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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic and HifiMan Sundara are both high-quality headphones with open-back designs and planar magnetic drivers, ideal for an immersive listening experience at home. If your priority is soundstage or the sense of space in music, the Audeze offers a slightly superior experience, though at a considerably higher price. For extended listening sessions, the Sundara may be more comfortable due to its lighter weight. Neither option is well-suited for exercise or noisy environments due to their open-back design and lack of noise isolation. Both lack a microphone, making them less ideal for calls or gaming voice chat. 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
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has no clear advantages over the HifiMan Sundara.
Advantages of the HifiMan Sundara
The HifiMan Sundara has no clear advantages over the Audeze LCD 2 Classic.
Key differences
Cost
$799
$279
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has a price of $799 and the HifiMan Sundara costs $279.
Build Quality
10.0/10
8.2/10
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has best in class build quality, while the HifiMan Sundara 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."
"The HiFiMan Sundara is the set of headphones to get if you want high-end audio, but don't want to shell out a king's ransom for it. These planar magnetic headphones are comfortable, straightforward, and excellent performers."
Get a great deal on the Audeze LCD 2 Classic or the HifiMan Sundara
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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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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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.