Audeze LCD-5 Review, Measurements, Interview
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- Опубліковано 11 лип 2024
- First a new electrostatic flagship with the CRBN, and now a new planar magnetic flagship with the LCD-5 -- Audeze is making abundantly clear they’ve never stopped developing products for the audiophile market.
Audeze CEO Sankar Thiagasamudram visited us at Head-Fi HQ to discuss the new Audeze LCD-5, I discuss its sound signature, and show you measurements (including measurement comparisons). - Наука та технологія
Hopefully we will see revised designs of the lower end lcd’s with less weight
World class R&D
Still no detachable pads
We tried really hard to make that happen, and it was part of the plan, but they just didn't sound as good-- too much resonance.
@@AudezeHQ How can the average person afford these. Shipping and import alone for Canadians with your price point will cost over 700$ canadian.
@@grimapocalypse5969 I mean, they're $4,500 lol. These aren't intended for the "average person". If $700 shipping is an issue, these aren't for you. There are so many amazing headphones at every price point now.
@@grimapocalypse5969 buy them from a Canadian store
@@grimapocalypse5969 not everything is made for the average person lol. I certainly can’t afford these. I would probably go for the lcd-x or xc
Amazing looking headphones. I am using LCD-X currently and the LCD 5 look like a great upgrade. Sooo expensive though...
Whats up with the pricing? I remember when 1k$ was considered flagship level.
I think those phones are still for sale at 1k$, but no longer considered the best.
It's called inflation mate.
@@behemothinferno there hasn’t been that much inflation in 10 years mate
Flagship $1k headphones have been gone for a while. I remember when people would complain about the lcd x at $1700 when it came out or the lcd 2 (original ) at $1k. $1k is barely midtier these days. Sorry, we won't see a flagship of any headphones at $1k ever again. Those days are gone. I'm actually surprised audeze is only charging $4500 given where the lcd sits in the lineup. Yes. Still expensive. Should be interesting to see how much of this new driver technology and weight reductions make it to their lower tier cheaper headphones. Guessing it will over the years.
I'm not surprised. We're seeing dynamics that can compete with electrostatics in terms of detail. That's incredible. Guess how much the top electrostatics cost? And that's without the energizer (the electrostatic-only amplifier) ... And that's ignoring the sets that are $50k.
The comparison measurements are exceptionally useful. Thank you for doing that.
I’m glad that they retained the original design essence of the original LCD line. I remember when I first got into high end headphones and seeing the LCD-2 for the first time and it was so striking and interesting to me
But VERY uncomfortable to wear, especially for those of us who wear glasses 👓
the price madness continues.... Come back to Earth!!!
They would if it weren't for the fact that a) there's a market for these high-end offerings, and b) they need to recoup their R&D costs.
Also, $1000 headphones are better than ever. The competition is intense. That's good for buyers!
We have released several headphones at lower prices over the last few years. Mobius @ 399. Penrose @ 299. LCD1 @ 299. We are working on some more for '22.
No one forcing you to buy - find something in your budget.
@@gyozakeynsianism Competition in tough even around $300. If they could pull off Sundara or HD650 with some of the tech they learned from their R&D... That would be interesting!
nice...never knew it was a non residential south indian owned company, very well done sir..looking forward to try them out and hopefully be able to buy them :), the interview is candid and sufficiently relays info, so thank you headfi.
I had quite bad luck with the 4z. Will try the 5's at some point.
What's that hump in the FR graph between 2 and 5 KHz? I'm not used to seeing this on Audeze headphones. Seriously though, it's nice to see that Audeze listened to the community feedback and made the LCD-5 lighter and gave it a more agreeable tuning. I look forward to hearing it.
These are uncompensated graphs measured on an ear simulator. Neutral response with an ear is going to have a 10-15db rise around 3khz, because the pinna of the ear amplify this portion of the frequency response. Audeze's graphs are compensated, to where a flat line is neutral.
@@TMRaven whoosh
🤣 I also read Brandon's post that way the first time, and came *this close* to offering an answer, too.
@@TMRaven So you're saying in reality, these are actually pretty flat?
