Man listening to music by volcano

A Headphone for Every Personality

Ricky Kovacs / Headphone Guides


We're all looking for acoustic perfection. It's a daunting task, but it's a task that Audeze has taken to heart from the very beginning. Their first headphone, the LCD-2, received high praise worldwide; some even calling it one of the greatest headphones ever made. Moon Audio was at CanJam Chicago when they showed us the first prototype. They were released later at CanJam RMAF and it was a monumental event. But they didn't stop there. When there's always room for improvement, so too the pursuit of perfection.

And that's the beauty of Audeze: innovation. Just when a model arrives on the market it seems like they are announcing the next up-and-coming headphone. Don't like a sound signature on one of their headphones? That's okay. There's plenty of others to try that will be more tailored to your listening style.

Don't know where to start? How about right here...

Audeze LCD-4
Audeze LCD-4
Audeze LCD-4
Audeze LCD-4
Audeze LCD-4

California Dreamin'

Audeze LCD-4Z

Like all brilliant startups, no place matches the inspiration and motivation of the inside of your garage. Like Steve Jobs and our very own Drew Baird, so too did Audeze find its very inception and hard working nights and weekends inside the confines of a garage. Audeze was started in 2008 by Sankar Thiagasamudram and Alexander Rosson. Making the first of the LCD series in a garage, they soon grew to be a leader in planar magnetic driver technology. In 2015, Alexander left to create Rosson Audio and Sankar took over as CEO. Sankar is an engineer with a Masters in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California. Prior to joining Audeze full-time in 2013 he helped develop several pioneering products in Digital Cinema. Today, Audeze headphones are produced and shipped from their headquarters in Costa Mesa, CA in the United States.  

When Audeze released their first pair of headphones all the way back in 2009, the LCD-2, they immediately set themselves apart as a leader in planar magnetic technology and sound fidelity. Critics raved about the LCD-2. But they didn't stop there. In 2012 Audeze released their next iteration, the LCD-3, which improved on a number of ergonomic features. The next year (in 2013) the LCD-X and the closed-back variant, the LCD-XC, was released. The X and XC were more forward-sounding counterparts to the LCD-2 and LCD-3. Not to be stagnant, in 2016 Audeze released the third version of their main LCD lineup, the LCD-4. Even to this day, the LCD-4 is considered among the top reference headphones on the market.


The Audeze Timeline

Audeze LCD-2

The LCD-2

Audeze LCD-2 is the original and game-changing product that propelled Audeze into a world of rave reviews from audiophiles and review magazines alike. The beautifully hand-crafted LCD-2 delivers audiophile quality, low-distortion sound that beautifully articulates the power and nuance of your favorite music. The Audeze LCD-2 transducers are the most forgiving of the LCD Collection, with an exclusive magnetic structure providing completely uniform magnetic flux distribution across the diaphragm. The full sonic potential of the LCD-2 is revealed when driven by an external headphone amplifier or integrated amp. Impedance is 70 ohms. Every component of the LCD-2 is precision engineered with one goal in mind: Recreate the sound exactly like the artist intended.

Released: 2009

Audeze LCD-3

The LCD-3

Audeze’s flagship headphone has literally been called the greatest headphone in the world. The LCD-3, their highest resolution headphone, features the longest voice-coil and the strongest driving force on its diaphragm. The LCD-3 delivers a dynamic sound and a wide, enveloping soundstage so you’re emotionally connected to artist and music. For best performance the LCD-3 should be driven by high-quality external headphone amplifier or integrated amp. Impedance is 110 ohms. The LCD-3 delivers the highest resolution music experience of all our headphones. The sound is always musical, spacious, ultra-realistic, with powerful bass, a rich and engaging midrange, and a top end that pulls you into the music. For the best results Audeze recommends pairing the LCD-3 with an external headphone amplifier.

Released: 2012

Audeze LCD-X

The LCD-X

LCD-X is the most neutral of all the LCD Collection, explaining its popularity with audiophiles, recording engineers and musicians alike, for its clarity and fast, accurate dynamics. The X is sensitive enough to be driven directly by portable players and smartphones but an external amplifier produces better results. From portable players to studio use, the LCD-X provides high volume without a headphone amplifier even though all LCD-series products benefit from a high-quality amp. The LCD-X earcups are made from polished anodized aluminum with sloped ear pads of either premium lambskin leather or a leather-free super-suede microfiber fabric. The earpads are designed with specially-crafted foam offering the proper firmness and acoustic balance. The LCD-X and LXD-XC have more treble extension over the LCD-2 and LCD-3.

