Short answer: the Audeze LCD-2. Both are rated 3.5/5 for sound quality (#133 and #129 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the Audeze LCD-2 costs $995 against $1,099 for the Denon AH-D7200, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
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.
Why pick the Denon AH-D7200: Bass is nearly on target, within 0.4 dB in the bass and 2.2 dB under in the sub-bass, giving a controlled low end. The catch: Upper mids and presence are 3 dB and 2.5 dB low, with treble 4.1 dB low from 6 to 10 kHz, so vocals sound recessed and cymbals dull.
Buy the Audeze LCD-2. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $104 less than the Denon AH-D7200.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Audeze LCD-2 | Denon AH-D7200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $995.00 | $1,099.00 |
| Ranked | #133 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #129 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 70 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 70 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.68 dB standard deviation | 2.57 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.67 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.77 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 38 Hz (-6.6 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 106mm planar magnetic | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 70 ohms | 25 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 101 dB/mW | 105 dB/mW |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (595 g) | 0.8 lbs (385 g) |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 55kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Denon AH-D7200 compares with other leading options:
- Denon AH-D7200 vs Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Noire
- Denon AH-D7200 vs Focal Elear
- Audeze LCD-2 vs Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Noire
- Audeze LCD-2 vs Audeze LCD-GX
- Audeze LCD-2 vs Focal Elear
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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
Denon AH-D7200: $1,099.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Bass is nearly on target, within 0.4 dB in the bass and 2.2 dB under in the sub-bass, giving a controlled low end. Low mids and air are also close to target, and a preference score of 70 reflects a broadly balanced, warm tune. A 25 ohm impedance and 105 dB/mW sensitivity make it easy to drive from any source, and the closed back isolates.
Cons: Upper mids and presence are 3 dB and 2.5 dB low, with treble 4.1 dB low from 6 to 10 kHz, so vocals sound recessed and cymbals dull. A 9.8 dB dip near 8.8 kHz removes a lot of sibilance and bite, which can make the sound feel veiled. At 385 g it is heavy, and the Denon AH-D9200 is only matched in rating while costing more.
Full Denon AH-D7200 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.57 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 55kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 70 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 25 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 105 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.77 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (385 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.1 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 | +1.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 911 Hz | -3.8 dB | 1.14 |
| Peak | 2,165 Hz | +6.5 dB | 2.19 |
| Peak | 154 Hz | -2.3 dB | 0.96 |
| Peak | 3,880 Hz | +2.7 dB | 3.68 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -5.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 10,000 Hz | +4.9 dB | 1.16 |
| Peak | 5,545 Hz | -5.1 dB | 5.60 |
| Peak | 375 Hz | +1.0 dB | 3.34 |
| Peak | 44 Hz | -0.6 dB | 2.39 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons