Lily Audio Genesis One vs 1s: Worth It?
The Lily Audio Genesis One and its newer sibling, the Genesis 1s, are high-end planar magnetic headphones. The Genesis 1s is worth its higher price if you value a slightly more refined, neutral tuning and the convenience of a balanced cable in the box; if you are on a tighter budget and prefer a warmer, more forgiving sound, the original Genesis One remains an excellent choice. This article compares the two models to help you decide which, if any, fits your listening habits and wallet.
Background: Lily Audio and the Genesis Line
Lily Audio is a relatively small, Hong Kong–based manufacturer that has carved out a niche in the affordable high-end headphone market. The Genesis One, released in 2022, was their debut planar magnetic headphone, priced around $1,200. It gained attention for its solid wood earcups, comfortable fit, and a warm, musical sound signature that appealed to many audiophiles. In 2024, the company introduced the Genesis 1s, an updated version that retails for about $1,300. The 1s retains the same driver and overall design but adds a few refinements, including a slightly revised tuning and an upgraded cable.
Key Differences: What Changed in the 1s?
At first glance, the Genesis One and 1s look nearly identical—both feature the same African mahogany or walnut wood cups and the same 100mm planar driver. The changes are subtle but meaningful:
- Tuning: The 1s has a flatter, more neutral frequency response. The original Genesis One has a gentle bass boost and a softer treble, making it more forgiving of poor recordings. The 1s reduces that bass emphasis and brings the treble forward, offering more detail and air but also more potential for fatigue on bright tracks.
- Cable: The 1s comes with a balanced 4.4mm cable in addition to the standard 3.5mm single-ended cable. The original only included a 3.5mm cable. If you have a balanced amplifier, this saves you the cost of an aftermarket cable.
- Accessories: The 1s includes a slightly nicer carrying case and a pair of extra earpads (one set of leather, one of suede). The original comes with a single pair of leather pads.
Everything else—the driver, the headband, the earcup dimensions, the impedance (32 ohms), and the sensitivity (100 dB/mW)—remains the same.
Sound Quality: Which One Sounds Better?
“Better� is subjective, but here’s what you can expect from each:
Genesis One (original): Its sound is often described as warm and smooth. Bass is slightly elevated, giving kick drums and bass guitars a pleasing punch. Midrange is lush, and treble is rolled off, so cymbals and hi-hats are less prominent. This makes it a great all-day headphone for rock, jazz, and electronic music, and it’s very forgiving of compressed streaming audio.
Genesis 1s: The 1s aims for greater accuracy. Bass is more linear, mids are slightly more forward, and treble has more extension. You’ll hear more detail in acoustic guitars, string instruments, and vocal sibilance. It’s a more analytical listen, rewarding high-resolution files and well-mastered albums. However, on poorly recorded tracks, you may notice hiss or harshness that the original would have masked.
Neither headphone is objectively “better.� The choice depends on whether you prefer a relaxed, musical presentation (original) or a more neutral, detailed one (1s).
How to Choose Between the Two
Consider the following factors when deciding:
- Your music library: If you listen mostly to modern pop, hip-hop, or older rock recordings, the original’s warmth will be more flattering. If you listen to classical, acoustic jazz, or high-resolution audio, the 1s’s neutrality will reveal more nuance.
- Your amplifier: The 1s’s balanced cable is only useful if your amp has a 4.4mm balanced output. If you don’t have one, that feature is moot. The original is easier to drive from a phone or laptop, though both benefit from a dedicated headphone amp.
- Your tolerance for treble: If you are sensitive to bright or sibilant sounds, the original is safer. If you crave detail and don’t mind a bit of edge, the 1s is the better pick.
- Budget: The $100 price difference is minor, but if you don’t need the balanced cable or extra pads, the original offers better value.
Common Problems and Misconceptions
One common misconception is that the 1s is a completely new headphone. In reality, it’s a minor revision—the driver and housing are the same. Another issue some users report is that the wood cups can develop small cracks over time if exposed to extreme humidity or dryness. This is not unique to Lily Audio; it’s a risk with any wood-bodied headphone. To prevent it, store the headphones in their case with a silica gel pack in humid climates.
Another point of confusion is the impedance. Both models are 32 ohms, which is low enough for most portable devices, but they are not particularly sensitive. You’ll want a decent amplifier (even a small desktop amp) to get the best dynamics. Don’t expect a phone’s headphone jack to drive them to satisfying volumes without some distortion.
Cost and Value
The original Genesis One typically sells for around $1,200, while the 1s is about $1,300. In the context of high-end headphones, this is a mid-priced tier. For comparison, other planar magnetic headphones in this range include the Audeze LCD-2 (around $900) and the Hifiman Arya (around $1,600). The Lily Audio models offer a unique wood aesthetic and a comfortable fit that many competitors lack. The 1s’s added cable and pads make it a slightly better value if you would otherwise buy those accessories separately, which could cost $100–$200.
Alternatives to Consider
If you’re shopping in this price range, you have several other options:
- Audeze LCD-2: Similar warm tuning, but heavier and with a more industrial look. It has a stronger bass punch.
- Hifiman Arya Stealth: More neutral and detailed, but also more expensive and less forgiving of poor recordings.
- Sennheiser HD 800 S: A dynamic headphone with a huge soundstage, but it’s open-back and requires a powerful amp.
- Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Noire: Closed-back, more portable, and easier to drive, but with a smaller soundstage.
If you already own a good amplifier and prefer a neutral sound, the Arya might be a better investment. If you want a comfortable, warm-sounding headphone for long listening sessions, the original Genesis One is hard to beat at its price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Genesis One with a phone? Yes, but it may not get loud enough on some phones without a headphone amp. A portable DAC/amp is recommended.
Do I need a balanced amplifier for the 1s? No, but the balanced cable only works with a 4.4mm output. If your amp lacks that, you can use the 3.5mm cable.
Are these headphones open-back or closed-back? Both are open-back, meaning they leak sound and don’t isolate from outside noise. They are not suitable for use in an office or on public transport.
Is the 1s worth the extra $100? If you value the included balanced cable and extra earpads, yes. If you won’t use those, the original is the better value.
How do they compare to the Hifiman Sundara? The Sundara is cheaper (around $300) and more neutral, but it has a less comfortable headband and a more aggressive treble. The Lily Audio models are more comfortable and have a warmer, more musical tuning.
Final Verdict
So, is the 1200 headphone worth it? The original Genesis One at $1,200 is absolutely worth it if you want a beautifully crafted, comfortable, warm-sounding planar that you can listen to for hours. The 1s at $1,300 is worth the premium only if you specifically want the neutral tuning and the balanced cable. If you can, audition both—your ears will tell you which one is right for you. But either way, you’re getting a high-quality headphone that competes with models costing twice as much.
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