Publication Reviews

"The LCD-1 headphones come from Audeze's LCD Reference headphone range. They're built for audio engineers and sound professionals to deliver the best, most accurate representation of music—any genre, any style."

"The microphone, however, is not always as phenomenal. So, it attaches easily and intuitively as one would hope, however I found myself needing to do a great deal of fiddling with its position and volume settings to really get the sort of quality I was hoping for. Small changes can make big differences as far as quality and volume here. You certainly can get some high quality recording out of it, but it will take some patience, some practice, and a whole lot of fiddling."

"The Audeze LCD-1 is a superb model for those who value critical listening. It delivers the crisp, detailed, and rich sound that one comes to expect from high-end open-back headphones, but at a more attainable price point. The lightweight and compact design is also a sigh of relief from the heavy and bulky cans best associated with the category. Yes, you’ll have to live with certain exceptions like zero controls, special features, and noise neutralization. Are these dealbreakers? Maybe, but not for audio purists who want hi-fi sound on the cheap, which is what the LCD-1 offers you."

"The Audeze Penrose gives me perplex feelings. It’s a brilliant headphone, with superb presentation and the deep bass every planar lover craves, that you can virtually connect to any modern device, thanks to the wireless dongle. But, on the other hand, the sound signature doesn’t suit my taste, even more since I own the Mobius, which gives me that extra layer of definition I missed with the Penrose. On a daily basis, plugged into my console, the difference is negligible, but once you focus your attention, the Penrose feels like a cut-off version of the Mobius. A very good headphone, but overshadowed by its bigger sibling!"

"I found the LCD-X headphones to be the perfect “final arbiter.” They were useful well after I had finished a mix to my satisfaction on monitor speakers, or when I would later hear the mastered version. I would take a day off, then come back and play it on the LCD-X headphones. If there was something bothering me in the mix or mastering, then I investigated. But usually it was good and the LCD-X headphones were all I ever needed"

"Overall, the Penrose's excellent audio and wide cross-compatibility means it's still easy to recommend."

"Noise-canceling headphones are ubiquitous these days, but just drowning out ambient noise isn’t worth much if those headphones don’t sound any good. Audeze’s LCD-1 Headphones strike the perfect balance between audio quality, comfort, durability, and price. The open circumaural design and 90mm over-ear planar drivers deliver incredibly wide, spacious sound no matter what you’re listening to. For travelers, the lightweight design and memory foam earpads guarantee all-day comfort, even on the longest transoceanic flights. With a sub-$400 price tag, these might be the best bang-for-your-buck headphone value on the market."

"If what you care most about is having glorious, impeccable sound that would impress even the most discerning audiophiles, as well as incredibly wide soundstage, then you’ll be more than happy to pay that $300 price tag. Just be prepared to give them some time to bed in."

"The final verdict? At $300, the Penrose is a rather expensive—but equally remarkable—gaming headset that blows most of the competition clean out of the water. Audeze has finally brought its top-of-the-line audio expertise into the console gaming world and you’d be hard-pressed to find a worthy audio opponent, especially at the Penrose’s relatively budget price (especially when considering that other Audeze headsets can easily price into the multi-thousands)."

"I like my gaming headsets quite a bit. I’m picky when it comes to price and comfort. The Mobius sets a new bar for gaming headset sound solutions. It is worth every single penny asked because it makes you appreciate the investment. It’s everything you would want in a gaming audio experience."

"There’s no denying the audio quality of the Audeze Euclid—these earphones sound excellent.

"Penrose ultimately comes down to what is important to you. In terms of sound quality, they proved fantastic and lead to a much better overall experience. Even in games, I was very familiar with they left a positive impression and helped elevate the experience. Where they fall short is some of the smaller features or certain setups. Given this is what is important in a headset, I would say Audeze Penrose is one of the strongest wireless choices out there."

"The Penrose is a really great gaming headset – its got everything you need and you won’t be disappointed. Take it out for a spin now!"