Short answer: the Audio-Technica ATH-AWAS. Both are rated 3.0/5 for sound quality (#166 and #170 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the Audio-Technica ATH-AWAS costs $1,499 against $1,945 for the Audeze LCD-3, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
What the Audeze LCD-3 does well: The 106mm planar magnetic driver and open back give a warm, full presentation with low mids sitting about 1 dB above target, a good match for listeners who favor a relaxed, dark sound. Watch for: In oratory1990’s measurement presence averages 6.6 dB and treble 5.8 dB below target, with a 9 dB dip near 9.6 kHz, so vocals lose bite and cymbals sound muted.
Why pick the Audio-Technica ATH-AWAS: A wired closed-back headphone with a large 53mm driver, 40 ohms and 99 dB/mW sensitivity, which a phone can drive at moderate volumes though a headphone amplifier will suit it better. The catch: The response is fairly uneven, with a standard deviation near 3.7 dB.
Buy the Audio-Technica ATH-AWAS. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $446 less than the Audeze LCD-3.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audeze LCD-3 | Audio-Technica ATH-AWAS | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,945.00 | $1,499.00 |
| Ranked | #170 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #166 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 60 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 60 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.05 dB standard deviation | 3.69 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.06 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.53 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.9 dB at 30 Hz) | - |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 106mm planar magnetic | 1 x 53mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 110 ohms | 40 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 101 dB/mW | 99 dB/mW |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (635 g) | 0.9 lbs (395 g) |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 42kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Audio-Technica ATH-AWAS:
- Sendy Peacock vs Audio-Technica ATH-AWAS
- Fostex TH900mk2 vs Audio-Technica ATH-AWAS
- Audio-Technica ATH-AWAS vs Beyerdynamic DT 1350
- Fostex TH909 vs Audeze LCD-3
- Audeze LCD-3 vs HEDD Heddphone 2
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-3: $1,945.00 B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: The 106mm planar magnetic driver and open back give a warm, full presentation with low mids sitting about 1 dB above target, a good match for listeners who favor a relaxed, dark sound. Sensitivity of 101 dB/mW at 110 ohms means it reaches comfortable levels without a powerful amplifier. It is rated above the Dan Clark Audio Voce and Focal Stellia, both of which cost more.
Cons: In oratory1990’s measurement presence averages 6.6 dB and treble 5.8 dB below target, with a 9 dB dip near 9.6 kHz, so vocals lose bite and cymbals sound muted. Sub-bass falls 6 dB below target by 27 Hz, so the lowest synth notes lack weight, and at 635 g it is a very heavy headphone. The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95 earns a higher rating for less money.
Full Audeze LCD-3 review and specifications →
| Released | 2011 (15 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.05 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 | 60 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 110 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 101 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.06 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (635 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.9 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 | +3.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 224 Hz | -3.0 dB | 0.40 |
| Peak | 4,007 Hz | +5.4 dB | 1.18 |
| Peak | 8,474 Hz | +3.2 dB | 1.40 |
| Peak | 918 Hz | -2.2 dB | 1.22 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -8.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 10,000 Hz | +3.7 dB | 1.36 |
| Peak | 2,156 Hz | +0.5 dB | 4.75 |
| Peak | 5,405 Hz | -1.8 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 4,782 Hz | +1.0 dB | 5.80 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Audio-Technica ATH-AWAS: $1,499.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: A wired closed-back headphone with a large 53mm driver, 40 ohms and 99 dB/mW sensitivity, which a phone can drive at moderate volumes though a headphone amplifier will suit it better. Its Harman preference score of 60 in crinacle’s measurement shows a response that is reasonably close to target. The rated range of 5 Hz to 42 kHz points to a wide, extended design.
Cons: The response is fairly uneven, with a standard deviation near 3.7 dB. At 395 g it is heavy for long sessions, and it has no wireless option or microphone. The price is extremely high for this score, and the Focal Elear has a higher rating for less money.
Full Audio-Technica ATH-AWAS review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2019 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.69 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 53mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 42kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 60 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 40 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 99 dB/mW |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.53 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (395 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.2 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 | +6.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 7,334 Hz | +6.5 dB | 0.38 |
| Peak | 258 Hz | -3.4 dB | 0.58 |
| Peak | 1,856 Hz | -4.5 dB | 1.50 |
| Peak | 4,512 Hz | -6.3 dB | 3.33 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 167 Hz | +2.0 dB | 3.76 |
| Peak | 97 Hz | -1.9 dB | 3.56 |
| Peak | 59 Hz | +0.6 dB | 1.80 |
| Peak | 230 Hz | -1.0 dB | 3.01 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons