Short answer: the Audeze LCD-4z, though neither ranks well in its class. Both are rated 2.7/5 for sound quality (#392 and #397 of 481 over-ear headphones), and the Audeze LCD-4z costs $3,995 against $4,000 for the Meze Elite, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 481 over-ear headphones, and the Dan Clark Audio E3, ranked #1 at $2,299, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
What the Audeze LCD-4z does well: Its 106mm planar magnetic driver keeps the low mids right on the Harman target, so voices and instruments in the 200 Hz to 1 kHz range sound full and natural. Watch for: In oratory1990’s measurement the treble sits about 8 to 9 dB below target from 3 to 10 kHz, with a 14 dB hole near 9.1 kHz, so cymbals, string attack and detail sound muted and veiled.
What the Meze Elite does well: Lower mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, keeping voices and guitars natural. The tradeoff: Presence sits about 5.2 dB low with a 14.4 dB dip near 9.7 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite.
Buy the Audeze LCD-4z. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $5 less than the Meze Elite.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Its 106mm planar magnetic driver keeps the low mids right on the Harman target, so voices and instruments in the 200 Hz to 1 kHz range sound full and natural.
B&H Photo Video $3,995.00 eBay
Lower mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, keeping voices and guitars natural.
Headphones.com $4,000.00 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Audeze LCD-4z | Meze Elite | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,995.00 | $4,000.00 |
| Ranked | #392 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones | #397 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 53 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 52 (median of 5 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.62 dB standard deviation | 3.31 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.00 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.34 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 45 Hz (-6.3 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 38 Hz (-6.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 106mm planar magnetic | 1 x 102 x 73mm planar magnetic |
| Impedance | 15 ohms | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW | 101 dB/mW |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (560 g) | 0.8 lbs (372 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 3Hz - 112kHz |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
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