Audeze LCD-5 Review, Measurements, Interview

[MatW]

BTW the post you linked largely is saying the same thing.

I know, that's why I linked it..

 

[WoollyGeezer]

So I put the Burson Soloist 3x in power amp mode. Holy Crap. All of the issues I've been having with the amplifier not supplying thump/slam to my LCD5s went away. What the hell?

 

[Blackrao]

Well there is truth to that, but if the Reviewer has bought the gear with his own money he also is subconsciously biased to justify his spending to himself, usually leading to positive reviews.

So loaner or not, the reader has always to assess the reviewers credibility.

Here is my simple review for you all, I went to Canjam 2021 listened to all the expensive headphones there and don't own them. So I don't have lender bias or purchase justification.

LCD-5 is simply better than most flagship like Susvara, He1000se, Abyss 1266 TC, and Utopia because of tuning. All those have something fatiguing in them that I find grating. Only thing people wouldn't like about LCD-5 is its south of neutral treble, maybe a little dark. But I'd rather listen to a headphone thats a little dark than submit myself to listening something like the he1000se that is just bright af because its really not a comfortable experience.

 

[paradoxper]

Here is my simple review for you all, I went to Canjam 2021 listened to all the expensive headphones there and don't own them. So I don't have lender bias or purchase justification.

LCD-5 is simply better than most flagship like Susvara, He1000se, Abyss 1266 TC, and Utopia because of tuning. All those have something fatiguing in them that I find grating. Only thing people wouldn't like about LCD-5 is its south of neutral treble, maybe a little dark. But I'd rather listen to a headphone thats a little dark than submit myself to listening something like the he1000se that is just bright af because its really not a comfortable experience.

Even worse than whoop-dee-bias declarative meet impressions.

 

[Tanalasta]

Well there is truth to that, but if the Reviewer has bought the gear with his own money he also is subconsciously biased to justify his spending to himself, usually leading to positive reviews.

So loaner or not, the reader has always to assess the reviewers credibility.

This.

Just like with wine or food reviewers/critics, it's best to make up one own's mind and then see how congruent that is with certain reviewer(s) before making your mind up how much trust to place in a review and whether there is any perceived bias. I for one prefer to hear new headphones for the first time without any perception/prior reading where possible. And thankfully was able to do so with the LCD-5.

 

[Terco]

The clamp is gone, I guess I'm getting use to, actually I feel that the fit is perfect right now, the irritation because the leather didn't happen today, I EQ down some of these mids, that excitement in vocals is gone a little bit but I've listening music for 5-6 hours with out fatigue... I even listened to Tech Death Metal lol.

 

[dewald0]

I got my LCD-5 in the mail, and compared them to my LCD-4z out of Hugo 2. I know it's heresy around here, but I preferred the sound signature of LCD-4z. They sound warm and natural to my ears, whereas the LCD-5 was a bit too present in the upper mids. I'll be keeping the 4z. The are a really nice headphone, especially out of a galvanically isolated Hugo 2.. might be the pad/grill improvements they've made recently.

 

[IZONE]

I got my LCD-5 in the mail, and compared them to my LCD-4z out of Hugo 2. I know it's heresy around here, but I preferred the sound signature of LCD-4z. They sound warm and natural to my ears, whereas the LCD-5 was a bit too present in the upper mids. I'll be keeping the 4z. The are a really nice headphone, especially out of a galvanically isolated Hugo 2.. might be the pad/grill improvements they've made recently.

Wow... I'll give my LCD-4Z some extra love tonight. I plan to keep them anyway, whether or not something 'sounds better' or not

 

[KojiCO]

Certainly looking forward to bringing these in for review within the next couple of months, it needs to go head-to-head with my susvara and utopia and stelia that are coming in for review soon

 

[OneEyedHito]

Certainly looking forward to bringing these in for review within the next couple of months, it needs to go head-to-head with my susvara and utopia and stelia that are coming in for review soon

I should have mine tomorrow to compare to those same headphones (swap my stealth for the stellia though) alongside the WA33/Chord Stack and then the AHB2 and Spring 3, so I will keep detailed notes to compare against your review and see where I can improve in my listening and what I am hearing. Looking forward to your review!

