When comparing Audeze LCD-4 vs SoundPEATS Q9A, the Slant community recommends Audeze LCD-4 for most people. In the question“What are the best headphones?” Audeze LCD-4 is ranked 46th while SoundPEATS Q9A is ranked 124th. The most important reason people chose Audeze LCD-4 is:
The hallmark of the LCD-4's sound signature is the bass. The lower frequencies go quite deep and also have a lot of power. This sound is achieved without bloat or muddiness. Those who prefer powerful yet still fairly accurate bass will definitely love these. The mids are full, clear and are quite forward as well so detail from vocals or guitars can easily be appreciated. The highs take a bit of a back seat. While there is still a good level of detail and resolution on the sound, the highs are not as sparkly or airy as other high end headphones. This can be a good thing for some though as this gives the LCD-4 a smoother sound but with less shimmer up top.
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Pros
Pro Dark sounding headphones with powerful bass, full mids and slightly recessed highs
The hallmark of the LCD-4's sound signature is the bass. The lower frequencies go quite deep and also have a lot of power. This sound is achieved without bloat or muddiness. Those who prefer powerful yet still fairly accurate bass will definitely love these.
The mids are full, clear and are quite forward as well so detail from vocals or guitars can easily be appreciated.
The highs take a bit of a back seat. While there is still a good level of detail and resolution on the sound, the highs are not as sparkly or airy as other high end headphones. This can be a good thing for some though as this gives the LCD-4 a smoother sound but with less shimmer up top.
Pro Superb build quality
The build is a mix of metal, wood, authentic leather as well as carbon fiber. You can really tell that these headphones are expensive and are built really well.
Pro Soundstage has good width
The open back design gives these headphones good soundstage. Though not the widest, there is a good sense of space and separation to the sound.
Pro Heavy duty detachable cable with solid connectors
The LCD-4's cable is quite thick and hefty which should make it more resistant to breakage and other problems that most thinner cables have. Also, it uses mini XLR connectors which are much more secure as they lock in place.
Pro Ear cups feel really soft and smooth on the skin
It uses authentic leather on the earcups' surface which feel really smooth and supple on the skin. There is also a lot of cushioning thanks to the high quality foam material that is inside the cups. The foam also has acoustic properties that help seal in the sound really well.
Pro Includes a large, hard plastic shell case
The LCD 4 comes with case with ample room and padding inside for the headphones and the cable. While the case will most likely not fit in your travel bag, it will provide plenty of protection to your headphones should you decide to take them out of your home.
Pro Powerful and deep bass, rich mids and smooth highs
The bass of these in-ear headphones is pretty powerful. It has great depth and punch. Mids are full and rich so vocals, guitars and keys can easily be heard. The highs are rolled off, so sparkle on the high frequencies is not that prominent, but this also results in a smoother sound that is easier on the ears.
Due to the bass-centric sound signature, these in-ear headphones are best for hip-hop, EDM and dance genres.
Pro These have a nice fit in the ears as they are lightweight and incorporate ear hooks in the design
These headphones will stay in place even if you get active. The combination of the lightweight earpieces along with the integrated ear-hooks mean that these headphones will not dislodge easily.
Pro Can be used during physical activity or outdoor trips as these headphones are splash resistant
These headphones are not prone to damage due to getting wet thanks to its sweat resistance. You can run or do similar activities using these headphones with no issues. These are still not water resistant though so submerging these in water can still cause damage.
Pro Convenient to use with your smartphone as these have remote functions and a built-in mic
These in-ear headphones have remote function buttons built into the earpieces, along with a microphone. This means that you do not have to pull out your smartphone in order to control basic music functions or to answer/end calls.
Pro Comes with a lot of extra accesories
Along with the in-ear headphones, you get a shirt clip, flexible bands for managing the headphone cable, three pairs of ear tips in different sizes along with a soft case and a pouch for easy transport of these headphones when on the go.
Cons
Con Very heavy
It weighs around 700 g, and that's without the cable. This makes the LCD-4 one of the heaviest headphones in the market today and will most certainly put quite a strain on your head and neck if you decide to wear these continuously.
Con Leather material on ear cups trap heat
The leather material prevents heat from escaping effectively. This results in heat building up rather quickly around the ears when using the LCD-4, so it's likely that you'll feel uncomfortable after long listening sessions.
Con Requires a powerful amp for optimal volume and sound
Plugging these directly to your computer or smartphone will lead to poor sound, since it requires a powerful amp to get good volume and to output the optimal sound quality that they are capable of producing.
Con Leak a lot of sound
The metal grills on the sides of the earcups do next to nothing to keep the sound within the ear cups. Other people near you will most likely hear what you are listening to.
Con Bass and recessed highs can make the sound come off as muddy for some
The bass is quite powerful that it can creep up to the lower mids. Combined with the rolled off highs, this can result in a sound that may be muddy or quite less-detailed for some. If you like lot of treble or sparkle in your music then there are other in-ear headphones that have better reproduction of the highs.