Short answer: the Fostex TH900, though neither ranks well in its class. Both are rated 2.5/5 for sound quality (#421 and #417 of 481 over-ear headphones), and the Fostex TH900 costs $1,999.99 against $2,995 for the Audeze LCD-MX4, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 481 over-ear headphones; for better sound, the Dan Clark Audio E3 ranks #1 at $2,299.
What the Audeze LCD-MX4 does well: Lower mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, keeping voices and guitars natural. The tradeoff: Presence sits about 7.4 dB low with a 17 dB dip near 9.3 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite.
The case for the Fostex TH900: The closed back isolates well, and at 25 ohms and 100 dB/mW it plays loud from modest sources without a dedicated amp. The catch: A preference score of 48 in crinacle’s measurement places it well away from the Harman target, so most listeners will hear a strongly colored balance unless they apply EQ.
Buy the Fostex TH900. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $995.01 less than the Audeze LCD-MX4.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Lower mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, keeping voices and guitars natural.
B&H Photo $2,995.00 eBay
The closed back isolates well, and at 25 ohms and 100 dB/mW it plays loud from modest sources without a dedicated amp.
Amazon $1,999.99 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-MX4 | Fostex TH900 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,995.00 | $1,999.99 |
| Ranked | #417 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones | #421 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 106mm planar magnetic | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 20 ohms | 25 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 105 dB/mW | 100 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 50kHz | 5Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (550 g) | 0.9 lbs (400 g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 49 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 48 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.80 dB standard deviation | 3.58 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.10 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.38 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 56 Hz (-7.1 dB at 30 Hz) | - |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
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