Audeze LCD-5 Review, Measurements, Interview

[adrianm]

So for somebody like me who has never EQ'd before and has absolutely no knowledge on the subject, where would I begin in order to do so? What software would be recommended for my windows PC?

This question took me down the path of doing a couple of Roon trials and subsequently buying lifetime (for different reasons). I haven't started using EQ yet but it's the best money I've spent in audio so far .

 

[EMINENT]

So for somebody like me who has never EQ'd before and has absolutely no knowledge on the subject, where would I begin in order to do so? What software would be recommended for my windows PC?

Download Equalizer APO
Download Peace GUI
Install
Assign to dac of choice in EAPO configurator
Restart
Open Peace
Play with sliders

 

[Drewligarchy]

I know both this thread and threads on other forums seem obsessed with EQ, especially with this headphone. I don’t think it’s necessary at all. While I don’t EQ, I have nothing against it if it’s your thing - but I think it’s an exceptionally well tuned headphone coming out of my Dave’s headphone out. Before you start eq’ing it - I’d give it a few days flat to get your head around the tuning. I know it depends on what genres you listen to and preference, but I - at the very least - really don’t think it’s necessary to enjoy all this headphone has to offer.

 

[Currawong]

Generally speaking, planars tend to have more hefty bass and estats more air and sparkle?

To follow up on what has already been said, estats require extremely high voltages, which mean extremely expensive amps if you want bass punch. Since high current amps are common (speaker amps, for example), it's cheaper and easier to get plenty of bass out of a low-impedance planar.

Hey guys, have been stalking this thread for awhile and would like to know if anyone else has run a portable setup using the C9 (noted on previous comments that the C9 through certain users experience, was insufficient in delivering sudden spike in power asked from the LCD5).

Dont really want to invest in desktop setups though, so would really like to get an idea of tried and true portable setup pairing with the LCD5

When the LCD-5s first arrived, they didn't sound good at all out of the C9 or other portable gear. After some hours of use, that has changed, and they are OK. I hadn't expected that much of a change, and it occurred after I shot my video review.

Would this portable/transportable setup convince you? The dongle is the Cayin RU6 and it will work for tablets, phones, computers, and Daps. And the LCD-5 sounds excellent on it...





Personally, I feel confident in calling this a "no-compromise" portable/transportable solution, to my ears. Of course, YMMV, depending on your preferences, but my own feelings on the matter remain iron-clad at the moment.

It's a surprisingly capable dongle. The L&P W2 as well.

 

[Sonicus Supremus]

Thanks to everyone who replied. I will definately look into them if I dont like the stock tuning of the LCD-5. As someone who has a Verite open and loves it for it's musicality, I am kinda afraid that I will not be too impressed with the LCD-5 out of the box, but we shall see.

 

[nwavesailor]

delete

 

[nwavesailor]

Thanks to everyone who replied. I will definately look into them if I dont like the stock tuning of the LCD-5. As someone who has a Verite open and loves it for it's musicality, I am kinda afraid that I will not be too impressed with the LCD-5 out of the box, but we shall see.

I came from a VO to the Susvara and have now added the LCD-5. After hearing the Sus, and now the 5, I found the VO's to be a ittle too laid back for me. As fun, musical and enjoyable as I found the VO, I was always looking for a bit more detail and clarity.

I still love ZMF and really liked the VO's comfort.

 

[sp33ls]

I came from a VO to the Susvara and have now added the LCD-5. After hearing the Sus, and now the 5, I found the VO's to be a ittle too laid back for me. As fun, musical and enjoyable I found the VO, I was always looking for a bit more detail and clarity.

I still love ZMF and really liked the VO's comfort.

How does it compare in "musicality?"

 

[nwavesailor]

That's hard to say. What I might find 'musical' you may find 'analytical'. I can say that I like the 5 very much along with the Sus and P.
I was looking for more detail, and parts of tracks I knew well and heard clearly on my 2 ch system were a bit recessed on the VO.

My ears / your ears, what we listen to and are looking for is why we sometimes agree or disagree on these forums.

 

[sp33ls]

That's what's been so interesting about these reviews. Everyone agrees the LCD-5 is very resolving, but it's like 50/50 on them being "analytical" vs "musical."

And some claim the bass is more than sufficient, and others state it's bordering on lean.

Based on the back and forth, I guess you could make the assumption that it's pretty close to neutral then lol.

It's going to make listening to them myself all the more interesting.

 

[adrianm]

That's what's been so interesting about these reviews. Everyone agrees the LCD-5 is very resolving, but it's like 50/50 on them being "analytical" vs "musical."

