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- Quick Summary: The Audeze LCD-GX is an outstanding premium headset that combines audiophile-grade sound with arguably the best gaming headset microphone available, albeit at a price few gamers will justify.
Although marketed as a gaming headset, the Audeze LCD-GX is really more of an all-rounder, ready to take on just about anything you throw at it. For audiophiles, it delivers huge drivers and exceptional sound quality. For streamers, there’s an excellent microphone. And for gamers? Well, it ticks almost every box.
That’s not to say it’s perfect, though. Over the course of this review, I’ll cover where it excels, where it falls a little short, and whether it’s worth the hefty $899 price tag this premium device will set you back.
Design, Comfort, and Build Quality
Even after coming off of reviewing the Audeze Maxwell 2, the LCD-GX makes a serious impression. It arrives in a large, premium-feeling carrying case that even comes with a set of keys to lock it. Realistically, someone determined enough could probably still get inside, but considering this is by no means a cheap headset, that extra layer of security is a nice touch if you're traveling or simply want a little more peace of mind.
The headset itself continues that premium feel. The LCD-GX features an open-back design, handcrafted construction in Audeze's California factory, magnesium earcup housings, open-cell foam earpads, and a suspension headband that, in my view, is almost all geared towards reducing weight and improving comfort during long gaming sessions.
Despite Audeze trimming weight compared to other models in the LCD lineup, the LCD-GX still tips the scales at 454 grams. That's lighter than headsets like the LCD-X, but it's still heavy by gaming headset standards. And that's an issue, because the weight was noticeable throughout testing, particularly when looking down. I often found the headset slowly slipping out of position, and while you can tighten the fit using the stepped adjustment system on either side of the headband, I never really found a setting that eliminated the issue.
As for the adjustment mechanism itself, I struggled a touch with it, as it's easy to accidentally skip multiple adjustment steps at once. Given the premium price tag, I'd have liked to see a more refined solution, perhaps with a simple button that, when pressed, unlocks the adjustment system and makes it easier to make finer adjustments.
Thankfully, the overall build quality beyond these niggling issues is excellent. The metal construction feels solid, while the earpads are soft, plush, and comfortable against the skin. Although the suspended headband looked quite thin and lightly padded to me, I never found it created uncomfortable pressure on the top of my head. Meanwhile, the boom microphone is equally impressive from a durability standpoint, feeling sturdy enough to bend into position without ever giving the impression it might snap (more on its performance later).
Unfortunately, it's not the most comfortable headset I've used. That's partly down to the weight, but also because, while the open-back design helps with airflow, the generously sized earcups fit so tightly that heat gradually built up around my ears.
During testing, I generally noticed them getting warm after around 30 to 40 minutes. However, it's worth mentioning I was testing the headset during several particularly hot 25 to 30-degree days (around 77 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit), so the weather certainly wasn't doing it any favors. Also, the tightly fitting earcups do have their benefit when it comes to immersion, but again, more on this to come.
Finally, I wanted to mention the inline cable, as it includes a microphone mute switch. However, that's it. There's no built-in volume control wheel as well, which feels like a missed opportunity on a headset designed for gaming. Stranger still, flipping the mute switch doesn't produce any audible beep or visual indication that you've actually muted yourself. Almost every gaming headset I've tried gives some sort of indication you're muted, but without one, you're prone to the occasional hot-mic moment.
Audio Quality and Gaming Performance
I had big expectations here, given some of the insane hardware under the LCD-GX's hood. It features huge 103mm planar magnetic drivers, Audeze's patented Fluxor magnets, and ultra-thin Uniforce diaphragms, with Audeze also introducing a single-sided Fluxor magnetic structure designed to deliver high sensitivity and low distortion.
On paper, it's a specification sheet that wouldn't look out of place on a dedicated pair of audiophile headphones rather than a gaming headset. To get the absolute most out of it, though, Audeze recommends pairing the LCD-GX with a quality DAC and amplifier, which is worth considering if you're planning to spend this much on your audio setup.
Those huge drivers, which are likely one of the reasons the headset weighs as much as it does, produce a quoted frequency response of 10Hz–50kHz. For the most part, they deliver exactly what Audeze promises, as the overall sound is incredibly detailed, with excellent separation, a wide soundstage, and almost no noticeable distortion, even at the lowest and highest ends of the frequency range. What stood out most to me was just how natural everything sounded, presenting games, music, and dialogue in a way that felt realistic.
