Audeze LCD-5 Review, Measurements, Interview

[Barone Birra]

How about the Euforia? I wonder how they'll do with tubes compared to solid state amps.

Unfortunately, the impedance (14 Ohm) is way too low for an OTL like the Euforia.
However, the Feliks, like many tube amps, is quite rounded in the treble, and this would hardly match the LCD-5 top-end signature.
I think this new Audeze is more suited for solid state amps, with very flat extension from 20 Hz to at least 15 KHz.

 

[TheMiddleSky]

Make it simple, Elite has bigger bass body than LCD-5. Like a truck is bigger than a SUV. That's it.

LCD-5 has more "sharp punch" in bass section though.

After more extensive comparison between Meze Elite and LCD5, I need to revise my opinion. Elite deliver punch/slam as hard as LCD-5 here, and of course with fuller body as well. LCD-5 is still more agile with complex passage, but with medium/slow tempo bass songs, I prefer Elite presentation. Both render really nice bass texture.

For now my analogy about Elite is as Sonus Faber floor stand speaker, and LCD-5 as ATC Studio Monitor. Both may have almost similar price, but the sound tuning is so different.

 

[arrakian]

After more extensive comparison between Meze Elite and LCD5, I need to revise my opinion. Elite deliver punch/slam as hard as LCD-5 here, and of course with fuller body as well. LCD-5 is still more agile with complex passage, but with medium/slow tempo bass songs, I prefer Elite presentation. Both render really nice bass texture.

For now my analogy about Elite is as Sonus Faber floor stand speaker, and LCD-5 as ATC Studio Monitor. Both may have almost similar price, but the sound tuning is so different.

Have you tried the Elite cable on the LCD-5 (as someone suggested earlier in the thread)? I’d like to know how a silver-clad cable sounds better with the LCD-5’s FR, over the stock, upgraded Audeze cable.

 

[oniel459]

Can anyone comment on the clamping force of the 5s out of the box vs something like sennheiser hd660S with fresh pads? I ended up selling my senny’s because of the pressure.

 

[number1sixerfan]

Can anyone comment on the clamping force of the 5s out of the box vs something like sennheiser hd660S with fresh pads? I ended up selling my senny’s because of the pressure.

Out of the box the pressure did not bother me at all whatsoever. However, I think it's likely, totally user dependent. I have a smallish head which may be why I didn't have an issue.

 

[jaboki]

Can anyone comment on the clamping force of the 5s out of the box vs something like sennheiser hd660S with fresh pads? I ended up selling my senny’s because of the pressure.

If HD660s clamp pressure (to me) was a 5 out of 10. The LCD5 clamp pressure out of the box was an 8? But now it's more of a 6/7. HD660s was/is way less clamping in comparison.

 

[nwavesailor]

Anyone here using the Lokius or Loki Max for EQ?

 

[senseitedj]

If HD660s clamp pressure (to me) was a 5 out of 10. The LCD5 clamp pressure out of the box was an 8? But now it's more of a 6/7. HD660s was/is way less clamping in comparison.

Carbon fiber tends to be stiffer than metals. It will require a longer break-in time to get your desired level of compliance. It's also why they use for aerospace and motorsport, apart from being more lightweight.

 

[MN8372]

Hi all

I think I did this the wrong way around. I got the LCD 5 before the Susvara…

Still need more time to get my head around this… but they are both very very good headphones.

However I can’t help but think that the LCD 5 is just a little clumsy in comparison to the (frankly magical) refinement of the Susvara. Yes the LCD5 has “more” bass but not that much more and if I want “bass” don’t I need a 1266??

After the LCD5 I couldn’t listen to my HEKSE anymore. Too soft and too unrefined in the treble. The Susvara fixes that whilst holding onto the more spacious Hifiman presentation. Hmmm…

I do still love the LCD5 though and I can run it out of my valve amp which I can’t do with the Susvara. Just a bit shocked. How could the Susvara sound so “right” with no break in and out of my Moon amp which I’m about to get rid of.. Makes me wonder what It will sound like out of the CFA3 that Dukei is building for me…

Also one other thing - I don’t know how to explain this but the LCD5 sounds a bit “quacky” after the more natural ease of the Susvara. I’ve heard people talk about planars having a certain sound before - just never noticed it before.. Am I going mad?

