Publication Reviews

"In terms of design, we have to say that Audeze’s iSINE LX takes the top spot. It features a new, innovative design that hasn’t been seen in headphones before — which is why we think it’s one of the best headphones out in the market today."

The Audeze LCD-XC are part headphones, part mahogany library. That burly look and their superb sound quality will set you back $1,799. But think of it this way: They're 3% the price of the Sennheiser Orpheus.

But there is one key benefit to using their Lightning cable instead. Audeze calls it the “CIPHER” cable, and it has many of the key audio components required to drive high quality headphones built right into it. Where you would normally find a control module with a mic and playback controls, the CIPHER cable has an inline digital-to-analog converter, a headphones amplifier, and of course a Siri-compatible mic for calls. Your iPhone has more than enough juice to power these, and being plugged into the Lightning port gives the EL-8s access to all of it. Of course, these are high end headphones. Even without the iOS compatibility they wouldn’t be cheap. But if you’re getting tired of carrying large DACs and headphone amps, these are a sleek all in one option.

Audeze doesn't make one-off high-end headphones for fun; the company has the track record (and loyal customer base) to prove it. So why take the step up from the company's LCD-3 and LCD-4 headphones to the newest flagship set, the LCD-4z (pictured)?

The AUDEZE LCD 4 Reference Headphones are hand crafted to perfection. AUDEZE has years of work and research into this headset to give you a truly luxurious and high-quality audio experience. AUDEZE LCD-4 uses the planar magnetic technology to reproduce most accurate sound signals. The Nano scale diaphragm of AUDEZE LCD-4 is super lightweight.

Safe indoors means more time for activities like video gaming, binge movie and TV-watching, and, depending on who you are quarantined with, drowning out external noise. When it comes to how we are tuning in (and tuning out at the same time), look no further than California-based audio manufacturer Audeze. Audeze’s Mobius gaming phones blew my mind. In our latest podcast, we spoke with Audeze Founder and CEO Sankar Thiagasamudram about the Mobius headphones. In this episode, he explains the history of this stunning piece of tech, while teaching us about how to shop for a new set.

If you are in the market for a high-end headphone that will serve as both an audiophile experience and a brilliant studio headphone, then the closed-back LCD-XC is worth your consideration. This is by no means the newest headphone in the lineup, but after hearing it at NAMM in January 2020 at the Audeze booth, we had to get our hands on a pair to test in the studio and at the home turntable lounge aka the sanctuary.

If you like the idea of portable high-end headphones but aren’t swayed by the bulky HiFiMAN DEVA above, then the AUDEZE LCD-1 are worth a serious look. They don’t have the DEVA’s Bluetooth, but they are significantly lighter—and crucially—can fold up (AUDEZE are known for making massive headphones, so the LCD-1 are a welcome exception). We don’t think they sound quite as good as the DEVA, with slightly dryer bass and a reduced soundstage, but they still have plenty going for them—chiefly in the upper mids, which sound warm and engaging. These headphones respond exceptionally well to genres like rock and acoustic and should be high on the list for anyone who enjoys vocals.

We awarded the AUDEZE LCD2Cs an Editor's Choice award when we reviewed them: they take the original LCD-2's rich bass and unbelievable depth, and wrap it in a wallet-friendly package. Sure, you lose the wood cups and the hard travel case, but who cares? These are absolutely out of this world.

Audeze is professional Made in U.S.A. recording studio equipment, not to be confused with consumer rubbish dragged-in from the Orient. When you consider this, the ultra-low price of the LCD-1 is even more shocking. These are the least expensive headphones Audeze makes; you're taking advantage of everything they've learned through years of innovations and patents in planar magnetic headphones. Other people fall all over themselves paying $4,000 for Audeze's LCD-4. It's like getting a more-durable Ferrari brand-new for just $15,000; these are all designed by the same engineer and made in the same California factory as the LCD-4 — and these LCD-1 fold for travel.

Headfonics says the Audeze LCD-1 "is the whole cake this time and at $399 it tastes rather good." Find a link to the full review here!

"The Audeze LCD-1s represent the new gold standard for entry level planar headphones, if such a thing can be said about a category which "slums" it at $400, but can top out in the $1000's"