this kind of sound and that’s why Klipsch and the like exist. Personally I like my speakers neutral with excellent technicalities, so perfect sounstage, imaging and instrument separation. Not a lot of those under a grand if any.
Sort of related, but I’ll never forget the time a Klipsh rep at a show basically screamed at me “It’s like you’re there, right?!?!” after demoing some speakers. I was like, “yeah, I mean, I guess.” HAHAHA. He was so f’ing excited about selling those things. They did sound good, but you have to concentrate super hard to even get a small fraction of what it’s like to be at a concert. And even then it may only last for like a split second.
Even listening to $60,000 martin logan speakers wasn’t the mind blowing experience I anticipated.
That’s why I never re-married. Fuck a wife!! Headphones rule….LOL!
Hi other Stu! Lol just saw this was in response to Ethan.
How long were you married for?
And as for headphones “ruling” they do indeed my friend. They most certainly do.
Reading these headphone reviews feels like going on a rollercoaster ride through an audiophile’s dreams and nightmares! It’s like choosing headphones is the real-life version of “The Bachelor,” but with audio gear. Who will get the final rose and win your ears’ heart? Stay tuned for the most dramatic rose ceremony ever!
Jana,
You’re about to embark on a wondrous journey into a land whose boundaries are that of imagination. That’s the signpost up ahead, your next stop – the Twilight Zone!! xD
But yeah lol. It can be really wild. What Audeze headphones were you thinking of buying specifically before you clicked on the article?
-Stu