LCD-2 Classic

Released November 2017

The LCD-2 Classic are Audeze's most affordable LCD-series open-back planar magnetic headphones, a revival of the original LCD-2 without Fazor waveguides, suited to home listening with a headphone amplifier.

Type: Over-ear
Noise cancelling: No
Battery: –
With case: –
Best codec: Wired
Weight: 544 g

Over-ear

What reviewers say

Reviewers agree the LCD-2 Classic is comfortable and well built, with clean, accurate mids; Headfonia found it balanced and precise, and preferred it to its own LCD-2. RTINGS found it bulky and heavy, and measured a warm sound with recessed treble that makes cymbals dull, and little sub-bass rumble.

From headfonia.com and rtings.com

Specifications

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Sound

Type: Over-ear
Noise cancelling: No
Driver size: 106 mm
Back: Open
Impedance: 70 ohms
Bluetooth codecs: None (wired)
Drivers: 106 mm planar magnetic; proprietary offset magnet array; neodymium N50 magnets; no 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

Battery

Listening time (maker's claim): No battery (wired)

Design

Weight: 544 g
Headphone cable: Yes
Fit and ear tips: Over-ear, open-back; ventilated suspension headband; glass-infused nylon rings; thick, soft ear pads
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
In the box: LCD-2 Classic 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

Pros and cons

Pros

106 mm planar magnetic drivers; 10 Hz to 50 kHz
Lighter than the current LCD-2, at 544 g, with glass-infused nylon rings
4-pin XLR cable with 6.3 mm and 3.5 mm adapters included

Cons

Still heavy at 544 g
Recommended power above 250 mW calls for a headphone amplifier
Open back leaks sound and lets outside noise in

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Noise cancelling	Battery	With case	Best codec	Weight	Released
Audio-TechnicaATH-ADX5000	Over-ear	No	–	–	Wired	270 g	Dec 2017
HIFIMANSUSVARA	Over-ear	No	–	–	Wired	450 g	2017
SennheiserHD 660S	Over-ear	No	–	–	Wired	260 g	Oct 2017

Sources

Photo: cdn.shopify.com

LCD-2 Classic headphones with supplied travel case, braided cable and plug adapters, as pictured by Audeze: i.shgcdn.com/85a2b04c-5ce3-473f-8f3c-969ed922f559/-/format/auto/-/preview/3000x…

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