And some claim the bass is more than sufficient, and others state it's bordering on lean.

Based on the back and forth, I guess you could make the assumption that it's pretty close to neutral then lol.

It's going to make listening to them myself all the more interesting.

Since some people call Dave "analytical" ( i don't really agree ) and i'm using it with Z1R which are "musical bass cannons" i also had the same concern. I had no issues on bass or musicality. They did feel bass light at first in comparison (even compared to Elites), but the presentation is so well balanced that it wasn't an issue. I had just gotten used to the idea that they are "bass light " until a ton of slam came out of nowhere on a track that I didn't consider an outlier. That was...extremely interesting.
The Z1R, and to much a lesser extent , the Elite have more bass and more slam more of the time, but it's just...kind of there on most tracks. I feel like on the LCD-5 there is a bigger variation on WHEN and HOW MUCH bass there is, depending on the track. This makes me think it's due to the fact that they are just more resolving. I thought i was crazy but the Abyss guys were saying exactly the same thing about the new Abyss Diana Phi TC. Same thing with differences between quiet and loud passages , i feel like the delta is greater with the LCD-5.
They are slightly more neutral than the Elites with the leather pads.

 

[WoollyGeezer]

I returned the LCD5. Too clinical for my taste. Impressive headphone nonetheless but I couldn't enjoy it post wow factor

 

[shafat777]

That's what's been so interesting about these reviews. Everyone agrees the LCD-5 is very resolving, but it's like 50/50 on them being "analytical" vs "musical."

And some claim the bass is more than sufficient, and others state it's bordering on lean.

Based on the back and forth, I guess you could make the assumption that it's pretty close to neutral then lol.

It's going to make listening to them myself all the more interesting.

I personally dont think the LCD-5 is an analytical headphone at all. Its extremely detailed. Its extended on both ends. It has clean mids with just enough depth and weight for the vocals. Having owned the LCD-X and LCD-3 previously, I was expecting the bass to be thumping and punchy and so far, it hasnt quite lived up to the expectations, and thats why i like it. With all the headphones listed on my sig, the LCD-5 is the perfect combination of a few of them.

The 1st time i wore the LCD-5, almost immediately, i told my girlfriend that it sounds like a lovechild of Verite Open + He1000se. Allow me to explain. The VO has some of the most natural tones (timbre, tonal balance, low, mid, bass) that ive ever heard. The HEKse has the most detailed top layer with wide, airy soundstage. It can sometimes sound analytical as it can be a little bright and too clean, depending on the source. The VO can be configured to slam hard (zmf pad roll) and the HeKse can be used with copper wires and eq to tame the treble peaks. The LCD-5 has characteristics of both the VO and HEKse as well as some of its own. The top end of the LCD-5 is really detailed and extended (like the HEKse) but it doesnt sound as harsh on some of the tracks. But the treble sounds more natural and organic and less metallic than it does on the HEKse. The low end of the LCD-5 goes deep. It has tons of layers starting from mid bass all the way to sub bass. However, the bass is really controlled, tight and precise. Theres very little rumble with the LCD-5, something i got used to while listening to the LCD-X. I think that might be the reason why certain folks may say that the LCD-5 is bass shy. I believe its all there, just more spread out and not so in your face type of bass like in previous LCD models.

The mids are where this headphone surprised me the most. It has depth for days. Its really holographic with decent heights and width. Sound stage is wide and honestly, good enough for me. The vocals are lush with enough thickness for male voices. Instrument separation is extremely precise. Overall, the LCD-5 presents a very well rounded sound signature. Its fun and engaging. I dont eq but yesterday, in the name of science, i decided to eq them using resolves lcd-5 eq settings and that transformed this headphone into something else (also great sounding). I later decided against using eq to keep everything natural.

My next idea is to experiment with zmf 2k copper cable vs Norne Silvergrade S4 pure silver cable and see if that makes any difference.

 

[MatW]

I returned the LCD5. Too clinical for my taste. Impressive headphone nonetheless but I couldn't enjoy it post wow factor

Did you use EQ or stock only?

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

Did you use EQ or stock only?

I auditioned it twice and found the LCD5 too intense in the treble and too bass light for what I was expecting from an LCD. I haven't tried to EQ them. I want to try it that way to see if it sounds better to me. The resolution and detail were otherwise very impressive. These are technical beasts. But what I need in my collection are bass cannons. If I can add a nice bass shelf and tone down the intensity, they might work.