Audeze LCD-5 Review

Audeze LCD-5

Full Feature list by Audeze

 

Key Feature 1: Audeze 90mm Planar Magnetic Drivers

Benefits

  • Nano-scale diaphragm and FluxorTM magnets offer ultimate control over diaphragm movement
  • Parallel UniforceTM voice coils for ultra-low distortion that’s inaudible at nearly any SPL
  • Enhanced transparency and accuracy, with increased presence region response
  • Extremely fast transient response and wide frequency response

Proof Points

  • 90mm planar magnetic drivers with essentially the same diaphragm area as the LCD-4
  • Diaphragm material is thinner than a red blood cell

Key Feature 2: FazorTM Waveguides, Parallel UniforceTM Voicecoil and FluxorTM Magnets

Benefits

  • Increased efficiency and control over diaphragm movement
  • Diaphragm offers dramatically reduced distortion, especially at high frequencies
  • Accurate phase response, neutral frequency response, and wide accurate soundstage

Proof Points

  • Varying parallel single-trace widths equalizes magnetic force on diaphragm
  • Patented process provides most accurate voicecoil pattern available
  • Reduced interference of sound waves

Key Feature 3: Sculpted Earpads

Benefits

  • Better seal on a wider variety of head shapes for consistent comfort
  • Reduced parallel surfaces reduce resonance to equalize frequency response
  • Smaller foam than other LCD pads for less absorption of frequencies

Proof Points

  • The sloped interior foam more easily conforms to the surface around the listener’s ears
  • New acoustically designed earpads have a more neutral upper midrange response

Key Feature 4: All-New Premium Audio Cable

Benefits

  • Provides extreme detail, ensuring no signal quality is lost between amp and headphones
  • More extended high and low frequencies, better transparency of sound

Proof Points

  • Single-crystal copper strands, directionally oriented for best conductivity
  • Premium quality connectors for solid connection and durability
  • Specially designed OCC copper cable material of ultra-high purity

 

Technical Specifications

Style:                                                     Over-ear, open-back

Transducer type:                              Planar Magnetic

Magnetic structure:                        Fluxor™ magnet array

Phase management:                       Fazor™

Magnet type:                                     Neodymium N50

Diaphragm type:                               Nano-Scale Parallel Uniforce™

Transducer size:                                90 mm

Maximum SPL:                                  >130dB

Frequency response:                      5Hz – 50kHz

THD:                                                      <0.1% @ 100 dB SPL

Sensitivity:                                          90 dB/1mW (at Drum Reference Point)

Impedance:                                        14 ohms

Max power handling:                      5W RMS

Min recommended power:          > 100mW

Recommended power level:        >500m

Blazingly low weight:                      420g

 

The LCD-5 article continues on Page Three. Click here or click below, it’s all up to you.

Page 1: Audeze, Planar magnetic Tech, LCD-5 main features

Page 2: LCD-5 Full Feature Overview & Technical Specs

Page 3: Price, Box, Accessories & Design, Build Quality, Cable & Fit, Comfort and Isolation, Sound

Page 4: Sound Intro, Sound General, Sound Classics

Page 5: Sound Comparisons, Amplification synergy, Conclusion

4.4/5 - (115 votes)
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Lieven is living in Europe and he's the leader of the gang. He's running Headfonia as a side project next to his full time day job in Digital Marketing & Consultancy. He's a big fan of tube amps and custom inear monitors and has published hundreds of product reviews over the years.

13 Comments

  • Reply November 1, 2021

    MhtLion

    Great review, Lieven! Has anyone tried LCD-5 with Violectric V281? I ‘think’ it will sound nice with it in XLR mode, and I’m VERY inclined to click the purchase button.

    • Reply November 1, 2021

      Lieven

      Thank you. I sold my V281 a few months ago, sorry.

      • Reply November 1, 2021

        MhtLion

        No worries at all. My question was directed to your readers because I knew you don’t have V281 anymore. Since V281 has a rather warm sounding, I’m curious whether it will add the body to LCD-5 or get-in-the-way.

  • Reply December 27, 2021

    Tim

    How could you possibly do comparisons and leave out the Focal Utopias, but include headphones that are definitely lesser than the Utopias, such as the Empyrean, the HE-1000SE, and the LCD-MX4? The Utopias may even still be the best overall, period!

    • Reply December 27, 2021

      Lieven

      I bought and sold the Utopia. I hardly ever sell a headphone but it was impossible for me to enjoy the Utopia. All of the headphones you mention bring a lot more enjoyment

  • Reply February 1, 2022

    Gail

    Great review sincep you guys reviewed thr naim uniti atom HE. Have ypu tried the LCD5 with the naim?can it drive it or it really needs a decent amp? I’m currently using one ans was quite curious on getting an lcd5

    • Reply February 4, 2022

      Lieven

      Sorry, I don’t have the Naim

  • Reply March 17, 2022

    Zuro

    You said here that the LCD-5 lacks of body in vocals because they lack body on the sub-bass response?
    if I wanna some good vocals with body and good timbre that is your recommendation?
    You tried the ZMF headphones line? how they will compare to the LCD-5 on the timbre and voices?

  • Reply April 21, 2022

    Zik

    You mentioned the HUGO – you mean the Hugo 2?
    And out of the box you mean very light on the vocals and the midrange? how much minimum burn in is needed?

    and you think tube amps will be good here?

  • Reply May 14, 2022

    Pablo Guyot

    Burn in :
    100 hs is good ,but 200 hs is much Better

  • Reply March 7, 2024

    Richard Harrigan

    Lieven, what headphone amp would you recommend as part of a home stereo system along with the LCD5?

    The main application would be listening to vinyl from my VPI turntable running through a Parasound JC3+ phono amp and into a Parasound P6 preamp. I’d love to connect a headphone amp directly to the JC3+ that will slightly warm up the sound. I’d be looking for something in the $1.5K range…

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