If I had one criticism, it would be the bass. While it reaches impressively low frequencies without introducing any buzz, it feels a little restrained by default compared to the headset's better mids and highs. That's fairly typical of planar magnetic drivers, so whether that's a downside or not will largely come down to personal preference. If you're after earth-shaking explosions, you may find yourself wanting a little more impact. If, however, you value clarity and detail above all else, the LCD-GX is genuinely impressive.
The open-back design also has a huge influence on the listening experience. There's no Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) here, and, given the design, the passive isolation is fairly limited, meaning you'll hear a good amount of what's happening around you. Likewise, people nearby may hear some of what you're listening to due to sound leaking out from the open earcups.
In fairness, sound leakage seemed to be surprisingly well controlled for an open-back headset. More importantly, that design creates a very spacious and natural soundstage that makes games feel far less confined than they do on most closed-back gaming headsets. It's definitely worth understanding the pros and cons of open-back audio before buying, as it won't suit every environment, but for the right setup, the trade-off is absolutely worthwhile.
Across every game I tested, the LCD-GX consistently impressed. In Fortnite, nearby action carried plenty of weight without feeling drowned out by distant sounds. I particularly liked how well different layers of audio were separated. For example, Fortnite's storm sounded appropriately threatening as it closed in, but its sound didn't overshadow crucial enemy footsteps or other important gameplay cues.
I also tested this headset playing Valorant, which was arguably an even better showcase. Positional audio was exceptional, with footsteps transitioning naturally between the left and right earcups as enemies moved around the map. I actually found distant footsteps quite hard to pick out, but not entirely unnoticeable. But as opponents got closer, those critical audio cues cut through the background gunfire and explosions, really helping me track movements through sound alone.
Single-player games highlighted a different strength altogether. In Onimusha: Way of the Sword, dialogue was crystal clear, while environmental effects helped create an immersive atmosphere that constantly drew me into the world. Resident Evil Requiem delivered a similarly impressive experience, with eerie ambient sounds and sudden audio spikes making several moments genuinely unsettling.
There was a moment that stood out while playing Requiem. At one point, I walked past a zombie turning into a Blister-headed creature on the floor. Not initially realizing it, the sudden, loud punch from the headset of this zombie-turning moment did make me jump. Perhaps a closed-back headset with stronger isolation would have made this horror game moment even more immersive, but despite the LCD-GX's open-back design, I still found myself completely absorbed.
Even older games benefited from the LCD-GX's quality. Revisiting some previous FIFA games, I was surprised by just how good the menu music sounded. It's difficult to pinpoint exactly why, other than everything simply having a natural, lifelike quality. But the best part was the matchday experience. Commentary, especially, stood out and felt realistic, while crowd noise sounded convincing within the game's own limitations.
Outside of gaming, I found dialogue in movies and YouTube videos to be exceptionally clear. Music benefits from the same detailed, natural presentation found in games, even if bass-heavy genres don't quite hit as hard as they might on other headphones. But that's not really a slight against this set, because I really do believe it covers pretty much every possible audio usage well.
Microphone Quality
If the LCD-GX's audio performance is one of its biggest selling points, its microphone is right up there with it.
Audeze includes a detachable directional, noise-attenuating boom microphone with a flexible gooseneck arm, allowing you to position it exactly where you need it. There's also an inline mute switch built into the cable for quickly silencing yourself during gameplay, although, as I mentioned earlier, it would have been nice if it provided some sort of audible confirmation when muted.
I'll keep this short and sweet; this is without question the best microphone I've ever used on a gaming headset. In fact, I'd even go as far as saying it outperforms some standalone microphones I've tested, although it's worth noting those were significantly cheaper than the LCD-GX's full retail price.
"Broadcast-quality" is a phrase that's thrown around far too often when describing usually quite middling gaming headset mics, but this is one of the few microphones I've used that genuinely comes close to earning that label.
The first thing I noticed was just how clear and almost intimate my voice came through in recordings. You'll struggle to find many online friends with a better-sounding mic than this, and while it doesn't quite match the richness or fullness of a high-end professional XLR microphone, it's not a million miles away. For a headset microphone, it's outstanding.
That gooseneck design also plays a big part in that performance. That's because I found it easy to position the microphone close to my mouth, so finding the sweet spot for the clearest possible audio was simple.