Released: 2013

Audeze LCD-XC

The LCD-XC

The LCD-XC headphones are Audeze's first closed-back headphone. Researched and developed for many years, it features exclusive Fazor technology. LCD-XC is the most neutral of all the LCD Collection, making it a popular choice among with audiophiles, recording engineers and musicians alike, for its clarity and fast, accurate dynamics. The XC is sensitive enough to be driven directly by portable players and smartphones but an external amplifier produces better results. The closed-back design provides very good isolation. The LCD-XC transducer is specifically designed to work with a wide variety of driving sources. From portable players to studio use, the LCD-XC provides high volume without a headphone amplifier even though all LCD-series products benefit from a high-quality amp.

Released: 2013

Audeze LCD-4

The LCD-4

The LCD-4 features their most advanced diaphragm design; the exclusive nano-scale film actually weighs less than the air it displaces! Benefits include faster response times for better imaging, and the flattest, deepest, most accurate bass response of any headphone available. Double-Fluxor Magnet Arrays focus the magnetic flux to a previously unheard of 1.5 Tesla, nearly doubling the power driving the diaphragm for improved transient response and far greater resolution. You’ll be proud of how the LCD-4 sounds; it’s imbued with sophisticated looks and beautiful hand-made rings manufactured at Audeze's facility. The quality of the entire structure guarantees years of trouble-free listening. Their cutting-edge designs and circuit technologies have created a beautiful sounding headphone.

Released: 2016

Audeze LCD-MX4

The LCD-MX4

The Audeze LCD-MX4 headphones are powered by Audeze’s patented Fluxor magnets and focuses 1.5 Tesla of magnetic flux on the lightweight 20ohm impedance diaphragm. Perfect for use with a pc, laptop or studio equipment and without a dedicated high-powered headphone amp. Powered by Audeze’s patented Fluxor magnets, the LCD-MX4 focuses 1.5 Tesla of magnetic flux on the lightweight 20 ohm impedance diaphragm. It is perfect for use where one isn’t likely to have a dedicated high-powered headphone amp and can be driven easily by a laptop or studio equipment. The LCD-MX4 headphones' new lightweight design includes a durable magnesium housing with a carbon fiber headband. Significantly lighter than the LCD4 model, the new MX4 is perfect for long mixing sessions and hours of critical listening.

Released: 2017

Audeze LCD-4Z

The LCD-4Z

Introducing the easy-to-drive younger brother of the Audeze LCD-4. The Audeze LCD-4Z headphone uses a 15 ohm voice coil, making it much easier to drive than the original 200 ohm version. Magnesium rings with gold screens come standard, making it 25% lighter than the original model. We have taken the award-winning design of our top-of-the-line LCD-4 and engineered it with a special 15-ohm voice-coil making it significantly easier to drive than the original LCD-4. This model does not replace the original 200 ohm LCD-4 but offers a perfect solution for users seeking more headroom. The LCD-4z features a dark sleek aesthetic with gold accents. The magnesium rings of the LCD-4z are designed to be strong, lightweight, and non-resonant for a very clean output.

Released: 2018

Audeze LCD-2C

The LCD-2 Closed Back

Building on the classic sound of the LCD-2, the LCD-2 Closed-Back headphone offers the pure, authentic listening experience of our planar magnetic headphones but with increased isolation and greatly reduced ambient noise. The LCD-2 Closed-Back produces a private, powerful, and immersive experience. It's just you and your music! Boasting a sleek, modern design, superb dynamics, and ultra-low distortion, the LCD-2 Closed-Back delivers a rich and hugely satisfying sound. Its deep and controlled bass is intensely powerful, yet amazingly accurate and delicate when needed. The new LCD-2 closed-Back headphone comes with a lightweight suspension headband, special crystal-infused nylon rings, and contoured memory foam earpads for enhanced comfort.

Released: 2018

Audeze LCD-24

The LCD-24

The Audeze LCD-24 is a breakthrough in open-back headphone design. The purpose of the LCD-24 was to refine and improve the LCD-4 by reducing weight and the number of magnets. This makes the LCD-24 have a larger diaphragm, thereby increasing the speed, dynamics and minimizing distortion. The new LCD-24's have the same design and dimensions of the previous LCD series headphones, but due to engineering improvements the comfort level is also significantly increased and lighter in weight. The LCD-24 is easier to drive than other planar magnetic headphones. The impedance is about a quarter to one-half of the impedance of any other top planar magnetic headphone on the market today. It has lower headamp distortion and maximizes the overall definition as a result.

Released: 2019

Audeze Mobius

The Mobius

The Audeze Mobius brings award-winning, audiophile sound to your gaming experience with the enhanced realism of 3D surround sound, room emulation, sound localization, the freedom of bluetooth, and more. Mobius is the first premium high-end, fully immersive 3D cinematic audio and head tracking-enabled headphone designed specifically for gamers. Mobius harnesses Audeze’s award-winning planar magnetic technologies to unlock the full potential of gaming audio. Audeze Mobius Utilizes Waves Nx Technology to Enhance Realism of 3D Audio Waves is the world-leading developer of audio DSP technologies. To produce the most realistic, immersive 3D audio, in addition to our drivers, you need three technologies. Mobius is the first to push the boundaries on all three.

