Audeze LCD 3 Review | 93 Data compared

The Audeze LCD3 is an ultra-premium planar magnetic headphone priced at $1,945 that blends a vintage and modern look. It features a breathtaking design with eye-catching wood textures and incredibly soft, cushy leather earpads. In terms of performance, the headphones deliver a romantic, "dark" sound signature with top-notch clarity and excellent bass that is tight, punchy, and highly accurate. The reviewer notes that the LCD3 excels at smoothing out flaws in bad recordings and creates an effortless emotional connection, making the listener immediately get lost in the music, especially when playing Jazz. However, the LCD3 comes with a few notable drawbacks, starting with its premium price tag and high power requirements. It is exceptionally amplifier-picky, requiring an expensive, high-end headphone amp like the Firestone Audio Bobby to sound full and reach its true potential. Lower-powered budget amps like the Burson Audio Soloist SL fail to drive it properly. Additionally, the headphones are quite heavy to wear. Sound-wise, the treble rolls off a bit too soon, and the soundstage lacks the ultimate width and depth needed for classical music, meaning it...

The Audeze LCD-3 is highlighted as a technical milestone in planar magnetic headphone development, offering an exceptionally engaging "swing factor," a more spacious soundstage, and superior resolution compared to the LCD-2. Its primary strengths lie in delivering an emotionally immersive, palpable listening experience, making it ideal for high-end recordings. However, the LCD-3 is a highly unforgiving headphone that exposes poor recording quality, making it less suitable for mainstream music compared to its predecessor. Additionally, it is noted for being power-hungry and requiring a high-end amplifier to reach its full potential, representing a significant investment.

In a 2013 Forbes review, the Audeze LCD3 is hailed as a high-end audio triumph for its deep, precise bass, exceptional midrange clarity, and lifelike, detailed soundstage that mimics premium home speakers. While praising its performance, the review highlights significant drawbacks, including a heavy 548-gram build that can look awkward and a high-frequency response in the upper-midrange that, while good, doesn't quite reach the incredible standard set by its lower frequencies. Ultimately, despite the high price tag and physical bulk restricting them to home use, they are presented as a transformative, albeit luxurious, listening experience.

In his HeadMania review, Dan Gheorghe crowns the Audeze LCD3 as the "King of Musicality," noting that it offers a massive performance leap over its predecessor, the LCD2. Tested using a Burson Conductor and a Toxic Silver Widow cable, the LCD3 stands out for its incredible neutral tonality, improved comfort, softer pads, and a distinct aesthetic highlighted by its zebra wood finish. The reviewer is particularly mesmerized by its sub-bass performance during tracks by Infected Mushroom and Dire Straits, declaring it the absolute best, most detailed, and well-controlled bass he has ever experienced in a headphone. Compared to the Sennheiser HD800, which still leads in raw detail, positioning, and soundstage width, the LCD3 excels by offering a vastly more musical, multi-layered, and tactile listening experience with excellent vocal presence and brilliant instrumental decay. The review highlights several core strengths alongside a few limitations of the headphones. On the pros side, the LCD3 features phenomenal, fast dynamics that make music highly enjoyable even at lower volumes, an unmatched "king of the bass" performance, a wide soundstage, and highly detailed yet smooth...

The Audeze LCD-3 review by Stuart Charles Black outlines an eye-opening, highly philosophical listening encounter centered around a "super mutant Behemoth" pair of planar magnetic headphones. The reviewer characterizes the open-back, circumaural headphones as exceptionally durable, built with wood and lambskin to withstand extreme wear. Tonally, the LCD-3 delivers a unique, vivid sound signature boasting insane detail, laser-like imaging, and an expansive soundstage, which allows listeners to dissect tracks like Pink Floyd's “Time” with unparalleled, micro-detail accuracy. The mid-range is outstandingly rich, and the bass response digging down incredibly deep, resulting in a raw, visceral, and highly revealing presentation that demands undivided cognitive attention rather than casual relaxation. However, the review details prominent physical and technical drawbacks to this $2,000 audiophile setup. Major cons include its massive weight—clocking in at 21.2 ounces (600g)—which causes hitting-and-missing comfort that requires adjustments after 30 to 45 minutes to avoid physical fatigue. From a performance standpoint, its overall speed and transients feel a tad slow, moving at a "turtle's pace" that makes it less ideal for faster genres like Metal, while a distinct frequency...

