Audeze first released its LCD2 planar-magnetic headphones in 2009, and they quickly gained a fantastic reputation. Even though the company has released follow-ups in the LCD3 and others, fans still speak of the LCD2 in reverent tones, which explains why Audeze decided to release the LCD2 Closed-Back, which build directly on the original.
In creating the LCD2 Closed-Back, Audeze looked to capture the sound of the original LCD2 but add two things: increased isolation and decreased ambient noise. Basically, the idea was to keep the sound that listeners loved, but make sure that your neighbors in an open-plan office wouldn’t be able to hear what you were listening to as easily while also making sure that you wouldn’t be interrupted by a particularly noisy phone call a few feet away.
Another trait usually associated with closed-back headphones is increased bass when compared with open-back headphones. While we haven’t yet had the chance to evaluate the LCD2 Closed-Back in person, Audeze does boast about the bass response of the headphones on its website, so it’s a safe bet that if you were wowed by the LCD2 overall but found the low-end lacking, you might like the closed-back variant even more.
Like many of Audeze’s other products, the LCD2 Closed-Back aren’t exactly cheap, but you’re getting plenty of niceties for the price, with a lightweight suspension headband, special crystal-infused nylon rings, and replaceable memory foam ear pads to make sure your listening experience is a comfortable one. The dual 4-pin mini-XLR to 1/8-inch cable is replaceable, too, meaning you won’t be tossing your pricey cans in the trash due to a bad connection. Unfortunately, despite the premium price, no protective case is included, so you’ll want to be extra careful to keep the headphones safe.
The Audeze LCD2 Closed-Back are available now via the company’s website, and retail for $900. If you’re not quite sure about spending so much on a set of headphones, see our headphone buying guide to make sure you know exactly what you’re looking for, and if you’re still not sure, take a peek at our list of the best headphones for an idea what your other options might be.
Instagram is making its way to yet another screen, and this time, Apple TV is getting a taste of the Reels rabbit hole. The company has launched a dedicated Instagram app for Apple TV, bringing Reels, longer videos, and live shows to the big screen. So, if watching one quick clip on a phone somehow turns into an hour of scrolling, there's now a much larger screen for that.
Instagram brings Reels and more to Apple TV
Audio-Technica, a brand well known for making some of the best studio and professional headphones on the market, has just come out with the ATH-AWX7000, which the company itself claims to be its "finest headphones ever." The new flagship closed-back headphone has debuted at an eye-watering price of $3,799. It combines hand-finished Japanese woodwork with a newly developed 58mm driver.
The earcups are made from Kiso cypress, a prized wood historically used for Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Each housing is finished by hand with traditional Echizen lacquer, which brings out the grain and is expected to darken over time. The frame and sliders are finished in a deep navy kachi-iro shade traditionally associated with samurai.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
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