Released: 2019

Audeze LCD-GX

The LCD-GX

After pushing the envelope on gaming audio with its award-winning Mobius headphones, the new LCD-GX advances the industry further by combining the finest in sound quality with clear voice chat for the serious purist audiophile gamer. The LCD-GX combines Audeze’s patented Fluxor™ magnets and ultra-thin Uniforce™ diaphragms to deliver astonishing sound quality and immersion. Advanced LCD Planar Magnetic drivers are at least twice the size of those found in other gaming headphones, providing better bass, superior soundstage, and outstanding resolution suitable not just for gaming, but for monitoring, mixing, and editing audio. For the serious gamer, the LCD-GX is strictly analog – no digital processing – for the purist who wants the best sound. An open-back design, the GX has a wider, more accurate soundstage.

Released: 2019

Audeze LCD-1

The LCD-1

The LCD-1 has been meticulously engineered for reference quality sound that will appeal to even the most discerning audiophile ear. Featuring Audeze’s renowned planar magnetic technology within an open-circumaural, foldable and light-weight design, the LCD-1 delivers premium audio in a comfortable and travel-friendly package perfect for mixing, mastering and audiophile listening. The LCD-1 blends Audeze's coveted LCD sound quality together with improved comfort and portability. 90mm Planar Magnetic drivers deliver frequency extension from 10Hz all the way to 50kHz with flawless precision and clarity, ideal both for audiophile listening and professional applications. The LCD-1 is engineered for fatigue-free listening sessions both at home and in the studio.

Released: 2019


Audeze has been expanding its headphone product line a lot within the past few years. With the emergence of gaming as a new market trend, you'll find a couple of gaming-oriented headphones and designs that they have implemented in their product lineup. These headphones have been considered some of the top gaming headphones in the industry thanks to their their state-of-the-art technology, design and remarkable sound quality that Audeze is known for in the audiophile community. Both the Mobius and the LCD-GX are very different gaming headsets from each other, but that's the beauty of them. Each one is designed with a specific ergonomic use or budget in mind for the consumer, so you can get the one that is best tailored to your gaming audio needs. Audeze shares this philosophy with their other headphone models as well; to help you find the right headphone for you.

Audeze is a company that continues to innovate and bring their technology and expertise to better and enhance markets and communities in the headphone realm. The LCD-1 is the latest model of their growing catalog of audiophile-grade headphones, and it certainly won't be their last.


LCD-2
Audeze LCD-2
LCD-3
Audeze LCD-3
LCD-X
Audeze LCD-X
LCD-XC
Audeze LCD-XC
LCD-4
Audeze LCD-4
LCD-MX4
Audeze LCD-MX4
Audeze LCD-2C
LCD-2C
Audeze LCD-4Z
LCD-4Z
Audeze LCD-24
LCD-24
Audeze Mobius
Mobius
Audeze LCD-GX
LCD-GX
Audeze LCD-1
LCD-1

Why Do You Need Better Headphones?

Why would you settle for ordinary? People invest in what they love.

The question of why you need better headphones is one of the most important things you can ask yourself in the quest for your perfect sound in the world of audiophilia. Everything has room for improvement; it's in our very nature to seek perfection and at the same time our lot in life to never be able to achieve it. But the beautiful thing about headphones is that although improvement never leads to perfection, it always leads to more enjoyment. Your enjoyment is your investment when it comes to getting better headphones. Better headphones means better sound, and better sound means listening to your music like never before and falling in love with it all over again. So why would you NOT want to get better headphones?

"You'll hear us say this over and over: 'everyone hears differently.'"

Audeze's company mission is to "create the best headphones in the world." But perhaps we might lend a slight addendum: "for you." They have continued to create and innovate on their lineup of headphones, so much that they are improving upon each iteration. For instance the LCD-2 and LCD-3 have very different sound signatures from the LCD-X and LCD-XC, so you're likely to prefer one signature over the other. You'll hear us say this over and over: Everyone hears differently. So at the end of the day, it's not about creating the best headphone in the world, because that headphone could have all the wrong properties based on your listening preferences. Audeze's real mission is to create the best headphones in the world....for you.

Let's learn more about what makes Audeze headphones so great as we continue below.

Audeze's real mission is to create the best headphones in the world...for you.


Planar Magnetic Technology


Audeze implements planar-magnetic driver technology in their headphone design, setting it apart from other competitors that use more popular dynamic cone drivers. Planar-dynamic technology is relatively less known as an audio application outside of audiophile circles, but are praised for their realism, presence, presentation and soundstage. So, what's the deal with planar-magnetic drivers versus the more common dynamic cone driver?

