The HEDDphone TWO GT is an AMT driver headphone. It launched in late 2024, one year after the non-GT HEDDphone TWO. The TWO is tuned to be very neutral, targeting professionals, while the TWO GT is tuned to have a bit more bass and sound more lively, targeting audiophiles. The HEDDphone TWO GT typically costs either 1699 or 2199 USD/EUR, depending on the accessories.
The Audeze LCD-X was launched in 2013 as an easier-to-drive version of the popular LCD-2. It also targeted studio professionals, and it has become a huge success. Over the years, it has received several silent upgrades, with the most important revision done in 2021. There is a more recent iteration with a slightly brighter sound signature, commonly referred to as the LCD-X 2024. My set is from 2023. The LCD-X typically costs 1199 USD.
AUDEZE LCD-X SPECIFICATIONS
- Open-back planar magnetic driver headphones
- Driver size: 106 mm
- Impedance: 20 ohms
- Sensitivity: 103 dB/1mW
- Pads: Leather
- Connectors: Mini XLR 4-pin type dual entry
- Cable: braided OCC copper 4-pin XLR combo cable with single-ended 1/4″ adapter
- Travel case
- Weight 612g
Current price and availability:
HEDDphone TWO GT SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: Open back full size
- Driver type: AMT – Air Motion Transformer
- Impedance: 41 Ω flat
- Power required: Min. 200 mW, recommended ≥1000 mW
- Maximum SPL: 88 dB SPL at 1 mW
- Pads – 2 pairs proprietary system:
- Velour on the face and outside with fenestrated leather on the inside
- Lamb skin on the face and outside with fenestrated leather on the inside
- Cable connectors: Dual 3.5mm jack
- Two 1.6 m cables – Balanced and Unbalanced. Adapters included.
- Carry case included
- 5 years warranty
- Weight: 550g
HEDDphone TWO GT Unplugged
- Same specs
- No cable
- Only velour pads (one pair)
Current price and availability:
- Amazon: HEDDphone TWO GT
- Audio46: HEDDphone TWO GT
- Audio46: HEDDphone TWO GT Unplugged
- HEDD Audio: HEDDphone headphones
EARPADS
The HEDDphone TWO GT comes with two sets of pads: velour and lambskin. I prefer the HEDDphone TWO GT with lambskin pads over the velour, and in this comparison I use the lambskin. Note that the Unplugged version only comes with the velour.
The LCD-X comes with glued-on sheepskin pads. All Audeze headphones typically use glued-on pads to make the seal as tight as possible. It is a bit unpractical, but that’s how they’ve chosen to do it.
AMPLIFICATION
The HEDDphone TWO GT is much more demanding with regard to amplification than the LCD-X. I get the best results when I use my Schiit Vidar 2 speaker amp. However, several headphone amplifiers come quite close, and one of my favorites is the Sendy Audio KYLIN. The LCD-X gets some hiss with the KYLIN, though, so I hooked it up to my Bryston BHA-1.
The HEDDphone TWO GT sounds very similar with both amps, but the BHA-1 is arguably the better amplifier. So, if anything, the most expensive headphone in this comparison, the GT, was given a slight disadvantage.
LISTENING IMPRESSIONS
Associated equipment
- Amplifier for the TWO GT: Sendy Audio KYLIN (AliExpress /Audio46 )
- Amplifier for D1: Bryston BHA-1
- DAC: RME ADI-2 DAC FS
- Lambskin pads on the TWO GT.
Dancing in the Dark by Jørgen Dahl Moe
I love this slow version of the Bruce Springsteen classic. Here, the headphones are actually quite similar, but the HEDDphone TWO GT is a bit warmer and has a deeper soundstage with better imaging.
Yours by Bill Laurence
The difference is not huge, but the HEDDphone TWO GT sounds a bit more dynamic, slightly warmer, and with a bit better instrument separation.
In The Mountains by Espen Eriksen Trio
The LCD-X sounds a bit more diffuse and less precise, especially in terms of imaging. The difference from the HEDDphone TWO GT isn’t enormous, but the GT feels like a step up.
The Saint by Berke Özcan
The HEDDphone TWO GT is initially very similar to the LCD-X, but it is more snappy and dynamic, and also seems to deliver better detail, or at least more articulate detail.