@@adonalmao Yes.
Everyone is talking about how 2 astonishing flagships came out of nowhere, while I'm sitting here excited they haven't forgotten about the Mobius!
A poor fella can dream of an upcoming upgraded Mobius, can't he?
We are not done for the year.
@@AudezeHQ But I just bought the Penrose X (ToT)
0:51 Wow. How many times did you have to practice saying that last name before you nailed it? :-D Amazing.
Jude, your interviews with industry movers and shakers are excellent. I learn a lot, and it's easy to get excited about the nitty gritty when they're so clearly and eloquently discussed by those in the know.
Now we need Sennheiser and Focal to release new flagships
Nobody really buys sennheiser flagship at $25k each
Sennheiser is overrated. They are the Bose of audiophile headphones.
Jude, which would you go for? Meze Elite or Audeze LCD 5? The price difference is justified?
Will the pads from the LCD-5 fit the LCD-X?
@Audeze do you plan to release any headphone with a classic LCD design under 500$
My initial concern is that lighter weight and tuning profile towards e stat and resolution means no or little bass. If this planar is weak on punch and slam that could be problematic. Can’t bass shelf help with punch and slam or does it start to cause distortion or chuff pretty quickly ?
Definitely a deal breaker for me if it doesn't have Audeze punch & slam.
Still waiting on a revision or new model on from the LCDi4, that DOESN'T need a cipher cable to sound good.
RIP Audeze house-sound. Too bad we won't see a video on the SR-X9000. I think that's the most exciting of the new flagships.
Why would you assume it won't be covered... Jude has covered the SR009S before
@@metal571 Good point! I assumed because there was no launch video like for the stealth, CRBN, Elite, etc.
SR-X9000 vs. CRBN
"Let them fight"
Hi sir Can I use this headset for gaming (pubg)
Oh myyyy! Audeze is on fire in 2021 🔥
Wow that’s a lot of flagships recently
Yeah really! It’s 2021 Year of the Flagship Wars
It's excellent news for those with the cash!
Yes, WEIGHT! My #1 issue with LCDs. With that much improved and good tuning out of the box, I am tempted to start selling my gears to fund these. Would love to hear more in depth reviews.
I was thinking the price would drop to under 4k usd. I bought my lcd-4 from the used market at 2400$ thanks to headfi classified.
I'll be at CanJam this weekend - maybe I'll get a listen.
Did u ever get a listen 😳
What do you know, a neutral and lightweight LCD.
That was my thought too.
better than Susvara?
Did they include detachable earpads in their new flagship? If not, then that would have been a grave mistake!
The LCD 5 could really become an alternative to the Susvara.
Team Sankar
X2 let's decant the hype and see what is under the hood. Good thing: finally they fixed design flaws
So LCD 4 was extremely resolving and this one is better.....i mean how much of acoustics information and details am i missing while listening on the plebian Hifiman Arya 🤔
Everything
finally, he 4 was kinda underhwelming, now the 5 is on the spotlight
He4?
For me the Mobius and Penrose are “gimmicks” nothing I would ever need nor want. Something a Bose or sony or beats would do. Audeze bringing the heat with ribbons, e stats, and flagship planers is exciting. Can they finally compete with Susvara, 1266 Phi TC, and the Dan Clark Stealth?
I’m thoroughly confused, you have to EQ the LCD5 to add Bass?? You have to add Bass to an Audeze LCD?!? It sounds like an estat? Ok last time I checked it’s not April fools today.
Im watching this too and found your comment! totally agree with the need to EQ comment (I have no experience with Audeze, but well, I can read reviews). BTW, thanks for the extra tips of streaming+may. Im just starting to look for better software for my hi res files as they are so few (literally a couple dozens, but will grow a bit) that I never used any dedicated software
@@lsantista1481 Hey! seems like we like a lot of the same things in audio. I have owned so many Audeze headphones over the years and am a fan of their "house sound" (if there really is such a thing) for certain type of music. I am very curious how this is going to play out, particularly since the LCD-4 is now going off the market. Let me know if I can help point you to a lot of sources for hi res files.. I can PM you if you want. I use both my extensive collection (I have several TB worth) and Tidal hifi via roon. I just last year switched to roon, before that I was using LMS. I hope you find a streamer that works for you. I just like the Pink Faun bridge because I can have both a PC that I can use to watch recorded performances (videos) with the audio streaming through a card that is as good as any audio only streamer with the clock upgrade and linear power.