Also, the noise-attenuating design does a commendable job of minimizing background distractions. During most of my testing, everyday sounds around the room were barely noticeable in recordings. The only exception was a fairly loud desk fan I had running while testing during those aforementioned hot summer days. Even then, the microphone only picked up a faint hum in the background that never became especially distracting.
Maybe if you're gaming in a particularly noisy room, some louder sounds will inevitably make their way through, but for typical home use, the LCD-GX does an excellent job of keeping the focus on your voice alone.
Connectivity and Compatibility
As touched on already, the Audeze LCD-GX comes with two interchangeable cables: one with the detachable boom microphone attached for gaming and voice chat, and a standard LCD series cable for when you simply want to use the headset as a pair of high-end headphones.
The boom mic cable terminates in a 3.5mm TRRS connector, making it compatible with virtually any PC, Mac, console, smartphone, or handheld device. Plus, a dual 3.5mm splitter is included for PCs that require separate headphone and microphone inputs.
Being a wired headset, there's no battery to charge, no drivers to install, and no pairing process to worry about, making it a very straightforward plug-and-play system. The included cables are also generously long, making it easy to kick back instead of sitting right up in close-quarters at a desk. However, just make sure you watch out for the long cable getting caught under your feet if you move around mid-game.
One omission worth mentioning is the lack of dedicated software. There are no built-in EQ controls or customization options, which is a little bit of a shame considering the headphones are equally suited to gaming, music, and movies. Third-party EQ software may help fill that gap, or, similarly, in-game audio adjustments, but out of the box, what you hear is what you get.
Price and Value for Money
At $899 (£899), it's safe to say the LCD-GX is a premier-tier gaming headset. In fact, very few products marketed as gaming headsets come anywhere close to this price. That said, I don't really think it's fair to judge the LCD-GX as just a gaming headset, because that's simply not what it is.
The way I see it, the LCD-GX sits somewhere between a gaming headset and a pair of professional-grade audiophile headphones. It delivers the kind of audio quality you'd expect from products costing well over $1,000, while also including a genuinely outstanding microphone that makes it an excellent option for streamers, content creators, and anyone who wants to sound great in their friends' party chats.
The thing is, I wouldn't recommend it to every gamer. If you're buying a headset purely for gaming, there are far better value options available, though few will actually deliver the quality the LCD-GX does. Likewise, the open-back design, wired connection, and premium price mean it won't suit everyone's setup or preferences.
However, if you want one headset that can handle gaming, music, movies, content creation, and even professional audio work to an exceptionally high standard, the LCD-GX starts to make a lot more sense. There's no question it's expensive, but its versatility and performance go a long way toward justifying the investment.
Pros and Cons
In summary:
Pros
- Outstanding audio quality with exceptional clarity, detail, and a wide, natural soundstage.
- Best-in-class microphone, delivering clear, natural voice capture with excellent background noise rejection.
- Versatile performance that's equally suited to gaming, music, movies, and even creative audio work.
- Premium build quality, featuring handcrafted construction, magnesium earcups, plush earpads, and a durable, flexible boom mic.
- Excellent positional audio, making footsteps and directional cues easy to distinguish in competitive games.
- Broad device compatibility with interchangeable cables, plug-and-play functionality, and support for PCs, consoles, Macs, and mobile devices.
Cons
- Very expensive at $899, making it difficult to recommend for gamers who only need a gaming headset.
- Heavy 454-gram design means it has a tendency to slip when looking down.
- Awkward headband adjustment system makes achieving the perfect fit more difficult than it should be.
- Bass lacks impact compared to the exceptional mids and highs.
- No dedicated software or EQ customization, limiting out-of-the-box audio tweaking.
- Inline controls are basic, with no volume adjustment and no audible or visual confirmation when the microphone is muted.
Final Verdict
In my eyes, the Audeze LCD-GX is far more than a gaming headset.
Combining exceptional planar magnetic audio, an outstanding microphone, and premium craftsmanship, it delivers a level of performance that's equally at home in gaming, music, movies, and even content creation.
But it's not without flaws. For instance, the hefty weight, open-back design, lack of software customization, and high $899 price mean it won't suit everyone, even if I don't think that price tag is necessarily bad value for money.
If you're simply after a gaming headset, there are probably better-value alternatives. But if you want one headset that excels at almost everything, the LCD-GX is genuinely special.
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