Short answer: the Audeze LCD-2. It ranks #133 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $995. The Focal Elear ranks #146, rated 3.3/5, at $880, $115 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The case for the Audeze LCD-2: 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. The tradeoff: 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.
What the Focal Elear does well: The open back gives a spacious, airy presentation, and the 40 mm dynamic driver offers 104 dB per mW sensitivity. The tradeoff: Presence at 3 to 6 kHz is about 5.3 dB under and treble at 6 to 10 kHz about 6.1 dB under, with a 9 dB dip near 7.2 kHz, so detail and cymbals sound dull.
Buy the Audeze LCD-2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $115 you would save on the Focal Elear does not close the gap.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audeze LCD-2 | Focal Elear | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $995.00 | $880.00 |
| Ranked | #133 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #146 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 70 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 66 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.68 dB standard deviation | 2.77 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.67 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.90 (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 27 Hz (-5.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 106mm planar magnetic | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 70 ohms | 80 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 101 dB/mW | 104 dB SPL/mW |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (595 g) | 1 lbs (450 g) |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 23kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
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More worthwhile head-to-heads for Audeze LCD-2:
- Audeze LCD-2 vs Denon AH-D7200
- Audeze LCD-2 vs Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Noire
- Audeze LCD-2 vs Audeze LCD-GX
- Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Noire vs Focal Elear
- 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
Focal Elear: $880.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: The open back gives a spacious, airy presentation, and the 40 mm dynamic driver offers 104 dB per mW sensitivity. Mids from 200 Hz to 3 kHz stay within about 0.6 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. Bass from 60 to 200 Hz is within 1 dB of target.
Cons: Presence at 3 to 6 kHz is about 5.3 dB under and treble at 6 to 10 kHz about 6.1 dB under, with a 9 dB dip near 7.2 kHz, so detail and cymbals sound dull. Sub-bass is about 5.3 dB light, losing rumble. At 80 ohms and 450 g with an open back that leaks sound, it suits quiet home use, and the Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Noire matches its rating at a lower price.
Full Focal Elear review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.77 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 23kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 66 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 80 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB SPL/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.90 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1 lbs (450 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.6 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 | +6.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 89 Hz | -4.0 dB | 0.30 |
| Peak | 8,570 Hz | +4.6 dB | 1.63 |
| Peak | 4,461 Hz | +6.2 dB | 3.05 |
| Peak | 1,228 Hz | -2.4 dB | 1.79 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,156 Hz | +1.5 dB | 4.18 |
| Peak | 2,859 Hz | -1.0 dB | 3.87 |
| Peak | 6,120 Hz | -1.8 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 7,146 Hz | +2.1 dB | 5.93 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons