Audeze LCD-5 Review, Measurements, Interview

[geek707]

I've had my LCD-5s for about a week. Bought them after about a year with LCD-2c cans which I liked but were way too heavy. Coming from Sennheiser HD800s/HD660s and a HD800 before that, listening to Audeze cans was interesting. I'm not sure how to describe the difference planar drivers make, but I do like the sound. I have a Schiit equalizer coming tomorrow to mess with. No the problem is which headphones to get rid of. It's down to keeping the LCD-2c or HD-660s. I suspect based on weight I'll keep the HD.

 

[sparkofinsanity]

When I looked I saw a lot of those classifieds listened for only a few hours. Many people, including myself, have noted the LCD-5 not only benefits more from EQ than other headphones, but also brain and ear pad burn-in.

I've never experienced burn-in before, but with the LCD-5, it was rather drastic. On day 3, the whole experience transformed, god knows I can't explain why or how, but Audeze says the pads do soften and "slightly" change the sound.

It's not surprising at all that people who listened for a couple hours and didn't try EQ won't like the LCD-5. All I know is they are fantastic (with far better bass) and addressed both of the issues I had with the LCD-4: weight and a recessed nature that was lovely most of the time but also lacking a lot of the time.

I bought the HE1000v2 and HD800S to compensate for the LCD-4s small flaws; with the LCD-5, those are both gone. I have no regrets.

When I bought my LCD-XC (2021) I took everyone’s comments about EQ as something that was optional, not something required. That ended up in a WTH moment and that feeling took quite awhile to get over (they are quite nice after all, but should come with a warning sticker: EQ required). I suspect this feeling hit some with the LCD-5 as well.

 

[ra990]

Any update on the built-in Roon filters for Audeze headphones getting an LCD 5 preset? Anyone know what these filters do? Are they convolution filters and are they targeting harman?

 

[JLoud]

I would like to know when the filters for CRBN are coming. Supposedly the CRBN filters were done and they were still finishing the LCD5 filters. No CRBN on Roon yet either. My understanding is the EQ adds "room feel", and addresses frequency issues. Not to a Harmon target. The one for the LCD4 is a small adjustment but does improve upper mids in my opinion.

 

[cantara256]

Any update on the built-in Roon filters for Audeze headphones getting an LCD 5 preset? Anyone know what these filters do? Are they convolution filters and are they targeting harman?

Look back a few pages, this was answered by Audeze: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/aud...ments-interview.959808/page-314#post-16868486

 

[ra990]

Look back a few pages, this was answered by Audeze: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/aud...ments-interview.959808/page-314#post-16868486

Very exciting, looking forward to this.

 

[Currawong]

The Jotunheim 2 didn't like low impedance load, like the Lcd-5.
Especially in unbalanced mode, the THD increases significantly, at low impedance load.

The downside to getting all that you to do with the Jot 2 is that the SE output is not good. It is only worth using the balanced output from that amp IMO.

Stephane (from the "Non Audiophile listens to high-end headphones") video I made was here again yesterday. He really liked the LCD-5 with The Derek Trucks Band.

 

[jlbrach]

Funny how differently we hear things haha. In some ways though I can understand what you mean about the midrange. The forwardness on the LCD-5 can have this kind of masking effect that the Stealth doesn't have. After a touch of EQ that masking goes away of course. There's also no guarantee we're thinking of 'detail' in the same way.

which is why you have to trust your own ears..people use different sources...have different hearing ability and even head shape...so much influences the end result and to take one persons opinion or EQ settings etc is insane....personally I liked the 5 but sold it because it was too forward and aggressive for me but somehow I imagine I will own it again some day if history is any guide!

 

[BowWazoo]

I firmly believe that probably nobody would sell the LCD-5, if it had the tonality they preferred.
It's cheap and easy to do these days.
As already mentioned, I think that trimming the tonality to "warm" is extremely important with the LCD-5.
Otherwise the brain will be overwhelmed with precision and details...

Resolve put it very nicely in its review at 7:50 min.:


The frequency response can and should be personalized.
I like to compare it to an OLED TV.
"Hey, what did LG do there?! The picture is way too dark. And I don't like the red tone. That thing is crap."
"No man, go into the menu and set the picture how you like it..."
The technical skills are there.
Black level, contrast, color space.
You just have to use them...

 

[vsg28]

Almost done writing my LCD-5 review, but I realized this unholy matrimony works way better than I even originally thought:

 

[Resolve]

Almost done writing my LCD-5 review, but I realized this unholy matrimony works way better than I even originally thought:

I need to try this haha.

 

[geek707]

Has anyone tried the Burson Soloist 3 driving the LCD-5? I have a PASS HPA-1 and a Cary CAD300, both of which sound good, although the Cary is way too good of a space heater for my small listening area...

 

[akelew]

Has anyone tried the Burson Soloist 3 driving the LCD-5? I have a PASS HPA-1 and a Cary CAD300, both of which sound good, although the Cary is way too good of a space heater for my small listening area...

Fyi The burson soloist 3x gets pretty toasty as well due to class A... Like i cant leave my hand on it for too long sometimes

 

[TheFrator]

Has anyone tried the Burson Soloist 3 driving the LCD-5? I have a PASS HPA-1 and a Cary CAD300, both of which sound good, although the Cary is way too good of a space heater for my small listening area...

I only listen to the LCD-5 on my soloist. And yes, the Soloist does get pretty toasty. I have my computer's exhaust pointed towards the soloist so it never gets to a temperature where it's uncomfortable to leave my hand on it for a long period.

 

[vsg28]

I need to try this haha.

Remember it's basically the first 25% of volume range only that's practical to use here, anything more and you are already past the 5 W limit for the drivers. I had maybe 2 dots on the volume wheel here before I decided to get a DAC in with volume control for further granularity.