Audeze LCD5 Review
"Great sounding headphone. Takes a bit to get used to head-clamp and weight."
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Audeze LCD-5 Flagship Planar
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Includes XLR cable w/ 6.3mm adapter
LCD-5 is the exciting new Flagship Open-Back Planar-Magnetic headphone from Audeze, featuring an all new light weight design and Parallel Uniforce™ diaphragms! LCD-5 is the end result of Audeze's long term commitment to delivering reference products, be sure to pair it with a top of the line amp like our GS-X Mini to hear LCD-5 at it's best!
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Featuring our core technologies while adding some new innovations like our Parallel Uniforce voice coil, the LCD-5 incorporates decades of audio and technology research to deliver all the aspects of a truly reference audio experience
Audeze CEO Sankar Thiagasamudram
Our Take
The LCD-5 sets a new standard for accuracy using a new driver design with Audeze’s own patent-pending Parallel UniforceTM voice coils and new magnet assembly. LCD-5 represents a completely new design made specifically for minimal reflections, improved frequency response, and a more open yet accurate soundstage. LCD-5’s impedance is 14 Ohms, sensitivity is 90dB, and it weighs just 420 grams (1/3 less than the LCD-4!). Handcrafted in California, USA, the LCD-5 has been meticulously engineered to provide unmatched audio for industry professionals and audiophiles alike!
Featuring Audeze’s patented core technologies, and new acoustically designed leather earpads, an improved and luxurious carbon fiber suspension headband, deep “tortoise shell” acetate rings, all-new magnesium housing, plus their latest premium audio cable made with high-purity copper, and an aluminum travel case.
Features
- New Parallel Uniforce™ diaphragms and Fluxor™ Magnets provide powerful sound, unparalleled sonic detail, and incredible accuracy without increasing the impedance.
- New internally sloped earpads that help to reduce unwanted resonances and interior reflections.
- Newly designed Fazors that are optimized to reduce diffractions.
- Specially tuned directional OCC high-purity copper cable, composed of strands that provide a low capacitance and a low resistance path to maintain unsurpassed clarity and precision.
- Fully re-designed magnesium frame provides rigidity and ultra-light weight.
Specs
Transducer Type
Planar Magnetic
Headphone Style
Over-ear, open-back
Max Power Handling
5W RMS
Minimum power requirement
>100mW
Recommended Power Level
>250mW
Max SPL
>130dB
Frequency Response
5Hz to 50kHz
Weight
420g
The Drivers
Magnetic structure
Fluxor magnet array
Phase management
Fazor
Magnet type
Neodymium N50
Diaphragm type
Nano-Scale Parallel Uniforce
Transducer size
90mm
Sensitivity
90 dB/1mW
Impedance
14 ohms
THD
<0.1% @ 100dB
Overall rating: 5.0 / 5 from 5 reviews.
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Reviews
My favorite TOTL headphone
"In this hobby, I own a few TOTL headphones (Focal Utopia, Final Audio D8000 Pro, JVC Victor HA-WM90) and most recently, the Audeze LCD-5. The Utopia was my favorite. And now, without a doubt, the LCD-5 gets the nod. For me, the LCD-5 is a complete headphone from A-Z - it is truthful, supremely detailed with pinpoint imaging. The treble is extended without being harsh, the midrange is the standout with natural timbre showcasing gobs of detail, and the bass is extended also with gobs of detail. Some may say LCD-5 is bass light, it is not (to me) – the bass is linear, if the recording is of high quality with bass information then the LCD-5 will simply convey it. I use it with EQ which elevates the LCD-5 to another level. The comfort for me is excellent especially compared to the older/traditional Audezes as I couldn’t wear those for more than an hour due to weight. Finally, I did not experience tight clamp force as I recently bought them from HeadAmp (I suppose these are the new headbands)."
Top Headphone
"For Planar Headphones, I've also got the HE6SE V2 and the Dan Clark Stealth. All are very good, enjoyable listens. The HE6's are a tremendous value but a step below the other two. Both the Stealth and the LCD are exceptional to my ears. The Stealths are perhaps a bit more comfortable and the LCD5 perhaps a bit more "analytical" if that would be a way to phrase it. I've seen several reviewers summarize after detailing all that is good about the LCD5's that while they might be the ultimate headphones to use as monitors they just didn't sound a musical as the alternatives. I had thought that I surprising agreed with that position. ... until I realized that in trying myself to analyze sounds that were so incredibly clean - I had jacked the volume up to painful levels. Yes they could play a tenor sax flawlessly at seeming true volume levels. ... but does one really want a live tenor sax blowing a couple of inches away from ones ear? Turns out that was my problem, not the headphones'. Turn the volume down to a sane level and they were every bit as "musical" as the Stealths ... and I will be very happy to have them both."
Audeze LCD-5 TOTL game changer for Audeze
"the LCD5 is a total game changing headphone for me, it's not that I don't like the other 4 in my collection it's just that the LCD5 gets you gobs of details with the ultimate in transparency. This is the difference between experiencing the music and just hearing it. Big improvement in comfort and weight with these, build quality is outstanding. Sound is interesting as this really show you what is going on downstream. In my home rig with Roon I eq the mids down 2-3db and with my Basso DX320 I just let it rip standard. In the home rig the LCD 5 is a 4 star without eq and a 5star plus with eq. In my portable rig the LCD5 without eq is 5 stars. If you are looking for your last headphone this could just about be it."
When you willing to EQ it's one of the best headphone money can buy
"In terms of weight and comfort, Audeze has also made some changes. Significantly lighter in weight and much more comfortable, the Audeze LCD-5 provides hours of fatigue-free listening. Technically, the Audeze LCD-5 is an insanely good pair of headphones. Even without EQ, it sounds very good. With both the CRBN and LCD-5, Audeze has abandoned the typical "house sound" more for neutral tuning. The LCD-5 has a punchy bass range with slightly more forward mids and a very smooth and ultra-high resolution high frequency range. In terms of resolution, it doesn't have to hide from a Susvara. In terms of bass, you don't have to do without the typical Audeze punch. It is also on board here. The difference is that the quality is even better than that of the LCD-4. The transients come out like a shot, the speed is fantastic. The upper mids sound much clearer compared to the old LCD models, since they are no longer strongly recessed. You don't miss anything in the high frequency range. The LCD-5 acts like a magnifying glass without making this area sound even slightly harsh. Who does not shy away from the use of an EQ gets with the LCD-5 one of the best performer of all TOTL headphones. I can strongly recommend the EQ settings of oratory1990. Amazing! Superb tonality better it hardly goes! For me, the Audeze LCD-5 is the headphone of the year 2021!"
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