Audeze LCD-2 vs Beats Solo (2009)

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

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LCD-2 compared with Solo (2009)

	AudezeLCD-2	BeatsSolo (2009)
Overview
Released
Released	2009	2009
Sound
Type
Type	Over-ear	On-ear
Noise cancelling
Noise cancelling	No	No
Driver size
Driver size	106 mm	–
Back
Back	Open	–
Impedance
Impedance	70 ohms	–
Bluetooth codecs
Bluetooth codecs	None (wired)	None (wired)
Drivers
Drivers	106 mm planar magnetic; proprietary dual-sided staggered magnet array; neodymium N50 magnets; Fazor waveguides; ultra-thin diaphragm; 10 Hz – 50 kHz; sensitivity 101 dB/1 mW (at drum reference point); maximum SPL over 130 dB; THD < 0.1% at 100 dB; max power handling 5 W RMS; minimum power over 100 mW, recommended over 250 mW	Original maker announcement describes a compact driver but gives no diameter.
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)
Listening time (maker's claim)	No battery (wired)	No battery (wired)
Design
Weight
Weight	595 g	–
Headphone cable
Headphone cable	Yes	Yes
Controls
Controls	–	ControlTalk cable supports music playback, volume and calls on compatible devices.
Microphones
Microphones	–	Microphone built into the ControlTalk remote cable.
Fit and ear tips
Fit and ear tips	Over-ear, open-back; ventilated suspension headband; hand-finished Padauk wood rings; leather or leather-free ear pads	Folding headband and padded on-ear cushions; original Solo, distinct from the later Solo HD.
Works with
Works with	4-pin XLR cable with a 4-pin XLR to 6.3 mm (1/4") TRS adapter cable and a 6.3 mm to 3.5 mm adapter	Detachable 3.5 mm analogue cable. Original maker announcement lists remote and microphone support for specific iPod nano, classic and touch models, iPhone 3GS and some BlackBerry models; support varies by model and software version. Remote-only support is listed for the third-generation iPod shuffle.
Colours
Colours	Padauk with leather, or Padauk leather-free	Black and white in the original maker announcement. Planned November 2009 availability is published, but the first actual sale month is unproved, so the release retains year precision. TIME describes the headphones in November 2009.
In the box
In the box	LCD-2 headphones, standard LCD travel case, 4-pin XLR cable, 4-pin XLR to 6.3 mm TRS adapter cable, 6.3 mm to 3.5 mm adapter, warranty card and certificate of authenticity	Les Numériques' reviewed package contains a semi-rigid carrying case and two cables, one standard and one with an Apple-compatible remote.