The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prefer high-quality sound for music at home and can afford a higher price, the Audeze LCD 2 Classic offers excellent audio and build quality, but lacks convenience features like wireless connectivity and is heavy, which makes them less portable. They are open-back for a broader soundstage, but have poor noise isolation and require an amplifier for best performance. In contrast, the JLab Go Air Pop earbuds are budget-friendly, highly portable, and offer good usability with their wireless design and touch controls, making them suitable for exercise and travel; however, their sound quality and noise isolation are fair, suitable for casual listening but not for critical listening experiences. 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 JLab Go Air Pop
Good for exercise
Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.2/10
7.1/10
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is excellent for music, while the JLab Go Air Pop is good.
Gaming
7.3/10
5.5/10
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is good for gaming, while the JLab Go Air Pop is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.7/10
5.7/10
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JLab Go Air Pop is poor.
TV and Video
8.6/10
6.1/10
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is very good for TV and video, while the JLab Go Air Pop is only fair.
Noise Reduction
2.5/10
6.5/10
The JLab Go Air Pop is only fair for noise reduction, while the Audeze LCD 2 Classic is poor.
Battery
N/A
9.0 Hours
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic does not have a battery. The JLab Go Air Pop has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$799
$25
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has a price of $799 and the JLab Go Air Pop costs $25.
Build Quality
10.0/10
9.0/10
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has best in class build quality, while the JLab Go Air Pop has excellent 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 JLab GO Air POP is a great option for anyone on a tight budget. This pair of true wireless earbuds checks all the boxes for earbud essentials, and performs pretty well in most areas. The microphone isn't great, but that's to be expected for something this inexpensive."
Get a great deal on the Audeze LCD 2 Classic or the JLab Go Air Pop
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
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
125,600
Recommendations made
18,840
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.