Audeze LCD-5 Revisited Review: A Flagship Redefining Planar Magnetic Excellence

As an audiophile and professional audio reviewer, I’m lucky enough to be able to hear all the headphones I could ever dream of owning. However, few have left as lasting an impression as the Audeze LCD-5. It’s easy to become jaded by listening to products like the Chord Dave, or Hifiman Susvara. For some reason, the LCD-5 represents my end-game headphone and provides an inspiring listening experience. In this revisited review, I’ll dive deep into what makes this flagship model a true audio marvel, exploring its design, sound characteristics, and overall performance.

What’s In The Box?

Design and Build Quality

At the heart of the Audeze LCD-5 lies a 90mm planar magnetic driver, showcasing Audeze’s renowned Fluxor Magnetic array. I’m confident in stating that Audeze stands at the pinnacle of planar headphone design. In my experience, no other brand has achieved the same balance in sound with this technology.

The LCD-5 boasts impressive specifications:

– Frequency response: 5Hz – 50kHz

– THD: <0.1% @ 100 dB SPL

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

One of the most striking aspects of the LCD-5 is its improved drivability compared to its predecessor, the LCD-4. I found it to be the easiest to drive among all flagship headphones I’ve tested. This characteristic makes it more versatile and compatible with a wider range of amplifiers, although it’s still best used with a powerful desktop amp.

I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the included cable. In my testing, I found no need to make any changes to the setup unless I wanted to bring out specific frequencies through cable swapping. This is a testament to Audeze’s commitment to providing a complete, high-quality package right out of the box.

Comfort and Fit

Audeze has made significant strides in addressing one of the main criticisms of their previous models – weight. The LCD-5 weighs in at just 420g, a substantial reduction that greatly enhances long-term comfort. I noticed this improvement immediately, especially when comparing it to the heavier LCD-X. There’s a strong clamp to them, but it’s not as noticeable as the Audio Technica ATH-WB LTD by any means. They feel substantial and durable while not being as heavy as the LCD-XC or X.

The fit of the earpads is exemplary. Audeze has struck a perfect balance, creating pads that aren’t overly large yet provide excellent comfort and seal. The sculpted design of the LCD-5 showcases the attention to detail present in Audeze’s flagship model. This thoughtful engineering keeps the frequencies balanced while significantly improving upon comfort.

Soundstage and Imaging – Audeze LCD-5

The soundstage of the Audeze LCD-5 is truly impressive. I’d describe it as encompassing and wide, with the ability to present sounds as both intimate and expansive, depending on how they’re recorded and mixed. While it may not reach the extreme width of the new Susvara Unveiled, the LCD-5’s soundstage is still remarkably wide and immersive.

For audiophiles seeking the absolute widest soundstage, the Susvara Unveiled might be the way to go. However, as an audio professional and purist who prioritizes accuracy and faithful reproduction, I found myself preferring the LCD-5’s presentation.

To illustrate the LCD-5’s soundstage capabilities, I listened to “Night and Day” by the Bill Evans Trio. Sam Jones’ bass playing exhibited the characteristic distance typical of many jazz recordings from this era. I noticed that the clarity of the bass wasn’t punchy or warm, but rather flat and accurate – exactly as it should be. The bass had a nice width where clarity wasn’t lost, but the sound wasn’t artificially colored to create more width. I appreciated the good far bass sound with full extension in both the lows and highs.

Moving to classical music, I spent time with George Li’s performance of “Valses Noble et Sentimentale: No. 2, Assez Lent, avec une expression intense” by Ravel. This impressionistic solo piano waltz truly came alive through the LCD-5’s accurate soundstage. I distinctly felt the height of the piano sound, reminiscent of listening to a performance in a large concert hall – a testament to the capabilities of the 90mm planar drivers. Transients are just fast enough to bring a clear sound to this mix, while remaining exciting and warm.

The attack of each note transitioned beautifully into a big room-like transient, with notes traveling with the excellent distance you’d expect from high-fidelity headphones. I found the width and height similar to the legendary HD800, but with a much more exciting tuning that brought more life to the tracks.

