Short answer: the Fostex TH909. It ranks #163 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.1/5, at $1,849.37; the Audeze LCD-3 ranks #170, rated 3.0/5, and costs $1,945, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
Why pick the Fostex TH909: An open-back wired design with a 50mm driver, 25 ohms and 100 dB/mW sensitivity, so it runs from most sources without a dedicated amplifier. The catch: Open back means sound leaks out and outside noise leaks in, so it only suits quiet rooms.
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 catch: 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.
Buy the Fostex TH909. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Audeze LCD-3 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Fostex TH909 | Audeze LCD-3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,849.37 | $1,945.00 |
| Ranked | #163 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #170 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 62 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 60 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.82 dB standard deviation | 3.05 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.08 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.06 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.3 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic | 1 x 106mm planar magnetic |
| Impedance | 25 ohms | 110 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW | 101 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Weight | - | 1.4 lbs (635 g) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Fostex TH909:
- Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT vs Fostex TH909
- Fostex TH909 vs HEDD Heddphone 2
- Audeze LCD-3 vs HEDD Heddphone 2
- Audeze LCD-3 vs Audio-Technica ATH-AWAS
- Audeze LCD-3 vs Focal Stellia
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The Two Headphones In Full
Fostex TH909: $1,849.37 Amazon eBay
Pros: An open-back wired design with a 50mm driver, 25 ohms and 100 dB/mW sensitivity, so it runs from most sources without a dedicated amplifier. Bass is generous, about 2 to 4 dB over target from the sub-bass up through the low mids, which gives a warm and full presentation. The airy open design gives a spacious soundstage feel, and the range above 10 kHz sits about 2 dB over target.
Cons: Open back means sound leaks out and outside noise leaks in, so it only suits quiet rooms. Presence is lifted about 2.4 dB, with a 6.4 dB peak near 5.6 kHz and a 6.3 dB dip near 9.5 kHz, which can make voices and cymbals sound uneven. The warm low mids and uneven treble keep it well short of the target curve for the price.
Full Fostex TH909 review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.82 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 62 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 25 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.08 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.8 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 | -0.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 304 Hz | -4.1 dB | 0.45 |
| Peak | 1,426 Hz | +4.2 dB | 0.54 |
| Peak | 5,590 Hz | -6.2 dB | 4.31 |
| Peak | 9,044 Hz | +3.2 dB | 1.56 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -4.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,533 Hz | +2.0 dB | 4.27 |
| Peak | 3,371 Hz | -2.4 dB | 4.80 |
| Peak | 1,696 Hz | -1.0 dB | 3.46 |
| Peak | 2,300 Hz | +0.6 dB | 3.30 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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