 

[Bonddam]

Waiting told ship out maybe today.

 

[jscmd2000]

Hi all

I think I did this the wrong way around. I got the LCD 5 before the Susvara…

Still need more time to get my head around this… but they are both very very good headphones.

However I can’t help but think that the LCD 5 is just a little clumsy in comparison to the (frankly magical) refinement of the Susvara. Yes the LCD5 has “more” bass but not that much more and if I want “bass” don’t I need a 1266??

After the LCD5 I couldn’t listen to my HEKSE anymore. Too soft and too unrefined in the treble. The Susvara fixes that whilst holding onto the more spacious Hifiman presentation. Hmmm…

I do still love the LCD5 though and I can run it out of my valve amp which I can’t do with the Susvara. Just a bit shocked. How could the Susvara sound so “right” with no break in and out of my Moon amp which I’m about to get rid of.. Makes me wonder what It will sound like out of the CFA3 that Dukei is building for me…

Also one other thing - I don’t know how to explain this but the LCD5 sounds a bit “quacky” after the more natural ease of the Susvara. I’ve heard people talk about planars having a certain sound before - just never noticed it before.. Am I going mad?

The LCD 5 will improve quite a bit in the first 150-200 hrs. Out of the box, the tonality is very unnatural as you point out, in comparison to the Susvara. Imaging is also not very settled which will improve as well. I would just let it play day and night for the next week or so without getting too disappointed yet. Mine are now over 200 hrs. in and that unnatural tonality is not noticeable anymore when I compare to the Susvara. The center centric imaging has also improved and doesn't bother me anymore.

 

[MN8372]

Hi - my LCD 5 probably have 500+ hours on them by now. I don‘t think they sound unnatural per se. Like I said - they are a very very good headphone. Just in comparison to the Susvara they sound similar but different - more forced - not as effortless - a bit clumsy. All IMO. It’s very subjective and I don‘t mean to throw shade on the LCD5.

I knew Hifiman headphones have an airiness to them - I just really like they way the Susvara balances that with a degree of tactility for want of a better phrase. Not sure if I am properly explaining myself. But to my ears they are more rounded - better balanced. But then they are still my “new” toy (which I appreciate is the opposite of most on this forum).

 

[Tanalasta]

Picking mine up tomorrow!

I didn't have time today. So very very excited.

 

[arrakian]

Hi all

I think I did this the wrong way around. I got the LCD 5 before the Susvara…

Still need more time to get my head around this… but they are both very very good headphones.

However I can’t help but think that the LCD 5 is just a little clumsy in comparison to the (frankly magical) refinement of the Susvara. Yes the LCD5 has “more” bass but not that much more and if I want “bass” don’t I need a 1266??

After the LCD5 I couldn’t listen to my HEKSE anymore. Too soft and too unrefined in the treble. The Susvara fixes that whilst holding onto the more spacious Hifiman presentation. Hmmm…

I do still love the LCD5 though and I can run it out of my valve amp which I can’t do with the Susvara. Just a bit shocked. How could the Susvara sound so “right” with no break in and out of my Moon amp which I’m about to get rid of.. Makes me wonder what It will sound like out of the CFA3 that Dukei is building for me…

Also one other thing - I don’t know how to explain this but the LCD5 sounds a bit “quacky” after the more natural ease of the Susvara. I’ve heard people talk about planars having a certain sound before - just never noticed it before.. Am I going mad?

You like what you like; you’re not wrong.

 

[Terco]

Anyone here using the Loki+ or Loki Max for EQ?

You mean the Lokius?

I do, before I decrease the mids down and increase the top end but lately I just add a bit of bass for my preference since I feel the headphones after two months change to a more balanced sound, those exciting mids chill out a bit.

I'm thinking to order the new iFi iCan Pro Signature because the Xbass switch and a more warmer sounds, I think it would be a good pairing with the 5s.