The Audeze LCD-3 is a premium open circumaural planar magnetic headphone that delivers exceptional audio fidelity but demands high-quality amplification due to its 110 ohms impedance and high optimal power requirement (1–4W). In terms of performance pros, the reviewer highlights an incredible midrange with crisp, clean fidelity that makes vocals sound exceptional. It also boasts an extraordinary, deep soundstage with immense clarity and separation, giving the listener the rich, spacious impression of sitting in the middle of a concert hall. Additionally, the high end is highly detailed, making it sound "like heaven" when reproducing string instruments. However, the headphone has notable drawbacks that make it polarizing depending on user preference and physical tolerance. A primary con is its massive weight, which makes it fatigue-inducing for users who cannot tolerate heavy gear, despite the thick, comfortable leather padding on the earcups and headband. Acoustically, the low end is relaxed rather than deep, featuring minimal bass impact and slight bleeding between low notes, which makes the sound lackluster for rock and roll. Lastly, the high end can occasionally feel overly bright, and...

In the provided review from The Sound Apprentice, guest writer Charles Bonn shares his three-week experience testing the Audeze LCD-3 planar magnetic headphones. The reviewer compares them directly to his own Beyerdynamic DT880 Pro headphones and finds a massive upgrade in audio performance. On the positive side, the pros include incredibly deep, hitting bass and an open soundstage that brings out the best in various music genres like Electronic, Acoustic, and Progressive Rock. Additionally, the luxurious leather ear pads and headband offer elite comfort for long listening sessions, and the sturdy IP67-rated SKB travel case keeps the gear very secure. On the negative side, the cons focus heavily on physical design and power needs. The LCD-3 headphones are exceptionally heavy, making other headphones feel feather-light by comparison, which means they can slip off easily if you move your head too fast. Another major annoyance is the travel case, which forces users to fully retract the headphone yokes every single time they want to store them. Finally, these headphones demand massive amplification power—needing 1 to 4 watts compared to the DT880’s...

The Audeze LCD-3 headphones are characterized by Ken Rockwell as offering an exceptionally smooth, natural, and revealing audio performance with a wide, open-back soundstage that replicates a live concert hall. Hand-built in the USA with West African Zebrano wood rings and lambskin leather, the planar magnetic design provides high-fidelity sound with excellent detail, rapid transient response, and the versatility to be driven by devices ranging from iPhones to dedicated high-end amplifiers. Ken Rockwell However, the review notes significant drawbacks, including their substantial weight and bulky construction, which limit comfort during long, stationary listening sessions. As an open-back design, the LCD-3 provides no external noise isolation and suffers from high sound leakage, requiring a quiet, personal environment to be used properly.

The Audeze LCD-3 is an open-backed, planar magnetic headphone praised for its authoritative and rich presentation, delivering a scale of sound that rivals expensive speaker setups. The review highlights its astounding detail resolution and rhythmic ability, noting that it provides a "believable feeling of physical presence" when listening to complex pieces like Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. Its build quality is equally premium, featuring Zebrano wood earcups and lambskin earpads, though the open-back design means they leak significant sound, making them unsuitable for shared spaces. While the performance is world-class, the LCD-3 comes with notable practical drawbacks. It is large and heavy (548g), which can lead to the ears warming up during extended listening sessions. Furthermore, they are demanding to drive; top-quality sources and a dedicated headphone amplifier with decent power are mandatory to reach their full potential. Despite the steep price of £1725, the review concludes that their exceptional transparency and low-frequency articulation make them a high-value choice for serious audiophiles who have the equipment to support them. Are you looking for a headphone amplifier to pair with these, or

The Absolute Sound review hails the $1,945 Audeze LCD3 open-back planar magnetic headphones as a significant advancement over the LCD2, delivering exceptional musical agility, fast transients, and a remarkably balanced, open, and revealing midrange. These headphones are praised for their class-leading bass performance, offering deep extension, high-speed, and excellent tactile punch. Conversely, the review highlights the 550-gram weight as a factor that may reduce comfort during long listening sessions, alongside the high-current amplifier requirements needed to overcome their 93 dB sensitivity. Furthermore, the open-back design limits usage by producing substantial sound leakage, making them unsuitable for noisy environments.

The Audeze LCD3 is a transformative open-back planar magnetic headphone that rivals the emotional connection, three-dimensional soundstaging, and transparency of high-end loudspeaker systems. Retailing at $1,945, these headphones stand out for their ability to project a lifelike image around the listener's head rather than firing sound directly into the skull. Reviewer Michael Mercer highlights major pros, including a highly dynamic performance, crystalline and ear-numbing bass, lightning-fast transient attacks, and exceptionally low distortion. Additionally, the angled earcup design naturally directs sound into the ear anatomy, while the "leather-free" super suede headband provides deep padding that makes the heavy chassis feel remarkably light and comfortable for hours of extended listening. Despite the glowing praise, the review notes a few distinct cons and technical limitations to keep in mind. At 45 ohms, the LCD3s require a dedicated, high-quality headphone amplifier to properly drive them to their full potential. Their open-back design features zero noise cancellation, meaning environmental sounds will leak in, and people nearby will hear your music. Sonically, they can occasionally exhibit a "shade dark" character, though the reviewer notes this is...

