AUDEZE LCD-2 High-Performance Planar Magnetic Headphones with Travel Case, Aluminum with Lambskin Leather Ear Cushions

2022-04-25T21:45:51

I really enjoy this head phone adorama camera staff was great and they were very helpful

Bill E.

2018-10-23T13:31:37

These are the type of audio product that really separates the good recordings from the bad, going through my own library now and have been very pleased with the sound on some recordings and not so much on others. A good amp is critical as well, they need power to get the most out of them. I started with the headphones output of my TEAC UD-503 and recently added a Woo Audio WA6-SE headphone amp which takes them to a new level. As far as build quality they are top notch except the cable feels a little cheap for this price point.

CHRISTOPHER C.

2018-01-17T12:14:52

Had this for a little over 2 weeks now and really love the warm sound signature of these. I originally used these with the Fiios E10k and wasn't so pleased with the soundstage. However, a friend lent me his Chord Mojo and it really opened up the sound signature. The soundstage improved, highs no longer distorted and the bass gave a warm feeling much like my older Denon Ah D7000s. I would definitely recommend

Meng-Chieh H.

2017-11-01T08:43:21

I can't get over how comfortable these are. I have a Focal Elear and get a little fatigued at the clamp pressure, but the LCD-2 is just great. It's like sliding into a perfectly formed ear pillow. The sound is gorgeous. As good as the Focal Elear for sound reproduction and quality of build.

Ethan H.

2017-10-21T16:28:45

I was an avid fan of the HD650's and the Hifiman 400i until I head these.

David M.

2017-07-28T19:49:56

Warning! The stock cables are garbage!!. Too much of a treble boost and a off balanced sound. Highly recommend buying the LCD 4 cables or after market brands. Not knowing anything, I decided to have a second pair of cables for backup and purchased the 399 set from Adorama along with the LCD 2. I'm so happy I did that. Anyway, gave the muffins an extra 4 day burn in time. I almost threw the headphones in the trash before I swapped out the cables. Sounds way better with the upgraded Audeze Kimber cables. The sound signature is a flat frequency with a medium bass boost and some color in the 2k-20khz portion. Couples perfect with the Apogee groove 30th. Plays good without an amp but you lose some mid range and gain some bass. The headphones are very comfortable and sturdy. Beautiful quality. The Rosewood has a nice finish and feel. Would consider a Bamboo construction for a higher demand...... What about liquid wood LCD's???

jacoub s.

2017-07-17T11:10:09

Excellent sound compared to what I had with my sennheisers. The bass response is fantastic in my opinion. Many ppl mention that they are a little veil in the very high frequencies but I find them very good Highly recommended

Joel S.

2017-06-06T13:57:45

Excellent combo. These headphones are a beast. They sound really good, but only if driven by a very good and powerful amp. I have a desktop amp and I never was able to drive the lcd2 with a portable amp satisfactorily, however the ifi idsd drive then effortlessly.

Felipe C.

2017-06-05T19:32:10

I'm coming from DT880 and I like the sound of these cans a lot, especially low end. I would say that I enjoy listening to these headphones more the only downside is that they are quite heavy and not as comfortable as Beyerdynamics.

DMYTRO K.

2017-05-09T09:37:45

Very good headphones. Coming as someone who loves hearing the sub-bass and bass, as neutral as these are with the 2.2 Fazer drivers, they present everything as I feel music should sound (and as it does in a live setting) - not completely ruler flat neutral but the slightest of boost to the low end,l but never bloated. Lows are crystal clear and you can really differentiate between notes and timbre's, the mids are pleasing, and they definitely offer a lot of nice sparkle up top when it's called for.

Stefan K.

2017-05-08T15:26:48

Highly disappointing in the build quality of the headphones. Barely out of return period and I already have a chip in the wood finish. They want $ to fix it because it is apparently it can only be abuse and not a flaw in the finish. I love the sound, but the QC is very low and I am likely to end up with a very expensive paperweight at this rate.

Matthew M.

2017-05-05T17:28:17

Absolutely fantastic headphones. Worth ever penny.

Matt K.

