Sold: Audeze LCD-5

Got these a few weeks back directly from Audeze. Enjoyed them, but they aren’t for me and I’ve been spending too much on this shit lately. Saw some folks who were curious about the LCD-5 on SBAF so I’m throwing them up at mate rates for SBAF regulars. Will leave them up here for a few days before I post elsewhere. More pictures coming later.

Asking $3500 shipped to SBAF regulars only. SOLD

https://imgur.com/a/SixUUE8

More photos: https://imgur.com/a/Nc9SYvX

 

For those not familiar with the LCD-5 - there are now two headbands or possibly a transition into a new one? Lots of complaints of the caliper pressure has put Audeze to work on creating a less sprung version of the carbon headband. It seems like owners can get in contact with the support network and possibly get it taken care of right away.

 

Impressions?

 

The LCD-5 has probably the best tonality and timbre I’ve heard in a planar magnetic headphone. Very enjoyable to listen to and more mid forward than any LCD’s I’ve heard previously. Vocals and electric guitar sound fairly accurate from an Audeze, finally. Bass is also a lot more Natural and dynamic driver sounding than most planar magnetics, but without the slam and absolute extension of something like a well driven he-6.

The trade off is that I hear it as a step back in terms of technicalities. It’s much more macro focused and suffers worse micro dynamics and detail compared to its competition and maybe even it’s predecessors. It’s a bit flat in that way, possibly due to the single sided magnet array. The imaging is decent and has a fairly normal closed in planar magnetic soundstage.

Either way it sounds to me like Audeze trying to capture some of the focal signature mid forward and macro heavy sound signature but they failed to capture the Utopia or even the Elex’s low level ability. Overall a surprisingly enjoyable headphone to me, but not a keeper.

Speaking of comfort the clamp is less than a new HD650 and the pads are absolutely luxurious. One of the more comfortable headphones that I’ve owned.

 

Not sure if you've added any of this to the LCD-5 Speculation thread, but you should. Very good impressions

 

LCD-5 is sold. Glad it’s going to a good home.