What is the primary difference between the LCD-2 Classic and the original LCD-2?

The LCD-2 Classic removes the Fazor elements found in the modern LCD-2. This design choice results in a warmer sound profile that more closely resembles the earliest iterations of the Audeze LCD series.

What are the benefits of the closed-back design?

The closed-back design offers superior isolation, preventing music from leaking out to others and blocking ambient environmental noise. It also features a modified internal structure to maintain a wide soundstage despite the sealed earcups.

What type of driver technology does this model use?

It uses proprietary planar magnetic transducers. These drivers utilize a large, thin diaphragm driven by a magnetic field to produce sound with high accuracy and low distortion.

How would you describe the bass response?

The bass response is described as punchy, full-bodied, and extended. The signature Audeze sound provides a significant presence in the low-end, making it suitable for bass-heavy genres and immersive listening.

Is this headphone suitable for long listening sessions?

Yes, it features non-fatiguing highs and a balanced mid-range designed for comfort. The goal is to allow music enthusiasts to enjoy their library for extended periods without auditory fatigue.

How does this compare to the Sony MDR-7506?

While the Sony MDR-7506 is a professional studio tool focused on utility and mid-forward monitoring, the LCD-2 Classic Closed-Back is a luxury hi-fi product. The Audeze uses planar drivers for greater detail and a warmer, more full-bodied frequency response.

Does this model use Audeze Fazor technology?

No, the LCD-2 Classic series specifically omits Fazor elements. This is a deliberate design choice to achieve a warmer and more 'classic' planar magnetic sound character.

Is the LCD-2 Classic Closed-Back wireless?

No, it is a traditional wired high-fidelity headphone. For wireless needs, users would look toward models like the AlphaTheta HDJ-F10, though they offer a different sound signature.

What is the typical price for this model?

The typical retail price is approximately £849. This places it in the premium hi-fi category of the market.

Can these be used for professional studio work?

While they are designed for music fanatics and hi-fi listening, their detailed highs and balanced mids make them capable for critical listening. However, their warm character is often preferred for enjoyment over clinical monitoring.

How does the soundstage compare to open-back headphones?

Although it is a closed-back model, Audeze has modified the design to deliver a broader soundstage than typically expected from sealed cups. It aims to provide a sense of space while maintaining isolation.

How does it differ from the Etymotic ER2-SE?

The Etymotic ER2-SE is an in-ear monitor (IEM) designed for studio accuracy and high isolation in a small form factor. The Audeze LCD-2 Classic Closed-Back is a full-sized over-ear headphone using larger planar drivers for a more expansive and warmer sound.

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Audeze LCD-2 Classic Closed-Back Headphones

The Audeze LCD-2 Classic Closed-Back is a high-fidelity planar magnetic headphone designed to provide a warm, punchy, and immersive listening experience. It serves as a closed-back evolution of the revered LCD-2 Classic, removing Fazor elements to emphasize a full-bodied low-end and superior sound isolation.

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Overview

The Audeze LCD-2 Classic Closed-Back represents a deliberate return to the company's roots, building upon the legacy of the original LCD-2. While many modern Audeze models incorporate 'Fazor' wave guides, the Classic series intentionally omits these elements to achieve a specific tonal character described as warm and exciting. The closed-back iteration is engineered to provide the signature Audeze planar sound while preventing sound leakage and blocking external ambient noise.

Technical Design and Drivers

At the heart of the LCD-2 Classic Closed-Back is a proprietary planar magnetic transducer. These top-of-the-line drivers utilize a thin-film diaphragm suspended in a magnetic field, allowing for high-speed response and low distortion. By utilizing a non-Fazor design, the headphones offer a presentation that focuses on musicality and weight, particularly in the lower frequencies, compared to the more analytical profile of Fazor-equipped models.

Sound Character

The sonic signature of these headphones is characterized by a punchy, full-bodied low-end and a balanced mid-range. The high frequencies are designed to be detailed yet non-fatiguing, allowing for long listening sessions without the harshness sometimes found in high-resolution audio gear. Despite the closed-back construction, the modified design is intended to deliver a broad and wide soundstage, mimicking the spatial characteristics of open-back designs while maintaining isolation.

Target Audience

This model is primarily aimed at music fanatics and audiophiles who require a high-performance listening solution that can be used in environments where sound leakage is problematic. Its warm and exciting profile makes it suitable for those who prefer a 'musical' rather than 'sterile' sound. Because it provides superior isolation, it is an appropriate choice for home listeners who share space with others or office-based professionals seeking an immersive hi-fi experience.

Comparison to Alternatives

Within the Audeze range, the Closed-Back version differs from the standard LCD-2 Classic by offering better privacy and external noise rejection. When compared to professional studio staples like the Sennheiser HD 25 or Sony MDR-7506, the LCD-2 Classic Closed-Back operates at a significantly higher fidelity level and uses planar magnetic technology rather than traditional dynamic drivers. While products like the AlphaTheta HDJ-F10 focus on wireless DJ utility, the Audeze remains a dedicated wired hi-fi component.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary difference between the LCD-2 Classic and the original LCD-2?: The LCD-2 Classic removes the Fazor elements found in the modern LCD-2. This design choice results in a warmer sound profile that more closely resembles the earliest iterations of the Audeze LCD series.
What are the benefits of the closed-back design?: The closed-back design offers superior isolation, preventing music from leaking out to others and blocking ambient environmental noise. It also features a modified internal structure to maintain a wide soundstage despite the sealed earcups.
What type of driver technology does this model use?: It uses proprietary planar magnetic transducers. These drivers utilize a large, thin diaphragm driven by a magnetic field to produce sound with high accuracy and low distortion.
How would you describe the bass response?: The bass response is described as punchy, full-bodied, and extended. The signature Audeze sound provides a significant presence in the low-end, making it suitable for bass-heavy genres and immersive listening.
Is this headphone suitable for long listening sessions?: Yes, it features non-fatiguing highs and a balanced mid-range designed for comfort. The goal is to allow music enthusiasts to enjoy their library for extended periods without auditory fatigue.
How does this compare to the Sony MDR-7506?: While the Sony MDR-7506 is a professional studio tool focused on utility and mid-forward monitoring, the LCD-2 Classic Closed-Back is a luxury hi-fi product. The Audeze uses planar drivers for greater detail and a warmer, more full-bodied frequency response.
Does this model use Audeze Fazor technology?: No, the LCD-2 Classic series specifically omits Fazor elements. This is a deliberate design choice to achieve a warmer and more 'classic' planar magnetic sound character.
Is the LCD-2 Classic Closed-Back wireless?: No, it is a traditional wired high-fidelity headphone. For wireless needs, users would look toward models like the AlphaTheta HDJ-F10, though they offer a different sound signature.
What is the typical price for this model?: The typical retail price is approximately £849. This places it in the premium hi-fi category of the market.
Can these be used for professional studio work?: While they are designed for music fanatics and hi-fi listening, their detailed highs and balanced mids make them capable for critical listening. However, their warm character is often preferred for enjoyment over clinical monitoring.
How does the soundstage compare to open-back headphones?: Although it is a closed-back model, Audeze has modified the design to deliver a broader soundstage than typically expected from sealed cups. It aims to provide a sense of space while maintaining isolation.
How does it differ from the Etymotic ER2-SE?: The Etymotic ER2-SE is an in-ear monitor (IEM) designed for studio accuracy and high isolation in a small form factor. The Audeze LCD-2 Classic Closed-Back is a full-sized over-ear headphone using larger planar drivers for a more expansive and warmer sound.