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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 an immersive audio experience with a solid build quality, desirable for critical listening sessions and music enthusiasts who prioritize sound accuracy and a wide soundstage. However, it's less suitable for calls, meetings, and portable use due to its bulk and open-back design. In contrast, the HifiMan Edition XS, while less expensive, delivers exceptional sound quality and larger soundstage, which might appeal more to audiophiles. It's also lighter, making it slightly more comfortable for extended use. Neither has a microphone or active noise cancelling, and both are primarily intended for stationary listening due to their size and lack of wireless capability. 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 HifiMan Edition XS
- Best in class for TV and video
Key differences
TV and Video
8.6
9.5
The HifiMan Edition XS is best in class for TV and video, while the Audeze LCD 2 Classic is very good.
Cost
$799
$269
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has a price of $799 and the HifiMan Edition XS costs $269.
Build Quality
10.0
8.5
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has best in class build quality, while the HifiMan Edition XS has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
9.2
8.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Audeze LCD 2 Classic to be excellent for music, while the HifiMan Edition XS is very good.
Gaming
7.3
7.4
The HifiMan Edition XS and Audeze LCD 2 Classic are both good for gaming.
Phone Calls
4.8
5.0
The HifiMan Edition XS and Audeze LCD 2 Classic are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.7
7.9
The HifiMan Edition XS and Audeze LCD 2 Classic are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic and HifiMan Edition XS are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the Audeze LCD 2 Classic and the HifiMan Edition XS compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze LCD 2 Classic | HifiMan Edition XS |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$799 | $269 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2017 | December 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.9/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.3/10 | 7.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.6/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 4.4/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 10/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 635 Grams | 421 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."
HifiMan Edition XS
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Eric D Hieger | January 2023
"The Edition XS easily compete with headphones in their price range with a very high price-to-performance ratio. The XS are an amazing value and offer performance not far off from headphones more than twice their cost. These will be a mind-blowing revelation for enthusiasts and music lovers who have only heard standard big-brand mainstream headphones."
Get a great deal on the Audeze LCD 2 Classic or the HifiMan Edition XS
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 HifiMan
HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.
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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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