Audeze LCD 1 Review | 93 Data compared

The Audeze LCD-1 headphones ($399 USD) represent a radical departure from the brand's traditionally massive, heavy audiophile designs, opting instead for a lightweight, compact, and neutral-sounding open-back profile. A major pro highlighted by reviewer Brent Butterworth is the exceptional sound signature, which provides a neutral tonal balance, full upper bass, and clear treble without any obvious colorations. The headphones feature highly efficient planar-magnetic drivers that run easily out of a standard smartphone without requiring an external amplifier. Furthermore, their physical design is highly portable, featuring a folding frame and comfortable, plush memory foam earpads suitable for multi-hour listening sessions. SoundStage! Conversely, the review notes several distinct cons regarding their isolation, size, and packaging. Because they utilize an open-back design, they offer virtually zero isolation from outside ambient environment noise, rendering them less practical for noisy environments like public transit. On a structural level, the tighter internal space of the ear cups (1.5" x 2.5") may barely accommodate larger earlobes. Lastly, the included travel case is a missed opportunity; it is unnecessarily chunky at 3.7 inches thick, making it too fat...

Audeze LCD-1 Review Summary The Audeze LCD-1 over-ear, open-back headphones provide an exceptionally accurate and nearly transparent sound signature that heavily appeals to audio purists and studio mixing professionals. Priced at $399, these circumaural headphones stand out as a highly affordable entry-level option within the premium planar magnetic category. Architecturally, they utilize large 90mm drivers delivering an expansive frequency range of 10Hz to 50kHz, paired with a snug, comfortable plastic frame featuring an eggshell finish and plush leather-like earcups. Sonically, they offer unexaggerated lows and highly detailed high-mids, rendering acoustic tracks and orchestral layers with natural depth rather than artificial colorization. The package is rounded out with a removable, clothbound cable and a practical hard-shell zippered travel case. A major advantage of the Audeze LCD-1 is its incredible value, acting as a budget-friendly benchmark for planar magnetic performance while providing reference-grade sound accuracy and high wearing comfort. However, the product carries several distinct shortfalls. Because they feature an open-back enclosure design, the headphones naturally bleed audio outward, making them ill-suited for noisy office environments or private tracking sessions. Furthermore, the...

The Audeze LCD-1 represents a massive shift for the company by squeezing their renowned planar magnetic technology into an exceptionally lightweight, foldable, and budget-friendly format aimed squarely at mixing and mastering engineers. Priced at a highly accessible £399 / $399, these open-backed, passive headphones weigh a mere 250 grams and discard the bulky, heavy footprints of their premium siblings like the LCD-X. Visually and structurally, they transition into a more conventional layout featuring a padded plastic headband, lambskin leather memory foam earpads, and a clever reversible Y-shaped straight mini-jack cable that correctly routes left and right audio channels regardless of orientation. Engineered to be highly efficient, their low 16Ω impedance and 99dB/mW sensitivity allow them to comfortably achieve high volume levels even when driven directly from everyday low-power sources like laptops and smartphones. In terms of acoustic performance, the review highlights several distinct strengths and weaknesses when compared to both larger planar models and rival moving-coil systems. On the pros side, the LCD-1 delivers an exceptionally clean, balanced, and low-distortion sound profile featuring a richer bass response and a livelier,...

The Audeze LCD-1 is a highly capable, open-back, over-ear planar magnetic headphone priced affordably at $399 US. It stands out as an exceptional entry-point into high-fidelity audio, borrowing high-end technology—such as 90mm planar magnetic drivers, Fluxor magnets, and Uniforce diaphragms—from Audeze's multi-thousand-dollar flagship models. The reviewer praises its superb portability features, highlighting the folding design and included high-quality zippered carrying case. Sonically, the headphone delivers a neutral, energetic, and transparent signature reminiscent of the pricier LCD-X, showcasing deep, textured bass, upfront and highly detailed mid-range reproduction, and an extended, non-fatiguing treble response. While the review is overwhelmingly positive—culminating in the LCD-1 being named the author's Product of the Year—it notes a few distinct characteristics and minor quirks. A primary critique involves the neutral sound signature itself, which is less warm and lush compared to other classic Audeze offerings like the LCD-2. This analytical, alive presentation might not appeal to users who prefer a smoother, more laid-back sound. Additionally, the reviewer notes a minor initial confusion with the cable setup, as the headphone lacks physical Left and Right markings on the...

