Short answer: the Warwick Acoustics Bravura. It ranks #45 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $2,395; the Audeze LCD-2 Closed Back ranks #69, rated 4.0/5, and costs $2,839.97, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
What the Warwick Acoustics Bravura does well: A preference score of 85 in oratory1990’s measurement, with low mids within 0.2 dB of target so vocals, piano and strings sound natural and uncolored. Watch for: It is electrostatic and needs a dedicated electrostatic energizer; it will not run from a phone or standard headphone amp.
What the Audeze LCD-2 Closed Back does well: A preference score of 81 with a deviation of 2.2 dB in oratory1990’s measurement is a good result for a closed-back planar magnetic. The catch: Sub-bass is about 4.5 dB under target, and treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 3.4 dB low, with a 10.7 dB dip near 9.1 kHz that rounds off cymbals and detail.
Buy the Warwick Acoustics Bravura. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Audeze LCD-2 Closed Back and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Warwick Acoustics Bravura | Audeze LCD-2 Closed Back | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,395.00 | $2,839.97 |
| Ranked | #45 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #69 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 81 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.91 dB standard deviation | 2.22 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.36 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.36 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 45 Hz (-6.9 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Driver Type | Electrostatic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x single-ended electrostatic (3570mm² diaphragm) | 1 x 106mm planar magnetic |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (403 g) | - |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 60kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Impedance | - | 70 ohms |
| Sensitivity | - | 101 dB/mW |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Warwick Acoustics Bravura:
- Dan Clark Audio E3 vs Warwick Acoustics Bravura
- Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000 vs Warwick Acoustics Bravura
- HIFIMAN HE6 vs Warwick Acoustics Bravura
- AKG K812 vs Warwick Acoustics Bravura
- Audeze LCD-2 Closed Back vs HIFIMAN HE1000 V2
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
Warwick Acoustics Bravura: $2,395.00 Headphones.com eBay
Pros: A preference score of 85 in oratory1990’s measurement, with low mids within 0.2 dB of target so vocals, piano and strings sound natural and uncolored. The response is smooth through the midrange, and its relaxed treble (about 4 dB under target from 6 to 10 kHz) stays easy to listen to for long sessions. It rates level with the AKG K812 and above the HIFIMAN HE1000se.
Cons: It is electrostatic and needs a dedicated electrostatic energizer; it will not run from a phone or standard headphone amp. Sub-bass falls 6 dB below target at 45 Hz and an 8.3 dB dip near 6.3 kHz dulls cymbals, so bass-heavy and bright recordings lose some impact. At 403 g it is heavy, and the open back leaks sound.
Full Warwick Acoustics Bravura review and specifications →
| Released | 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.91 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Electrostatic |
| Drivers | 1 x single-ended electrostatic (3570mm² diaphragm) |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 60kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 45 Hz (-6.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.36 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (403 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.8 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 | +6.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 606 Hz | -2.6 dB | 1.18 |
| Peak | 74 Hz | -5.2 dB | 1.45 |
| Peak | 7,673 Hz | +1.9 dB | 0.18 |
| Peak | 1,097 Hz | -3.8 dB | 5.72 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,464 Hz | +2.2 dB | 3.07 |
| Peak | 4,978 Hz | -1.8 dB | 3.76 |
| Peak | 205 Hz | -0.8 dB | 2.12 |
| Peak | 6,414 Hz | +3.0 dB | 5.94 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Audeze LCD-2 Closed Back: $2,839.97 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 81 with a deviation of 2.2 dB in oratory1990’s measurement is a good result for a closed-back planar magnetic. Bass from 60 to 200 Hz and the midrange sit within 1 dB of target, giving full, natural tone. A 106 mm planar driver at 70 ohms and 101 dB/mW is efficient enough for most desktop amps, and the closed back keeps sound in.
Cons: Sub-bass is about 4.5 dB under target, and treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 3.4 dB low, with a 10.7 dB dip near 9.1 kHz that rounds off cymbals and detail. The price is far higher than rivals like the Dan Clark Audio E3, which has a higher rating at a lower cost.
Full Audeze LCD-2 Closed Back review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.22 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 | 81 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 70 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 101 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.36 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.5 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 | +5.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 102 Hz | -3.2 dB | 0.41 |
| Peak | 3,605 Hz | +3.7 dB | 2.40 |
| Peak | 1,346 Hz | -2.1 dB | 1.57 |
| Peak | 396 Hz | +2.0 dB | 1.79 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -4.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 5,771 Hz | -3.9 dB | 5.45 |
| Peak | 4,350 Hz | +1.7 dB | 5.21 |
| Peak | 2,469 Hz | +0.7 dB | 3.08 |
| Peak | 1,736 Hz | -0.4 dB | 2.93 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons