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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If sound quality is your primary concern, and you mostly listen at home, the Audeze LCD 2 Classic offers a superior, immersive experience with a high score for overall sound quality, particularly noted for music and TV/video. However, these are bulky, open-back headphones with no noise cancellation, making them unsuitable for outdoor use or travel. On the other hand, the Sony WF1000XM4 earbuds have excellent portability, active noise cancelling for various environments, wireless convenience, and suitable for use during exercise or travel. They also include a microphone convenient for calls or meetings, which the Audeze model lacks. 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
- Good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM4
- Very good for air travel
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
7.3
5.6
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is good for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.8
6.7
The Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair for phone calls, while the Audeze LCD 2 Classic is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.7
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audeze LCD 2 Classic is good.
TV and Video
8.6
6.0
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is very good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM4 is very good 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 Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$799
$220
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has a price of $799 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
Build Quality
10.0
8.9
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has best in class build quality, while the Sony WF1000XM4 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
9.2
9.0
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic and Sony WF1000XM4 are both excellent for music.
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How the Audeze LCD 2 Classic and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze LCD 2 Classic | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$799 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2017 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.9/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.3/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.6/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 6.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 10/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 635 Grams | 6.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
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."
Sony WF1000XM4
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | March 2023
"The headphones deliver a satisfying user experience, class-leading battery life, some of the best noise-cancelling we’ve heard in this category, and absolutely stunning sound quality."
Get a great deal on the Audeze LCD 2 Classic or the Sony WF1000XM4
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 Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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
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.
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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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