Audeze LCD-1 Review Summary The Audeze LCD-1 is a pair of open-back audiophile headphones released in late 2019 for $399 / £399 / AU$649, positioning them as the brand's most affordable entry point to its high-end planar magnetic technology. Weighing a highly portable 250g, the headphones feature a foldable design with a 180-degree articulating structure, packaged alongside a braided, detachable two-meter 3.5mm cable and a travel case. In terms of performance, they are praised for delivering a direct, balanced, and remarkably detailed neutral soundstage that captures the fine nuances of acoustic instruments and vocals without distorting at higher volumes. The build utilizes premium lambskin leather memory-foam ear cushions and inner headband padding, which makes them exceptionally comfortable for immediate listening sessions. Core Strengths & Limitations Despite being advertised as a travel-friendly asset, the open-back design severely limits outdoor use, acting like a "sonic colander" that leaks audio extensively and renders public commuting anti-social. Pros: Highlights include pristine, forensic levels of detail retrieval, direct and natural musical tonality, an extremely comfortable over-ear fit, and solid build construction. Cons: Major compromises manifest...

The Audeze LCD-1 is a compact, lightweight, and foldable open-back planar magnetic headphone designed specifically for high-end portable and mobile use. Thanks to its exceptionally low 16-ohm impedance, it can be driven directly by a smartphone without the sound signature collapsing, though pairing it with a portable DAC like the Audioquest Cobalt allows it to play playfully easy,. Key advantages include its unusually fresh, dynamic, and neutral soundscape, which features a relatively full and lively bass compared to typically slim-sounding planar models. Its low weight ensures very good initial wearing comfort, and it comes supplied with a short 2-meter fabric-covered cable alongside a handy travel case,. On the downside, the physical build incorporates a large amount of plastic, making it feel less robust than its direct competitor, the Hifiman Sundara. The artificial leather ear pads can also cause a warm, clammy pressure around the ears during extended listening sessions. Acoustically, the headphones suffer from early bass roll-off, meaning they lack deep sub-bass extension. Furthermore, at higher volumes, sibilant "s" sounds can become murky, and the soundstage lacks the ultimate fine-meshed...

The Audeze LCD-1 is a lightweight, 8.8-ounce open-back, over-ear headphone that utilizes planar-magnetic drivers rather than traditional dynamic drivers, bringing high-end audiophile technology down to an accessible $399 price point. It features advanced Uniforce diaphragms, Fluxor neodymium magnets, and Fazor waveguides to minimize soundwave interference and optimize audio clarity. A notable highlight in the review is the headphone’s performance, which delivers an exceptionally flat, neutral tonal balance with tight, deep bass that remains well-balanced without bloat or congestion. The open-back architecture establishes a wide, transparent soundstage with sharp transient response, making it highly revealing and ideal for recording engineers and critical listeners. The review details explicit pros and cons regarding the build and acoustic capabilities of the headphone. The primary pros include its exceptionally clean, transparent, and precise sound, its completely neutral tonal balance, and a remarkably wide soundstage for a lower price than most competitor planar-magnetic alternatives. Conversely, the cons center on a slightly flimsy material feel due to its ultra-lightweight design, and a dynamic range that feels somewhat narrow compared to more premium headphones. When compared to the...

