The Audeze LCD-GX is an open-back gaming headset built around the company’s LCD-series planar magnetic headphone technology. Rather than treating voice communication as an add-on to conventional gaming headphones, the LCD-GX combines large-format planar magnetic drivers with a detachable boom microphone, aiming to serve both competitive play and more demanding music, monitoring, mixing and editing duties.
It follows the company’s earlier Mobius headset, but takes a different route: the LCD-GX is a full-size, open-back design based on Audeze’s reference-oriented LCD platform. That makes it a headset intended for listeners who want the spatial presentation and resolution associated with hi-fi headphones alongside practical in-game chat facilities.
106mm planar magnetic drivers
At the heart of the LCD-GX are 106mm planar magnetic drivers, substantially larger than those used in typical gaming headphones. Audeze uses its patented Fluxor™ magnet arrays and ultra-thin Uniforce™ diaphragms, technologies developed for its LCD range.
In practical terms, the large driver area and planar magnetic architecture are intended to deliver deep bass, strong detail retrieval and a broad soundstage. Audeze positions the LCD-GX not only for games, but also for music listening and production work such as monitoring, mixing and audio editing.
An open-back headset for spacious presentation
The LCD-GX is an open-back headphone. This construction is central to its intended sound: it is designed to provide a wider, more accurate sense of space than a closed-back headset. That can be particularly relevant where positional cues and a convincing virtual environment matter, while also making the LCD-GX suitable for conventional seated hi-fi listening.
As with any open-back design, it is best suited to quieter settings rather than environments where isolation is required, since the earcups do not seal the listener from surrounding noise.
Handcrafted construction and long-session comfort
Audeze handcrafts the LCD-GX at its California factory. The headset uses a magnesium body, memory-foam earpads and a suspension headband. The latter is intended to distribute the headphone’s weight more evenly, an important consideration for extended gaming sessions.
The design is therefore focused on more than driver technology alone: the materials and headband arrangement are intended to make the full-size headphone manageable over hours of use.
Sensitivity, amplification and source quality
The LCD-GX employs a single-sided Fluxor™ magnetic structure and is rated at 100dB/1mW at 1kHz. With a 20-ohm impedance, it is designed to work with a broad range of devices, including computer and mobile sources.
However, Audeze recommends partnering the headset with a quality DAC and headphone amplifier to realise its full potential. The specification lists a minimum power requirement of more than 100mW and a recommended power level of more than 250mW, so a capable source is particularly relevant for users seeking higher output levels and the best performance from the planar magnetic drivers.
Detachable boom microphone and supplied cables
For communication, the LCD-GX is supplied with a detachable cable carrying a shotgun-style, noise-cancelling boom microphone. The flexible gooseneck allows the microphone position to be adjusted, while an in-line mute button provides quick control during play or calls.
The package includes two cables: the microphone-equipped cable and a standard LCD-series cable terminated in a 6.3mm plug. The microphone cable ends in a four-pole 3.5mm TRRS connector for use with PCs, Macs and mobile devices. A splitter with separate headphone and microphone connections, plus a 6.3mm adapter, is also included. A protective case is available as an option.
Audeze LCD-GX specifications
- Drivers: 106mm planar magnetic
- Type: Open-back
- Maximum power: 500mW
- Maximum SPL: >130dB
- Frequency response: 10Hz–50kHz
- Impedance: 20 ohms
- Sensitivity: 100dB
- Minimum power required: >100mW
- Recommended power level: >250mW
