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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic headphones provide an exceptional music experience with a high sound quality and a wide soundstage, making them excellent for home listening, especially in quiet environments due to their open-back design which allows for natural sound but does not isolate noise. They are not wireless and are quite heavy, thus not convenient for exercise or travel. On the other hand, the Sony WF1000XM5 earbuds are wireless, more portable, and offer active noise canceling, making them versatile for calls, meetings, travel, and exercise. They also come with app support for customization, though they may not match the Audeze's sheer sound quality and are less suitable for dedicated critical listening sessions. If you value convenience and flexibility for a range of activities including active noise cancellation, go for the Sony earbuds, but if you prioritize top-tier sound quality for dedicated listening at home, the Audeze is the better choice at a higher price. 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 Sony WF1000XM5
Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.2/10
8.0/10
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is excellent for music, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is very good.
Gaming
7.3/10
5.1/10
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is good for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.7/10
4.9/10
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
TV and Video
8.6/10
5.4/10
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is very good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5/10
8.7/10
The Sony WF1000XM5 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 WF1000XM5 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$799
$298
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has a price of $799 and the Sony WF1000XM5 costs $298.
Build Quality
10.0/10
8.5/10
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has best in class build quality, while the Sony WF1000XM5 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 Sony WF-1000XM5 is among the best noise canceling earbuds currently on the market, and they aren’t cheap. These earbuds aren’t the best choice for budget-conscious listeners. But if you prioritize active noise cancelation, sound quality, and extensive software support, the WF-1000XM5 is worth its premium price tag."
Get a great deal on the Audeze LCD 2 Classic or the Sony WF1000XM5
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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