I've been a big fan of Audeze headphones for years. Since the first release of the highly regarded LCD-2 more than a decade ago, Audeze has become a world leader in tablet magnetic unit technology and has produced some of the world's best headphones. Audeze's engineers, always quick-moving and never dragging their feet, have certainly been very busy over the past year, releasing three important new releases: LCD-R (Lavatory Headphones) and CRBN Electrostatic Headphones (their first foray into the field of electrostatics), and the LCD-5 became the perfect finish to these three premium new products. As the truly best-performing headphones released a decade ago, the original LCD-2 wowed the world of personal audio. Their relaxed, natural tone contrasts with many of the wide-soundport headphones previously released, such as the AKG K701, Beyerdynamics T1, and Sennheiser HD800. Instead you get a lot of detail extraction, but now the bass is more reminiscent of the sound system. For this incredibly high level of enthusiast performance, they make a sacrifice in terms of weight. Flat magnetic unit headphones require a strong magnetic field to move a very thin diaphragm, so these magnets (along with wooden ear cups), LCD-2 (and subsequent LCD-3 and LCD-4) are particularly important. For the LCD-5, the designers wanted to reduce the quality as much as possible, and the results were self-explanatory! Their predecessor LCD-4 weighed 690g, and while I found them to be receptive to long-term listening, many people craved the lighter option to wear more easily without feeling any discomfort. So, how does 420g sound now? These new flagship headphones are about 1/3 lighter! Picking them up was a bit shocking as I had thought they would weigh similar to the LCD-3 or LCD-X, but since the quality of these new headphones was so light, my hand jerked up slightly. It would be easier to listen to these headphones for a long time, as these improvements make me feel like they're disappearing over my head; of course, they've never had that experience before!
Although the photos look very beautiful, personally, they look and feel better! The earcups are no longer wood finished (to reduce weight), and the new tortoiseshell acetate earcups are not only much lighter, but in my opinion absolutely stunning. The new headband and ear cushions also help reduce weight while also improving comfort for long-term wear. While priced for a lot, the new LCD-5 exudes an air of luxury, and it really stands out from other flagship headphones on the market! Including a new aluminum suitcase, it continues the "lighter" theme, just like now when you walk on the road with the LCD-5, the overall carry weight is also greatly reduced. Here are some very nice headphones that I can now wear for hours on end without a hint of discomfort, which allows me to enjoy my music longer than I used to! The specific parameters of LCD-5 are as follows:
The all-new LCD-5 features a brand new design that incorporates many new design and technical improvements compared to the previous flagship headphones! The new flat drive and magnetic construction take the LCD-5's sound to a new level without adding unnecessary weight or affecting the overall experience. The patent-pending new Parallel UniforceTM voice coil, combined with its award-winning FluxorTM and upgraded FazorTM waveguide, now utilizes traces of different parallel widths to keep impedance low and provide increased voltage headroom by varying the current density within each trace.
As the uniform force is optimized, distortion is further reduced, allowing better control of the diaphragm, ultimately providing better auditory resolution. I couldn't be more excited about this review. I was blown away by all the audiophilic performance this device had, and I wondered how much better it could have done?
After about 75 hours of casserole, I was ready to take on the challenge of getting the new LCD-5 headphones up and listening to the sound, and I immediately opted for Rush's classic track "2112" on Qobuz. For my first formal listening assessment, I decided to use The Chord DAVE as the source and amplifier. From the very beginning of Overture, I could feel like I was going through a wild chase! There's no doubt that these headphones are definitely made by Audeze, as they bring unparalleled bass! The explosive power is very consistent with lcd-4, and the bass is more compact and better controlled than before. Audeze has always been an expert in headphones, bringing the bass that sound systems only have to the world of personal audio, and the LCD-5 will certainly continue to drive this trend forward. This bass is very noticeably smooth, extending from 20Hz to midrange, so there's never any sign of an IF overflow!