Planar Magnetic Driver disect

Most headphones use inexpensive, mass-produced dynamic cone drivers. These drivers are available in standard sizes from manufacturers and can be selected and rebranded based on the needs of the individual headphone company. Because this technology is relatively cheap and readily available, it’s a good option for those headphone companies looking to sell a lot of headphones at low cost. However, dynamic cone drivers can have serious inherent design limitations which means that what you’re saving in money, you’re losing in audio quality.

Dynamic drivers are usually activated by a voice coil that’s attached near the center of a diaphragm - most often a paper, plastic or metal cone. As electrical current is passed through the voice coil, force is exerted at the center of the diaphragm, causing it to move. This is what produces the sound you hear.

Ideally, the entire diaphragm would move in unison. However, because the driving force begins in the center and must travel outward, not all parts of the diaphragm begin moving at the same time. This can often result in breakup modes, also referred to as local resonances, which cause audible, measurable distortion and loss of resolution - especially at higher volumes.

-Audeze, Planar Magnetic Technology

Audeze LCD-XC Driver

Audeze's planar magnetic drivers are able to produce uniform driving force across the entire diaphragm, which allows it to move in a pistonic way and provides low distortion across the entire frequency spectrum. The other thing to note is that planar magnetic drivers are great at reproducing accurate low end. As Audeze notes, good bass reproduction requires effortlessly moving large volumes of air. This is best achieved with a diaphragm featuring a large surface area and a high degree of flexibility. Surface area determines the volume of air that can be displaced while flexibility allows for the effective reproduction of low frequencies. On the other side of the coin, dynamic cone drivers are typically much smaller and stiffer than require more force to recreate lower frequencies. The only way for a dynamic driver to do this is to increase the force or volume, both methods also increasing the risk of distortion and even damaging the driver itself.

Audeze has placed a large amount of time and resources into creating one of, if not the largest and most flexible planar magnetic drivers on the market today.

Sound waves are extremely complex. Every sound heard in a good recording, from the loudest cymbal crash to the faintest creak of a piano bench, is represented in a tumultuous pressure wave. For an immersive and realistic listening experience, the driver needs to be able to reproduce that wave faithfully, without missing any of the details. Like a sports car, the diaphragm needs to be nimble, have excellent control, and be able to accelerate and change direction on a dime. The laws of physics governing this are pretty simple: Force = Mass x Acceleration. Acceleration defines the diaphragm’s ability to move rapidly. If the diaphragm has lower mass, it can have a much higher acceleration for the same force. Dynamic drivers use diaphragms that are orders of magnitude heavier and thicker than the ultra-light and thin diaphragms used in our planar magnetic drivers. As a result of their higher mass, dynamic drivers are simply not capable of accelerating as fast, or being as nimble as the planar drivers made by Audeze. The mass of the diaphragm used in dynamic drivers fundamentally limits their sonic performance, their ability to resolve and reveal details, and their transparency.

-Audeze, Planar Magnetic Technology


Diaphragms & Magnets

The next component we need to look at in the context of what makes planar magnetic driver technology more resolute than dynamic cone drivers are the diaphragm and magnet. These are two very important parts of the equation as they are the elements that help to produce sound.

The magnet creates a static magnetic field when powered. Plugging the headphone into a powered source like a headphone amplifier or even a computer will activate this. The electrical current passing through the diaphragm's voice coil interacts with the magnetic field, which fluctuates the suspended diaphragm back and forth. The movement of the diaphragm pushing and pulling causes pressure waves, which are therefore interpreted by your brain as sounds.

The diaphragm needs to be able to do this very fast in order to produce various frequencies. According to Audeze, this happens over 20,000 times per second to produce sounds in the upper range of human hearing.

Nano Scale driver diaphragm

In a typical pair of headphones, the diaphragm is usually a cone of plastic, cardboard, or lightweight metal. Audeze’s diaphragms are completely different, and this is where that micron measurement comes into play: the diaphragms in our headphones are flat sheets of film that are orders of magnitude thinner than a human hair, and are so light that they actually weigh less than the air that’s being moved! That extreme weight reduction is a key factor in our headphones’ superlative transient response (see our tech article detailing transient response, transparency and resolution here). In short, transient response boils down to this: thin diaphragms mean less weight to move; less weight to move means less inertia of the diaphragm to overcome. The faster the diaphragms can change direction, the more detailed, accurate, and transparent the sound.

-Audeze, Diaphragms

The Audeze diaphragm is truly something special. As they will be quick to point out, not all planar magnetic drivers are created equal. Planar magnetic technology does not automatically guarantee an uniform magnetic force, otherwise known as flux, across the surface of the diaphragm. Audeze states on their site: "The force acting on the diaphragm is proportional to the amount of magnetic force being produced by the magnets, but the magnetic field is almost never uniform... Our engineers came up with a novel and patented solution: why not vary the width of the conductor so that it's wider where the magnetic field is stronger and thinner where the magnetic field is weaker? This would ensure that all parts of the diaphragm experience the same force; resulting in true pistonic motion. Thus the Uniforce voice coil was born."

