Audeze LCD-5: A Statement Review

[@robertreynolds2212]

Regardless of what others say about this headphone, I was really impressed the moment they sat on my head. The detail retrieval is shockingly good and with the proper amp, they slam beautifully.

[@elhijueputa8423]

Completely agree! Especially on tubes

[@elhijueputa8423]

These are definitely the best headphones for detail retrieval and clarity. It is insane how good they are. I have the HD800s as well as LCD-X and Forcal Clear MG and the LCD-5 is just on another level. It does not slam as hard but the quality of the bass and sub-bass is incredible. I have this paired with the WA7 Fireflies gen3 and Burson Soloist 3x GT. The WA7 Fireflies opens up significantly the sound stage in both width and depth.. with the default tubes, you do lose a bit of dynamics as it is a smoother more laid-back sound but rolling the tubes with some RCA vintage 1950s NOS tubes, you get it to sound far more dynamic while maintaining the awesome sound stage depth and width. On the Burson, it is slightly more dynamic in its slam and treble however, you do not get the wider and deeper sound stage as with the WA7.. you do however get significantly more power on the Burson than on the WA7 Fireflies which is my only knock on the WA7. There are times I want it a tad bit louder on the WA7 but for most music listening sessions, it is more than enough. Overall I think the LCD-5 works best on tubes which is what my next purchase will be.. a nice big tube amp to really bring these cans even more alive! Forgot to mention that my DAC is the Schiit Yggy OG latest edition.

[@Flavius7]

They look good, it's nice those are so detailed, but the fact that LCD-X has way more substantial bass (not more detailed, but more pleasant ) and almost identical soundstage sugests all that money are better spent elsewhere. For that amount you need an almost perfect headphone, not something that needs to be improved with EQ or very expensive amps like THE GORGEOUS PRIMAVERA. Nice honest review, Sandu, a man knows can count on you!

[@michaelp.3485]

I have both the lcd5 and the lcdx and the lcd5 is way better than the lcdx.

[@chronometa]

It's only better in certain areas based on what you deem important

[@johnsoriano3812]

Awesome review!

[@Soundnews]

Thanks John

[@aceofspades6667]

I just can't take my eyes off the Trafomatic... I need one of these in my life (someday) :-)

[@Soundnews]

I didn't know I needed one, until it hopped on my table :)

[@turnyourfriendson]

@@Soundnews have you tried the Primavera with ZMF headphones yet? I have been listening to the Atriums with this amp for a few months and it is magical!

[@restcarl83]

Quite a statement indeed! I noticed in your website article that you tried these with the new Gustard R26. Is it going to be part of a review soon?

[@dynamic-audio]

Excellent review as always. I would like to ask you something. I try to put oratory harman 10 band parametric EQ in my lcd4. The change was amazing!!! So I would like to ask you if you could set that eq using roon or other parametric eq on your lcd4 and tell me what is your opinion now versus lcd5 and susvara please bro? It could be amazing for you I THINK hehehe.... please amigo, try it.... I also hate use eq but in this case was amazing and greatful for me :)

[@Soundnews]

Hey amigo! His website is down (www.headphonedatabase.com/oratory), if you can link his EQ curve to me, I will surely give it a try. I'm a little skeptical (it's in my nature), as an EQ can only alter the bass, mids and trebles, nothing more and nothing less, it can't change the speed or the transparency of a headphone, but I hope you're right and there's indeed a major difference. Let me know where I can download it and I'll try it in the same day.

[@dynamic-audio]

@@Soundnews i tried to write the link 3 times, but you have bloked up external links hahaha. I will post in my community part of my channel the capture of eq for lcd4 for you....

[@dynamic-audio]

@@Soundnews i finally compare lcd5 vs lcd4 for many hours and they are so different. Nevertheless when I apply Eq harman oratory in lcd4 but modifing the first low shelft (-3dB less of the oratory parameter) they sound practically the same. Even the treble of lcd4 with better timbre and more body. Plea⁹se try stax l700 and srx9000 vs your susvara, it would be interesting. I test for 2 days both stax and they are even with better techicalities vs lcd5 and utopia 2022.

[@MistaLova-Lova]

I'm wondering if you're also enjoying the new A90 discrete amp on headphones with more detailed/brighter treble. I'm finding it sounding bright, quite lean and analytical and far prefer the old A90 for casual listening.

[@MistaLova-Lova]

@@JTB-- Interesting. I've never heard any of the Bifrost DACs - did you get to compare it with the previous version? I know that the old one was supposed to be warm-sounding (opposite of harsh/analytical). The only good thing about the new A90 (discrete) is that it made me realise how good the original A90 is. ;-)

[@MistaLova-Lova]

@@JTB-- That's very true. But at least there's something positive about this - experiencing a product that's supposed to be (or we hope so) better but in fact isn't helps us appreciate our gear even more or even rekindle the love, hehe. ;-) In audio just like in life in general - with time we start taking things for granted and adjust to the new reality (what was new becomes our "new normal"). Personally, I find that having two great headphones (each excelling in different areas) ensures that the excitement continues as I keep re-discovering their strengths.

[@MistaLova-Lova]

@@JTB-- Exactly,, even though the hobby is highly subjective, there is great value in describing things by comparing them to other gear as this vastly widens the number of people who will have heard some of the referenced gear and will at least get an idea of what to expect. That's one of the reasons (personal curiosity being another one) why I've been describing the new A90 all over the place, especially since I'm able to compare it directly to the original A90. Some people will probably still need to hear it for themselves but perhaps others will be able to save their money on a product they might regret buying (provided that their expectations of it were similar to mine). It's a great hobby with an ever-bigger community around it. 🙂

[@Soundnews]

Hi Michal, I didn't put a lot of hours on the A90D and I didn't form a solid impression yet, but once I do, I will definitely prepare a video about it, including a comparison with the regular A90.

[@nishimotomari]

구독 했습니다 ^^ 최고의 오디오 장비 채널 ^^♥

[@Soundnews]

고마워, 내가 가장 좋아하는 일을 계속 할거야

[@nishimotomari]

@@Soundnews 항상 배우고 있습니다 너무 재밌는 오디오 장비 채널 입니다♥♥

[@asan1050]

Thanks

[@Soundnews]

Thanks for always leaving a comment ;)

[@williamhedges7441]

If you could only keep 1 running off an rme adi-2 into a soloist GT which would you personally choose, LCD-5, LCD-4, or HE1000SE?

[@MRFUTURETECHNOLOGYGAMING]

I love your Witcher 3 wild hunt shirt 👕

[@abhik6503]

Any plans on reviewing Zahl HM1?

[@Soundnews]

Thanks for reminding about that one. I will ask around

[@abhik6503]

@@Soundnews thank you for your awesome reviews, it would be pretty interesting among hm1, 23r and primevera

[@kadaad]

Стоят много денег, но как всегда открытое говно.