Audeze LCD-5 Review, Measurements, Interview

[phthora]

The dark treble are already smoothed
I tested the LCD5 with
- IFI Pro iCAN: very good, punchy and energetic, not the layering and soundstage of the following amps, but thunderous bass with the Xbass on (if you prefer so)
- Benchmark HPA4: transparent, extended, neutral, pinpointing, the ultimate studio monitoring device (yet musical)
- Luxman p750u: a hint of warm, grandiose perception of space, tactility and realism of vocals, drums and electric instruments

Can confirm. Great description. Also, the HPA4 easily handles my irresponsibly bassy EQ setting that requires -13db of preamping.

 

[VandyMan]

I've been happy pairing the LCD-5 with the Woo WA-6 SE. I tried the Benchmark HPA-4 and that worked well too, but was too neutral for my taste. I like a little tube coloration. The Woo WA-5 also works really well with it.

 

[EMINENT]

my irresponsibly bassy EQ setting that requires -13db of preamping.

 

[TheFrator]

Can confirm. Great description. Also, the HPA4 easily handles my irresponsibly bassy EQ setting that requires -13db of preamping.

Must enjoy ear massages haha

 

[phthora]

Must enjoy ear massages haha

Haha! It does provide those. But, really I just use that EQ for Run the Jewels and a few others. For everything else, I use either no EQ or my own riff on Resolve's EQ. I'm after neutral when it comes right down to it.

Still, I'd recommend trying some outlandish bass boost with the 5, even if it's just to demonstrate its abilities. There seems to be no end to the amount of bass that these transducers can cleanly deliver. It'd be shame not to let them flex their muscles every now and then.

 

[jlbrach]

I would agree with the TT2. At that price range, it is one of the best all-in-one options and leaves room to grow by possibly adding a speaker amp and Mscaler in the future. I think you will find the LCD-5 will benefit from a bit more power than most headphone amps provide. The TT2 (and I am now using a WEISS Dac) offers a good experience, but through in something with more power for something great. IMHO of course.

the lcd-5 definitely doesnt need more power than the tt2 provides...I used my 5 with my dave and it had more than ample power so the TT2 which is more powerful most certainly would be fine

 

[TheFrator]

Haha! It does provide those. But, really I just use that EQ for Run the Jewels and a few others.

Blockbuster Night Pt.1 on RTJ2 is unreal on the 5 with a heavy bass boost.

 

[phthora]

Blockbuster Night Pt.1 on RTJ2 is unreal on the 5 with a heavy bass boost.

Definitely a good one once that bass kicks in. One of my test tracks is JU$T off RTJ4. It's got that big bass hit by itself right at start of the track and then you can hear how well that bass holds up as they layer in more stuff over the rest of the song. Sounds insane on the 5 with that boost.

 

[Slim1970]

Can confirm. Great description. Also, the HPA4 easily handles my irresponsibly bassy EQ setting that requires -13db of preamping.

I’m so interested in the HPA4 for a number of reasons.

 

[Benno1988]

Dekoni will "soon" bring out pads. Will you try?

Did they say this somewhere?

 

[JLoud]

Must enjoy ear massages haha

Maybe he is a Ferengi? Star Trek reference for those confused.

 

[JLoud]

 

[Olmanwood123]

the lcd-5 definitely doesnt need more power than the tt2 provides...I used my 5 with my dave and it had more than ample power so the TT2 which is more powerful most certainly would be fine

Need and want are two different things

 

[cantara256]

Need and want are two different things

Not in this hobby

 

[EMINENT]

Must enjoy ear massages haha

Speaking of ear massages...

I am loving the sounds coming off these and some new stuff I am testing.

Santero- Drop The Bomb featuring Credit To The Nation (Deekline vs. Product 01 Remix)

This new one just slams.
Oh Boy - Go Together

More if you aren't afraid to explore the world of breaks and a sprinkling of a the few Alicia tracks I also test with.

My Test Tracks Playlist on Tidal


Current EQ tweaked from Oratory (Edited)

Preamp -8.5