When comparing Audeze LCD-4 vs Zeus Outdoor, 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 Zeus Outdoor is ranked 52nd. 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 Great combination of features for runners at a reasonable price
The Zeus Outdoor combines Bluetooth connectivity, water resistance and active noise cancelling with a thumpy sound signature. These are fun to listen to, convenient to use and can resist damage due to moisture at a good price.
Pro No cable hassle as they're wireless
These connect to a sound source via Bluetooth, so only a very short cable connects the two earpieces. This can help improve your mobility and minimize cable-related distractions.
Pro Active noise cancelling minimizes ambient noise
Ambient sound leaking in to your music can be drastically reduced by the active noise cancelling feature. You can better focus on your music, as well as your run/work out.
Pro Won't easily get damaged by liquids
These have an IPX7 rating which makes them water resistant so they can be used while running, even when it's raining. Do take note that submerging these headphones beyond a certain depth will negate their water resistance.
Pro Powerful bass
Bass hits are powerful and forward, which should complement the upbeat and thumping music that most people listen to when working out. Highs and mids are recessed though, so these are best for bass lovers.
Pro Snug and secure fit
Ear hooks are attached to the earpieces which provide extra grip over your ears, so these will not fall off easily. The short connecting cable also minimizes the weight that may pull down on the earpieces .
Pro Comes with a good assortment of accessories
You get a number of silicone ear tips in different sizes, some foam ear tips as well as a carrying case.
Pro Good battery life
These can last up to 8 hours of continuous music playback.
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 May sound quite muffled for some
The highs are quite recessed to give way to the powerful bass. This results in a sound that has a muffled feel which not everybody may like.