Short answer: the Focal Utopia 2022. It ranks #125 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $4,089. The Audeze LCD-4z ranks #187, rated 2.7/5, at $3,995, $94 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Focal Utopia 2022 is the better-sounding pick. The midrange is very close to target, within about 0.7 dB from 60 Hz through 3 kHz, so vocals and instruments sit naturally. The tradeoff: Sub-bass is about 5.5 dB under target and treble is about 5.4 dB low from 6 to 10 kHz, with a 12.6 dB dip near 10 kHz, so cymbals and air sound muted and deep bass lacks rumble.
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. The tradeoff: 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.
Buy the Focal Utopia 2022. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $94 you would save on the Audeze LCD-4z does not close the gap.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Utopia 2022 | Audeze LCD-4z | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,089.00 | $3,995.00 |
| Ranked | #125 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #187 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 71 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 53 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.62 dB standard deviation | 3.62 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.70 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.00 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 30 Hz (-6.0 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 45 Hz (-6.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic | 1 x 106mm planar magnetic |
| Impedance | 80 ohms | 15 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB SPL/mW | 98 dB/mW |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs (490 g) | 1.2 lbs (560 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
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- Audeze LCD-4z vs Yamaha YH-5000SE
- Dan Clark Audio Voce vs Audeze LCD-4z
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
Focal Utopia 2022: $4,089.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: The midrange is very close to target, within about 0.7 dB from 60 Hz through 3 kHz, so vocals and instruments sit naturally. A 2.62 dB deviation and a preference score of 71 show a smooth profile with no large peaks, the biggest being only 0.3 dB near 1.5 kHz. An 80 ohm, 104 dB/mW design is manageable from a decent amplifier, and the open back gives a spacious presentation.
Cons: Sub-bass is about 5.5 dB under target and treble is about 5.4 dB low from 6 to 10 kHz, with a 12.6 dB dip near 10 kHz, so cymbals and air sound muted and deep bass lacks rumble. Presence is also about 3 dB low, which makes the sound dark and veiled. It weighs 490 g, the open back leaks sound, and it sits well below higher rated rivals like the HIFIMAN Susvara.
Full Focal Utopia 2022 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.62 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 71 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 80 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB SPL/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 30 Hz (-6.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.70 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs (490 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.3 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 | +9.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 65 Hz | -5.4 dB | 0.33 |
| Peak | 1,227 Hz | -3.1 dB | 1.92 |
| Peak | 10,000 Hz | +6.3 dB | 0.87 |
| Peak | 1,980 Hz | +2.9 dB | 3.30 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 5,018 Hz | +2.9 dB | 4.42 |
| Peak | 5,972 Hz | -3.2 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 3,000 Hz | -1.7 dB | 4.41 |
| Peak | 3,578 Hz | +1.5 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Audeze LCD-4z: $3,995.00 B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: 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. The low 15 ohm impedance and 98 dB/mW sensitivity mean it does not need a high voltage amplifier to reach good volume. Listeners who like a warm, dark presentation are its best match.
Cons: 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. Sub-bass also runs about 6 dB short below 60 Hz, and at 560 g it is a very heavy open back headphone that leaks sound. The Focal Utopia 2022 is rated higher at a similar price.
Full Audeze LCD-4z review and specifications →
| Released | May 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.62 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 106mm planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 53 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 15 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 45 Hz (-6.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.00 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (560 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.3 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 | +3.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,020 Hz | -4.4 dB | 1.42 |
| Peak | 3,720 Hz | +6.3 dB | 1.81 |
| Peak | 8,839 Hz | +4.6 dB | 1.61 |
| Peak | 267 Hz | -2.5 dB | 0.46 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -5.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,999 Hz | +1.5 dB | 4.03 |
| Peak | 5,676 Hz | -2.2 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 6,879 Hz | +3.1 dB | 5.52 |
| Peak | 1,402 Hz | -0.7 dB | 3.80 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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