LCD-1 Reviews

With a list price of $399, the Audeze LCD-1 is far less expensive than most planar-magnetic headphones. Along with its generally outstanding sound quality, that makes it a no-brainer in my book."

Ecoustics takes a look at the LCD-1 and Clarus Coda USB.

"Not only the Audeze LCD-1’s sound is great but the whole package is. Design, size, comfort, price, and sound: everything works in favor of this headphone. It’s going to be tough for the competition to beat this headphone at this price."

"By prioritizing intricate frequency performance, the LCD-1 is best suited to sound mixing and production. For casual listening, I was most impressed by them when listening to orchestral soundtracks – Back II The Future’s theme blew my mind with these on. But unless you’re willing to feed these high quality audio sources, you’ll find they lack the energy you may find in more consumer focused headphones....."

"The Audeze LCD-1 Planar Magnetic Headphones are so airy and precise, if you listen to a well-recorded album like Holly Cole’s “Temptation,” you will swear you’re in the room. The sound is fast and immediate, but with depth and quality soundstage. I can’t believe these are only $399!"

"Maybe this next statement is a bit of a Shook-ism, but I’ve always felt that “you can always get what you want if you know how to ask for it.” For me: I want the truth, I want clarity, and I want my feelings acknowledged. I want to see myself inside of the song, and to feel what the artist feels. I want to know that I have someone on the other side who shares in my joy and pain. The Audeze LCD-1 headphones have gifted me both an understanding and exposing musical companion. They are both partner and savior in the music loving experience. I now pass them on to you, highly recommended."2

"I like headphones that have a lot of clarity, which the AUdeze have. You get deep rich bass and an ambient feeling it gives you a roomier feel to it, as compared to the Meze 99"

"It is pretty clear that we enjoyed these headphones. For an entry-level pair of headphones covering audiophile listening and planar magnetics, these really hit the nail on the head. The price point is well fit and their range is fantastic. They compete well with brands of similar reputation and price. Best driver by a propper headphone tube or DAC amplifier, we fell in love with these. Again, everything we mention, score, and all are all based upon price point and performance. Sure, we have heard better. However, better usually means a lot more when it comes to price. These make for one of our planar favorites within the $300-$500 range."

"The LCD-1’s are a pair of open-back headphones, aimed at studio users, musicians, and audiophiles alike. They include an open circumaural design, which is meant to provide an enhanced transparency and sound stage. Each can includes a 90mm over-ear Planar driver, with something Audeze are calling Ultra-thin Uniforce Diaphragms and Fluxor Magnets.'

"The Audeze LCD-1 headphones are priced at $399. That’s not inexpensive, but it’s also far from the high end of the range—Apple’s Beats Pro over-ear headphones will set you back just as much. So the LCD-1s bring planar technology down to the level where music lovers other than deep-pocketed audiophiles can afford them."

"As someone who still has old 1970s classic hi-fi equipment sitting next to my consoles and TV, it is only expected to hear I love a good pair of open-backed headphones. I love the audio landscape they offer and enjoy how they sound as I dive into a complex piece of music, but it is not something you can easily find in home headphones despite the audio you get from that design. This is where the Audeze LCD-1 comes into play. These open-back portable headphones strike a refreshing balance between studio and home quality, and are an easy pair to recommend to anyone looking to up their audio listening game."

"There’s nothing better than a pair of open-backed headphones—so long as you aren’t worried about noise isolation or noise bleed. The Audeze LCD-1 are some of the most reasonably priced open-backed headphones available today, and provide a crisp and clean sound that’s comparable to freestanding speakers"

"There is something quite admirable about Audeze’s almost complete refusal to compromise. From the outset, the company has targeted both the professional market and the higher-end domestic consumer – and by using an alluring combination of planar magnetic technology, lavish materials and an unmistakable aesthetic, it has established a product range that’s been rapturously received. This is an extremely light headphone, coming in at around 250g. It’s also quite small, reminding me somewhat of their earlier Sine on-ear headphones – but of course the Audeze LCD-1 is thankfully still an over-ear headphone. The ear cups also fold upwards to help with portability."

"My search for the perfect headphones has been long. It’s taken me through several manufacturers, slowly turning my office into an audio graveyard. There have been more than a few brushes with excellence. However, the Audeze LCD-1 is the closest I’ve come to finding the ideal solution for my audio editing and music needs."