Because of all this, Audeze's drivers have some of the lowest distortion levels in the industry among headphones.


Why Do Over-Ear Headphones Sound the Best?

Many audiophiles prefer a "wider" sense of presentation compared to the "narrower" "in-your-head" sense of presentation that on-ear and in-ear monitors can deliver. On-ear and in-ear types lose the extra-dimensional "width" of over-ears due to their smaller form-factor, but focus on better mobility.

Audeze LCD-GX on headphone stand

Example of over-ear full size headphones / Audeze LCD-GX Gaming Headphones


...where psychoacoustics are concerned, there are no right or wrong answers. There are only preferences and compromises; advantages vs disadvantages.

On the other hand, a "narrower" sense of presentation that's more "centered" in the forehead is usually achieved best with the smaller and more portable on-ear and in-ear fit-types. However, where psychoacoustics are concerned, there are no right or wrong answers. There are only preferences and compromises; advantages vs disadvantages.


Which Audeze Headphone is Best?

Audeze took the audiophile world by storm in 2009 with their first flagship headphone model, the LCD-2 Open-Back Headphone. Since then, the roster of audiophile headphones and earphones Audeze offers continues to expand. Today, Audeze's continued innovation in planar magnetic driver technology in open or closed -over-the-ear formats has produced plenty of options for audiophiles of all experience levels and budgets.

Below is a breakdown-list and reader's digest on all of the headphones Audeze currently produces in order from least expensive to the most expensive.

For one of the most affordable, audiophile-grade headphones packed with various state-of-the-art technologies, check out our review on the Audeze Mobius Gaming Headphones.


Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger

Audeze has made it their mission to create tailored sound signatures based on various listening preferences. There is always room for improvement compared to the headphones you already have. And if you already have a pair of Audeze headphones, then chances are there's still room for improvement based on your specific listening preferences. And thankfully Audeze has provided a plethora of models in their lineup of headphones to choose from.

Why are there so many models?

The fact is that no two people hear the same. What might sound warm and lush to you might sound muddy and dark to another. It is just as important to know your own listening preferences as it is to know what sound signature you prefer in your headphones. Audeze takes the philosophy that every person is different so the more options you have to choose from, the better the chances are that you'll find your true end-game headphone. And once you find it, nothing else will compare.


The Audeze Price Point:

  • Entry-level
  • Mid-range
  • High-end
  • Flagship/Reference

Model

Closed-Back

Model

Open-Back

Mobius

Sold out
Audeze Mobius

LCD-1

Sold out
Audeze LCD-1

Model

Closed-Back

Model

Open-Back

LCD-2C

Sold out
Audeze LCD-2C

LCD-2

Sold out
Audeze LCD-2

LCD-GX

Sold out
Audeze LCD-GX

Model

Closed-Back

Model

Open-Back

LCD-XC

Sold out
Audeze LCD-XC

LCD-X

Sold out
Audeze LCD-X

LCD-3

Sold out
Audeze LCD-3

LCD-MX4

Sold out
Audeze LCD-MX4

Model

Open-Back

LCD-4

Sold out
Audeze LCD-4

LCD-4Z

Sold out
Audeze LCD-4Z

LCD-24

Sold out
Audeze LCD-24


The advancements in technology you’ll find in every single pair of Audeze headphones makes them something truly special, and audiophiles and professionals the world over are hearing the difference. We’re always striving for excellence and innovation, and are constantly evolving in order to further our craft. Uncompromised Audio isn’t just a slogan, we truly believe in it, because we’re as passionate about audio as you are.

-Audeze

So, which Audeze headphone is the best? Over the iterations from the original LCD-2, to the LCD-3, the latest flagship LCD-4 version remains one of the best reference headphones on the market today. It's a favorite here in the office at Moon Audio, but like all things, it really depends on your own listening preferences and budget. You might not like a reference sound signature and might favor something that colors the sound more. There are no right or wrong answers in the world of audiophilia.

Here's an excerpt from our Audeze LCD-GX Headphone Review that compares the LCD-4 Flagship:

"The LCD-4’s low end is responsive and the presence in the bass is dynamic, really extending itself when needed with precision and weight. It has added resolution in the top end as well. Some might find the mids to be more recessed than other headphones, but it’s a great headphone for all genres, especially bass-eccentric genres. The LCD-4 is still revered as one of the best reference headphones on the market today. We usually match it with either our Black Dragon or Silver Dragon cables for added detail and a wider soundstage, and it’s a hard match-up to beat.