What impressed me most was how the LCD-5 handled softer dynamics. They trailed just as well as the louder sections, creating a wrapping feeling through the headphones that made sounds feel like they were pushing through and behind me to an imaginary audience.

Sound Impressions – Audeze LCD-5

For my critical listening tests, I paired the LCD-5 with the Questyle CMA Fifteen DAC/Amp. This combination provided excellent transparency without adding too much color to the sound, while still properly driving these power-hungry planars.

Bass Performance

The bass response of the LCD-5 is forward and flat overall. I didn’t notice any particular frequency range poking out too much, resulting in an exciting bass sound that manages to stay confined in the mix, gluing together well with other textures.

What impressed me most was how the bass worked in harmony with the mids and highs to deliver an exciting listening experience without compromising on clarity or accuracy. For those who enjoy tweaking their sound, I found that the Roon Audeze Preset EQ brings the high mids down while keeping the bass at the same level. This flat bass response is easily adjustable to bring out more low-end if desired.

I was astounded by the LCD-5’s ability to handle an 18dB low-shelf boost with facility, all while maintaining ultra-low distortion. This means that if you’re a bass enthusiast with access to EQ, you can boost the bass to impressive levels without losing clarity in the high mids. However, if you prefer a controlled bass sound right out of the box, the LCD-5 delivers that beautifully.

To put the bass performance to the test, I listened to “Dominion/Mother Russia” by Sisters of Mercy. With no EQ applied, I heard a fantastic display of the driving rhythm in the bass part of this song. The bass sound was accurate without spilling over into other frequency ranges, showcasing great extension while still not dominating the overall frequency response.

I also checked out the brand new track “Garmonbozia” by Flying Lotus, which references the 3rd season of Twin Peaks (my favorite show and season). The deep sub-bass was present but not overpowering. I was impressed by how the LCD-5 handled the extension of this modern-sounding mix, presenting the saturated synth bass fully while remaining accurate and controlled.

Midrange Performance

The midrange of the LCD-5 is, in a word, brilliant. I found its tuning to work exceptionally well in almost all scenarios. To draw a comparison, albeit an imperfect one given the vast price difference, I’d describe it as an HD600 on steroids in terms of how it handles vocals and mid-range textures.

I want to clarify that while it’s not entirely fair to compare the LCD-5 to a headphone that costs a tenth of its price, I mention the HD600 because I consider it to have the best vocal timbre in headphones under $3000. The LCD-5 takes this clarity and focus to new heights.

For those who appreciate forward vocals that don’t exceed tasteful volumes, I can confidently say that the LCD-5 is among the best headphones on the market. The low mids are even and not jarring, resulting in sounds that don’t get muddy but have fantastic roundness.

I particularly appreciated the subtle push around the 1kHz mark, which is perfect for bringing out both male and female voices without sacrificing even timbre. To showcase the midrange performance, I turned to Hank Mobley’s “This I Dig of You.”

Mobley’s warm sound and laid-back rhythmic approach were beautifully captured by the LCD-5’s mid tuning. As a jazz enthusiast, I know that the essence of the bebop vocabulary lies in the articulation of certain notes within phrases, and Hank Mobley is a master of the genre’s defining approach. The LCD-5 captured the subtle changes in dynamics exceedingly well, which I believe will make these headphones a cult classic among.

I was equally impressed by how the LCD-5 presented the drums and piano in this track. They sat perfectly in the mix, showcasing both solo and comping sections with clarity and realism. Art Blakey’s snare and hi-hats were perfectly balanced against Wynton Kelly’s masterful harmonies and Paul Chambers’ virtuosic upright bass tone.

Treble Performance

The treble response of the LCD-5 continues Audeze’s tradition of supporting the other ranges while still bringing nuance to the sound. I found it to be an improvement over the LCD-4, which had a somewhat shouty treble range that, while not necessarily sibilant, was more shimmery than other Audeze headphones I’ve listened to.

