Overview

The Audeze LCD-3 is an open-back, planar magnetic headphone built for critical listening at home. A 106mm ultra-thin diaphragm sits inside a proprietary stacked magnet array with Fazor phase management, producing a musical, spacious sound with a full low end and a natural midrange. This version uses Audeze's leather-free earpads, a breathable perforated pad paired with the same hand-finished zebrawood rings that define the LCD-3's look. At 110 ohms, it's tuned to work well with tube or solid-state headphone amplifiers.

Simcoe Audio Video Insight

Leather-free pads breathe better than traditional leather, which matters over a long listening session, and they're a straightforward choice if you'd rather avoid animal leather altogether.

• Perforated, breathable pad material for cooler, longer wear
• Same 106mm planar driver and zebrawood rings found across the LCD-3 line
• A practical option for warmer climates or extended studio sessions

Best for the Audeze LCD-3: pair it with a dedicated headphone amp rated for a 110-ohm load — plugging it straight into a phone or laptop headphone jack will leave real detail on the table.

More Details

Why It Wins

• 106mm Planar Magnetic Drivers: An ultra-thin diaphragm moves inside a proprietary magnet array instead of a small dynamic voice coil, for lower distortion and a wider soundstage.
• Fazor Phase Management: Corrects phase distortion inside the driver housing for cleaner, more precise imaging.
• Hand-Finished Zebrawood Rings: Handcrafted in the U.S.A. and matched by grain and color for build quality that matches the sound.

What Makes It Different

Most headphones in this price range use a single dynamic driver. The LCD-3's planar magnetic design spreads the driving force evenly across the whole diaphragm, which keeps distortion low even at higher volumes and gives it a wider, more precise soundstage than a typical dynamic-driver headphone.

Technical Highlights

• 110-Ohm Impedance: Tuned to pair with tube and solid-state headphone amplifiers rather than portable devices alone.
• 10Hz-50kHz Frequency Response: Extended range on both ends for a full, detailed listening experience.
• 4-Pin XLR Cable Included: Ships with adapters down to 1/4" TRS and 3.5mm, so it connects to home amps and portable sources alike.

Buyers Guide

Who This Is For

• The Dedicated Home Listener: Music lovers building a serious desktop or listening-room setup.
• The Upgrading Audiophile: Anyone moving up from entry-level or mid-range dynamic-driver headphones.
• The Amp Owner: Listeners who already have a tube or solid-state headphone amp and want a headphone that can make use of it.

Ideal Use Case

• Home Listening Rooms: Where an open, accurate soundstage is the priority.
• Desktop Setups: Paired with a headphone DAC/amp for near-field listening.
• Studio Reference Listening: For mixing and critical listening in a quiet space.

What To Pair It With

• A Dedicated Headphone Amplifier: Tube or solid-state, capable of driving a 110-ohm load.
• A DAC or Digital Audio Player: With a balanced or single-ended output for the cleanest signal path.
• Lossless or Hi-Res Source Material: To make full use of the detail the LCD-3 resolves.

Alternative Options

The LCD-3 is an open-back design built for quiet, dedicated listening spaces — if you need a closed-back headphone for tracking, gaming, or listening around others, a closed-back Audeze model is the better fit. If you'd prefer the same driver and build with a different earpad material, we also carry the leather version of the LCD-3.