Stylistically, the LCD-4 is quite comparable to the GX headphones. They are slightly heavier since the 4’s have a wooden frame around the ear cups and use more metal than the GX. Audeze came out with the 4Z variant which implements the magnesium rings, making it 25% lighter than the original model, much like the LCD-24 that came out later. You’ll need more power to drive the LCD-4 than the GX, so an amplifier is a must-have to get the most out of them. That’s one benefit of the GX, and although they are easier to drive than the LCD-4, I would still recommend an additional powered source like the Chord Mojo or a well-powered DAP like the KANN Cube if you also want to listen to music on them."

-Ricky Kovacs, The Audeze LCD-GX Review


Which Audeze Headphone Is Right For Me?

Now that we've discussed a general overview of price-points, we'll answer this question by addressing the next more important topic: ergonomics.

Audeze headphone lineup

Like everything, there are pros and cons to weigh in all the form-factors. For example, the over-the-ear design requires the ear-cones surrounding the wearer's ears to be large enough to not only surround the user's ears but also to isolate sound. Isolation is created when a tight "sealing condition" around the ears effectively prevents the sound from leaking out.

Sometimes, this over-the-ear design choice will come with a few drawbacks that could limit the flexibility and the availability of ergonomic scenarios best suited for the use of the headphone. Compared to "lighter" fit-types, this means over-the-ear headphones can typically have a heavier and bulkier weight to consider in their inherent designs. After all, "large" usually implies "bulky" and "heavy" materials all working together to both surround the wearer's ears and to create a solid sealing condition that isolates sound, effectively. Whereas Audeze headphones are certainly known for their "larger" and "heavier" headphone designs, they are also renowned for the sound quality and overall comfort as a trade-off. Are there bulkier headphones on the market? Of course. But most will argue that Audeze's design is the perfect marriage of weight, comfort and sound quality.

Check out all the over-ear headphones Audeze makes below:

Audeze LCD-2
Audeze LCD-3
Audeze LCD-X
Audeze LCD-XC
Audeze LCD-4
Audeze LCD-MX4
Audeze LCD-4Z
Audeze LCD-2C
Audeze LCD-24
Audeze Mobius
Audeze LCD-GX
Audeze LCD-1
Audeze EL-8 Open Back

Audeze EL-8 Open-Back Headphones

Audeze EL-8 Closed Back

Audeze EL-8 Closed-Back Headphones

Audeze SINE DX Open Back

Audeze SINE DX Open-Back Headphones

Audeze SINE Closed-Back

Audeze SINE Closed-Back Headphones


The Ergonomics of Audeze Headphones: Simplified

Let's be honest, all of these headphones will be more than appropriate for critical listening at home. But for the sake of really distinguishing ergonomic scenarios where these headphones really shine we'll leave out duplicates in the "For Home" tab, with the understanding that all of Audeze's headphones would be recommended.

  • For Home
  • For On-the-Go
  • For Pro Audio
  • For Gaming


Model

Open / Closed

Difficulty to Drive

Ergonomic Scenario

Weight

Audeze LCD-2

LCD-2

Open

Moderate

Home Critical Listener

580g/595g

Audeze LCD-X

LCD-X

Open

Moderate

Home Critical Listener/Studio

635g

Audeze LCD-3

LCD-3

Open

Moderate

Home Critical Listener

635g

Audeze LCD-MX4

LCD-MX4

Open

Requires Less Power

Home Critical Listener/ Studio

600g

Audeze LCD-4

LCD-4

Open

Moderate

Home Critical Listener

735g

Audeze LCD-4Z

LCD-4Z

Open

Requires Less Power

Home Critical Listener

600g

Audeze LCD-24

LCD-24

Open

Moderate

Home Critical Listener

540g



Model

Open / Closed

Difficulty to Drive

Ergonomic Scenario

Weight

Audeze LCD-2C

LCD-2C

Closed

Moderate

Home / Mobile Critical Listener

635g

Audeze Mobius

Mobius

Closed

Relatively Easy

Mobile Music Lover / Gaming

360g

Audeze LCD-XC

LCD-XC

Closed

Moderate

Home / Mobile Critical Listener

720g



Model

Open / Closed

Difficulty to Drive

Ergonomic Scenario

Weight

Audeze LCD-1

LCD-1

Open

Moderate

Mastering Engineer

TBD

Audeze LCD-X

LCD-X

Open

Moderate

Home Critical Listener/ Studio

635g

Audeze LCD-MX4

LCD-MX4

Open

Requires Less Power

Home Critical Listener/ Studio

600g



Model

Open / Closed

Difficulty to Drive

Ergonomic Scenario

Weight

Audeze Mobius

Mobius

Closed

Relatively Easy

Mobile Music Lover / Gaming

360g

Audeze LCD-GX

LCD-GX

Open

Moderate

Home Critical Listener / Gaming

460g


So, which Audeze headphone is the right model for you? As depicted in the table above, sometimes, the answer boils down to the demands of your ergonomic scenario.

