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

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.

2017-05-05T17:28:17

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.

2017-04-21T07:39:35

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.

2017-01-16T12:31:59

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

Ashley H.

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.

2016-12-03T16:53:43

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.

2016-08-29T13:45:07

its better than beyerdynamic t1 and sennheiser hd 700 IMO

YAM C.