A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic offers a more expansive soundstage and superior overall sound quality for serious music listening, but due to their size, weight, and open-back design, they aren’t suited for exercise or travel and do not offer noise isolation. They’re also wired, which could limit your mobility. In contrast, the Grado GT220 earbuds are much more portable and suitable for calls, meetings, exercise, and travel, boasting wireless convenience and a closed-back design for better noise isolation. If you prioritize sound quality and are mainly using headphones at home, Audeze may be the better option; for versatility and on-the-go use, consider the Grado GT220. 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
Advantages of the Grado GT220
- Good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
9.2
6.3
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is excellent for music, while the Grado GT220 is only fair.
Gaming
7.3
5.1
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is good for gaming, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.8
6.9
The Grado GT220 is only fair for phone calls, while the Audeze LCD 2 Classic is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.7
8.8
The Grado GT220 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audeze LCD 2 Classic is good.
TV and Video
8.6
5.5
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is very good for TV and video, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
5.3
The Grado GT220 and Audeze LCD 2 Classic are both poor for noise reduction, though the Grado GT220 is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
5.5 Hours
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic does not have a battery. The Grado GT220 has 5.5 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 Grado GT220 costs $259.
Build Quality
10.0
8.8
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has best in class build quality, while the Grado GT220 has very good build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Audeze LCD 2 Classic and the Grado GT220 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze LCD 2 Classic | Grado GT220 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$799 | $259 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | Grado | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2017 | September 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 6.4/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.9/10 | 7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.3/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.6/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 36 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 10/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 635 Grams | 5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Audeze LCD 2 Classic
See more
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."
Grado GT220
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Alex Schiffer | October 2020
"With its superb and functional interface and its highly satisfying imaging, Grado has shown a new talent for delivering a solid true wireless system, and with future improvements, has the potential to really be one of the best."
Get a great deal on the Audeze LCD 2 Classic or the Grado GT220
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 Grado
Grado Labs is a small, family-owned, business based in Brooklyn New York that specializes in high-end, boutique, dynamic headphones and turntable cartridges. They boast a particular house sound, that is to say their products have a particular sound signature unique to Grado, that some audiophiles seem to really like and are unable to find anywhere else. Their high-end headphones are all hand made, completely in house, from a variety of exotic woods and materials going so far as to making one of their most popular products out of hemp.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
95,000
Recommendations made
14,250
Consumer hours saved
About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
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.
Featured in
