$4000 Headphones Shootout - Audeze LCD-5 vs. Focal Utopia

[@kamchinwong]

I owned a pair of Focal Utopias, but after about 1 year+, the right ear cup failed! I brought in to my authorised dealer in Singapore, and they diagnosed that the Beryllium driver failed, possibly due to it being short-circuited. It’s expensive to replace, but anyway they sent back to Focal France to replace it. It took 3 months to return to me, and it’s fixed. But lo and behold, 3 months later it failed again! Same story, I brought it to my authorised dealer, only this time they said the fault was mine, that I didn’t use it properly with my amplifier. The right side Beryllium driver failed again due to short-circuit. I said this couldn’t be as I have used my Sennheiser HD800 on the same amplifier for YEARS and no issue. They reluctantly sent back to Focal France to fix it. I asked could they just exchange another set for me since there could be internal wiring problem within the Focal Utopia that could cause the Utopias to be prone to short-circuit. They refused and insisted the fault was with my amplifier. After 3 months again, I got back my Focal Utopia and I very carefully only use it with my iPad Pro, thinking that now there’s no way an iPad could short circuit the right Beryllium driver in the Focal Utopia again. You might guessed it, another 2-3 months or so, again the right ear cup of the Focal Utopia failed yet again!!! I brought it back to my authorised dealer for the 3rd time and said this was not acceptable for a $5000 piece of “high end gear”. They said it’s out of warranty, the fault was mine, they refused to do anything to my Focal Utopia. After this horrendous experience, I have lost the last drop of faith in Focal and vowed never to buy any Focal again. My Focal Utopia became a very expensive paperweight sitting half paralysed in the corner of the house. It’s very sad yet frustrating; I had wanted to own and enjoy my Utopia for years. Just sharing my real life experience here (I still have all those service repair receipts to back my claim up), so that potential buyers beware.

[@RYU47376]

U looking to sell it? Im from Indonesia tho so shipping might be an issue

[@coardtech]

My Clear MG headband cracked even tho i used it very very carefully and i baby them but after 2 months headphones start to fall apart. They have bad QC.

[@falcodarkzz]

that's shocking

[@ChrisStoneinator]

Well of course. They're French. They went on strike twice and then surrendered.

[@ChaddicusRex]

I always like your chill and informative presentation. Also, I love the music recommendations; not only do they give context to what you're talking about, but I often learn about albums I've yet to try. 👍

[@jeanlucbergman479]

Could ignore the entire review and still be really happy with the music recommendations alone. The Emmylou is great.

[@charlibratfammanfanstan]

Nice comparison. Few hours before delivery of my 5 and am very pleased to hear detail, transparency and technical performance are up to snuff and in line with other reviews. Thank you.

[@TheMrgonzalo05]

So, what are your thoughts?

[@charlibratfammanfanstan]

@@TheMrgonzalo05 To briefly sum up after trying with M15 and 3rd Gen. WA7, sounds great no eq. Clamp doesn't bother me at all. Just snug. Average head size and going on 3 hours each day yesterday and today. No issues. Next up with eq on both WA7 and M15.

[@jacksonville4932]

@@charlibratfammanfanstan can I get an update? How are they?

[@charlibratfammanfanstan]

@@jacksonville4932 Apologies, I didn't know you posted this question. So, after a long while I found a slight irritation on the right side due to my outer right ear slightly touching the pad/grill from the clamp pressure. Fast forward to after receiving the newer, less clampy headband, this is now a non issue. As for as sound, I have since upgraded to a GS-X Mini and X26 Pro and it is good enough end game for me as much as I have spent already. Someday i'll upgrade the amp to something more mature as Currawong stated comparing to Luxman but can't imagine how much better it can sound relative to the cost.

[@aceofspades6667]

FYI.. Folk Singer is one of my favorite albums of all time. I have it on vinyl and FLAC but heard it on reel to reel and it's near perfection.

[@Andy-xn9zn]

Who is the artist that made the song?

[@devenmajmudar839]

Great Video. Focal Utopia all the way for me.

[@paulhealy9413]

Production levels have levelled up even more! Nice stuff dude. Thanks for all the thoughts you've shared on the 5's :)

[@gehtnurdurch]

I have not heard the LCD5, but out of experience I find the statement that the Utopia is superceded by planars just a bit misleading. I absolutely believe that it fits your preference and I even believe that is has better detail and sounds faster. But in order to supercede another headphone it has to be better in all things. I still also have the HD800 because the Utopia is better in all things except timbre accuracy. And from what I hear it is almost impossible for a planar to sound more dynamic than the Utopia.

[@Fenom60]

Try a pair of Hifiman Arya Stealth with a good powerful amp, you might change your mind about planar being impossible to sound more dynamic =)

[@sjqideez6626]

As a sound engineer & a very experienced headphone audiophile, there are pros & cons with all 5 types of transducers for headphones & earspeakers. Having owned over 200 headphones, in my opinion the most dynamic, punchy, impactful & slamming headphone I’ve ever heard (and owned) is the Fostex TH900. Here are some planars that do those things well too (when given enough current): Audeze LCD-4 HiFiMan HE6 (OG 4/6 screw) Abyss AB1266 Phi TC HiFiMan HE-500 (maybe)

[@piotrosinski-petestradamus6204]

Can't wait for the Utopia replacement. The original has kept up pretty well for all these years.

[@irondad007]

Did you get rid of your Meze Elite?

[@rafael6693]

There is an upcoming replacement next month

[@sundayparam]

@@rafael6693 Really? source?

[@bluemonstrosity259]

@@sundayparam Headfi said Focal has got a new product launching very soon but said they are not allowed to disclose it yet. It could be Utopia 2

[@brothatwasepic]

I got rhe Utopia 2022 and it is amazing. Here if anyone has any questions

[@marc8vino]

I have the LCD-5's and coming from Focal Clears and Aryas I am missing the punch in the bass. I don't feel the bass drums or bass guitar as much as I had hoped for. All my other headphones even the DT1990's and 1770's have a better feel in the low end. I really want to keep the LCD-5's and don't want to rush into judgement. I am currently using the RME 2/4 DAC and amp. I am a musician and use headphones not just for pleasure but for recoding, mixing and mastering. I am trying to EQ on the RME but just raising the bass doesn't add the slam, punch or attack. However you want to say it. Any suggestions? Maybe the Utopia is more of what I want. I am hoping for a nice sound stage but strong bottom. Maybe I am looking for something different. A cross between the punch and clarity of the focal Clear MG's, Sound stage and pleasing signature or the DT1990's and the thing the LCD-5's have...not sure how to describe those yet. I am going to try the Arya Organics but have the stealths I'm not sure if that is what I want. Any suggestions? Thank You!

[@Wulong44]

I have both but man utopia is a keeper because of the Treble and good mids. Good for edm and j-pop. But yes for me lcd-5 gets more time especially due the better control and speed in these to genres.

[@MistaLova-Lova]

One of the Utopia's strengths being a dynamic driver is its slam and punch. How does the LCD-5 compare? Have they managed to bridge the gap or is the latter still distinctly planar-sounding?

[@RAYSHIO]

interesting opinion when pretty much all people and producers I know went with LCD-4 against Utopia, not even LCD-5 which are better than LCD-4

[@junseicpcp6903]

How do the vocals compare in jpop?

[@allansh828]

Please compare the new Stax flagship, LCD5, CRBN and 1266TC.

[@klaymoon1]

Awesome comparison review! Any chance of another round between LCD-5 vs 8000 Pro or Abyss? Thanks!

[@Currawong]

Given the reaction to the others, a D8000 Pro comparison is possible.

[@churchusa]

@@Currawong Yes please! One more vote for a LCD-5 vs D8000 Pro video. Nice review btw.

[@chungang7037]

The fact that you can tell where individual tracks were recorded in the Emmy Lou harris song makes me wonder if I would hate a headphone with this level of detail and imaging.....at what point is it distracting from the music experience? Still, interesting comparison.

[@Currawong]

In my experience, if the recording is good, it enhances the experience. If the recording is bad, often the opposite.

[@chungang7037]

@@Currawong Exactly. I noticed in some of my old Moody Blues albums that I swear I could hear weird artifacts like someone panning in another track but you first heard the engineer press a button or lever too hard on the board, strange things that I didn't need to hear. That was on a DT1990. For classical, it can be worse, on some of my favorite recordings I now hear distracting artifacts like creaking of the period instruments and clicks and clacks of the bow bumping against the instrument. I think my next headphone needs to be something that brings A level spherical soundstage/comfort/imaging but just enough detail to not go too far.

[@tweedpenguin712]

@@chungang7037 sounds pretty awesome to me. If you remove that stuff then you just have every other boring headphone on the market.

[@attomicrooster7823]

Do any of these come close to the SUSVARA in terms of detail retrieval?

[@arrakian]

Once again, thanks for the content, Currawong.

[@kenwebster5053]

I have a friend who has Focal Utopias. The connection inside one cup failed during transport in a case in his car. I have also read several reviews or Focal phones on drop describing the exact same problem. There are around 50% of the reviews. So, my personal opinion is, even if they are fine making good on warranty, I still don't want the hassles of that.