The Major HiFi review highlights the Audeze LCD-1 as a lightweight, portable pair of open-back planar magnetic headphones built for both studio mixing and casual music enjoyment. Weighing much less than typical heavy Audeze models, these headphones feature a foldable design, soft leather padding, and a highly efficient 90 mm driver setup that lets you power them easily with an iPhone or an external DAC. The reviewer finds that the LCD-1 creates a wonderfully balanced midrange alongside a holographic, dimensional soundstage that brings instruments to life from every single angle. The bass delivery avoids sterile neutrality by remaining punchy and warm, while the softened highs protect your ears from getting tired during long listening or mixing sessions. However, the review points out several important drawbacks when using these headphones for strict studio monitoring. The main con is that the level of detail is not perfectly transparent, meaning it lacks the pin-point precision and crystal-clear clarity found in famous dynamic reference headphones at this price range. Furthermore, the highest audio peaks can feel somewhat blunted or missing that extra sparkle, making...

The Headfonics review of the $399 Audeze LCD-1 highlights its balanced, warm, and fatigue-free planar magnetic sound, which offers a "natural timbre" and strong, musical lower-midrange. The lightweight, 250-gram foldable design provides excellent portability and improved comfort over previous SINE models, featuring deeper memory foam leather pads. Conversely, the review notes that the construction relies heavily on plastic rather than premium materials and that the included 2-meter cable is too long for practical mobile use. Additionally, while designed for portability, the LCD-1 requires dedicated amplification to avoid lean, bright treble, as standard smartphones lack sufficient power to drive them effectively.

The Audeze LCD-1 open-back planar magnetic headphones are lauded for their exceptionally neutral, well-balanced sound profile, offering consistent, high-accuracy audio suitable for critical listening. They feature a comfortable, lightweight design with breathable ear cups and a spacious soundstage that is ideal for studio or home use. Conversely, the open-back design results in poor noise isolation and high audio leakage, rendering them unsuitable for noisy environments, commuting, or office use. They are limited by a wired-only connection, lack of physical stability for active use, and a minor deficiency in deep, low-bass output. For a full breakdown of these results, visit RTINGS.

The Audeze LCD-1 is a surprisingly compact, lightweight, and physically comfortable open-back planar magnetic headphone priced at $399 on Amazon. However, its out-of-the-box objective frequency response falls short due to a notable deficiency in both the deep bass region and the upper frequencies. In subjective listening tests, this tuning translates to a boring, dull sound that completely robs the headphone of necessary spatial qualities. Additionally, it features narrow, sharp distortion spikes and messy group delay between 1 and 3 kHz, a stiff stock cable that causes a ticking plastic sound when moving your head, and below-average sensitivity requiring a dedicated amplifier. On the positive side, the headphone boasts exceptionally flat impedance and generally very low distortion across the rest of the frequency spectrum. These factors make the drivers highly receptive to equalization. Once a 5-filter parametric EQ profile is applied, the LCD-1 completely "wakes up," delivering an impressive bass response, a much more open soundstage, and an altogether pleasant listening experience. Ultimately, the reviewer heavily rejects the headphone in its stock configuration but gives it a solid recommendation

The Audeze LCD-1 Reference Series is a lightweight, portable pair of open-back headphones designed using 90mm Planar Magnetic drivers to deliver highly accurate, reference-grade audio for on-the-go videographers and photo editors. The author highlights several core advantages, including a remarkably wide, precise, and clean soundstage with balanced treble performance that excels at separating distinct instruments, such as individual violins and cymbals. Its folding layout, 8.8-ounce (250g) featherlight body, oval memory foam earcups lined with soft lambskin leather, and interchangeable dual-sided 3.5mm cable make it incredibly comfortable for extended field-recording and travel sessions without requiring an external amplifier. However, the headphones have distinct drawbacks, primarily their plastic chassis which can feel somewhat cheap to the touch, and a narrower dynamic range compared to larger, higher-priced reference models. Additionally, the open-back design naturally lets environmental sound leak through, making them unsuited for noisy commutes or airplanes, while the frequency response exhibits a slightly colored warmth in the mid-range and lacks the hard-hitting low-end bass punch common in consumer headphones. Despite these trade-offs and a higher price point, the reviewer concludes that the...

