Audeze LCD-5 Review, Measurements, Interview

[shwnwllms]

They can scale quite a bit. I know you didn't ask me and I have no experience with Hugo 2, but if you're on a budget and not constrained to being mobile, i'd first look into Mitch Barnett's filter and/or HQP and whatever you can afford for dac/amp. Keep in mind with Hugo 2, you're stuck with the one built in filter and that's it. It might or might not be the one for you. Both Mitch's convo filter and HQP combined have qualities that have added to the synergy that reaches deep in the heart for me. Each alone doesn't get there and neither has any combo of equipment alone. Not to sound harsh or negative but the gear I have gone through have only gotten me so far. Without those two, LCD5 can still be a bit lifeless in this respect while sounding tonally great.

I concur on HQP + Mitch’s convolution (minus the uncontrollable sobbing. The only thing that my LCD-5 makes cry is my wallet)

EDIT: Today I’m trying stock tuning (which I haven’t done in awhile) and it’s better than I remember it. Not sure if it’s brain burn, the pads have broken in or my listening preferences have changed, but I enjoy it more than Mitch’s convolution. I also recently ditched Tidal for Qobuz so source material + HQP could be a factor (stock tuning definitely sounded harsh to me before but MQA artifacting could have played a role here as well). Time will tell if I can handle stock tuning for longer listening sessions.

 

[chargedcapacitor]

I concur on HQP + Mitch’s convolution (minus the uncontrollable sobbing. The only thing that my LCD-5 makes cry is my wallet)

EDIT: Today I’m trying stock tuning (which I haven’t done in awhile) and it’s better than I remember it. Not sure if it’s brain burn, the pads have broken in or my listening preferences have changed, but I enjoy it more than Mitch’s convolution. I also recently ditched Tidal for Qobuz so source material + HQP could be a factor (stock tuning definitely sounded harsh to me before but MQA artifacting could have played a role here as well). Time will tell if I can handle stock tuning for longer listening sessions.

If you want to get around spending $$$ for Mitch's FIR filter, you can always make your own FIR with RePhase using the oratory1990 / crin / whichever EQ preset you like most. It does take some learning and research, but you get a much better appreciation of the compsci / physics aspect of sound. Alternatively, I can provide my convolution file that you can just insert into the convolution filter in EQAPO, or your music player of choice. I used the oratory 1990 filter, with linear phase filtering above 500hz, and minimum phase filter below 500hz. The tap length is only 1000, so you can use it for gaming / ect without worrying about the delay.

 

[shwnwllms]

If you want to get around spending $$$ for Mitch's FIR filter, you can always make your own FIR with RePhase using the oratory1990 / crin / whichever EQ preset you like most. It does take some learning and research, but you get a much better appreciation of the compsci / physics aspect of sound. Alternatively, I can provide my convolution file that you can just insert into the convolution filter in EQAPO, or your music player of choice. I used the oratory 1990 filter, with linear phase filtering above 500hz, and minimum phase filter below 500hz. The tap length is only 1000, so you can use it for gaming / ect without worrying about the delay.

I already own Mitch’s convolution, and have tried pretty much every EQ out there at this point but thanks

After reading @project86 recent review it got me thinking about trying stock tuning again. I actually prefer it to any EQ I’ve tried and am sticking with stock for now

 

[cantara256]

Keep in mind with Hugo 2, you're stuck with the one built in filter and that's it.

This isn't true, the Hugo 2 has a sound signature and so does every amp/DAC out there, and just like any amp/DAC you can add software EQ to suite your taste.

There's nothing unique about the Hugo 2 here.

 

[EMINENT]

This isn't true, the Hugo 2 has a sound signature and so does every amp/DAC out there, and just like any amp/DAC you can add software EQ to suite your taste.

There's nothing unique about the Hugo 2 here.

I meant alone in comparison without HQP's many alternatives.

 

[Mediahound]

FWIW, I use the LCD-5 with the Hugo TT2 with M scaler. With a bit of bass boost, and the sound is just wow. Really engaging and involving.

 

[fln]

Got them today, but they are humming when I plug them into my setup: Mac mini -> Chord Hugo M Scaler -> Chord Hugo TT 2.

None of my other headphones ever hummed in this setup: JH Audio Layla, HD800S, HE1000v2, LCDi4, LCD-4.

They hum whether I'm sitting on the couch or standing. Tried both stock cable and my extra length custom Moon Audio cable.

Suggestions?

I can confirm, have the same issue. Got them recently, and the hum persists on 2 different setups.
1st - matrix x-sabre 3+bryston BHA-1
2nd - violectric V800+V200. The second is at my parents home, so they are completely different.
What I mentioned - on 1st setup It helps when I touch my PC case(note: x-sabre is NOT connected to that PC), the hum dissapears (like completely), on 2nd It dissapears when I touch the volume control on V200.
Hum changes when I move (increases/decreases) It is like 50-60Hz hum mostly.
Any suggestions ?
And yes, I did not have this issue with any other headphones (HD 800s, 650, 580, even etymotic )

 

[Mediahound]

That doesn’t sound right at all, I have the same set up with the LCD-5 and the TT2 and I have no hum at all. I run in high gain mode.

 

[fln]

That doesn’t sound right at all, I have the same set up with the LCD-5 and the TT2 and I have no hum at all. I run in high gain mode.

do you have mains ground ? I don't

 

[fln]

well the hum is fairly subtle, but it is clearly audible... and it can dissapear at times, like other poster said
Maybe it's my static electricity, or smth else but is there any way of solving this rather than wearing the grounded bracelet
should I get chord TT2 or a power conditioner with good power cables...

 

[fln]

FWIW, I use the LCD-5 with the Hugo TT2 with M scaler. With a bit of bass boost, and the sound is just wow. Really engaging and involving.

btw, didn't you try Roon Audeze presets ? I find them useful, also I use roon convolution for HD800s

 

[Mediahound]

do you have mains ground ? I don't

well the hum is fairly subtle, but it is clearly audible... and it can dissapear at times, like other poster said
Maybe it's my static electricity, or smth else but is there any way of solving this rather than wearing the grounded bracelet
should I get chord TT2 or a power conditioner with good power cables...

Yes, I do have mains ground here.

btw, didn't you try Roon Audeze presets ? I find them useful, also I use roon convolution for HD800s

I tried it, but didn't like it so now I just do the EQ in Roon myself. I only add a bit of bass boost.

 

[F208Frank]

would you guys say that overall lcd4 more popular or lcd5?

 

[Trance_Gott]

My review is online
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/audeze-lcd-5-planar-magnetic-headphones.25626/reviews#review-30360

 

[Mediahound]

would you guys say that overall lcd4 more popular or lcd5?

The LCD-5 sounds better, and is certainly more comfortable.