[@chipsnmydip]

I have really mixed feelings about the 5s. So detailed and fast, but lacking body, sub bass and an overabundance of bite and bright edge with amps I've used.

[@saarxee19]

What do you mean? which genres and you tried to EQ them? which amp?

[@chipsnmydip]

I've tried a lot of genres. I've so far used the Mytek Manhattan II and Audeze's The King MkII amp. I dont actually have the ability to EQ my current setup, but with a good algorithm and light touch I think it would be warranted. I'd rather not mess with it, but either you EQ down the 3-4k rise, or get used to it. That rise is just a little too much. Maybe the pads breaking in might help. Thicker HP cables can bring back the bass and treble more, but they add weight and the stock is actually really good. I hate to say it, but this feels a little like Audeze's version of a Grado headphone. I prefer a tuning more like the old Xs. If you EQ by default you probably won't find anything not to like about this, but the stock tunning is a little challenging.

[@LakerTriangle]

Not my impression from listening at CanJam...Could be the amp pairing.

[@jeedmodorn5494]

Muddy Waters, "Folk Singer". Mind blown.

[@halimj7]

I never liked my utopias with the TT2. The TT2 is too lean of a DAC/AMP. With the right DAC/AMP the utopia is not bass-light at all. In fact it is very hard hitting. I have not heard the LCD5 yet.

[@Currawong]

Amp synergy is definitely important. If you nail that, even if your headphones aren't the best, I reckon you get a better overall listening experience. Cheers.

[@lextr3110]

what would you recommend with it

[@halimj7]

@@Currawong Thanks so much for doing this comparison.

[@bruceposey9428]

I run my Utopia’s through an HMS/TT2 combo, but I add a Woo WA22 hp amplifier and the sound is tight, punchy, and very musical. Did Currawong mention that one hp is a planar magnetic and the other is a dynamic driver hp? Because it does make a difference as to how each is going to sound.

[@gracefullygraceful9776]

From listening to reviews, it seems like the Audeze LCD-5 could be one of the most accurate headphone on the market

[@vancybergoth]

2022 Utopia V2 strikes back. 😏

[@noname-fu2jw]

I hope it will come soon!

[@blejzerosamigos6115]

Great video thank you, what was the recording system that Folk singer was digitalized on? I would love to hear more stuff recorded like that album. Thank you again. Cheers

[@Currawong]

I believe it was called the GAIN system. Mike showed bits of an old one on the Schiit Audio live stream some time ago. I think someone posted a link on HF somewhere with a list of albums recorded with it. That might be worth a whole video in itself just on that system.

[@blejzerosamigos6115]

@@Currawong YES PLEASE

[@oldgeezerstechreview4048]

Hi Currawong, I appreciate your well-made reviews. However, in this case I find myself in disagreement. The Utopias are anything but lean with the right amplification, they hit hard with authority - but may be not on Chord stuff. In addition, I find them very well tuned, whereas the lcd5 is somewhat off to my old ears here, they do need eq. This in combination with serious comfort issues and the rather challenging power requirements make me think… that the utopias aged very well indeed. Let us know if you miss them after a couple of months.

[@Currawong]

Disagreement is appreciated! What amps do you find them to work well with? If my understanding is correct, the drivers in Focal headphones have less damping on their movement than regular drivers do, which means you can get more slam, but also blow the drivers more easily. I don't miss them as I find other headphones to be more detailed, but then I don't listen that loud.

[@oldgeezerstechreview4048]

@@Currawong Thanks for the reply . I guess we all have our preferences, might it be the most detail, the best tonality etc.. So of course, with all your experience, if the lcd-5 fits the bill, I hope you have many pleasant hours with them. For myself, I meanwhile prefer gear that can be used with simple amplification. Before changing to a dap (FiiO M17), I used the utopia with the Ifi pro iCan and pro idsd which gave the utopia just the right amount of bass.

[@Currawong]

I like the Final D8000 and Pro for this reason -- they are easy to drive and easy to enjoy. Likewise the Meze Elite (and the Liric, which I'm going to shoot a review of shortly).

[@oldgeezerstechreview4048]

@@Currawong Yes, the Elites are fantastic, especially for classical music. D8k seem great as well but I had comfort issues once more. I am lately eyeing the T+A Solitaire P…

[@harackmw]

2:45 It seems wrong that any headphone in this price range should have any comfort issues, but I guess it is a step up from their previous lineup regarding weight.

[@screwb1882]

All flagship headphones have some sort of comfort issue. It's the nature of the beast. Usually it's weight related.

[@charlibratfammanfanstan]

No comfort issues to me with average size head. 6' 190lbs.

[@harackmw]

@@screwb1882 I haven't heard of that being an issue with Meze's upper end headphones. But there people complain about the sound signature not being to their taste.

