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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for the best sound quality for music at home and don't mind using a wired connection, the Audeze LCD 2 Classic would be a superior choice with its planar drivers delivering a rich, detailed auditory experience. These over-ear headphones offer a larger soundstage, which is great for an immersive experience but are less versatile due to their size, open-back design, and lack of a microphone, making them poor for calls, meetings, and outdoor activities. On the other hand, the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 earbuds may offer slightly less sound quality; however, they are wireless with dynamic drivers, more portable, and versatile for various uses, including exercise and air travel. They also support modern codecs for better wireless performance, have active noise cancelling for noisy environments, and their design includes a built-in microphone, making them suitable for calls and meetings. If you prioritize convenience, portability, and diverse usage scenarios, including taking calls, the Pi7 S2 would be a more practical option despite being less expensive. 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 Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2
Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.2/10
7.5/10
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is excellent for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is good.
Gaming
7.3/10
5.3/10
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is good for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.7/10
5.6/10
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is poor.
TV and Video
8.6/10
6.0/10
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is very good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
2.5/10
8.3/10
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the Audeze LCD 2 Classic is poor.
Battery
N/A
5.0 Hours
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic does not have a battery. The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$799
$259
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has a price of $799 and the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 costs $259.
Build Quality
10.0/10
8.9/10
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has best in class build quality, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 has very good build quality.
"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."
"While the overall sound quality is great, these earbuds fall short in terms of battery life, customization and ANC performance. Bowers & Wilkins’ ability to consistently deliver pristine sound isn’t enough to make up for what the Pi7 S2 lacks, which is unfortunately quite a bit."
Get a great deal on the Audeze LCD 2 Classic or the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2
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 Bowers and Wilkins
Bowers and Wilkins is a British audio equipment manufacturer with a focus on innovation and product development. It was founded by a couple of real-life James Bonds, the co-founders John Bowers and Roy Wilkins, who met while working for MI6 during World War II. The company keeps being favored by enthusiasts due to their sound quality, craftsmanship and signature aesthetics.
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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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