It felt like tasting your favorite cake. Geddy Lee's voice has never been more beautiful; from his lowest octave to his highest treble, you can enjoy it as if you were there. I am very satisfied with the midrange quality that these headphones can provide. Unlike lcd-4, which provides a very loose high-pitch response and slightly renders the upper band of high frequencies, the LCD-5 as a whole is more uniform and smooth. The treble stretches and shines, full of energy and passion, satisfying even the most avid enthusiasts. I was amazed by the incredible transparency and stretch of the treble, having never heard a hissing or piercing sound. The overall clarity is simply the best I've heard in Audeze products. They took the ALD-4 and LCD-4z to a whole new level, and these headphones are among the best I've ever experienced. Finally, I would like to discuss the next sound field. LCD-5 is a long way from being released a decade ago. The latter is excellent in terms of pitch and transparency, but not the best flagship headphones in terms of air and space. Of course, the LCD-5 is expected to be the top 4 or 5 headphones on the market in 2021 (along with the AB1266 Phi TC, HD800S, Raal SR1a, and Hifiman Susvara). Considering that its soundstage is extremely precise, you can easily close your eyes and hear exactly how Geddy, Alex, and Nei are connected to each other throughout the recording process. It's simply amazing! If you like Rush as much as I do, you need to experience them with Chord DAVE and Audeze LCD-5, and you won't be disappointed.
Then I decided to add a dedicated ear amplifier with incredible transparency: benchmark HPA-4. A maximum power of 4 watts not only drives almost all the headphones on the market, but the clarity of the amplifier and the meticulous handling of details bring real enjoyment to audiophiles. Especially when driving flat magnetic headphones, I really like this device. For this review, I decided to tweak it a bit and choose my jazz standard: "Kind of Blue" is the Sgt of this type of music. Pepper and the true masterpieces that everyone should add to the collection. This particular recording is in DSD format, and it's the best digital version I've ever seen. LCD-5 is equally remarkable. I would say that while LCD-4 is a breakthrough improvement over LCD-3, LCD-5 raises the bar just as much. Don't get me wrong, I really like LCD-4 and LCD-4z, but with LCD-5 you can get such a high level of speed and detail, and the soundstage has also improved, getting deeper and wider, which is impressive. In fact, the speed of these headphones can match some of the fastest headphones I have tested/owned/or experienced. The tone is also closer to what I think is "neutral", with impeccable balance across the frequency range. Miles' masterpiece is as good as it sounds! From Bill Evan's piano playing to Coltrane's saxophone, there's everything from Bill Evan. So these headphones not only rock, but also allow me to collect some of the best in the jazz style of the record.
In the end, I chose Brandi Carlile's new album, In these Silent Days. I was curious about how the LCD-5 headphones played the female vocals, and when the title song "Right on Time" came out, my concerns vanished. In short, it's the best female voice I've ever heard in headphones or speakers. The delicate balance from bass to mid-to-high spreads perfectly in my ears. Previously I've found that LCD-4 has a slightly lower frequency response when the IF is on the high side, while LCD-4z has a bit of a high frequency response. It's a bit picky for these headphones, but I think it stands out a bit more for the headphones than the LCD-5's almost perfect balance. The bass is similar to what we hear from Audeze-like speakers; this bass punch is just as powerful, but more compact and with better clarity. It's amazing! If you like to listen to female voices, I highly recommend the LCD-5.
What else can I say to end my review of Audeze's new LCD-5 flagship headphones? They are a wonderful masterpiece and one of the best headphones on the market that people can truly enjoy! With improved ergonomics, weight reductions, and overall comfort, their incredible sound experience can last a long time and may leave you up all night. Their higher efficiency than LCD-4 allows me to really enjoy them in a more portable mode using my FiiO M11Pro portable DAP (Digital Mode Player). The frequency response, while very close to the previous version of the Audeze headphones, is by far the most neutral and transparent. The thunderous bass is fuller and more controllable, and you can really have it all. The soundstage will bring a big smile to your face, resulting in an incredibly immersive experience that will make you smile and keep your mouth shut. Finally, I can very easily and wholeheartedly recommend the LCD-5 to listeners who are looking for the best headphones – they're really amazing!
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