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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic offers a superior soundstage, making it a better choice for audiophiles seeking an immersive experience with excellent sound quality for music listening, but its open-back design and lack of a microphone make it less suitable for calls, meetings, and environments where sound leakage is an issue. Choose the LCD 2 Classic if prioritizing premium music listening in quiet spaces, or the Maxwell for a well-rounded experience and use in various scenarios. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Audeze LCD 2 Classic
- Excellent for music
Advantages of the Audeze Maxwell
- Very good for phone calls
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
9.2
8.4
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is excellent for music, while the Audeze Maxwell is very good.
Gaming
7.3
9.0
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for gaming, while the Audeze LCD 2 Classic is good.
Phone Calls
4.8
8.7
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for phone calls, while the Audeze LCD 2 Classic is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.7
9.4
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audeze LCD 2 Classic is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.0
The Audeze Maxwell is only fair for noise reduction, while the Audeze LCD 2 Classic is poor.
Battery
N/A
78.0 Hours
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic does not have a battery. The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life.
Cost
$799
$299
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has a price of $799 and the Audeze Maxwell costs $299.
Build Quality
10.0
9.0
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has best in class build quality, while the Audeze Maxwell has excellent build quality.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
8.6
8.9
The Audeze Maxwell and Audeze LCD 2 Classic are both very good for TV and video.
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How the Audeze LCD 2 Classic and the Audeze Maxwell compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze LCD 2 Classic | Audeze Maxwell |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$799 | $299 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | Audeze | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2017 | January 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.9/10 | 8.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.3/10 | 9.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.6/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 78 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 10/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 635 Grams | 498.9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audeze LCD 2 Classic
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Dig into reviews and images
The Greatest Song
Greatest Song Team | August 2023
"These headphones outdo rival planar magnetic headphones, especially in terms of dynamics. Compared to the Hifiman Ananda or the Hifiman Edition XS there is noticeably more slam in the sound, particularly in the bass. The LCD-2C gives you a fantastic sense of quiet dynamics with crystalline precision. This is evident also in our clinical tests, where it’s just easier to understand spoken text at very low volumes."
Audeze Maxwell
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Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | August 2023
"Despite a few caveats, the Audeze Maxwell is one of the best-performing gaming headsets on the market and should top the ranks for a few buyers — provided the budget (and neck strength) is there. Gaming headsets have their work cut out for them, and their audience is historically unkind to performance flaws. If you’re an older gamer with some cash to blow, you should be pleased with the Audeze Maxwell."
Get a great deal on the Audeze LCD 2 Classic or the Audeze Maxwell
About Audeze
Audeze is an, award-winning, American premium headphone manufacturer based in California. Founded in 2008, their products are developed around aerospace materials technology first used by NASA and are widely used by enthusiasts and professionals alike, not only in the fields of music and sound engineering but also in e-sports and the health industry.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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