If you want a more studio-oriented wired planar headphone with a supplied carry case and cable adapters, choose Audeze LCD-X Over-Ear Open; if you need a lighter-feeling headband design and a replaceable 3.5 mm cable, choose HIFIMAN XV Open-Back Over-Ear. For basketball, neither is a wireless sports headset: both are wired, over-ear, open-back headphones with no noise control.
The LCD-X makes more sense for focused listening and reference-style work. The Edition XV puts more emphasis on its revised headband and replaceable cable. Neither is an extra bass kids headset for basketball, and shoppers seeking the best wireless earbuds for basketball or bluetooth earbuds for basketball should look for a different type of product.
• Audeze LCD-X Over-Ear Open: 106 mm planar magnetic diaphragms, 20-ohm impedance, and a supplied case with cable adapters; the trade-off is a wired design with no noise control.
• HIFIMAN XV Open-Back Over-Ear: 452 g weight, a composite headband with rotatable hinges, and a user-replaceable 3.5 mm cable; the trade-off is that it is also wired and has no noise control.
• LCD-X is for listeners who want a professional-audio-oriented headphone and a more complete listed cable-and-case package.
• Edition XV is for listeners who prioritize its headband changes, lower listed impedance, and replaceable cable.
The LCD-X is the more explicitly professional-audio-focused choice. Its planar magnetic drivers use 106 mm diaphragms, and the stated frequency response extends from 10 Hz to 50,000 Hz. Audeze also lists 20-ohm impedance and 103 dB sensitivity at 1 mW. Those figures describe the design, but they do not guarantee that every listener will hear the same result or prefer its sound.
The package details suit someone who wants a headphone for a dedicated listening or audio-work setup: it includes a carry case and a combination cable with 4-pin XLR, 6.3 mm, and 3.5 mm adapters. The revised ear pads are described as leather, with a leather-free option also noted. That gives buyers a choice to consider, but it does not make the LCD-X a portable wireless solution.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
I’d shortlist it for someone who wants a wired planar headphone with several listed connection options and a protective case. I’d skip it for basketball, commuting, or noisy surroundings: it has no wireless connectivity and no noise control. Its professional positioning also does not make it an automatic fit for casual listening; the intended use and wired setup matter more than the label.
HIFIMAN XV Open-Back Over-Ear: Who It's For
The Edition XV is also a wired planar magnetic headphone, but its stated design details emphasize the magnet system, a second-generation Neo Supernano diaphragm, and a revised composite headband. HIFIMAN says the new diaphragm is 60% as thick as the first-generation one. The headphone is listed at 452 g, with rotatable hinges and a headband design described as reducing weight by 20–30 g compared with the previous headband.
Its listed frequency response is 8 Hz to 50 kHz, with 12-ohm impedance and 92 dB sensitivity. The supplied 3.5 mm cable is replaceable, which is a practical distinction if cable serviceability matters to you. The listed connection is wired through a 3.5 mm jack; there is no stated wireless function or noise control.
I’d consider it for someone who wants a full-size planar headphone and values the revised headband details or replaceable cable. The 452 g listed weight is worth keeping in mind, even with the headband changes. I would not choose it as a basketball headset or as a substitute for wireless earbuds: its open-back, wired design is aimed at a different kind of listening.
• Best fit for a professional-audio-oriented setup → Audeze LCD-X. Its product details specifically position it toward professional listening, and the package lists multiple cable adapters.
• Best fit if a replaceable 3.5 mm cable matters → HIFIMAN Edition XV. Its supplied cable is described as user-changeable and replaceable.
• Best fit if you want a carry case included → Audeze LCD-X. A protective case is part of its listed package.
• Best fit if you want the lower listed impedance → HIFIMAN Edition XV. It is specified at 12 ohms, compared with 20 ohms for the LCD-X. Impedance alone does not determine sound quality or how well a headphone will work with every device.
• Best fit if the listed sensitivity figure is a priority → Audeze LCD-X. Its sheet gives 103 dB at 1 mW, while the Edition XV is listed at 92 dB. The measurement conditions and complete system still matter when interpreting those numbers.
• Best fit if you want the broader stated low-frequency extension → HIFIMAN Edition XV. Its range starts at 8 Hz; the LCD-X is listed from 10 Hz. A frequency-range figure by itself cannot tell you how bass will sound in practice.
• Best fit for a basketball session → neither. Both are wired over-ear headphones with no noise control, not wireless sports products designed around movement.
• Best fit if your priority is picking between these two for home or dedicated listening → choose by setup. The LCD-X offers the case and adapter package; the Edition XV offers a replaceable cable and its revised headband design.
Neither is described as wireless, and neither lists noise control. That makes them a poor match for someone who wants to keep a phone in a pocket and move freely on a court. They are also open-back models, so don’t treat either as a way to block the surrounding environment. For basketball, a purpose-built wireless sports option is the sensible category to investigate instead.
My Verdict
In my opinion, I’d choose the Audeze LCD-X for focused listening because its professional-audio positioning, supplied case, and multiple listed cable adapters make it the more complete fit for a dedicated wired setup. The Edition XV has a compelling practical advantage if a replaceable cable or its revised headband matters more to you. For basketball, though, I would buy neither: both are wired and have no noise control, so they do not match the freedom most players want.
No. Both are listed as wired headphones, and both use a 3.5 mm jack connection. Neither product sheet lists Bluetooth or another wireless mode.
Neither is a strong fit for basketball based on the listed features. Both are over-ear, wired headphones with no noise control, so they are not the wireless sports earbuds many players seek.
The listed frequency ranges start at 8 Hz for the Edition XV and 10 Hz for the LCD-X. That does not establish which one sounds bassier; a frequency-range specification alone cannot describe perceived bass level or tuning.
The Edition XV’s supplied 3.5 mm cable is specifically described as user-changeable and replaceable. The LCD-X package lists a combination cable and adapters, but its supplied details do not make the same cable-replacement claim. RECOMMENDED_ASIN: B08ZR34S9T
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