We don't test many planar magnetic headphones, but when we do, it's always a treat, as the larger drivers deliver a level of detail and depth that anyone seeking an accurate listening scenario will appreciate. At $399, the Audeze LCD-1 headphones aren't cheap, but plenty of planar magnetic models cost twice as much. And like those pricier pairs, they deliver a nearly transparent sound signature that will appeal to purists or studio professionals checking mixes. That makes them an affordable entry in the category, and well worth the asking price.

Design

The circumaural (over-ear) LCD-1 headphones are available in black, with an eggshell finish on a plastic frame that's accented by leather-like material covering the plush earpads and headband. The fit is snug and comfortable.

Internally, 90mm planar magnetic drivers deliver an impressive frequency range of 10Hz to 50kHz. The enclosure is open, with grilles on the outer panels of the earcups, so you will have some sound bleeding outward. The headphones are excellent for checking mixes, but less ideal for tracking scenarios in a studio (or wearing at the office).

The cabling, which is clothbound and attaches individually to both earcups, terminates in a 3.5mm connection, with a quarter-inch headphone jack adapter included. There's no inline remote control for operating mobile devices or taking calls, which is par for the course in this category but might annoy some buyers who'd like to be able to take a phone call and skip tracks without grabbing their mobile device or removing their headphones.

In addition to the removable cable and jack adapter, the headphones ship with a hard-shell zip-up case they fold down into.

Performance

On tracks with intense sub-bass content, like The Knife's "Silent Shout," the headphones deliver accurate low-frequency response—the depth is powerful, but refined. We notice as much of the attack of the booming electronic bass drum as we do the subwoofer-challenging sustain. The lows are dutifully represented here, but not overly boosted.

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Bill Callahan's "Drover," a track with far less deep bass in the mix, gives us a better sense of the LCD-1's general sound signature. The drums on this track can sound overly boosted in the lows on bass-forward headphones, but here, they have a subtle thump. They don't sound weak or thin, but their full presence is matched with Callahan's baritone vocals in terms of bass depth and richness. His vocals also receive an honest amount of high-mid presence, lending things some subtle, added contour, while the acoustic strums and higher-register percussive hits get some notable brightness. However, generally speaking, no part of the frequency range really tends to stand out. Not everyone will love the transparency these drivers provide, but those in the professional realm will likely appreciate the unexaggerated delivery.

On Jay-Z and Kanye West's "No Church in the Wild," the kick drum loop receives plenty of high-mid presence, making its attack is punchy and pronounced, as it should be. The vinyl crackle and hiss is audible without being pushed too far forward in the mix. The sub-bass synth hits that punctuate the beat are delivered with a reasonable amount of depth, but those seeking big bass will be disappointed—the headphones don't dip down to deliver these ominous lows the way many modern pairs do. There's an argument to be made that music like this is mixed to have those elements more prominently heard than it is here, but that's an argument primarily for mixing and mastering engineers to have.

Orchestral tracks, like the opening scene from John Adams' The Gospel According to the Other Mary, once again showcase the mids-focused approach of the LCD-1. The higher-register brass, strings, and vocals sound perhaps less bright than we often hear them, while the lower-register instrumentation has a natural depth and richness, with nothing that even hints at heavy bass boosting. The result is probably one of the more accurate sound signatures we've heard in the last year. Far more often, we hear a little more bass depth and crispness in the high-mids. Ultimately, whether this appeals to you comes down to preference.

Conclusions

Most quality planar magnetic headphones are going to be a little more expensive than the LCD-1. In recent memory, we've liked the $499 Brainwavz Alara, the $600 Acoustic Research AR-H1, and the $700 Audeze EL-8 Open-Back and Blue Ella. Positioned next to these heavy hitters, the LCD-1 headphones are a relative bargain, so if you're seeking a high level of accuracy for a (relatively) low price, you won't be disappointed.

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