Short answer: the Audeze LCD-2. It ranks #133 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $995. The Audeze LCD-GX ranks #156, rated 3.2/5, at $899, $96 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
What the Audeze LCD-2 does well: A warm, bass friendly planar magnetic with a preference score of 70 in oratory1990’s measurement and a fairly even response, about 2.7 dB of deviation from target. Watch for: A deep 12.5 dB dip near 9.3 kHz and treble running about 5 dB below target from 3 to 10 kHz make cymbals, strings and vocal detail sound dark and veiled.
The case for the Audeze LCD-GX: The open-back 106mm planar magnetic driver offers a large, spacious presentation. The catch: Sub-bass is about 7 dB below target and presence is roughly 7 dB low, with a 10 dB dip near 4.9 kHz, so vocals and snare lack clarity and bass lacks rumble.
Buy the Audeze LCD-2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $96 with the Audeze LCD-GX does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audeze LCD-2 | Audeze LCD-GX | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $995.00 | $899.00 |
| Ranked | #133 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #156 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 70 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 63 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.68 dB standard deviation | 3.10 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.67 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.82 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 38 Hz (-6.6 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 45 Hz (-7.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 106mm planar magnetic | 1 x 106mm planar magnetic |
| Impedance | 70 ohms | 20 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 101 dB/mW | 100 dB/mW |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (595 g) | - |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Audeze LCD-2 compares with other leading options:
- Audeze LCD-2 vs Denon AH-D7200
- Audeze LCD-2 vs Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Noire
- Audeze LCD-2 vs Focal Elear
- Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Noire vs Audeze LCD-GX
- Focal Elear vs Audeze LCD-GX
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: $995.00 Audeze eBay
Pros: A warm, bass friendly planar magnetic with a preference score of 70 in oratory1990’s measurement and a fairly even response, about 2.7 dB of deviation from target. Bass from 60 to 200 Hz sits within 1.5 dB of target and the low mids are slightly full, so cellos, male vocals and bass guitar sound rich and weighty. At 70 ohms and 101 dB/mW it gets loud enough from most desktop sources without a high power amp.
Cons: A deep 12.5 dB dip near 9.3 kHz and treble running about 5 dB below target from 3 to 10 kHz make cymbals, strings and vocal detail sound dark and veiled. Sub-bass falls 6 dB below target by 38 Hz, so the lowest synth notes lose rumble. At 595 g it is heavy, the open back leaks sound and blocks no outside noise, and the Fostex TH610 rates higher for less money.
Full Audeze LCD-2 review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.68 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 | 70 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 70 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 101 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 38 Hz (-6.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.67 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (595 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.7 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 | +3.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 284 Hz | -2.6 dB | 0.33 |
| Peak | 4,093 Hz | +5.8 dB | 3.34 |
| Peak | 8,387 Hz | +3.1 dB | 2.18 |
| Peak | 26 Hz | +1.3 dB | 1.70 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -4.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,076 Hz | +2.8 dB | 3.09 |
| Peak | 2,611 Hz | -1.2 dB | 3.53 |
| Peak | 959 Hz | -1.1 dB | 3.30 |
| Peak | 5,677 Hz | -1.4 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Audeze LCD-GX: $899.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: The open-back 106mm planar magnetic driver offers a large, spacious presentation. At 20 ohms and 100 dB/mW it can run from a phone or portable dongle, and the midrange stays close to target, with low mids about 0.7 dB above it.
Cons: Sub-bass is about 7 dB below target and presence is roughly 7 dB low, with a 10 dB dip near 4.9 kHz, so vocals and snare lack clarity and bass lacks rumble. Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 5 dB down, making the overall sound dark. The open back leaks sound and offers no isolation.
Full Audeze LCD-GX review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.10 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 | 63 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 20 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 45 Hz (-7.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.82 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.5 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 | +7.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,232 Hz | +6.1 dB | 1.97 |
| Peak | 100 Hz | -3.6 dB | 0.29 |
| Peak | 825 Hz | -2.9 dB | 1.38 |
| Peak | 7,329 Hz | +2.6 dB | 1.27 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -6.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 130 Hz | +0.7 dB | 1.72 |
| Peak | 59 Hz | -0.6 dB | 1.94 |
| Peak | 242 Hz | -0.5 dB | 1.99 |
| Peak | 2,773 Hz | -0.7 dB | 4.21 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons