Audeze LCD-5 Speculation

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by roshambo123, Sep 20, 2021.

?

If SBAF can swing it, what should we splurge on?

  1. Audeze LCD-5

    47.8%
  2. Abyss Diana-Phi

    21.2%
  3. No one here has good enough gear for such awesome headphones

    6.2%
  4. Let's spend it on hookers and blow

    32.7%
Multiple votes are allowed.
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  1. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Hahah. I get that. The BHA-1 can be pretty furious though. Kind of like a big V8 motor with a touchy accelerator pedal. I dislike the Focals from furious amps.
     
  2. futbutts

    futbutts Friend

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    Roshambo's impressions pretty much matched mine. Very engaging but also lacking refinement in the process. Unparalleled as far as sheer blitzkrieging sound goes, so far as I've heard -- even very chill tracks like Billie Eilish's 'Ocean Eyes' were just like, so in your face, it was kind of absurd. It is a big step away from the kinda dark Audeze house sound -- but I also felt like I could detect a sloppy kind of resonance in the bass/midbass that gave it a kind of down-the-hall boxiness. They were comfy however. I could see people with Velvety AKM DACs possibly finding great synergy with the LCD-5's. And do bear in mind this was indeed in a fairly noisy hotel conference hall which does kind of wreak havoc on picking up finer nuances in sound.
     
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  3. Pancakes

    Pancakes Friend

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    FYI, Audeze is taking LCD-4 and 4z trade-ins on the LCD-5. Details are on HF. I'll post a link if it's ok and wanted.
     
  4. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    Andrew posted early measurements in the headphones.com forum: https://forum.headphones.com/t/audeze-lcd-5-official-thread/14588/118

    [​IMG]

    Please go to the original link for his preliminary thoughts. As always, some agreeable, others not much so, etc.

    My speculations below:
    • Not too different from Jude's results, even considering GRAS-5128 difference. B&K seems to enable a little better seal though.
    • That said, FR looks really good. Closer to LCD-XC 2021 than to open-back LCDs. But darker in middle to upper highs. Dips (relative to ref curve) around 7.5khz and 10khz are promising to my personal taste. Those who found XC good enough may don't like LCD5's tonality.
    • "Audeze scoop" around 1-2khz almost not present. Mileage may vary. But slight dip around 2khz still looks good to me.
    • I'm not perfectly sure, but bass response could be caused by multiple factors: imperfect seal (often found in Andrew's measurement rig), less air-tight ear pads (2021 LCD pads also had this behavior to less extent), and/or smaller drivers on LCD5 (LCD 5's bass recession starts at higher f than LCD X 2021).
    • At least FR don't seem a deal breaker for me. Other technicalities, synergies with music to hear, and/or comfort will be main determining factor if I consider LCD5 in any case.
    • Speaking of the comfort, Andrew reported the current headband may be a little small for big head. Audeze seems to work on larger headband (and will offer free trade for unhappy buyers) according to another folk in that forum.
    PS. Andrew's LCD-XC fr plot below.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Oct 16, 2021
  5. Magnetostatic_Tubephile

    Magnetostatic_Tubephile Friend

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    I've seen that kind of low to sub bass response recently with Audeze LCD models. It might be related to the fact that they use the "felt spacers" originated from LCD-4 with all the LCD models now. Practically speaking, they seem to be more seal-dependent than higher-end Hifimans so something to have in mind.

    I honestly do not like the treble response, less present than HD650 it appears. In this price category, I expect better.

    Kudos to them for achieving such present upper mids in an open-back planar magnetic headphone with non-perforated leather pads though!
     
    Last edited: Oct 16, 2021
  6. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    My ass the felt rings don't have a sonic affect. They increase soundstage while I'm pretty sure not reducing bass response because they break the seal with the baffle but it is damped to avoid bass loss. Some loss may occur but I haven't noticed it, (or done direct comparisons). The new pads might be harder to get a seal with on a plastic head because they're not as deep and use regular foam instead of shape conforming memory foam.
     
  7. Magnetostatic_Tubephile

    Magnetostatic_Tubephile Friend

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    Well, to extend on my previous post, e.g. HE-6 has no such issues in bass even with their hard and stiff stock velour pads without memory foam. I found the same to be true with Susvara.

    Something is making Audeze more prone to broken seal it seems. I am not saying it's a big deal but definitely might be noticable to some who are sensitive to subbass and are not able to get a great seal.
     
  8. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I wonder what it is. I'm really doubtful it is the felt ring because that doesn't really have any affect on the way the earpads seal to the head/dummy head. My guess is the drivers are sensitive to seal (though I believe @purr1n has said they are less sensitive to placement than other orthos) or the earpads.

    One thing to pay attention to that could be a factor, is that if the screws that hold the "C" shaped yoke onto the headband come loose, the cups don't hold at the right angle, and can hang off your head at the bottom of the cups, creating a gap in the seal. And these screws tend to come loose, especially if you move the headphones around a lot (like I do tinkering with them). It would be a good idea to check that these screws are tight from time to time for all Audeze owners.
     
  9. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Aside from the improved driver (though I'm kind of bummed it's smaller because bigger is always better right? (Not true actually, the T50rp driver is tiny in comparison and has tons of potential).

