Nothing Headphone (1) B170
Audeze LCD-2
What Buyers Say
Nothing Headphone (1) B170
Users are overwhelmingly positive about the Nothing Ear (stick) headphones, praising their unique retro cassette design, comfortable fit, and excellent physical button controls. Sound quality is generally rated highly, with some noting adjustable bass via the app, though a few found the out-of-box sound a bit bright. The carrying case's felt material collects lint and a Turkish user felt the price was too high for the sound quality.
Pros
- Unique retro cassette design
- Comfortable fit with adjustable band
- Intuitive physical button controls
- Excellent sound quality
- Good noise cancellation
Cons
- Sound can be bass-heavy or bright out of box
- Case material attracts lint and hair
- Heavy metal housing
- Price considered high by some
- EQ bug reduces volume when adjusting
Audeze LCD-2
The Audeze LCD-2 headphones receive overwhelmingly positive feedback for their warm, detailed sound and exceptional comfort. Many users emphasize the need for a powerful amplifier to unlock their full potential, noting that without proper amplification, the sound can be underwhelming. Build quality is generally praised, though a few users report QC issues like chipped wood finish and subpar stock cables. Overall, these are considered top-tier headphones for the price, especially for those willing to invest in a good amp.
Pros
- Warm, detailed sound
- Exceptional comfort
- Strong bass response
- Rich mids
- Non-fatiguing highs
Cons
- Requires powerful amplifier
- Heavy weight
- Stock cables poor quality
- QC issues with wood finish
- Soundstage not the largest
Scores
Specifications
| Nothing Headphone (1) B170 | Audeze LCD-2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | closed | open |
| Foldable | ✗ | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.08 kg★ | 0.59 kg |
| Ear Cushion | memory-foam PU | Leather-Free |
| Headband | aluminum-reinforced frame | suspension headband |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | planar magnetic |
| Driver Size | 40 mm | 106 mm★ |
| Drivers | 6★ | 1 |
| Freq Min | 20 Hz | 10 Hz★ |
| Freq Max | 40 kHz | 50 kHz★ |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 70 Ω |
| Sensitivity | — | 101 dB★ |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Codecs | LDAC | AUDEZE LCD-2 Open-Back Over-Ear Planar Magnetic Headphones, Rosewood Rings, Leather-Free |
| Surround | Spatial Audio | — |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✓★ | ✗ |
| ANC Type | hybrid | — |
| Transparency | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Bluetooth | 5.3★ | — |
| Profiles | HFP v1.8, AVRCP v1.6, A2DP v1.4 | — |
| Multipoint | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm | 6.35mm |
| Detachable Cable | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cable Length | 1.2000000476837158 m | 1.8899999856948853 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery Life | 80 hrs★ | — |
| Charge Time | 2 hrs★ | — |
| Fast Charging | 5 min for 5 hours playback | — |
| Charging | USB-C★ | — |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Mic Count | 6★ | — |
| NC Mic | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Boom Mic | ✗ | ✗ |
| Detachable Mic | ✗ | ✗ |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | Spotify | — |
| Touch Controls | ✓★ | ✗ |
| App | Nothing X | — |
| Gaming Mode | ✗ | ✗ |
| Water Resistance | IPX2 | — |
Pros & Cons
Nothing Headphone (1) B170
- Strong sound (100th percentile)100th %ile
- Strong connectivity (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong battery (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong build (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Below average affordability (14th percentile)14th %ile
Audeze LCD-2
- Strong sound (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong build (75th percentile)
- Below average affordability (2nd percentile)2nd %ile
- Below average comfort (7th percentile)7th %ile
- Below average mic (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average anc (33rd percentile)
Pricing
Nothing Headphone (1) B170 offers 8.5x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 91 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 15 of 40 specs.
