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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 superior overall sound quality, a more expansive soundstage, and is better for an immersive music listening experience, especially for critical listening due to its planar magnetic drivers and open-back design. However, it lacks a built-in microphone, has no wireless capabilities, no sweat or dust resistance, and no active noise canceling, making it less versatile for travel, exercise, or noisy environments. It's also heavier and less portable. The Skullcandy Hesh ANC offers good sound quality with the convenience of wireless usage, active noise canceling for quieter listening in loud spaces, and it's lighter which makes it more suited for on-the-go use. It also has a built-in microphone for calls and a longer battery life for extended use without charging. Its closed-back design and foldability enhance its portability. Choose the Audeze if you value top-tier audio fidelity and are mostly stationary, or the Skullcandy if you need versatility, portability, and features like noise canceling for daily or active use. 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 Skullcandy Hesh ANC
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.2
6.7
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is excellent for music, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair.
Gaming
7.3
5.6
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is good for gaming, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.7
6.0
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair.
TV and Video
8.6
5.8
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is very good for TV and video, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.7
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC is very good for noise reduction, while the Audeze LCD 2 Classic is poor.
Battery
N/A
23.0 Hours
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic does not have a battery. The Skullcandy Hesh ANC has 23 hours of battery life.
Cost
$799
$135
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has a price of $799 and the Skullcandy Hesh ANC costs $135.
Build Quality
10.0
7.0
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has best in class build quality, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.8
5.3
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Audeze LCD 2 Classic are both poor for phone calls.
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How the Audeze LCD 2 Classic and the Skullcandy Hesh ANC compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze LCD 2 Classic | Skullcandy Hesh ANC |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$799 | $135 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | Skullcandy | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2017 | December 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.9/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.3/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.6/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 23 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.6 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
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 | 7.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 10/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 635 Grams | 226.7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof 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."
Skullcandy Hesh ANC
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonecheck
Maike Paeßens | 2021
"Skullcandy’s Hesh ANC are compact, wireless over-ears for everyday use that are tuned for bass and designed to suppress or amplify ambient noise as required. In addition to Bluetooth 5.0, optional tracking via the Tile app is supported so that these headphones can be found if they get lost."
Get a great deal on the Audeze LCD 2 Classic or the Skullcandy Hesh ANC
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 Skullcandy
Skullcandy is an American, consumer-oriented, earbuds and headphones manufacturer with 20 years of market experience. They sell a wide variety of, budget-friendly and unique, wired and wireless products that are sure to please the vast majority of users. Among their most popular offerings, the Crusher headphones, includes a pair of actual subwoofers inside the cups which makes the bass extra prominent for a unique and extra fun sound.
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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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