This Head-Fi review compares the Audeze LCD-3 against the LCD-2 r2 and Stax SR-007, highlighting a thicker, more full-bodied mid-range and increased bass quantity as key improvements that offer a visceral, engaging sound for electronic and metal genres. The LCD-3 also introduces softer brown leather earpads, which significantly improve comfort by reducing the clamping force found on previous models. Conversely, the review notes a darker sound signature with reduced treble compared to the LCD-2, along with a flat, mid-sized soundstage that lacks the scale needed for orchestral music. Furthermore, the review identifies a weak dynamic range, which fails to distinguish between quiet and loud passages, alongside an airtight seal from the ear pads that causes uncomfortable pressure on the eardrums.

The Headfonics review of the Audeze LCD-3 highlights these open-back planar magnetic headphones for their magnificent, smooth midrange and highly satisfying, balanced low end. Key pros include excellent vocal/instrumental weight, profound stereo imaging depth, and strong responsiveness to EQ adjustments. Conversely, the review identifies the treble as the weakest link, citing a lack of brightness compared to competitors. Additionally, the LCD-3 is criticized for having only average soundstage width and instrument separation, while failing to live up to high-end speaker system marketing claims.

The Audeze LCD-3 is an open-back, circumaural headphone utilizing planar magnetic technology with large 106 mm thin-film diaphragms. Priced at $1,945, these handmade American headphones deliver an exceptionally balanced, spacious, and transparent soundstage across all frequencies without becoming overly clinical. They provide highly accurate vocal and instrumental timbre, deep bass extension, and a non-fatiguing listening experience that easily handles complex musical layers. Physically, they boast stunning workmanship featuring matched Zebra wood rings, premium leather or microsuede earpads, and an adjustable headband that ensures long-term comfort. Key Pros & Cons Pro: Stunning craftsmanship with Zebra wood rings. Pro: Gorgeously balanced and un-fatiguing sound. Pro: Excellent comfort for long listening sessions. Con: Bulky profile due to massive drivers. Con: Zero portability and lacks noise-canceling features. Con: Sound leakage inherent to open-back designs. Con: Source dependent requiring an expensive dedicated amplifier.

The SuperBestAudioFriends review of the 2019 Audeze LCD-3 highlights superior subjective resolution and engaging, detailed audio compared to the LCD-2C, while maintaining quick planar magnetic performance. However, the 2019 unit shows significant drawbacks, including higher third-order distortion below 200Hz and a muddied frequency response up to 300Hz, leading to a "C" grade for frustrating performance inconsistencies. YouTube

The Audeze LCD-3f is a beautifully crafted planar magnetic headphone featuring an unmistakably retro design constructed with real leather, steel, and premium East Indian Rosewood cups. Equipped with patented Fazor technology, the headphone operates efficiently at an impedance of 110 Ohms, making it significantly easier to drive with various amplifiers than previous iterations. However, the reviewer notes that the LCD-3f is highly sensitive to amplification synergy. Initial tests with stock amplifier tubes yielded an underwhelming, sludgy, and muddy performance with a congested, mid-centric soundstage that struggled with instrument separation. The headphone's true capabilities are unlocked only after upgrading to high-end amplifier tubes (such as the EML 300b), which transforms the sound from bland to brilliant. Once properly paired, the pros include an incredibly vivid, three-dimensional holographic soundstage, superb separation, and stunning control over the lower midrange and bass frequencies. Its warm sound signature excels at taming harsh treble glare, making it the perfect choice for classic rock, EDM, soul, and funk. On the downside, the cons include its bulky design, a heavy reliance on high-quality source gear to avoid a...

The reviewer evaluated the Audeze LCD3 planar magnetic headphones, discovering that their true potential is heavily dependent on pairing them with a high-end, balanced amplifier like the AURALiC Taurus. Initially, when paired with less optimal setups, the headphones delivered a dark sound signature that lacked open, airy treble, distinct details, and optimal bass definition. They also presented physical drawbacks, requiring regular listening breaks due to their noticeable weight and clamping pressure on the ears.

The Headfonia review highlights the Audeze LCD-3 for advancing planar magnetic technology, offering a highly realistic, "alive" sound, and improved treble extension and staging compared to its predecessor. While lauded for its exceptional resolution and transparency, this uncompromising nature is also a con; it mercilessly exposes poor recordings and mastering flaws. Consequently, the review notes that the less-resolving LCD-2 may be a better, more forgiving choice for listening to heavily compressed or lower-quality music.

The Audeze LCD-3 planar magnetic headphones are highly praised for their smooth, warm, and lifelike sound, featuring exceptional, textured bass and a lush, non-fatiguing midrange. These open-back headphones, designed with premium materials, offer superior instrument separation and imaging. However, the headphones are heavy at roughly 635 grams and possess a high clamping force, making them uncomfortable for long listening sessions. Additionally, the dark, rolled-off treble tuning may limit high-end air, and the headphones require a high-quality, powerful amplifier to achieve optimal performance.