I've had the pleasure of experiencing many high-end headphones over the years. However, few have left as lasting an impression as the Audeze LCD-2. Now, with the release of the LCD-2 Padauk, I was eager to see how this beloved classic has been reimagined. In this review, I'll dive deep into what makes this new iteration special and whether it lives up to the LCD-2 legacy.

Unboxing and First Impressions

- The LCD-2 Padauk Headphones

- A standard LCD Travel Case

- A 4-pin XLR Cable

- A 4-pin XLR to 1/4" TRS adapter cable

- A 1/4" to 3.5mm adapter

- A Warranty Card and Certificate of Authenticity

This comprehensive package ensures that you're ready to listen right out of the box, regardless of your audio setup. I appreciate Audeze's attention to detail in providing adapters for various connection types. The travel case is perfect for professionals who use headphones on the go in lieu of studio monitors.

Design and Build Quality

The most striking aspect of the LCD-2 Padauk is, of course, its new Padauk wood styling. As someone who has admired the original LCD-2's design for years, I find this update to be a beautiful homage to its roots while offering a fresh, elegant look.

The Padauk wood cups aren't just for show – they contribute to the overall premium feel of these headphones. While I'm skeptical about wood components significantly impacting sound in headphones, I can't deny the visual appeal they bring. The sleek black components pay tribute to more recent LCD-2 iterations, creating a perfect blend of classic and modern aesthetics.

Audeze has maintained the core technology that made the LCD-2 famous. The headphones feature the same Fluxor magnet design and Fazor phase management system as the regular LCD-2. At the heart of these cans is a 106mm planar magnetic driver, which not only contributes to clarity and detail but also provides an uncharacteristically warm sound for planar magnetic headphones (though this warmth is characteristic of Audeze's house sound).

With a 70 Ohm impedance and 101dB/1mW sensitivity, I found the LCD-2 Padauk fairly easy to drive. However, to get the most out of these headphones, I still recommend using them with a dedicated DAC/Amp.

Comfort and Fit

Let's address the elephant in the room – at 595g, the LCD-2 Padauk is a heavy headphone. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how well it wears its weight. Audeze has never shied away from producing hefty headphones, and they've clearly put thought into mitigating the weight through clever design.

The suspension-style headband does an excellent job of distributing the weight across my head. I found it comfortable for extended listening sessions, though I would still recommend taking breaks every few hours.

The earpads are a standout feature in terms of comfort. They're incredibly plush and soft, creating a comfortable seal around my ears. This not only enhances comfort but also contributes to good passive noise isolation.

Sound Quality

Now, let's dive into the most crucial aspect of any headphone – its sound. The LCD-2 Padauk maintains the warm, lush signature that Audeze is known for, while offering impressive detail and clarity.

Soundstage and Imaging

One of the most impressive aspects of the LCD-2 Padauk, aside from its bass performance, is its soundstage. Often, warm-sounding headphones struggle to present a natural soundstage, with bass frequencies being pushed much louder than you'd expect from a "far" sounding headphone. However, I found that the LCD-2 Padauk manages to strike an excellent balance.

The soundstage isn't the widest I've heard, but it feels natural and uncontrived. There's a good sense of intimacy and distance, which I appreciate in both musical enjoyment and critical listening scenarios. The imaging is fantastic, making these headphones excellent for mixing work as well.

To test the soundstage, I listened to "Artificial Noise" by KLOFAMA. The kick drums provided quick transients, showcasing the LCD-2's impressive bass response speed. The reverb on other elements in the track was made supremely impactful by the quick 808s and kicks, demonstrating the headphone's ability to present a cohesive yet detailed soundscape.

Bass Performance

The bass performance of the LCD-2 Padauk is, in my opinion, its standout feature. These headphones offer a fantastic warm character that doesn't feel overtly bass-boosted. Instead, I experienced an overall flat quality in the bass and mids that presents a natural and even bass sound.

To put the bass performance to the test, I listened to "It Could Happen To You" performed by The Tete Montoliu Trio. I noticed a nice bloom to the bass that remained controlled throughout. The timbre was fantastic, and I could clearly discern the attack of notes as well as their dynamics.

What impressed me most was the LCD-2 Padauk's versatility in handling different types of bass. It accurately reined in very heavy bass mixes while also warming up brighter pop and metal mixes. This adaptability makes it a great all-rounder for various genres.

In my testing, I used the new Fiio K11 R2R, Hifiman EF500, and CMA 18 portable. I found that the R2R, in particular, brought out an extremely pleasant warmth that bass enthusiasts will love. Even through flatter amps, the warm character of the headphones shone through, maintaining an exciting yet balanced presentation.

Midrange Performance

While the LCD-2 Padauk isn't necessarily a mid-focused headphone, I found its midrange performance to be excellent. The timbre of the tuning makes these headphones perfect for spoken passages and vocals, which is not always the case with audiophile-grade headphones.

I noticed a subtle peak around 800Hz - 1000Hz that gives voices a great punchiness without sounding boxy or overly pushed. Mid-range instruments like guitars, synths, snares, horns, and vocals all have a great evenness that perfectly displays their dynamics. The slight emphasis in this range brings more focus to these instruments, creating a luscious texture that I found highly enjoyable.

To test the midrange performance, I listened to "It's Easy To Remember" performed by the John Coltrane Quartet. Coltrane's cutting saxophone tone was slightly warmed up by the LCD-2, but the essential character remained intact. The ringing quality of the sax tone pierced through the mix without becoming sibilant, showcasing the headphone's ability to present detail without harshness.

Treble Response

Of all the frequency ranges, I found the treble to be the least emphasized in the LCD-2 Padauk. However, this tuning works perfectly in conjunction with the flat bass and mids to create a warm overall sound signature that retains enough detail to separate sounds clearly.

These headphones don't present an analytical sound, so if you're looking for an extremely detailed, treble-forward headphone, the LCD-2 Padauk might not be the perfect choice. However, if you appreciate a warm sound signature with enough detail to give character to different sounds, you'll likely fall in love with these headphones.

The slightly relaxed treble contributes to the LCD-2 Padauk's fatigue-free listening experience. I found myself able to enjoy these headphones for hours without any discomfort or listening fatigue, which is a significant advantage for long listening sessions.

Overall Sound Signature

The LCD-2 Padauk exemplifies Audeze's house sound – warm, defined bass with clear mids and a slightly relaxed treble. This combination results in a sound that's exciting yet balanced, making these headphones versatile enough to handle a wide range of genres with aplomb.

I found the overall presentation to be rich and engaging, with a smoothness that makes long listening sessions a joy. While they may not be the last word in analytical detail, the LCD-2 Padauk offers a musical, immersive listening experience that I believe many audiophiles will appreciate.

Comparisons and Context

To put the LCD-2 Padauk into context, it's worth comparing it to some of its siblings and competitors. Compared to the standard LCD-2, the Padauk offers a similar overall sound signature but with the added visual appeal of the Padauk wood cups. If you already own an LCD-2, the sonic differences may not be significant enough to warrant an upgrade unless you're particularly drawn to the new aesthetics.

When compared to more analytical planar magnetic headphones like some offerings from Hifiman, the LCD-2 Padauk presents a warmer, more relaxed sound. This makes it more forgiving with poor recordings and potentially more enjoyable for long listening sessions, though at the cost of some micro-detail retrieval.

In the context of Audeze's lineup, the LCD-2 Padauk sits comfortably as an excellent entry point into their high-end offerings. It provides a taste of what makes Audeze headphones special without reaching the price points of their flagship models.

Conclusion

After spending considerable time with the Audeze LCD-2 Padauk, I can confidently say that it's a worthy addition to the LCD-2 legacy. The new Padauk styling adds a touch of elegance to an already beloved design, while the sound signature remains true to what has made the LCD-2 a favorite among audiophiles for years.

The warm, rich sound with its impressive bass performance and smooth midrange makes these headphones a joy to listen to across a wide range of genres. While they may not be the ultimate choice for those seeking a neutral, analytical sound, they offer a musical and engaging listening experience that I found highly addictive.

The comfort, despite the weight, is commendable, though I would still recommend taking breaks during extended listening sessions. The build quality is excellent, as we've come to expect from Audeze, and the included accessories ensure you're ready to listen right out of the box.

For bass enthusiasts who have yet to experience Audeze headphones, I would go as far as to say the LCD-2 Padauk could be a blind buy. The combination of deep, controlled bass, clear mids, and smooth treble creates a sound signature that's hard not to love.

However, if you already own a recent version of the LCD-2, the upgrade may be harder to justify unless you're particularly drawn to the new Padauk styling. The sonic differences, while present, are subtle enough that they may not warrant the investment for existing LCD-2 owners. The only exception I’d make is for owners of the highly-collectable original LCD-2 who like the headphones, but want to preserve them in the long run.

In the end, the Audeze LCD-2 Padauk represents a beautiful marriage of classic design and modern aesthetics, all while maintaining the sound signature that has made the LCD-2 a legend in the audiophile world. Whether you're a longtime Audeze fan or someone looking to dip their toes into the world of high-end planar magnetic headphones, the LCD-2 Padauk offers a warm welcome to audiophile bliss.