The Audeze LCD-1 is a pair of open-back portable headphones handcrafted in California that blends studio-level precision with everyday home comfort, earning a review score of 9 out of 10. Retailing at an MSRP of $549.99 CAD, these headphones feature 90mm Planar Magnetic drivers, Fluxor magnets, and Uniforce voice coils that accurately deliver clear, distortion-free audio across a 10Hz to 50kHz frequency range. Designed with portability and ergonomics in mind, the 250g lightweight structure includes a foldable frame, memory foam headband, and leatherette ear cups that ensure a snug, breathable fit for extended listening sessions. The product arrives complete with a travel case, a 2-meter 3.5mm to dual 3.5mm cable, and a 6.3mm adapter, making it instantly compatible with any standard headphone jack. The primary strength of the LCD-1 lies in its immersive soundstage and pristine audio clarity, providing clear, impactful bass and a well-balanced EQ that honors the creator's original intent without any synthetic distortion. Reviewers highly praise its exceptional craftsmanship and rigorous quality control testing. However, the headphones do have a few notable drawbacks. Because they target a...

The Audeze LCD-1 is a lightweight, foldable, open-backed pair of headphones assembled in California that features hand-crafted 90mm Planar Magnetic drivers. Designed for both home listening and studio mixing, these headphones excel at delivering a spacious soundstage with flawless clarity, an impressive amount of detail, and an exceptionally balanced tonal presentation. For comfort, they feature memory foam padding on the earcups and headband, providing a secure but gentle fit that weighs only 250 grams. The packaging includes a travel case, a 2-meter 3.5mm to dual 3.5mm cable, and a 6.3mm adapter. The primary pros of the LCD-1 are its immense analytical insight, lean and insightful bass, highly precise instrument placement, and an overall easy, non-fatiguing listen. However, the major cons center on a lack of punch and unexpressive dynamics, resulting in a pensive performance that lacks the energy and drive required for an entertaining listen. Ultimately, What Hi-Fi? awarded them 4 stars for sound, 4 stars for comfort, and 5 stars for build, making them ideal for users prioritizing precise audio analysis over rhythmic excitement.

The Audiophile Style review highlights the Audeze LCD-1 as a lightweight, 250-gram, and highly efficient planar magnetic headphone that easily drives from portable devices. Key advantages include a compact, foldable design, comfortable lambskin pads, and a detailed, neutral sound signature. Conversely, the review notes that the predominantly plastic build lacks a high-end feel for its price, and the internal earpad dimensions are relatively small, potentially causing discomfort for users with larger ears. Additionally, the stock cable can introduce microphonics, and some users may experience, minimal padding on the headband.

The Headfonia review strongly praises the Audeze LCD-1 as a highly technical, natural, and balanced sounding open-back planar headphone that sets an incredibly high standard for its $399 price point. Key pros include an exceptionally powerful, fast, and musical sound signature, paired with high portability, a foldable design, and stellar comfort from soft memory foam pads. Despite the positive reception, the review notes that the soundstage is not as wide as bulkier, less transportable rivals. Other cons include a primarily plastic construction, smaller earcups that may touch the user's ears, and the lack of a vegan material option for the pads and headband.

The Audeze LCD-1 is a lightweight, portable open-back headphone featuring planar magnetic technology, celebrated for its outstanding clarity, neutral sound signature, and excellent imaging that punches above its price point. These versatile cans are highly efficient and easy to drive directly from portable devices, offering high-resolution sound for both listening and mixing. Conversely, user feedback highlights drawbacks, including a stock cable that is often considered too long for portable use. While the sound is highly resolving, some users find the bass, though deep, can feel a bit anemic or lacking in impact for certain genres, and the overall soundstage is described as intimate rather than expansive. For detailed user feedback, visit Head-Fi.