Audeze LCD-4 on amplifier

Audeze LCD-4 at home. Credit: Pinterest.

For example, if your goal is to listen to music predominantly in the privacy of your home, then open-back headphones should be on any home audio enthusiast's radar. Really any of the Audeze headphone lineup would work great in this ergonomic scenario, but more specifically the LCD-series open-back designs (LCD-2, 3, 4, X, MX4, 4Z, 24) will help you achieve your end-game the best at home or in the office, undisturbed.

On the other hand, if you're searching for the best portable headphone to use when on-the-go, then look no further than Audeze's closed-back headphones. The Audeze LCD-2C, LCD-XC and Mobius closed-back headphones offer the best soundstage in a closed-back format.

Giovanni Ribisi wearing LCD-XC headphones

Actor Giovanni Ribisi wears his LCD-XC out in public. Credit: DailyMail.UK

Atudio engineer wearing LCD-1 headphones

Audeze LCD-1 in the studio. Credit: Audeze Stock Photo.

For mixing/mastering engineers or producers, the LCD-1 is the no-question answer for projects, requiring an honest reference headphone with a more neutral and flatter frequency response. The LCD-X and LCD-MX4 headphones are all great reference headphones that are preferred by studio engineers and producers from all over the world. All of these options meet the demands of the respective ergonomic scenarios at different price-points, superbly.



For a more in-depth guide on everything there is to know about the advantages and disadvantages between closed-back and open-back headphones in general, and the ergonomic scenarios best suited for each, read our ultimate Closed-Back vs Open-Back Face-Off Guide to find out which style is the best for your ergonomic situation.


Sound Signature

Audeze has created a number of headphones each with their own specific sound signatures. When developing headphones for a wide variety of customers, it's important to create enough options to cater to various listening styles and preferences. Each headphone is discint

LCD-1

Model

Open/Closed

Sound Signature

Music Genre

Dragon Match

Audeze LCD-1

LCD-1

Open

Analytical/detailed/ resolute

Detailed Oriented Music

Black Dragon Cable Logo

LCD-2

Model

Open/Closed

Sound Signature

Music Genre

Dragon Match

Audeze LCD-2

LCD-2

Open

Warm/Smooth/Top-end rolled off

All Types

Silver Dragon Cable Logo

LCD-2 Closed-Back

Model

Open/Closed

Sound Signature

Music Genre

Dragon Match

LCD-2 Closed-Back

Closed

Warm/Smooth/Top-end rolled off

All Types

LCD-3

Model

Open/Closed

Sound Signature

Music Genre

Dragon Match

Audeze LCD-3

LCD-3

Open

Warm/Smooth/Top-end rolled off

All Types

Silver Dragon Cable Logo

LCD-4

Model

Open/Closed

Sound Signature

Music Genre

Dragon Match

Audeze LCD-4

LCD-4

Open

Forward/warm/ smooth

All Music

Black Dragon Cable Logo
Silver Dragon Cable Logo

LCD-X

Model

Open/Closed

Sound Signature

Music Genre

Dragon Match

Audeze LCD-X

LCD-X

Open

Forward/Top-end sizzle

Detail Oriented Music

Black Dragon Cable Logo

LCD-XC Closed-Back

Model

Open/Closed

Sound Signature

Music Genre

Dragon Match

Audeze LCD-XC

LCD-XC Closed-Back

Closed

Forward/Top-end sizzle

Detail Oriented Music

Black Dragon Cable Logo

LCD-MX4

Model

Open/Closed

Sound Signature

Music Genre

Dragon Match

Audeze LCD-MX4

LCD-MX4

Open

Forward

Detail Oriented Music

Black Dragon Cable Logo

LCD-24

Model

Open/Closed

Sound Signature

Music Genre

Dragon Match

Audeze LCD-24

LCD-24

Open

Forward/warm/ smooth

All Music

Black Dragon Cable Logo
Silver Dragon Cable Logo

LCD-GX

Model

Open/Closed

Sound Signature

Music Genre

Dragon Match

Audeze LCD-GX

LCD-GX

Open

Forward/smooth

All Music

Silver Dragon Cable Logo
Black Dragon Cable Logo

LCD-4Z

Model

Open/Closed

Sound Signature

Music Genre

Dragon Match

Audeze LCD-4Z

LCD-4Z

Open

Forward/warm/ smooth

All Music

Silver Dragon Cable Logo
Black Dragon Cable Logo

Mobius

Model

Open/Closed

Sound Signature

Music Genre

Dragon Match

Audeze Mobius

Mobius

Closed

Forward/warm/ smooth

All Music

Bronze Dragon Cable Logo

Dragon Cables

Bronze Dragon portable headphone cable

For headphones with portable applications like the Mobius, we recommend pairing them with the Bronze Dragon Portable Headphone Cable for the best musical immersion on-the-go. Designed for portable headphones, the Bronze Dragon's UPOCC ultra-pure, single-crystal copper strands offer the most musical presentation for these headphones by adding more "warmth" with a bigger and fuller body. This adds bottom-end weight to the excitement without becoming lush or bloated. It's the best sonic match for the sound signature of the Mobius and features a flexible cable that's perfect for the on-to-go application of the headphone's design.

