A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic offers superior sound quality with an exceptional soundstage, ideal for audiophiles who appreciate nuanced and detailed music at home. They are open-back, which means they're not meant for noisy environments, as they provide little noise isolation and leak sound. These headphones don't have a built-in microphone, so they're not suitable for calls. On the other hand, the Soundcore Life Q30 is much more versatile with good sound quality, active noise-cancelling for quieter listening in various settings, and an integrated microphone for calls. The Q30 is also significantly more portable, lighter, and has wireless capabilities with a long battery life, making them better suited for use on the go, during travel, or in the office. If you're looking for a top-tier musical experience regardless of price, and you typically listen in quiet environments, the Audeze LCD 2 Classic would be the better choice. However, if you need versatility, portability, and noise-cancelling at a lower cost, the Soundcore Life Q30 would serve you well. 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 Soundcore Life Q30
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.2
7.1
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is excellent for music, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is good.
Gaming
7.3
5.3
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is good for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.7
4.8
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
TV and Video
8.6
5.4
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is very good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q30 is very good for noise reduction, while the Audeze LCD 2 Classic is poor.
Battery
N/A
44.0 Hours
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Cost
$799
$80
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has a price of $799 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
Build Quality
10.0
8.0
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has best in class build quality, while the Soundcore Life Q30 has very good build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.8
5.1
The Soundcore Life Q30 and Audeze LCD 2 Classic are both poor for phone calls.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Audeze LCD 2 Classic and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze LCD 2 Classic | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$799 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2017 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.9/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.6/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 44 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.7 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 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 635 Grams | 263 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audeze LCD 2 Classic
See more
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."
Soundcore Life Q30
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Headphones Addict
Peter Susic | December 2021
"Every once in a while, headphones with an excellent price/performance ratio arrive that truly deserves all attention. Anker Soundcore Life Q30 are one of those headphones. Of course, they aren’t perfect, but they do most things better than their competition. Or they give you the option to make them better."
Get a great deal on the Audeze LCD 2 Classic or the Soundcore Life Q30
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 Soundcore
Soundcore is a sub-brand belonging to Anker Innovations. Starting in 2014, initially marketing wireless, Bluetooth, speakers, Anker now offers an array of, budget-friendly, wireless earbuds and headphones that directly compete, especially in the Active Noise Canceling field, with other brands several times as expensive.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
126,500
Recommendations made
18,975
Consumer hours saved
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.
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.
Featured in