Re-Melt by Tord Gustavsen Trio
Here as well, they’re close, but the HEDDphone TWO GT has a warmer midrange, and the piano has more weight. There’s better instrument separation.
Cloud Wars by Medeski, Martin and Wood
The LCD-X sounds great; the HEDDphone TWO GT sounds even a bit better, especially more punchy.
Jambi by Tool
Both sound good, well balanced, and neutral. Neither bassy nor bright. Good texture and detail. The HEDDphone TWO GT again has more punch, sounds more dynamic, and is more articulate.
It Could Be Sweet by Portishead
The LCD-X is great but feels a bit more polite compared to the HEDDphone TWO GT. Not a big difference, either in tonal balance or technical performance, but it’s significant enough.
Summer 3 Vivaldi Recomposed by Max Richter
This track can sound a bit muffled and diffuse with certain headphones. The HEDDphone TWO GT pulls it off better than the LCD-X. The GT has better instrument separation and sounds more articulate and up front; the LCD-X is more diffuse/less focused.
Young Vivaldi by Modo Antiquo
This album is good for getting a sense of violin timbre and string timbre in general. The LCD-X is nice but a bit polite. The HEDDphone TWO GT has more warmth and energy. It’s more upfront and has a better sense of attack.
Maple Noise by Greene Serene
Although the LCD-X sounds good, the HEDDphone TWO GT sounds even more dynamic and explosive.
Limit to Your Love by James Blake
Again, they are relatively similar, especially the sub bass. The HEDDphone TWO GT, however – as usual, has better instrument separation and dynamics.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
The Audeze LCD-X and the HEDDphone TWO GT have a relatively similar sound signature. Both are quite neutral, neither overly bassy nor bright. The HEDDphone TWO GT, however, is warmer in the mids, a bit more articulate in the highs, and has a punchier midbass.
Treble
The treble is quite similar in quantity and quality, but the HEDDphone TWO GT feels a bit more articulate and snappy.
Midrange
The midrange is warmer and richer with the HEDDphone TWO GT; the LCD-X feels more polite and laid back.
Bass
The bass is of great quality on both. The sub bass presence is very similar; the HEDDphone TWO GT does have a bit more midbass. Both are, however, quite neutral.
Soundstage and Imaging
The LCD-X has quite good imaging, but the HEDDphone TWO GT is superior. It offers significantly better instrument separation, resulting in better imaging and especially more depth.
Detail, Dynamics, and Timbre
The LCD-X offers a lot of detail, but the HEDDphone TWO GT is a step above, especially in the mids and highs. It is also superior in terms of dynamics.
When it comes to timbre, the HEDDphone TWO GT is warmer in the mids and sounds more alive and natural in general. The LCD-X feels a bit polite and laid back.
CONCLUSION
The LCD-X and the HEDDphone TWO GT share a similar, quite neutral, well-balanced sound signature.
They’re both great, but in this comparison the GT consistently comes out ahead, even though I had given it the less optimal amplifier option.
The HEDDphone TWO GT offers a warmer, richer midrange, punchier bass, better instrument separation and imaging; it’s more dynamic and has more articulate detail across the board.
The LCD-X remains an outstanding headphone, particularly at its price point. Next to the GT, however, it sounds a touch more polite and laid back.
Of course, the LCD-X is considerably more affordable, and not everyone will feel the GT justifies the additional expense. For me, however, it does – especially if you already have a suitable amplifier.
Thanks for reading. You can support us by purchasing anything using any of our affiliate links.
- Amazon: HEDDphone TWO GT
- Audio46: HEDDphone TWO GT
- Audio46: HEDDphone TWO GT Unplugged
- HEDD Audio: HEDDphone headphones
Any purchase you make on Amazon, Linsoul or AliExpress with any of our affiliate links will give us a small provision at no cost to you.
We only get a provision for items that are not returned, so there’s no incentive for us to recommend something that’s not good.
Linsoul : Headphones, Earbuds, Wireless Earbuds, Desktop DAC/AMP, Portable DAC/AMP, Digital Audio Players,
Amazon: Headphones, IEMs, Headphone Amplifiers, Home Audio or Anything else.
.
If you enjoyed this article or other content on The Headphoneer, you might consider leaving a small donation to keep this website up and running. No donation is too small. Thanks for supporting us!
If you like our work please follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter , it will help us grow. Sharing is caring 🙂
