Short answer: the Audeze LCD-3. Both are rated 3.0/5 for sound quality (#170 and #172 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the Audeze LCD-3 costs $1,945 against $1,999 for the HEDD Heddphone 2, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
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. The tradeoff: 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 HEDD Heddphone 2: A full range Air Motion Transformer driver sets it apart from conventional dynamic and planar designs, and the open back gives a spacious presentation. Watch for: oratory1990’s measurement shows treble about 8.9 dB below target with an 11.8 dB dip near 9.6 kHz, which leaves cymbals and air sounding muffled, and sub-bass falls 6 dB short by 47 Hz.
Buy the Audeze LCD-3. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $54 less than the HEDD Heddphone 2.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audeze LCD-3 | HEDD Heddphone 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,945.00 | $1,999.00 |
| Ranked | #170 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #172 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 60 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 60 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.05 dB standard deviation | 3.17 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.06 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.95 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.9 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 47 Hz (-7.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Air Motion Transformer |
| Drivers | 1 x 106mm planar magnetic | 1 x Air Motion Transformer (full range) |
| Impedance | 110 ohms | 41 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 101 dB/mW | 89 dB/mW |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (635 g) | 1.2 lbs (550 g) |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 40kHz (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 Dan Clark Audio Voce
- Audeze LCD-3 vs Focal Stellia
- Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT vs HEDD Heddphone 2
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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
HEDD Heddphone 2: $1,999.00 HEDD eBay
Pros: A full range Air Motion Transformer driver sets it apart from conventional dynamic and planar designs, and the open back gives a spacious presentation. In oratory1990’s measurement the low mids sit about 0.8 dB above target, and its warm tilt suits listeners who dislike bright treble. Its rating equals the Audeze LCD-3 and sits above the Dan Clark Audio Voce.
Cons: oratory1990’s measurement shows treble about 8.9 dB below target with an 11.8 dB dip near 9.6 kHz, which leaves cymbals and air sounding muffled, and sub-bass falls 6 dB short by 47 Hz. At 89 dB/mW it needs a dedicated headphone amp to reach comfortable levels. It weighs 550 g, and the open back leaks sound and offers no isolation. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full HEDD Heddphone 2 review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.17 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Air Motion Transformer |
| Drivers | 1 x Air Motion Transformer (full range) |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 60 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 41 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 89 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 47 Hz (-7.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.95 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (550 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.0 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 | +7.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 126 Hz | -3.6 dB | 0.26 |
| Peak | 6,938 Hz | +5.6 dB | 1.34 |
| Peak | 1,094 Hz | -2.8 dB | 3.12 |
| Peak | 9,336 Hz | +3.0 dB | 2.62 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -4.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,136 Hz | +3.1 dB | 2.31 |
| Peak | 1,441 Hz | -1.4 dB | 3.31 |
| Peak | 3,207 Hz | -1.8 dB | 5.46 |
| Peak | 131 Hz | +0.4 dB | 2.04 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons