Which headphones are "best" is always subjective, and depends on a listener's tastes and intended use case. Here's some info that may help you decide which headphones are best for you:
LCD-2 deliver audiophile quality, low-distortion sound that articulates the power and nuance of your favorite music. Continuous evolution and the addition of Fazor Technology has enhanced their transparency and overall performance. 70 ohms impedance.
LCD-2 Classic come with a new suspension headband, special glass-infused nylon rings, and feature the wonderful, warm and laid-back sound signature of the original 70 ohm LCD-2 pre-Fazor drivers. A little more spacious sounding than the LCD-2 but with less specific imaging.
For LCD2 Closed-Back (now discontinued), we’ve taken the very popular LCD-2 Classic and developed a special sealed earcup for increased isolation. Still have the slightly warm tonality of the LCD-2 Classic, but have a stronger bass presentation due to the closed back design. This is very similar to the sonic differences between the LCD-X and XC. 70 ohms impedance.
MM-100 deliver a more accessible, lightweight take on the MM reference sound. Tuned for neutrality and balance, they are well suited for content creation, home studios, and everyday critical listening. MM-100 offer excellent clarity and punch while remaining easy to drive, making them a great match for laptops, audio interfaces, and portable players. Like MM-500, this model benefits from an external amplifier, but does not strictly require one for enjoyable performance.
Our newest closed back model, LCD-S20, brings Audeze’s studio-grade planar magnetic sound to a closed-back design, making these headphones ideal for tracking, monitoring, and situations where isolation matters. They feature Audeze’s new SLAM (Symmetric Linear Acoustic Modulator) system first introduced on our CRBN2 flagship electrostatic headphones, which enhances low-frequency air movement for deeper, more authoritative bass while maintaining clarity and control. The result is a balanced, accurate presentation with impactful low end and clean mids, allowing musicians and engineers to work confidently without bleed or distraction. LCD-S20 are easy to drive from audio interfaces, laptops, and portable devices, though a quality external amplifier can further improve dynamics and control.
Many say the LCD-X are the most neutral of the LCD Collection; they’re used by sound engineers and musicians to create the most accurate recordings. They do a great job of translating your mix to the real world. The X and the closed-back XC are sensitive enough to be driven directly by portable players like iPhones and some of the better Android devices, but you’ll enjoy better sound with an external amplifier. LCD-X impedance is 20 ohms.
Sharing the same transducer design as the LCD-X, the closed-back LCD-XC offer all the benefits of a planar magnetic design with increased isolation and greatly reduced ambient noise for a private and powerful listening experience. The XC remains far and away the best-sounding closed back headphones model available, a truly immersive listening experience. Its impedance is 20 ohms.
Similar to LCD-X, MM-500 are the most accurate and revealing headphones in the Audeze lineup. Designed in collaboration with Grammy-winning engineer Manny Marroquin, it’s built for professional mixing, mastering, and critical listening. The MM-500 excel at translating decisions made in the studio to the real world, with a fast, controlled low end and exceptionally clear mids. With an impedance of 18 ohms and high efficiency, these can be driven by portable devices, but its performance scales noticeably with a quality external amplifier.
LCD-3 are high-resolution headphones that always sounds musical and spacious, with powerful bass, an engaging midrange, and an extended top end. Their rich, vibrant sound has real scale and authority. It features a deep soundstage and reveals music in a very ambient way with exciting transparency and detail. You’ll find yourself emotionally connected to the artist and music. Pair it with a high-quality headphone or integrated amplifier for best results. Its impedance is 110 ohms.
LCD-MX4 are a perfect combination of the LCD-X and LCD-4 - they have the easy-to-drive diaphragm and voice coil of the LCD-X combined with the 1.5 Tesla magnetic force of the LCD-4. They have a different soundstage than the LCD-X or LCD-4 to help simulate a room’s ambience, and the sensitivity to be easily driven by any high quality headphone amp, mixing console or audio interface. Impedance is 20 ohms.
The LCD-4z (now discontinued) are the easy-to-drive version of our previous flagship, the LCD-4. Feature a 15 ohm voice coil, so they are very easy to drive. Incredibly powerful bass, a rich midrange and an extended top end makes music come alive. Come standard with magnesium rings and gold hardware, and they are significantly lighter than the LCD-4. If you loved the sound of the LCD-4, but didn‘t have the amp to drive them, you can now get the LCD-4z and your problems are solved.
The LCD-5 are our current flagship planar magnetic headphones for good reason. It has an immense sound stage, shockingly accurate bass (which is flat to 5Hz!), with an engaging and powerful midrange that encapsulates voice and vocals like none other. It features a totally redesigned LCD chassis and driver construction for the maximum in comfort and sound quality with minimum fatigue, weighing a full 1/3rd less than the LCD-4. Our brand new Parallel Uniforce voice coil, laser etched on our nano-scale diaphragms, coupled with our Fluxor Magnet array offers immense driver control with almost zero distortion. Low impedance (14 ohms), but also lower sensitivity, so you'll want to pair them with a high quality amplifier to experience the thunder.
For our other non-analog and/or non-planar sets:
CRBN² represents Audeze’s next generation of electrostatic headphone design. They use a proprietary carbon nanotube–based diaphragm that eliminates the need for fragile conductive coatings, improving long-term stability and consistency compared to traditional electrostatics.
CRBN² also incorporates Audeze’s SLAM system, adapted for electrostatic technology to deliver greater bass extension and physicality than typically associated with electrostatic headphones—without sacrificing speed, transparency, or detail.
NOTE: CRBN² requires a dedicated electrostatic headphone amplifier capable of supplying the proper bias voltage and drive signal, and cannot be used with standard headphone amplifiers. When paired with a high-quality electrostatic amp, this model delivers an exceptionally lifelike, resolving reference listening experience.
Maxwell 2 are built for wireless gaming without compromise, combining powerful planar magnetic drivers with Audeze’s SLAM system to deliver deep, punchy bass and precise impact—ideal for both immersive gameplay and critical listening. Low-latency wireless performance, accurate imaging, and clear communication make it well suited for competitive gaming sessions.
Beyond gaming, Maxwell 2 was designed to support wireless professional audio workflows, including content creation, editing, and monitoring. With long battery life, robust wireless connectivity, and high-quality audio over USB and wireless modes, Maxwell 2 bridges the gap between gaming headset and serious audio tool—offering studio-inspired performance with everyday convenience.
Of course there's no substitute for listening, but we hope this helps!