 

[ChijiroKuro]

Greetings from Spain.

I've been lucky enough to test and enjoy the LCD-5s all last weekend and compare them to the LCD-4s that I enjoy since they came out (second unit since I sold the first ones I had).
Its Premium construction is noticeable at first glance and touch: they are soft to the touch; they are light weight, light but very robust (I've never had a problem with LCDs, they all fit my skull like a glove). The acetate ring looks like amber with very curious drawings and effects, although it is the least of it but they make them beautiful.
The LCD-5s are better in general, faster and more transparent with crystal clear highs, nothing aggressive with a house brand mids and absolutely devastating and controlled bass; the sub-bass is there when needed and fully integrated. The scene is perfect, being able to locate each voice or instrument in its place with a real size.
Magnificat by JSBach by La Capella Real de Catalunya & Jordi Savall: each voice is unique in tone and character, they can be perfectly located in the space and the rest of the instruments differentiated from each other being present and in all the splendor that Jordi Savall applies to his works. With the LCD-5 it is very easy to focus and immerse yourself in the Music totally.
Simaudio Moon 430HA in LOW controls perfectly, the Linn Akurate DSM Katalist provides the best sonic "food".
The Audeze LCD-4s stay at home as they are a work of art and do magic with Music, but I will have to do numbers to order a "little brother" so that he does not feel alone.

 

[VandyMan]

nvm...

 

[dleblanc343]

Got the LCD5 yesterday. They’re the real deal.

Will be writing a review over the weekend hopefully.

Pictured are some of my favorite headphones currently owned. Also have HE60 and custom Focal Stelliance not shown. Departures I will miss are Raal SR1a, D8000 Pro - and to a lesser extent Verite Open and K1000.

LCD5 is easily a top 3 performer among all of these.

Now I can’t wait for CRBN to come. They were ordered even before LCD5 and it’s killing me.

 

[rthomas]

Greetings from Spain.

I've been lucky enough to test and enjoy the LCD-5s all last weekend and compare them to the LCD-4s that I enjoy since they came out (second unit since I sold the first ones I had).
Its Premium construction is noticeable at first glance and touch: they are soft to the touch; they are light weight, light but very robust (I've never had a problem with LCDs, they all fit my skull like a glove). The acetate ring looks like amber with very curious drawings and effects, although it is the least of it but they make them beautiful.
The LCD-5s are better in general, faster and more transparent with crystal clear highs, nothing aggressive with a house brand mids and absolutely devastating and controlled bass; the sub-bass is there when needed and fully integrated. The scene is perfect, being able to locate each voice or instrument in its place with a real size.
Magnificat by JSBach by La Capella Real de Catalunya & Jordi Savall: each voice is unique in tone and character, they can be perfectly located in the space and the rest of the instruments differentiated from each other being present and in all the splendor that Jordi Savall applies to his works. With the LCD-5 it is very easy to focus and immerse yourself in the Music totally.
Simaudio Moon 430HA in LOW controls perfectly, the Linn Akurate DSM Katalist provides the best sonic "food".
The Audeze LCD-4s stay at home as they are a work of art and do magic with Music, but I will have to do numbers to order a "little brother" so that he does not feel alone.

Hello fellow Spanish audiophile!

I live in Santander, you?

Have you tried EQ on the LCD4? I can send you the EQ settings . I’m curious if the 4 can get closer to the 5 with the help of EQ.

Cheers

Thomas

 

[Undun]

LCD-5 is simply better than most flagship like Susvara, He1000se, Abyss 1266 TC, and Utopia because of tuning. All those have something fatiguing in them that I find grating. Only thing people wouldn't like about LCD-5 is its south of neutral treble, maybe a little dark. But I'd rather listen to a headphone thats a little dark than submit myself to listening something like the he1000se that is just bright af because its really not a comfortable experience.

Have you heard those seemingly bright sets in a setting aside from CanJam/at a show? It's hard to make these kind of sweeping statements if you were listening under show conditions-- in an uncontrolled, noisy environment. Reassessing in quieter conditions may change your mind, particularly on the Susvara (which I find to be the most well-tuned "uberflagship" I've heard).