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Pairs with:


The Silver Dragon Premium Headphone Cable for Audeze will add enhanced resolution and detail to your headphone. We recommend pairing this cable with Audeze headphones that are warmer in sound signature to help bring out additional details that the headphone signature will mask. For mastering engineers, audio engineers or anyone who appreciates listening critically, adding the Silver Dragon headphone cable to the more analytical sound signature headphones in the Audeze lineup is the perfect way to add detail and top-end energy to the more neutral soundstage with enhanced room for your music to breath. For example these are the best options for the LCD-2 & LCD-3 which have a warmer tonality.

Silver Dragon Headphone Cable

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Black Dragon Headphone Cable

For the headphones that are on the more analytical side of the sound signatures, we suggest using the Black Dragon Premium Headphone Cable for Audeze to add more warmth and body to the music to help balance out some of the more top-end sizzle the headphones naturally provide. The Black Dragon headphone cable is extremely smooth with an enhanced low-end and voicing. Warm and musical, its the perfect match for headphones where a broad range of musical styles are played. Black Dragon pairs great with Audeze's more forward sounding headphones, and will round out the sound signature to provide you with a more "I'm there" feeling. This is the best option for the LCD-X, LCD-XC & LCD-MX4 which have a more forward tonality.

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Gaming

Audeze Mobius with mic
Audeze LCD-GX with mic

Audeze is one of the first companies to offer audiophile-grade headphones to the gaming community. Gaming as a whole has become an explosive market for the industry within the past 10 years, and we are starting to see more and more gaming-oriented audiophile headphones emerge. This is great news for gamers wanting a better auditory experience during their gaming sessions, just as audiophiles who also game can now enjoy higher-fidelity audio on par with their music hobby.

Audeze Mobius

Audeze has put a lot of time and resources into understanding gamer's needs and has packed some very interesting features into their headsets, especially the Mobius. The Mobius is a planar magnetic headphone that is capable of being used wirelessly, which is not a common feature given the power requirements for adequately driving such headphones. The Mobius also implements such things like 3D audio emulation with support for 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound. Head tracking technology is also fun on specific applications. Given the sound quality and amount of technology they're crammed into the headphones, it's impressive that these headphones are on the lowest tier price point for the Audeze headphone product lineup.

Audeze LCD-GX

The LCD-GX headphone takes a very different direction than the Mobius. consistent with their LCD line, Audeze keeps the "if-it-ain't-broke" philosophy and applies it to gaming. The GX is sonically similar to the LCD-X or LCD-24 in that it is a little more forward leaning, which is great to get all those tiny details out of your gaming sessions. Apart from that, they include a cable with a built-in microphone, the same boom microphone that they use on the Mobius in fact, and that's pretty much it. The LCD-GX is the no-frills audiophile experience for the seasoned gamer willing to cash out the money for an unparalleled and immersive experience.

For more information on each headphone, check out our reviews below:


Audeze LCD-GX with Black Dragon Cable

Audeze LCD-GX Gaming Headphone Review

Audeze Mobius

Audeze Mobius Gaming Headphone Review


Audeze knew they were onto something with the LCD-GX. Designing the cable the way they did allowed them to be able to use the cable with any LCD headphone, since they all have dual 4-pin mini-XLR jacks. Don't like the sound signature of the LCD-GX, or perhaps you have more expensive taste to move up the LCD ladder? Well now you can with the GX stock cable sold separately.

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The world's first audiophile gaming headphone pushes the envelope on gaming audio and advances the industry further by combining the finest in sound quality with clear voice chat for the seriously purist audiophile gamer. With the LCD-GX's boom mic cable, you can bring voice functionality to your own LCD Series headphones.

The LCD-GX includes a detachable cable with a built-in directional, noise-attenuating boom microphone. The thoughtfully designed microphone cable includes a mute button and flexible gooseneck arm, allowing customized positioning to ensure each individual can find the angle that works best for them.

The LCD-GX boom mic cable terminates with a 1/8" (3.5mm) TRRS 4 conductor plug for use with virtually all PCs, Macs, cellphones, etc. A dual 1/8" inch splitter for separate headphone and microphone inputs and a 1/8" polarity adapter is also included.



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