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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic provides a rich and immersive sound quality suitable for music enthusiasts with its planar driver, superior for deep and controlled bass, making it excellent for a variety of music genres. However, the Sennheiser HD800S edges out with overall better sound quality, including a wider soundstage for an even more immersive experience and top-notch comfort, beneficial during long listening sessions. Both headphones are open-back and wired, which means they're best suited for quiet environments where sound leakage is not an issue. The HD800S is lighter, potentially increasing comfort, but is usually more expensive. Neither is suitable for exercise or noisy environments due to low noise isolation. If budget is a primary concern and you're looking for great music quality, the LCD 2 Classic is a strong choice, but if you seek superior sound quality, soundstage, and comfort, and don't mind spending more, the HD800S might be the way to go. Keep in mind, neither has features like built-in microphones or wireless capabilities, which can be essential for gaming, calls, or use with mobile devices on the go. 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 Sennheiser HD800S.
Advantages of the Sennheiser HD800S
- Best in class for music
- Best in class for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
9.2
9.9
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for music, while the Audeze LCD 2 Classic is excellent.
TV and Video
8.6
9.7
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for TV and video, while the Audeze LCD 2 Classic is very good.
Cost
$799
$1,600
$400
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has a price of $799 and the Sennheiser HD800S costs $1,600.
Build Quality
10.0
9.0
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has best in class build quality, while the Sennheiser HD800S has excellent build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
7.3
7.5
The Sennheiser HD800S and Audeze LCD 2 Classic are both good for gaming.
Phone Calls
4.8
5.0
The Sennheiser HD800S and Audeze LCD 2 Classic are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.7
8.1
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sennheiser HD800S to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audeze LCD 2 Classic is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic and Sennheiser HD800S are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the Audeze LCD 2 Classic and the Sennheiser HD800S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze LCD 2 Classic | Sennheiser HD800S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$799 | $1,600 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2017 | December 1, 2015 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 10/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.9/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.3/10 | 7.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.6/10 | 9.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 4.5/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 2.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 10/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 635 Grams | 371.9 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."
Sennheiser HD800S
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Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | March 2023
"The cans offer stellar sound quality, comfort, and good maintenance options—so they're an easy recommendation if you have the cash and the need for the last headphones you'll buy for years."
Get a great deal on the Audeze LCD 2 Classic or the Sennheiser HD800S
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 Sennheiser
A family-owned company, Sennheiser is a German, high fidelity, audio equipment manufacturer founded in 1945. Their consumer audio division is now owned by the Swiss hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturer Sonova. Sennheiser offers a wide variety of, very high quality, audio equipment solutions, from headphones to earbuds, full sets of monitoring speakers, amplifiers and microphones. They also make what is widely regarded as the best, and most expensive, headphones in existence, the HE-1 Orpheus, costing a whopping $59,000 dollars.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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