    I'm excited about the new (shorter?) fazors that are behind the metal mesh, and the hope that the ears don't touch the fazors anymore. I'm really curious how the earpads are mounted given that the fazors stick out from the drivers and the metal mesh is on top of that. Is the metal mesh inside the earpads a bit taking up space in the earpads, or is there some fancy pad mounting mechanism that mounts the pads flush with the metal mesh?

    I'm also exited about the lack of dust cover that kills resolution in previous LCD headphones. And they are tuned without this dust cover (if you simply remove it from previous LCD headphones you get hot upper mids because they are tuned to have the upper frequencies reduced by the dust cloth). So that alone should make these the most resolving stock Audeze's ever. Im curious how much the reports of increased resolution are simply due to the lack of dust cover.

    I'm also excited about the new earpad design. The reports of comfort issues are unfortunate but I like the idea of the pads.

    I love the switch to Acetone cups. I honestly have never liked the wood. It's just a stupid gimmick for people to fawn over who spend a bunch of money on headphones. It serves no acoustic purpose, makes the headphones heavier, and honestly, when worn, the black LCD Classic and LCD-X are the best looking Audeze's. Wood headphones don't look good when worn. I understand why Audeze has continued to use wood because hoity toity audiophiles like it, but I care about function and this is a great move IMO. I wish they made this switch 10 years ago.

    I'm a little curious/concerned about the placement of the headphone jack. All previous LCD models have the mini XLR jack on the cups so the cable angles forward which is really necessary. On the LCD-5 it appears to be moved back around the cups and looks like it's angling down which is a bit concerning. But it's impossible to say without wearing them.

    I still am baffled as to why Audeze puts a rectangular driver in a huge round enclosure. I don't know about the LCD-5 but in all previous LCD models the round enclosure is not only huge because it's not the same shape as the driver so there's all this extra unused space around the driver, but the cups are quite a big larger than the drivers. If you look at the driver mounted on the cups, there is a lot of space around each corner of the driver which I don't understand why it's there. The opening of the earpads is a square. The round shape serves no purpose. To me, if you have a rectangular driver, it makes much more sense to put it in a rectangular enclosure. They would be so much lighter, more comfortable and probably look better. The pad opening could be the same exact size too, just without all that extra width around it. I'm thinking something like the Stax Lambdas or the Oppo's (but bigger earpads and designed better)

    I'm bummed that Audeze has moved away from screw on grills because it means I can't open them up and mod them. Really sad for me and other ortho modders, Audeze headphones are a great platform for modding.

    Can't wait to hear these on the upcoming loaner tour!
     
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    Last edited: Oct 16, 2021
  10. roshambo123

    roshambo123 Friend

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    Any update on the LCD-5 loaner? I've been eager to hear them outside a show and with a different amp than the BHA-1
     
  11. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Yup, we are getting an LCD-X now, I'm shipping it to Marv in a few days to measure and review and kick off the tour. When the LCD-X loaner is done, we'll get an LCD-5. So it depends on how many people sign up for the LCD-X loaner.
     
  12. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Has anyone who has gotten their hands on these looked closely at the driver? I'm really curious if they have fazors or not on the front of the driver. I don't know how they could since the metal mesh is clearly on top, and if the fazors were underneath this, then the metal mesh would be raised up into the inside of the pad and then there would be gaps on the sides for dust and grit to get in and I don't know how the pads would mount.

    it would be very interesting if they ditched the front fazors for the LCD-5. I remove them on all of my Audeze mods and think they sound better without them. And so far only the LCD-R sounds better with the rear Fazor.
     
  13. paranoidroid

    paranoidroid Friend

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    I had a LCD-5 on loan briefly. I don't remember fazor, just flat magnets on the side facing ear. Surprised me.
     
  14. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    It's so good that it doesn't need fazor. I've always kind of felt that fazors were put there to annoy the tips of my ears. Sort of the death by a thousand cuts deal.
     
  15. AMW1011

    AMW1011 Friend

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    Was asked to post my LCD-5 impressions. My chain is a Soekris 1541 and Bryston BHA-1:

    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.
     
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  16. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    from Audeze’s website:

    “LCD-5 also features newly designed low-profile Fazor waveguides to further reduce diffractions and interactions with the ear.”

    :(

    where did you read this? I haven’t seen this mentioned anywhere.
     
  17. AMW1011

    AMW1011 Friend

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    It was in one of the Audeze engineer interviews I watched. It’s on their site too just implicit rather than explicit. Note it says double fluxor magnet array on the LCD-4 page but only Fluxor magnet array on the LCD-5.
     
  18. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Looks like you're right. I wish they didn't focus so much on reducing weight. The lighter body would be plenty. The LCD-MX4 and 4z are already plenty light.

    "it forgoes the LCD-4’s double-sided, 106mm fluxor magnet array in favor of a single-sided, 90mm fluxor magnet array that’s paired with Audeze’s updated Fazor waveguides and their new Parallel Uniforce voice coils"
     
  19. nishan99

    nishan99 Friend

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    You're absolutely right. They went too far into the weight thing, idk what they're targeting with a 420g weight, babies?.
     
  20. AMW1011

    AMW1011 Friend

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    My general theory is that the major tonality improvement from the LCD-5 is pad based. I really hope they make this type of pad for the LCD-4. I would be very interested to hear that.
     
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