Short answer: the Audeze LCD-3. It ranks #170 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.0/5, at $1,945; the Dan Clark Audio Voce ranks #179, rated 2.9/5, and costs $2,599, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
Why pick the Audeze LCD-3: 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.
The case for the Dan Clark Audio Voce: It uses an 88mm electrostatic driver in an open back design, a rare driver type among current headphones. The catch: A preference score of 56 from crinacle’s measurement puts its tonal balance far from what most listeners prefer.
Buy the Audeze LCD-3. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Dan Clark Audio Voce and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audeze LCD-3 | Dan Clark Audio Voce | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,945.00 | $2,599.00 |
| Ranked | #170 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #179 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 60 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 56 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.05 dB standard deviation | 4.06 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.06 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.48 (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 | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Electrostatic |
| Drivers | 1 x 106mm planar magnetic | 1 x 88mm electrostatic |
| Impedance | 110 ohms | - |
| Sensitivity | 101 dB/mW | - |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (635 g) | - |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Audeze LCD-3:
- Fostex TH909 vs Audeze LCD-3
- Audeze LCD-3 vs Audio-Technica ATH-AWAS
- Audeze LCD-3 vs HEDD Heddphone 2
- Audeze LCD-3 vs Focal Stellia
- HEDD Heddphone 2 vs Dan Clark Audio Voce
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
Dan Clark Audio Voce: $2,599.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: It uses an 88mm electrostatic driver in an open back design, a rare driver type among current headphones. It is rated above the Sennheiser HD 820 and the AKG K872 Pro and rated the same as the more expensive Focal Stellia.
Cons: A preference score of 56 from crinacle’s measurement puts its tonal balance far from what most listeners prefer. As an electrostatic design it needs a dedicated energizer rather than a normal headphone amp, which adds substantially to the system cost. The Audeze LCD-3 earns a higher rating for less money.
Full Dan Clark Audio Voce review and specifications →
| Released | 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 4.06 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Electrostatic |
| Drivers | 1 x 88mm electrostatic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 56 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.48 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.9 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 | +6.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,149 Hz | -7.5 dB | 1.65 |
| Peak | 273 Hz | -1.7 dB | 0.18 |
| Peak | 2,121 Hz | +5.4 dB | 1.37 |
| Peak | 8,560 Hz | +5.7 dB | 1.81 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +3.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,724 Hz | -4.6 dB | 5.65 |
| Peak | 3,207 Hz | +2.8 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 79 Hz | -0.7 dB | 2.76 |
| Peak | 5,558 Hz | +1.9 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons