Short answer: the Focal Stellia, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #370 of 481 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 2.9/5, at $2,999; the Audeze LCD-MX4 ranks #417, rated 2.5/5, at $2,995. With prices this close, go by the sound-quality ranking rather than the cost. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 481 over-ear headphones, so if sound quality matters, consider the Dan Clark Audio E3 instead, ranked #1 at $2,299.
The Focal Stellia is the better-sounding pick. 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 catch: 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.
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.
Buy the Focal Stellia. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $4 saving on the Audeze LCD-MX4 is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
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.
Amazon $2,999.00 eBay
Lower mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, keeping voices and guitars natural.
B&H Photo $2,995.00 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Stellia | Audeze LCD-MX4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,999.00 | $2,995.00 |
| Ranked | #370 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones | #417 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 56 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 49 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.04 dB standard deviation | 3.80 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.27 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.10 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.5 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 56 Hz (-7.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic (beryllium dome) | 1 x 106mm planar magnetic |
| Impedance | 35 ohms | 20 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB SPL/mW | 105 dB/mW |
| Weight | 1 lbs (435 g) | 1.2 lbs (550 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 50kHz |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to Focal Stellia: