The Audeze LCD-X has been one of the most popular and well-received headphones of the past decade. Originally a lower-impedance version of the LCD-3, its versatility across a wide range of genres and applications has made it a go-to for mixing, listening, and gaming. Yet since its release, we’ve seen several notable releases in the same price range that offer similar features and have been significantly updated. After multiple revisions, with the latest being the re-revision in 2024, I wanted to revisit the LCD-X to ask an important question: Is the LCD-X still worth getting despite being 10 years old? Let’s find out in this revisited review of the Audeze LCD-X.

Design

The 106mm planar magnetic transducer is the first thing worth mentioning. Its massive size and high sensitivity demonstrate exactly why the LCD-X is such a popular option for audiophiles and professionals alike. This greatly aids in staging, but I’ll discuss that later. The Fazor magnetic array, which Audeze is known for, was introduced with the LCD-X in 2014. Since then, the design has been modified, and some might even say perfected, with the four updates since the headphone's release.
The 1.9m 4-pin XLR cable comes with both an XLR to 6.35mm adapter and a 6.35mm to 3.5mm adapter. The copper internals and mini-XLR stereo headphone inputs feel durable and high quality. I didn’t experience any unwanted noise from the cable, and unless a 4.4mm jack is needed, an upgrade cable seems unnecessary. Another notable design spec is the 103dB/1mW sensitivity. The flagship Audeze headphones are notoriously hard to drive. Unlike the LCD-5, the LCD-X can be powered by most dongle DACs, but it will still shine brightest when paired with a high-quality amplifier. The main design drawback often mentioned is the staggering 612g weight. Although Audeze combats this with a suspended headband and 1.75-inch earpads, the weight is still noticeable. It’s not excessively clampy, but this hefty headphone will definitely feel substantial while in use.

Comfort

Although comfort is highly subjective, there are some notable drawbacks to using such heavy headphones. Those with smaller heads and shoulders will immediately feel how bulky these headphones are. The metal design and headband are undoubtedly durable, but the added weight is something to consider before making a purchase. Personally, I have a large head and am quite tall. The weight was suitable for my head shape, and the super-soft earpads did a great job of holding the weight comfortably. I have no problem with this corpulent design. Although I’m guilty of slouching while behind a mixing desk, the LCD-X remained comfortable to wear even after hours of use. I wouldn’t let the weight stop you from getting them if you like how they sound.

Soundstage

The most notable and impressive quality of the soundstage is the accurate imaging these headphones possess. Although not the most expansive in width, there is fantastic clarity to recordings, which allows these headphones to perform well in a mixing context. The soundstage width can be characterized as medium, certainly not as compact as closed-back headphones. What is above average is the way vertical information is presented.

One of my favorite reference tracks to test soundstage is “Owner of a Lonely Heart” by Yes. Transitions between electronic and analog sounds pan distinctly. Unlike many other tracks, the sounds shift from dry to wet, low to high, and intimate to wide almost instantaneously. What’s impressive about these headphones is their ability to capture the diverse array of textures being presented very well. The wide guitar intro that creeps behind and above your head transitions quickly into a wet/dry rig guitar with lots of intimacy. The fast transients of these headphones allow them to display these details accurately, thanks in large part to the massive drivers. The LCD-X has a unique soundstage that’s not only suitable for listening but is also a perfect tool for mixing in stereo or with spatial audio.

Lows

The bass on the LCD-X is surprising. Although most reference curves you’ll find online appear flat in the bass, they’re surprisingly warm. The bass on the LCD-X is anything but boring and works well with the mids and highs. Although overall flat, there is some semblance of a ‘w-shaped’ tuning. Strong mids, highs, and a formidable low end balance each other out, creating a sound that feels flat but also has a lot of character and warmth. It’s difficult to EQ the highs in many ‘v-shaped’ sound signatures, and I don’t find them suitable for mixing applications the way the LCD-X is. The added high-bass does a good job of reigning in the peaks at 3kHz and 8kHz. The bass is quick and versatile, working perfectly with a variety of genres. There is no muddiness whatsoever, and it’s a forceful bass that complements the other elements in the tuning.
While listening to “She” by Stout, the guitar and bass lines have fantastic separation while still keeping the low rumbling associated with punk music. Although this depends greatly on how a recording is mixed, many headphones struggle to separate parts played one octave lower, causing notes to meld into one another. The bass on the LCD-X keeps the saturated guitars clear while the bass guitar remains girthy. Slam in bass sounds fantastic but doesn’t overwhelm the other parts in a mix.

Mids

Audeze has a fantastic reputation for tuning some really pleasant and versatile bass signatures. At the same time, I personally enjoy the mid-range of the LCD-X the most out of any part of the tuning. There isn’t much going on, but the subtlety in this frequency range brings a lot out of recordings. A flat mid signature with a small peak around 800 Hz brings a lot of forwardness to drums, guitars, and vocals. Sometimes, the simplest tunings are the most revealing.
There’s enough mid-range information to let a broad range of frequencies speak freely. Simultaneously, higher-pitched vocals shine very nicely, without sounding overly airy. This is demonstrated perfectly in the track “Seraphim” by Izzy Camina. The airy, reverb-laden vocals are clear, with enough separation from the treble tuning to capture separation in the vocal harmonies. The kick drums sound full yet balanced, driving the infectious rhythm with heaviness and snap.

Highs

The highs on the LCD-X are among the most practical of any headphone, adhering closely to the Harman curve. There are some deviations, the most notable being a dip in the 8kHz-10kHz range. This is less dramatic on the 2024 revision, which has brought up the treble range and increased the clarity. These cans lean warm rather than bright, but the increased treble makes them much more engaging than the 2021 version. You still don’t get any sibilance from these, but there’s a forceful character that brings these headphones to life. Other flat-sounding options in this range (like the HD800S) tend to feel clinical. The high end on the LCD-X feels controlled yet present, allowing the warm tuning to retain transparency without becoming brittle.

Comparisons

Sennheiser HD800S

The HD800S is a legendary headphone in its own right, used for similar purposes as the LCD-X. Still, there are distinct differences between these flat headphones. In terms of soundstage, the HD800S feels much more expansive. Although not as vertical due to the dynamic drivers, trailing sounds can push further. As for tuning differences, the LCD-X has a much more exciting bass that can slam harder than the HD800S. At the same time, the dip in highs on the Sennheiser between 1kHz and 5kHz results in a very sterile quality. Sounds can be a bit honky. Personally, I find the tuning of the LCD-X to be much more inspiring and exciting.

Hifiman HE-1000 Stealth

The HE-1000 Stealth is a fantastic overall headphone with some very sensible strengths. Like the HD800S, the HE-1000 Stealth has a great soundstage that conveys more distance than the LCD-X. Unlike the HD800S, the planar magnets in the Hifiman can compete with the LCD-X’s verticality, though it is still less vertical than the LCD-X. Both have flat bass, but the HE-1000 favors low mids rather than the mid spike of the LCD-X. Where they differ the most is in the highs; the HE-1000 Stealth is known for becoming glassy. This isn’t a drawback if you prefer brighter headphones, but for my personal preference, the warmth of the LCD-X is unmatched.

Conclusion

There’s a lot to like about the Audeze LCD-X with very little to complain about. Although its soundstage is intimate, recordings still feel natural without being supplemented by artificial reverb. The weight is noticeable, but the fantastic earpads and suspended headband do a good job of mitigating discomfort. Its masterful tuning brings out the best in a flat-sounding headphone, with enough bass to be engaging and enough treble to keep things sounding clear. This is a perfect all-around open-back headphone, from its drivability to its exciting sound.