2017-05-03T07:07:58

Background: I've had the chance to try lots of different headphones over the years, originally starting with IEMs like every poor kid, to wireless gaming headsets out of convenience, Bose Tri-Ports, Sennheiser HD600, 650, 6xx, 700, & 800, Beyerdynamics DT 990 & 770 Pros, Fostex TH900 & THX00 (kept a pair of the purplehearts), Audeze LCD-X & LCD3, now 15 years later finally making my way back to a fazored edition of the LCD-2. With each addition to the collection I knew something was missing. Something I have now found and at a lower price point than some other headphones I've tried. Pros: + These LCD-2's are perfect for jazz, classical, rock, and hip-hop. Maybe country, but I don’t really listen to country. + Bass: I like these for hip-hop and EDM, but prefer my Fostex TH-X00 Purple Hearts, because those are bass cannons. However, you still get wonderful bass from these cans, especially if they are your only pair. I could see these being the only pair of headphones someone has and it would make complete sense. + The price to performance ratio. There is an exponential drop-off in the audiophile world where more $$$ does not equate to an equivalent bump in performance. These LCD-2’s are simply THE BEST sub-$1000 headphones money can buy and to be perfectly honest, beat every >$1000 headphone I have heard (to date). To my ears, better than the LCD-X and LCD-3. Your mileage may vary. + Sennheiser HD6x0 comparison: Some people will tell you those are the best headphones money can buy. I don’t agree with this. Listening to the LCD-2 makes going back to cans - like the Sennheiser HD6x0 - you quickly realize you are missing something; most notably bass, warmth, and immersion. + Aluminum versus wood? I have a wood desk and the contrast of the wood versus the aluminum on the headphones + Schiit AMP/DAC pairing really make these stand out. Cons: - You NEED an external amp. This should go without saying, but the power requirements make that clear. Using a 3.5mm connector on my Uber Schiit stack versus a balanced cable on my Schiit Jotunheim is night and day (from a power standpoint). I don’t think it changes the sound as much as provides a wider range of…loudness…That said, Uber stack works fine for everyday listening. Plenty of other amps to choose from out there, but run these off a laptop or your onboard audio on your desktop and you’re gonna have a bad time. - Some people complain about the weight, but it really isn't an issue for me. Your mileage may vary here, as apparently a lot of people have weak necks? - The soundstage isn't the largest I have ever heard, but it is nowhere near as cramped as a closed or semi-open pair of headphones. It could be better, but it is really a minor concern as you still have an immersive experience. - Open-back. You know what you’re getting into with open-back headphones. Don’t use these in an office setting unless you love everyone knowing exactly what you’re listening to at full volume… - Aluminum instead of wood? I actually prefer the Adorama exclusive aluminum over the rosewood or bamboo options, but that is a personal preference. Current Headphone Collection: 1. LCD-2 Fazored Aluminum Adorama exclusive 2. Fostex TH-X00 Purplehearts 3. Sennheiser HD6xx (don’t use these anymore) 4. Beyerdynamics DT770 Pro 250ohm (for office use, since they are closed) Those are powered by either an Uber Schiit stack or Schiit Jotunheim AMP+DAC, depending on which desk I’m using. I also have a pair of Jaybird X Bluetooth IEMs that are perfect for the gym, but those don’t compare to a sedentary listening experience capability from the other headphones I listed. Final Thoughts: These are a lot of people’s end-game headphones and for good reason. I’ll pass these along to my kids.

Joshua Y.

2017-04-23T09:50:24

Fast shipping great product

EUGENE S.

2017-04-22T20:48:38

Audeze LCD-2 are the gateway to high-end audio. Lush romantic sound, and sounds great with all genres ifI delivers clean power to the Audezes, so this is a great combo LCD-2 matches well with iDSD BL Cons: LCD-2 is heavy. But it doesn't bother me because I got a neck of a WWE star LCD-2 packaging could use some refinement. My case had lot of dirt marks, and inside contents were not very organized. Still working with adorama to find out whats that about

MAHEEDHAR R.

2017-04-21T07:39:35

I found these required a few hours of burn in before they start sounding to their full musical potential. Out of the box they sound below the M1060 (wannabe lcd2), but after a few hours they out perform the M1060 in overall SQ. It is also better than built than the usual wood variant since its Aluminium. Comfort wise, I didn't have any issue with the weight or hotspot on the top of my head but I did find the head clamp a bit tighter than I'm used to but it should improve after a few days of break it in on my head.

John V.

2017-02-15T10:37:27

Not yet fully burn in but the mids are fantastic. The bass is full and tight. Soundstage is ample but not enourmous. They are heavier than many but very very comfortable. I can wear them for several hours no problem. The idsd black lable is amazing as well The sound quality is top notch and also works as a preamp. The many modes for power and sensitivity tailors to any type of headphone confidently. Using this combo together is great however the lcd-2 are going to be mainly driven by marantz gear.

Joel S.

2017-01-16T12:31:59

9/10 Fantastic for electronic music. Outstanding CS from Adorama, shipping to the UK was fast.

Ashley H.

2016-12-14T08:00:53

The Audeze LCD-2 headphones have excellent sound once they are broken in. I ran them for about 100 hours before doing any critical listening. At first I listened to them new and was unimpressed with the sound. After the break in they were markedly improved and became excellent. The break in allowed the bass and treble to open up in clarity and definition, and the musical imaging became 3 D with clear space around the instruments. Excellent!

Mike C.

2016-12-12T15:54:33

The LCD-2 Has a wide sound stage and great sound signature. For the money I paid for It was a great buy. The only down side it has is the head phone weights more than it's competitors, and long listening may not be as enjoyable.

