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 Focal Stellia ranks #180, rated 2.9/5, and costs $2,280, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for 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.
What the Focal Stellia does well: A closed-back design with a beryllium dome driver keeps sound in and outside noise down, and the 35 ohm, 106 dB/mW load runs well from a phone or portable player. The tradeoff: Presence, treble and air all fall 4 to 7 dB below target, and oratory1990’s measurement shows a 12.8 dB dip near 9.7 kHz, so cymbals and detail sound dull and recessed.
Buy the Audeze LCD-3. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Focal Stellia and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audeze LCD-3 | Focal Stellia | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,945.00 | $2,280.00 |
| Ranked | #170 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #180 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 60 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 56 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.05 dB standard deviation | 3.04 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.06 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.27 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.9 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 106mm planar magnetic | 1 x 40mm dynamic (beryllium dome) |
| Impedance | 110 ohms | 35 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 101 dB/mW | 106 dB SPL/mW |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (635 g) | 1 lbs (435 g) |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
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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 Dan Clark Audio Voce
- HEDD Heddphone 2 vs Focal Stellia
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
Focal Stellia: $2,280.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: A closed-back design with a beryllium dome driver keeps sound in and outside noise down, and the 35 ohm, 106 dB/mW load runs well from a phone or portable player. Sub-bass is within 0.5 dB of target at 30 Hz and bass sits about 2.4 dB above, which suits listeners who like a warm, full low end.
Cons: Presence, treble and air all fall 4 to 7 dB below target, and oratory1990’s measurement shows a 12.8 dB dip near 9.7 kHz, so cymbals and detail sound dull and recessed. At 435 g it is heavy for a closed headphone. The Audeze LCD-3 rates higher at a lower price.
Full Focal Stellia review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.04 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic (beryllium dome) |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 56 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 35 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB SPL/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.27 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1 lbs (435 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.5 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 | -0.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,929 Hz | +3.8 dB | 0.18 |
| Peak | 106 Hz | -5.9 dB | 1.22 |
| Peak | 1,706 Hz | -3.4 dB | 1.03 |
| Peak | 49 Hz | +2.7 dB | 1.02 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 297 Hz | +1.3 dB | 1.62 |
| Peak | 6,023 Hz | -3.3 dB | 5.53 |
| Peak | 4,268 Hz | +3.1 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 164 Hz | -0.9 dB | 2.58 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons