I’ve had the pleasure of testing many high-end headphones over the years. However, few have left as lasting an impression as the Audeze LCD-2. Now, with the release of the LCD-2 Padauk, I was eager to see how this much-loved classic had been reimagined. In this review, I’ll take a deeper look at what makes this new version special and whether it lives up to the legacy of the LCD-2.
Unboxing and first impressions
– The Padauk LCD-2 headphones
– A standard LCD travel case
– A 4-pin XLR cable
– A 4-pin XLR to 1/4″ TRS adapter cable
– A 1/4″ to 3.5 mm adapter
– A warranty card and a certificate of authenticity.
This comprehensive package ensures you're ready to listen right out of the box, regardless of your audio setup. I appreciate Audeze's attention to detail in providing adapters for various connection types. The travel case is perfect for professionals who use headphones instead of studio monitors.
Design and build quality
The most striking aspect of the LCD-2 Padauk is, of course, its new Padauk wood styling. As someone who has admired the design of the original LCD-2 for years, I find this update to be a beautiful homage to its roots, while offering a fresh and elegant look.
The padauk wood earcups aren’t just for show, they contribute to the overall premium feel of these headphones. While I’m skeptical about the significant impact of the wooden components on the sound of the headphones, I can’t deny the visual appeal they bring. The sleek black components pay homage to the most recent LCD-2 iterations, creating a perfect blend of classic and modern aesthetics.
Audeze has kept the core technology that made the LCD-2 famous. The headphones feature the same Fluxor magnet design and Fazor phase management system as the regular LCD-2. At the heart of these headphones is a 106mm planar magnetic driver, which not only contributes to clarity and detail, but also provides an unusually warm sound for planar magnetic headphones (although this warmth is characteristic of Audeze's house sound).
With an impedance of 70 ohms and a sensitivity of 101 dB/1 mW, I found the LCD-2 Padauk fairly easy to drive. However, to get the most out of these headphones, I recommend using them with a dedicated DAC/amplifier.
Comfort and fit
Let’s address the hot topic: at 595 grams, the LCD-2 Padauk are a heavy pair of headphones. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how well they hold up to their weight. Audeze has never been shy about producing heavy headphones, and they’ve clearly put some thought into mitigating the weight through clever design.
The suspension headband distributes weight excellently over my head. I found it comfortable for long listening sessions, though I would still recommend taking breaks every few hours.
The ear cushions are a standout feature in terms of comfort. They are incredibly soft and plush, creating a comfortable seal around my ears. This not only improves comfort, but also contributes to good passive noise isolation.
Sound quality
Now, let’s discuss the most important aspect of any headphone: its sound. The LCD-2 Padauk maintains Audeze’s signature warmth and sound, while delivering impressive detail and clarity.
Sound scene and image
One of the most impressive aspects of the LCD-2 Padauk, aside from its bass performance, is its soundstage. Often, warm-sounding headphones struggle to present a natural soundstage, with low frequencies sounding much higher than you might expect from a “far-out” sounding headphone. However, I found that the LCD-2 Padauk strike an excellent balance.
The soundstage isn’t the widest I’ve heard, but it feels natural and uncontrived. There’s a nice sense of intimacy and distance, something I appreciate in both musical enjoyment and critical listening situations. Imaging is fantastic, making these headphones great for mixing work, too.
To test the soundstage, I listened to KLOFAMA’s “Artificial Noise.” The kick drums offered fast transients, demonstrating the LCD-2’s impressive bass response speed. The reverberation of other elements in the track was made extremely impactful by the fast 808s and kick drums, demonstrating the headphones’ ability to present a cohesive yet detailed soundscape.
Bass performance
In my opinion, the LCD-2 Padauk's bass performance is its standout feature. These headphones offer a fantastic warm character that doesn't seem overdone in the bass department. Instead, I experienced an overall flat quality in the lows and mids that presents a natural and even bass sound.
To test the bass performance, I listened to “It Could Happen To You,” performed by The Tete Montoliu Trio. I noticed a nice bloom in the bass that remained controlled throughout. The timbre was fantastic and I could clearly discern the attack of the notes as well as their dynamics.
What impressed me most was the LCD-2 Padauk's versatility in handling different types of bass. It accurately controlled very heavy bass mixes while also warming up brighter pop and metal mixes. This adaptability makes it a great all-rounder for various genres.
In my testing, I used the new Fiio K11 R2R, Hifiman EF500, and portable CMA 18. I found that the R2Rs, in particular, produced an extremely pleasant warmth that bass enthusiasts will love. Even with flatter amplifiers, the headphones’ warm character came through, maintaining an exciting yet balanced presentation.
Mid-range performance
While the LCD-2 Padauk are not necessarily mid-frequency focused headphones, I find their mid-frequency performance to be excellent. The timbre of the tuning makes these headphones perfect for spoken passages and vocals, which is not always the case with audiophile-grade headphones.
I noticed a subtle peak around 800Hz to 1000Hz that gives vocals a great punch without sounding boxy or too forced. Mid-range instruments such as guitars, synths, snares, horns, and vocals have a great evenness to them that perfectly showcases their dynamics. The slight emphasis in this range gives more focus to these instruments, which creates a delightful texture that I found very pleasing.
To test midrange performance, I listened to “It's Easy To Remember,” as performed by the John Coltrane Quartet. Coltrane's cutting saxophone tone was warmed up slightly by the LCD-2, but the essential character remained intact. The resonant quality of the sax tone cut through the mix without becoming sibilant, demonstrating the headphones' ability to present detail without harshness.
High frequency response
Of all the frequency ranges, I found the highs to be the least emphasized on the LCD-2 Padauk. However, this tuning works perfectly together with the flat bass and mids to create a warm overall sound signature that retains enough detail to separate sounds clearly.
These headphones don't feature an analytical sound, so if you're looking for extremely detailed headphones with prominent highs, the LCD-2 Padauk may not be the perfect choice. However, if you appreciate a warm sound signature with enough detail to give character to different sounds, you'll likely fall in love with these headphones.
The slightly relaxed treble contributes to the LCD-2 Padauk's non-fatiguing listening experience. I was able to enjoy these headphones for hours without experiencing discomfort or ear fatigue, which is a significant advantage for extended listening sessions.
General sound signature
The LCD-2 Padauk exemplifies the Audeze house sound: warm, defined bass with clear mids and slightly relaxed highs. This combination results in an exciting and balanced sound, making these headphones versatile enough to handle a wide range of genres with aplomb.
I found the overall presentation to be rich and engaging, with a fluidity that makes extended listening sessions a pleasure. While they may not be the last word in analytical detail, the LCD-2 Padauks offer a musical and immersive listening experience that I think many audiophiles will appreciate.
Comparisons and context
To put the LCD-2 Padauk into context, it’s worth comparing it to some of its siblings and competitors. Compared to the standard LCD-2, the Padauk offers a similar overall sound signature, but with the added visual appeal of the Padauk wood earcups. If you already own an LCD-2, the sonic differences may not be significant enough to warrant an upgrade unless you’re particularly drawn to the new aesthetic.
Compared to more analytical planar magnetic headphones like some of those offered by Hifiman, the LCD-2 Padauk offer a warmer, more relaxed sound. This makes them more forgiving of poor quality recordings and potentially more enjoyable for extended listening sessions, albeit at the cost of recovering some micro-details.
In the context of Audeze’s product range, the LCD-2 Padauk sits comfortably as an excellent entry point into its high-end offering. It offers a taste of what makes Audeze headphones special without coming in at the price points of its flagship models.
Conclusion
After spending considerable time with the Audeze LCD-2 Padauk, I can confidently say that it is a worthy addition to the LCD-2 legacy. The new Padauk styling adds a touch of elegance to an already beloved design, while the sound signature remains true to what has made the LCD-2 a favorite among audiophiles for years.
The warm, rich sound with its impressive bass performance and smooth midrange makes these headphones a pleasure to listen to across a wide range of genres. While they may not be the best choice for those looking for a neutral, analytical sound, they do offer a musical and engaging listening experience that I found highly addictive.
Comfort, despite the weight, is commendable, though I'd still recommend taking breaks during extended listening sessions. Build quality is excellent, as we've come to expect from Audeze, and the included accessories ensure you're ready to listen right out of the box.
For bass enthusiasts who haven't tried Audeze headphones yet, I'd venture to say that the LCD-2 Padauk could be a blind buy. The combination of deep, controlled bass, clear mids, and smooth highs creates a sound signature that's hard not to love.
However, if you already own a recent version of the LCD-2s, the upgrade may be harder to justify unless you're particularly drawn to the new Padauk styling. The sonic differences, while present, are subtle enough that they won't justify the investment for current LCD-2 owners. The only exception I'd make would be for owners of the original, highly collectible LCD-2s who like the headphones but want to keep them for the long term.
Ultimately, the Audeze LCD-2 Padauk represents a beautiful blend of classic design and modern aesthetics, all while maintaining the sound signature that has made the LCD-2 a legend in the audiophile world. Whether you’re a long-time Audeze fan or looking to delve into the world of high-end planar magnetic headphones, the LCD-2 Padauk welcomes you to audiophile bliss.