MANTO C.

2016-12-12T12:29:09

like it very much

Chao Z.

2016-12-11T14:10:23

Amazing headphones with stunning sound quality. Yes they are quite big and on the heavy side but are still comfortable enough for long listening sessions. Feed them with some power to really get them to sound their best.

DAN W.

2016-12-03T16:53:43

Right of the box I was very disappointed because I thought maybe I got a bum pair but after my more powerful headphone amplifier arrived I was very pleased. My setup is a very digital setup, MacBook Pro, Ifi Isilencers(on all usb ports), Oppo HA-2 DAC/Amp and a Ifi Ican SE Amplifier. I had done a lot of research on these headphones prior to purchasing. One of my main concerns was the power needed to properly drive them and at the time of purchase I only had the Oppo HA-2 Dac/Amp. While the Oppo HA-2 is a great portable device that has served me well its power was not enough despite what I had seen on many reviews/online forums regarding these headphones. Without the new headphone amplifier they were noticeably screaming for power, the sound was terrible and I was freaking out that I bought what I consider to be an expensive pair of headphones that sounded awful compared to my Pm-3 closed back planar travel headphones. I knew that my headphone amplifier would be arriving in 2 days so I waited to give them another try. Patience in the case was well rewarded as the added power(I have the headphone amplifier turned all the way up at 4000mw, probably overkill as Audeze says 1-4 watts) made a huge difference. I listen to a wide range of music and the headphones sound amazing with the only drawback being that even though music sounds fantastic and every vocal sung, string plucked and bass boom is beautifully delivered they also deliver every flaw that bad mixing or converting adds to the recording, even more so than my $400 pair of headphones. For people like me this can be a distraction but I have other headphones that I can use for the music made without any actual instruments that are filled with digital artifacts, you know studio keyboard mixes that synthesize actual instruments, and lesser quality DSD conversions. As a reference I do not own or play any music less than 16/44.1 and for the most part I have 24/48 and up files through to double DSD. All in all I love the headphones and when properly powered these are a thing of beauty which can not be faulted for bad source material. The headphones have helped me realize I now need to research more about the music I purchase and investigate how that "remastered" album sounds compared to the original.

Jason T.

2016-08-30T08:35:22

Great headphones! I use these cans with the Woo Audio Fireflies Wa7d with the Audioquest Carbon USB and Macbook Pro and the sound is simply amazing. Each musical instrument is distinctively clear and warm. Very rich midrange. I'm getting a separate music player to improve the sound even further.

Leon T.

2016-08-29T13:45:07

its better than beyerdynamic t1 and sennheiser hd 700 IMO

YAM C.

2016-07-21T10:31:48

This is an amazing piece of technology. From design to delivery, the LCD-2 just boast quality. I'm no audiophile but do enjoy listening to music as close as possible to it's native form. Very impressive sound stage and is non-fatiguing. I've put in 40+ hours so far and the damn thing just keeps getting better and better. Paired with a quality dac/amp and this pair of headphones shines like a diamond. I place myself in the average/typical music listener that uses Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal to stream music, with a mild collection of FLAC music ranging from hip-hop, jazz, alternative, country, and classical. Plugging the headphones directly to my MBPr 15' 2015 sounds surprisingly decent. a few clicks away from max volume still maintains comfortable listening level. Plugging the headphones to an Aune X1S 5th gen was definitely night and day compared to the MBPr. More sound stage presence with the dac and the amp just brings everything to life. Plugging the headphones to a JDS Labs Objective 2 ODAC/AMP brought everything upfront. Higher bass and higher treble. Vocals directly right in your face. Was a bit harsh at times for my taste. Ordered an Ifi Micro iDSD and can't wait to try this unit on the LCD-2. I must say that the Aune X1S does a great job of enhancing the LCD-2; not change sonically but brought everything up a notch. X1S is a very clean, pass me sum' mo honey goodness with the LCD-2. I'm sticking with this setup for a long while...until of course when wife increases my allowance to purchase more toys. I'm a noob at this hobby so my only comparison is with a Bowers&Wilkins P7 and P5, RHA T10i IEM, Sony MDR7506, and apple ear pods..haha Overall, I love the laid back sonics of the LCD-2 and very happy with the purchase. Take my review with a grain of salt. Google search the LCD-2 if you need more convincing. :-)

Joevert G.

2015-12-22T09:46:48

Simply put, the headphones are amazing. I haven't used the included AK Jr. as it wouldn't drive them and they require decent amplification. The headphones are very well crafted, the lambskin earpads are like pillows on your ears, incredibly comfortable. The sound these headphones deliver is just as I stated simply amazing.. I was worried they would be slightly too neutral or cold, but the bass they deliver extends very well, it's very strong, controlled, and present when the song calls for it. Mids are lush and detailed but not overly forward. Highs are very tame, but still present making for a very non-fatiguing listening experience....

KEITH H.