Audeze LCD-X Professional Open-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones

The Audeze LCD-X is one of the most widely used planar magnetic headphones in professional audio—and for good reason.

Since its introduction in 2013, the LCD-X has become a reference for recording engineers, producers, mastering engineers and audiophiles who want to hear exactly what's happening in a recording.

Its sound is built around accuracy, transparency, low distortion and powerful low-frequency extension, while its unusually high efficiency makes it far easier to drive than many high-end planar magnetic headphones.

For the studio, it's a serious monitoring tool. At home, it's an incredibly revealing way to hear what's actually on your favorite recordings.

106mm Planar Magnetic Drivers

The LCD-X uses massive 106mm planar magnetic transducers.

Rather than concentrating the driving force around a conventional voice coil, Audeze distributes force across an ultra-thin diaphragm.

The large surface area and low moving mass give the LCD-X exceptional transient response, low distortion and the ability to reproduce complex musical information without losing separation or control.

Ultra-Thin Uniforce Diaphragm

Audeze's Ultra-Thin Uniforce diaphragm is engineered to distribute force more evenly across the diaphragm's surface.

That helps reduce the breakup and distortion that can occur when different parts of a driver aren't moving uniformly.

The result is the kind of clarity the LCD-X is known for—especially when you're listening deep into a mix.

Fazor Phase Management

The LCD-X incorporates Audeze's Fazor waveguides.

Positioned within the magnetic structure, the Fazor elements help manage the acoustic energy leaving the diaphragm.

By reducing interference and improving phase behavior, they contribute to more precise imaging, better separation and a more natural sense of space.

Built for Accuracy

The LCD-X isn't designed to flatter everything you play through it.

That's the point.

Audeze developed it to provide the kind of tonal accuracy and low distortion professionals need when making decisions about EQ, dynamics, balance, positioning and mastering.

A mix that translates well through an accurate monitoring system is much more likely to translate correctly when someone hears it through speakers, headphones, a car system or another playback environment.

That's why the LCD-X has become such a popular tool in professional studios.

Serious Bass Without the Hype

One of the LCD-X's biggest strengths is its low-frequency performance.

The huge planar drivers can reproduce deep bass with excellent extension, speed and control.

Instead of using exaggerated midbass to make the headphone sound bigger, the LCD-X lets you hear what's actually happening down low.

For engineers, that's valuable.

For audiophiles, it's simply a lot of fun.

Open-Back Soundstage

The LCD-X is a fully open-back headphone.

The design allows the drivers to interact freely with the surrounding air, helping create a natural sense of width, depth and spatial positioning.

That makes it easier to identify where instruments and effects sit within a recording.

It also makes the LCD-X particularly compelling for serious home listening, where its combination of planar bass and open-back imaging can create an experience much closer to listening to a high-end two-channel system.

Exceptionally Easy to Drive

One of the biggest advantages of the LCD-X is efficiency.

Nominal impedance is only:

20 ohms

Sensitivity is:

103dB / 1mW

Audeze specifically designed the LCD-X to work well from a wide range of professional interfaces, consoles and playback devices.

Minimum recommended power is greater than:

100mW

with Audeze recommending more than:

250mW

That doesn't mean amplification doesn't matter.

A great DAC and headphone amplifier can still improve dynamics, bass control, soundstage and overall refinement.

The difference is that the LCD-X doesn't require exotic amplification just to perform properly.

10Hz–50kHz Frequency Response

The LCD-X has a specified frequency response of:

10Hz–50kHz

Maximum output exceeds:

130dB SPL

Total harmonic distortion is rated at:

Less than 0.1% at 100dB SPL

Maximum power handling is:

5 watts RMS

That combination of extremely low distortion and substantial dynamic capability is one of the reasons the LCD-X works equally well as a professional reference and a serious audiophile headphone.

Designed for Long Sessions

Audeze has continued refining the LCD-X over the years to improve comfort and reduce weight.

The current version uses a suspension headband that distributes pressure more evenly across the head along with deeply cushioned premium ear pads.

At:

612 grams

the LCD-X is still a substantial headphone.

But this is a professional tool designed for extended mixing, mastering and listening sessions rather than portability.

Premium OCC Copper Cable

The LCD-X includes a 1.9-meter braided cable using 20 AWG high-purity OCC audio-grade copper.

The primary termination is a balanced 4-pin XLR, and Audeze includes a single-ended 1/4-inch adapter.

A 1/4-inch to 3.5mm adapter is also included, giving the LCD-X considerable flexibility with different headphone amplifiers, interfaces and source components.

Key Specifications

• Type: Professional Open-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones
• Style: Over-Ear / Circumaural
• Transducer Type: Planar Magnetic
• Transducer Size: 106mm
• Diaphragm: Ultra-Thin Uniforce
• Magnetic Structure: Proprietary Magnet Array
• Magnet Type: Neodymium N50
• Phase Management: Fazor
• Frequency Response: 10Hz–50kHz
• Impedance: 20 Ohms
• Sensitivity: 103dB / 1mW
• Maximum SPL: >130dB
• Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.1% at 100dB SPL
• Minimum Recommended Power: >100mW
• Recommended Power Level: >250mW
• Maximum Power Handling: 5W RMS
• Weight: 612g
• Cable Length: 1.9m / 6.2 ft.
• Cable: 20 AWG High-Purity OCC Copper
• Termination: 4-Pin XLR
• 1/4" Single-Ended Adapter: Included
• 3.5mm Adapter: Included
• Travel Case: Included

LCD-X or LCD-2?

This is an important distinction in the Audeze lineup.

The LCD-2 is built around the classic Audeze listening experience: rich, warm, powerful and immersive.

The LCD-X is more about accuracy.

It was developed specifically for professional monitoring and is designed to give engineers and listeners a more transparent view into the recording.

The LCD-X is also considerably easier to drive at 20 ohms and 103dB/mW, making it a natural match for professional audio interfaces as well as dedicated headphone systems.

For someone who wants warmth and musicality first, the LCD-2 may be the better fit.

For someone who wants to hear deeper into the recording—or wants one headphone that can work for both professional and audiophile listening—the LCD-X is extremely hard to ignore.

Experience the Audeze LCD-X at The Grid HiFi

The Grid HiFi is your Audeze and high-performance personal audio expert in Houston, Texas.

The LCD-X may be relatively easy to drive, but a headphone this revealing will absolutely show you what's happening upstream.

The quality of the DAC, streamer, audio interface and headphone amplifier all matter.

The Grid can help you compare the LCD-X with the LCD-2, LCD-3 and other reference headphones, then match it with the right electronics for the way you're actually going to use it.

Whether you're building a serious desktop system, a professional monitoring rig or simply want an incredibly accurate headphone for listening at home, we'll help you put the entire system together correctly.

Come listen.

Contact The Grid HiFi to experience the Audeze LCD-X.