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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic offers superior sound quality and an open-back design, which provides a more immersive listening experience, particularly for music, but they are not designed for taking calls since they lack a microphone. They are better suited for home listening due to their lack of portability, wireless capabilities, and they don't isolate noise well, being open-back. On the other hand, the Sony WH-CH520 headphones offer good sound quality and a closed-back design, making them versatile for everyday use, including taking calls, thanks to the built-in mic. They’re wireless, with significantly longer battery life, and are more portable, suitable for use on the go, including exercise and travel. However, they may not deliver the same level of audio fidelity as Audeze, especially in terms of soundstage. If budget is a concern, the Sony WH-CH520 is the more affordable option and offers a range of practical features for all-around 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
Advantages of the Sony WH-CH520
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
9.2
7.6
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is excellent for music, while the Sony WH-CH520 is good.
Gaming
7.3
8.8
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for gaming, while the Audeze LCD 2 Classic is good.
Phone Calls
4.8
6.7
The Sony WH-CH520 is only fair for phone calls, while the Audeze LCD 2 Classic is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
4.6
The Sony WH-CH520 and Audeze LCD 2 Classic are both poor for noise reduction, though the Sony WH-CH520 is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
52.0 Hours
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic does not have a battery. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$799
$40
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has a price of $799 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $40.
Build Quality
10.0
7.0
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has best in class build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.7
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WH-CH520 to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audeze LCD 2 Classic is good.
TV and Video
8.6
8.2
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic and Sony WH-CH520 are both very good for TV and video.
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How the Audeze LCD 2 Classic and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze LCD 2 Classic | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$799 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2017 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.9/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.3/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.6/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 4.6/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 10/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 635 Grams | 147.41 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."
Sony WH-CH520
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | September 2023
"If you’re looking for headphones that simply do what you ask them to: the Sony WH-CH520 is a decent option, even if it isn’t very exciting. Sony’s WH-CHXXX line fits this role quite well, and the WH-CH520 offers a decent raft of quality-of-life updates over its predecessor that should keep listeners happy. If the Sony WH-CH520 were a car, it’d be the boring-but-safe commuter compact."
Get a great deal on the Audeze LCD 2 Classic or the Sony WH-CH520
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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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.
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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.
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