The LCD-5’s treble has all the character and body that other flagship headphones possess without making cymbals sound too in-your-face. In my opinion, the treble tuning is more true to life when compared to competitors like the Susvara or Focal Utopia. It made me feel closer to listening to live music without artificially supplementing details and micro-harmonics.

To fully appreciate the treble performance, I listened to Gidon Kremer’s performance of George Rochberg’s “No. 46. Bravura. Sempre recitanto; in the ‘grand manner’.” The bow strokes were displayed perfectly, with details working into the playing in an unobtrusive way that sounded exciting yet nuanced.

I was particularly impressed by how the LCD-5 handled the legato sections of this track. They had a tamed character that allowed me to distinguish the technique being employed in certain phrases. While the Susvara might have a more detailed sound, I sometimes feel that its treble is supplemented to bring more nuance to sounds that wouldn’t naturally be there. In this respect, I prefer the LCD-5’s tuning and its excellent recreation of sonic information.

Comparisons and Final Thoughts

Throughout my time with the Audeze LCD-5, I couldn’t help but draw comparisons to other flagship headphones I’ve experienced. While each has its strengths, I found the LCD-5 to strike a remarkable balance between accuracy, musicality, and comfort.

Compared to the Susvara, the LCD-5 offers a more natural, less artificially detailed sound. For purists and professionals seeking the most accurate reproduction, I believe the LCD-5 has the edge. The HiFiMAN Susvara Unveiled might appeal more to those seeking the absolute widest soundstage and most microscopic detail retrieval, even if it sometimes feels a bit artificial.

When considering the Focal Utopia, another heavyweight in the flagship headphone arena, I found the LCD-5 to offer a more cohesive and natural presentation. The Utopia is known for its exceptional dynamics and punch, but the LCD-5 counters with a more even-handed approach that I found more versatile across various genres.

The improvements in comfort and weight reduction cannot be overstated. Audeze has addressed one of the main criticisms of their previous flagship models, making the LCD-5 a headphone that can be enjoyed for hours without fatigue. This is a crucial factor for both casual listeners and professionals who need to wear their headphones for extended periods.

In terms of drivability, the LCD-5 stands out among its planar magnetic peers. Its ability to perform well with a wider range of amplifiers makes it a more versatile choice for those who don’t want to invest in ultra-high-end amplification.

The LCD-5’s tuning is a masterclass in balance. From the controlled yet impactful bass to the clear and natural mids, and the detailed but never harsh treble, Audeze has created a headphone that excels across all frequency ranges. This makes it an exceptional all-rounder, capable of handling any genre with aplomb.

For professionals, the LCD-5 offers a level of accuracy and detail retrieval that makes it an excellent tool for mixing and mastering. Its ability to reveal the subtleties in recordings without embellishment is invaluable in a professional context.

Audiophiles, on the other hand, will appreciate the LCD-5’s musicality. It manages to be revealing and technically proficient without sacrificing the emotional impact of the music. Whether you’re listening to intricate classical pieces, hard-hitting electronic tracks, or intimate jazz recordings, the LCD-5 delivers an engaging and immersive experience.

In conclusion, the Audeze LCD-5 represents a significant evolution in planar magnetic technology. It addresses the shortcomings of its predecessors while building on their strengths, resulting in a flagship headphone that sets a new standard in the high-end audio market.

While its price point puts it out of reach for many, those who can afford it will find a headphone that rewards critical listening and casual enjoyment alike. The LCD-5 is not just a technical marvel; it’s a musical tool that brings you closer to the heart of the performance.

As I reflect on my time with the Audeze LCD-5, I’m struck by how it has redefined my expectations for what’s possible in headphone audio. It’s a flagship in the truest sense of the word, leading the way in both technical performance and musical enjoyment. For those seeking the pinnacle of personal audio, the LCD-5 deserves a place at the top of your audition list.

Get the LCD-5 and other Headphones at Audio 46