A fascinating interview with Sankar himself. Also hints at maybe the return of the LCD-R in the future? Edit: Sorry, didn’t see it was already posted upstairs.

How do you guys measure how many dB you listen at?

Agreed. It's a great sign that Audeze's brand new flagship puts a big emphasis on reduced weight! I'm confident that, if the LCD-5 is a success, they will prioritize reduced weight across their whole lineup for the future.

Not sure if it’s been posted here, but Director’s Garage gave some great impressions of the LCD-5.

Aside from the Hugo2, any portable DAC/amps that would do these cans justice? Something pocketable? I don’t know enough about voltage swings, etc. to figure this out. Asking because the LCD-5 weighs so little, it’s begging to be more portable than its predecessors. Then again, this question...

I will counter by saying the Hugo2 is transportable but not portable, in my opinion.

This is a very interesting and important finding. A lot of headphone users enjoy portability, so not being able to find a single portable DAC/amp that can drive these to full potential is… disheartening. It will certainly be a factor into people’s purchase decision. As always, keep up the good...

Is there any way to pin the actual headphone impressions somewhere at the beginning of the thread? Having a hard time combing through all the other stuff to find actual impressions. I just want to know how it sounds.

Very curious about the comfort. The LCD-X is so plush, it’s like the leather interior of a car. I recall Currawong mentioning comfort might be slightly reduced due to the pads (or perhaps I read it wrong). Anyway, eager to hear about comfort!

Audeze, what’s with the tortoiseshell, was it your intention to make us all look like sexy librarians

I have a feeling the folks complaining about ‘lack of bass’ are either trolling, or believe that a lack of ‘bass hump’ = bass light. The LCD-X measures flat, and may even look bass-shy on frequency graphs, but damn it has a clean, deep bass capability. I say this because I own one, and love it...

Can I ask a question about frequency responses? In Jude’s measurements, the HD650 seems to have a more elevated treble response than the LCD-5. Yet the HD650 is definitely not bright. How should this be interpreted?

I think the pads and the headstrap look great. Modern, yet familiar to the LCD brand. The CRBN looks like an art piece, with the intricate grill. But I can’t get over the tortoiseshell on the LCD-5. Why? That partial pattern is so strongly reminiscent of old-school reading glasses/frames, can’t...

Does the LCD-5 only come in the orange tortoiseshell frame? Are there any other options, for instance just a plain black?

I really want to know if it is bright. The frequency graph makes it seem a bit bright, but that doesn’t always tell the full story.

If it is helpful, here is my LCD-X 2021 graph straight from Audeze. Many many other graphs on the LCD-X thread. So who’s got the scoop whether or not LCD-R comes back in a new, more widely available form?

TLDR: Pad swap fixed brightness. I’ve been using the Penrose to play the new Tales game, and every time the main character would run, there would be this unbearably high pitched sound. I believe it was the sound of the character’s clothing, specifically the metal bits striking each other. It...

It gets even better with some EQ!

Got a pad question for you all: what’s a nice plush cool (temp) replacement pad for the Penrose? God, the stock pads suck! I think I’ll give the Wicked Cushion freeze ones a whirl.

Is that TWO LCD-R’s?!

Same here. I switch between a variation of Oratory's EQ, and no EQ. Both are great in their own way -- EQ'd is more incisive and exciting, whereas without EQ is smooth and easy listening. Depends on the mood!

I predict the R is going to achieve mythical status, just due to how limited the quantities were. Gone in a flash! (Maybe that’s why they went with the Lichtenberg pattern) Very much looking forward to listening to the CRBN, as well as the new Stealth and the Meze Elite. Supposedly the Stealth...

This thread is making me want to try the LCD-R more than the CRBN!

Big fan as well. Closest I’ll get to being inside a Bentley.

If this is meant to be an ‘endgame’ headphone, you owe it to yourself to audition them I think. Or at least purchase from somewhere that has a return policy. I thought I would love the Hifiman Arya… nope! I own a 2021 LCD-X, and am very happy with them! I compared them to a number of...