[@annarobertson8320]

Hi, i need help please, i currently have Lcd5 through Chord Mscaler and tt2, im wanting to add a tube amplifier, is Woo audio Wa2 suitable or is an OTL preferred. Then is Schiit an option Hope you can advise

[@Currawong]

OTL tube amps are absolutely no good for these kinds of headphones. You need transformer coupled or hybrid.

[@goldwerger]

@currawong - can you share with us where you got that cable that is connected to the Utopia in this video? (looks really nice:)… thanks!

[@Currawong]

It's from Norne Audio.

[@goldwerger]

@@Currawong thank you

[@sylvio1980]

What’s the shirt you’re wearing? Looks nice !

[@Currawong]

It's a Pointer shirt/jacket that was sold on Massdrop at the time. I wish I knew about more small US manufacturers and could get more well-made clothes like it.

[@Drrizzt2k12]

They thing is with the Utopia, you really can tailor it to your taste. Personally i'm using a custom xlr cable that brings forward a bit the lower registers, as well as a smsl m500 mk2 and a Aune s17 pro. With this chain the Utopia sound LUSH, warm without sacrificing any of its legendary precision. It's like a smooth razor. It looks contradictory but that's how it sounds. I'm so in love with it.

[@lukeshatterhand1969]

Are you planning to do a review on the Luxman p-750u amp?

[@Currawong]

Hopefully.

[@davehugo8799]

Their's NO way I'd get rid of my utopia,why,because their so good for many different types of music,where the 5s are not.

[@jekken333]

Hope you get a pair of raal sr1a for review.

[@timgray950]

Another vote for a Raal review.

[@xyanide1986]

I'd say these are for pretty different types of listeners. Personally I wouldn't even consider the utopia's as I outgrew the bass-light sound some years ago.

[@toddturner6]

What do you go with nowadays?

[@happysensyhappysensy670]

any chance hifiman edition XS revue.....

[@Currawong]

I saw that. It's definitely possible once I've done the Aryas.

[@aldphillip2003]

Yay! Awesome video!

[@olimphus26]

People complaining about cables? Bruh lmao. Watch people complain about your pads on the utopia being too old and that’s going to affect the sound too much and invalidate this comparison.

[@mathieudjoman6359]

thanks for the review

[@KeenAesthetic1]

A Luxman P-750u from a non-audiophile? :-)

[@Currawong]

He was a non-audiophile. I corrupted him. ;)

[@aysedrn]

Where did you get the headphone stand how can I find it

[@Currawong]

They are no longer made, sadly. Codia used to sell them on eBay.

[@Nephilim-81]

Oh boy. What a treat to have either or. Lets be honest here. :)

[@Emrah2908]

I can’t buy anything because I’m Turkish and 1 dollars is almost 10 Turkish liras.

[@harackmw]

You don't need to spend a lot. Look at the Koss KPH40, PortaPro, or the Sivga Sv021 or AKG 361/371.

[@hartyewh1]

It's so sad how Erdogan has fucked up the economy. I saw a Reddit thread about some Turkish kid who had saved for months to get an HD560s or something and suddenly the price doubled.

[@bencalhoun]

Thank you!

[@2stefti]

What a review ! Liked the (Diplomatic touch) You could have read the Warsaw Pact to Stalin without sweating just as well Thank you! Ps So to wrapped up the HD800 is still a badass can

[@bobsykes]

Very helpful.

[@Geerladenlad]

Mike Moffat owes me a Dolby Digital AC-3 upgrade for my Angstrom 200 Pre-Pro!!

[@mikedergalev]

I don't like how Focal headphones LOOK. This only reason is enough to avoid them completely, no matter the sound. Audeze on the other hand looks amazing👏

[@wcg66]

The Utopias are my dream pair of headphones. It's an irrational desire based on looks, mostly. Kind of like a supercar that might be unreliable, bad on gas and terrible for picking up groceries. Luckily, they seem to have the performance to match the looks.

[@mattmateo5730]

LOL, I got the 5s and that is the primary reason I fell for them, because of the looks, luckily it suited my tastes incredibly. A bit hard to make them sing but when you do, damn.

[@brianlucey832]

Pronounced MARK RIB-BO

[@Currawong]

Thanks. I'm no good with names. Nice to see you here by the way.

[@davidofglenbrook4487]

Neither. The Audeze LCD4 destroys both.

[@skylordsrebornpvpreplays5795]

How so?

[@jimbendtsen8841]

These are so far out of my reach financially, there's no point in listening to it.

[@johenkay1129]

Damn the Utopia's really have fallen.... that sucks...

[@Currawong]

More so that companies are putting out great flagships these days.