Worth the wait and the worth the weight.
LCD 1: $1000
LCD 2: $2000
LCD 3: $3000
LCD 4: $4000
LCD 5: $5000
LCD 6: $6000
LCD 20: $20,000. Their good at math's.
4500 actually
The LCD 2 was never 2k
Are the pads still glued into the cups? 😂
Can't wait for Monoproce to clone it, add a 5lb weight then cut the price in half.
10:18 This is probably not the shot they should have gone with.
That is Julian Lage, a jazz guitar virtuoso. Probably only pic they have of him trying these lcd-5.
This, Empyrean Elite or DCA Stealth...
Ok Audeze... take my money.
imagine making a headphone black instead of "grandma's glasses" colored (or offering different colors?)
I love the tortoise shell pattern. It looks great IMHO.
Yeah some color options seem like a no brainer, this looks like Fender guitar picks I had as a kid
@@gyozakeynsianism I don’t think it really fits the modernized lightweight design. Seems like they are trying to simulate or allude to the retro looking wood rings on the previous 2, 3, 4 models. I would’ve gone carbon fiber rings or the same material from CRBN headphone, placed them both in “flagship” category and moved the 4 into the “origins” series with the 2 and 3 (can’t have 2 lcd flagships IMO).
Still don't get why these aren't the same color as the rings on the CRBN. Would've looked so much better. DCA did the same thing with their Stealth. Took an incredible futuristic design and made it look like a tacky gaming headset with red stitching and calling it the "stealth" When it should've been called the "Meta" in reference to the new meta material technology. I don't get what being "stealth" has to do with a flagship headphone. Also, white stitching would've looked infinitely cooler than red. I know these are just aesthetic things but it is tough to justify $4000+ on a product you don't like to look at.
90db/ mW doesn't seem like a focus on efficiency...
FR looks like a darker HD650.
Which brings into question any claims about resolution lol. We don't want another open back that sounds closed.
@@DEALUX what do you mean? Frequency response does not equate to soundstage. I'm guessing these will sound a lot more open than the HD650
@@DEALUX audeze always measures dark in low treble, its just that theres now a nice upper mids bump before that which makes it stick out more
@@asplmn how can you tell that it would sound a lot more open than HD650? By previous models? I never really listened to an Audeze so i don’t know, not a fan of its bulk.
They could have easily priced it @ $6K as a Susvara competitor. The fact that Audeze didn't makes me happy.
Is my LCD 4 obsolete?
yeth B)
Only if you feel like it is
Yes
Yep, better spend the 4.5k and sell the lcd on the cheap 😁
Damn and I Just bought the LCD-R. Then they come out with a LCD-5. Headphone tech is moving too fast for me this year. Oh well , I love them anyway even though they are not top planars anymore.
Your turn sennheiser
Impedance is 14 ohms not 18 ohms :D
Wow, thats low.
Finally , real susvara killer come to the field I hope.
We’ll see I wouldn’t hold bet on it.
@@aceofspades6667 Hope Hifiman do some discount promotion for Susvara due to some new rivals.
Wow, hifiman should feel some pressure now
The price is a rip nothing there is worth 4500.00
Maybe one day they will make the price point affordable for all people instead of the select few who can afford the luxury. I would've loved to try and own these but its rather absurd pricing and import fees for Canadians is beyond reach.
We have released several headphones at lower prices over the last few years. Mobius @ 399. Penrose @ 299. LCD1 @ 299. We are working on some more for '22.
Luxury is not designed to be for everyone...thats the point...
Oh God, another flagship....the community is exhausted....... please stop.......
If you have to ask, you can't afford it.
overpriced like avm...i‘ll go with my focal clear...
That looks ugly. Lcd 4 was much better looking