Audeze LCD-5 Review, Measurements, Interview

[Benno1988]

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.

Can you post the curve for that EQ for me

 

[TheFrator]

Can you post the curve for that EQ for me

Oratory's EQ .

For me, Oratory's upper mid and treble settings were fatiguing but that's because the Harman target cannot be relied upon beyond 3 kHz. I'm quite sensitive to too much treble. As always, your mileage will vary.

 

[Benno1988]

Yeah. I can't do that much. I drag the 3k back down a bit, shelf tilt the treble up 2db or so and narrow Q drag 8k down (triggers me). Mids I leave and just add a bass shelf to taste. And by that I mean so much bass i can taste it.

 

[EMINENT]

Can you post the curve for that EQ for me

Yeah. I can't do that much. I drag the 3k back down a bit, shelf tilt the treble up 2db or so and narrow Q drag 8k down (triggers me). Mids I leave and just add a bass shelf to taste. And by that I mean so much bass i can taste it.

Yeah, I don't even know why I posted that, it's so useless. So much variation including gear used that you just gotta tweak it by your ears.

 

[BowWazoo]

In my case, definitely technical performance/some smoothing over of rough edges.

My recommendation :

Topping E50 / L50.

The performance is outstanding.
Te measured values of both devices are at the absolute reference level.
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/topping-e50-review-balanced-dac.26219/
The Power output is more than sufficient, and the amplifier is absolutely load-stable even at 15 ohms.

 

[BowWazoo]

Did they say this somewhere?

They told me in chat.

 

[Benno1988]

They told me in chat.

Awesome. Will be getting them. Audeze also working on the vegan pad version but have told me no ETA.

 

[BowWazoo]

Overall I find the LCD-5 comfortable.
But the pads look more comfortable than they are...

 

[Benno1988]

Overall I find the LCD-5 comfortable.
But the pads look more comfortable than they are...

Yep.

And they squeek on my glasses frames. Dekoni leathers don't, and velour don't.

 

[BowWazoo]

After about an hour, I have the impression that they are pressing everywhere.
If I could express one wish, it would be the pads from the LCD-X

 

[BowWazoo]

Lil Session

 

[vsg28]

My review of the LCD-5 is now live, all ~9200 words of it: https://www.techpowerup.com/review/audeze-lcd-5-planar-magnetic-headphones/

 

[TheFrator]

My review of the LCD-5 is now live, all ~9200 words of it: https://www.techpowerup.com/review/audeze-lcd-5-planar-magnetic-headphones/

Thorough and honest review of it. I'm of course a little biased given I own a pair. Thank you for the lunch time read.

 

[chargedcapacitor]

My review of the LCD-5 is now live, all ~9200 words of it: https://www.techpowerup.com/review/audeze-lcd-5-planar-magnetic-headphones/

What a wonderful and detailed review!

As first run owner of the LCD-5, I can back up your claims on sonic characteristics you stated, and you are spot on about the EQ. Added bass shelf, a small cut around 1khz, and a bit of treble tweaking are all that is needed to seriously transform the LCD-5 into more of a detail monster than it already is.

 

[Benno1988]

Fun fact. The cable is a normal looking 4 wire. Twisted pairs from splitter to the cup. Those twisted pairs are then just twisted to the amp end connector! Not braided as a 4.

Thank you for listening.