Short answer: the Audeze LCD-2 Closed Back. Both are rated 4.0/5 for sound quality (#69 and #77 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the Audeze LCD-2 Closed Back costs $2,839.97 against $3,199 for the Austrian Audio The Composer, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
Why pick the Audeze LCD-2 Closed Back: A preference score of 81 with a deviation of 2.2 dB in oratory1990’s measurement is a good result for a closed-back planar magnetic. Watch for: Sub-bass is about 4.5 dB under target, and treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 3.4 dB low, with a 10.7 dB dip near 9.1 kHz that rounds off cymbals and detail.
Buy the Audeze LCD-2 Closed Back. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $359.03 less than the Austrian Audio The Composer.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audeze LCD-2 Closed Back | Austrian Audio The Composer | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,839.97 | $3,199.00 |
| Ranked | #69 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #77 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 81 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 81 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.22 dB standard deviation | 2.28 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.36 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.20 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.9 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 106mm planar magnetic | 1 x 49mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 70 ohms | 22 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 101 dB/mW | 112 dB SPL/V |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 44kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | - | 0.8 lbs (385 g) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
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- Austrian Audio The Composer vs HIFIMAN HE1000 V2
- Austrian Audio The Composer vs Meze Empyrean II
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Audeze LCD-2 Closed Back: $2,839.97 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 81 with a deviation of 2.2 dB in oratory1990’s measurement is a good result for a closed-back planar magnetic. Bass from 60 to 200 Hz and the midrange sit within 1 dB of target, giving full, natural tone. A 106 mm planar driver at 70 ohms and 101 dB/mW is efficient enough for most desktop amps, and the closed back keeps sound in.
Cons: Sub-bass is about 4.5 dB under target, and treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 3.4 dB low, with a 10.7 dB dip near 9.1 kHz that rounds off cymbals and detail. The price is far higher than rivals like the Dan Clark Audio E3, which has a higher rating at a lower cost.
Full Audeze LCD-2 Closed Back review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.22 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 106mm planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 81 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 70 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 101 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.36 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.5 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +5.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 102 Hz | -3.2 dB | 0.41 |
| Peak | 3,605 Hz | +3.7 dB | 2.40 |
| Peak | 1,346 Hz | -2.1 dB | 1.57 |
| Peak | 396 Hz | +2.0 dB | 1.79 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -4.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 5,771 Hz | -3.9 dB | 5.45 |
| Peak | 4,350 Hz | +1.7 dB | 5.21 |
| Peak | 2,469 Hz | +0.7 dB | 3.08 |
| Peak | 1,736 Hz | -0.4 dB | 2.93 |
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Austrian Audio The Composer: $3,199.00 Headphones.com eBay
Full Austrian Audio The Composer review and specifications →
| Released | 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.28 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 49mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 44kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 81 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 22 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 112 dB SPL/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.20 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (385 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons