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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 high-end experience with excellent sound quality and a particularly expansive soundstage, making it ideal for immersive music listening at home, especially since they are open-back which provides a natural sound but leaks sound and offers little isolation from external noise. They may not be suitable for calls and meetings or portable use due to their size and open design. On the other hand, the Audio Technica ATH M30X, while less expensive, offers good overall sound quality with a closed-back design that's better for noise isolation and a more portable form factor, making them more versatile for different environments, including quieter listening or mobile use, but with a less natural soundstage compared to the Audeze. Neither of these models have a built-in microphone, so keep that in mind if you need to make calls or play games that require voice communication. 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
- Good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Audio Technica ATH M30X
- Good for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.2
7.6
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is excellent for music, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is good.
Gaming
7.3
6.6
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.8
4.3
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic and Audio Technica ATH M30X are both poor for phone calls, though the Audeze LCD 2 Classic is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.7
6.9
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
TV and Video
8.6
7.9
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is very good for TV and video, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.0
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for noise reduction, while the Audeze LCD 2 Classic is poor.
Cost
$799
$89
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has a price of $799 and the Audio Technica ATH M30X costs $89.
Build Quality
10.0
7.2
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has best in class build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X has good build quality.
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How the Audeze LCD 2 Classic and the Audio Technica ATH M30X compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze LCD 2 Classic | Audio Technica ATH M30X |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$799 | $89 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | Audio Technica | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2017 | January 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.9/10 | 4.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.3/10 | 6.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.6/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 4.3/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 10/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 635 Grams | 220 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Dustproof Rating | |||
Dustproof 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."
Audio Technica ATH M30X
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Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | August 2023
"The Audio-Technica ATH-M30x is a great choice for anybody that needs a decent set of over-ear studio monitors. While the frequency response is not totally spot on, it works for basically every situation reasonably well. The sound quality and reasonably good comfort promote its candidacy as a great pick for $69 USD."
Get a great deal on the Audeze LCD 2 Classic or the Audio Technica ATH M30X
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.
About Audio Technica
Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.
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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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