Thanks for your great review! i finally bought a pair of used Audeze LCD-X 2021 revision (on your recommendation) and couldn't be happier! i mix and master a lot of brazilian bossa nova music (all very open and natural but often having a surdo drum which is way deeper than a drum's kick) and the Audeze are simply stellar. They show me exactly where everything sits in the mix and the level of sub-bass speed and accuracy is uncanny! i also mix classical and jazz and couldn't be happier! i was coming from a pair of Beyer DT 1990 and the difference is huge... also because i can have long mixing/mastering sessions with the Audeze without the ear fatigue the Beyer's caused. my current headphone amp is a used Rupert Neve RNHP that seems to work very well with the audeze. Again, super happy...but of course would love to hear what that huge additional extra expense offers with the LCD-5. since you know the LCD-X well, do you consider the LCD-5 hugely better?? basically....worth it?? Thanks!
Awesomeness! I am glad you enjoy the LCD-X 21. I do think the LCD-5 is the next step from the LCD-X 21 but they are different but I wouldn't say they are hugely better just more refined. I recommend getting them used, if possible.
GM ..time traveling thru TH-cam… I’m still loving and exploring the LCDX 2021 ….the 5 may as you’ve pointed out ..and if I want to stay in the AUDEZE ecosystem endgame . ☕️
for some reason most if not all of the reviewers are missing the fact that new headphones with planar drivers are built for resolution.. the higher the better and when you take a headphone like the LCD-5 and couple it with EQ then you get to make the headphone sound any way you want it to sound because thats what planar drivers do well.. the price for the lcd-5 is for the precise planar drivers.... another issue that reviewers never ever talk about is what price you have to pay to have an expensive headphone repaired.... a $4500 headphone will cost you a minimum of $2000 to replace a driver if one goes bad... because they won't replace just one driver because its not matched to the other driver .... so they replace both drivers as matched pair.... need to consider that cost if you buy new or used...
Checked out the Audeze LCD-5 today at my local hifi store. Compared them against the best offerings of Hifiman available there (1000se/v2) and Focal Utopia. LCD-5 easily the best when it comes to technical abilities. Love how textured the bass and lower mids are. Now I know what my endgame would be. The price is prohibitive though... maybe I will wait for a used sale.
Best Bass of any headphone? I've posted comments on several videos to see what I'm not doing right. I don't feel the bass as much as I want. I don't feel the attack from bass drums or bass instruments. It just doesn't have the punch. I'm coming from Focal MG's, Stellia's, Araya Stealth's, DT1990, 1770, 990 and mostly dynamic headphones. I'm using the newer RME 2/4. I used the Bass and treble knobs to adjust EQ but it did not add like I wanted. I've now messed with the graphic EQ and added the bass shelf with soft EQ around 100 +5 and treble shelf bump starting at 10K +2. Now I'm starting to feel these a bit more. Maybe I'm just starting to get use to the sound signature. The bass was the biggest turnoff and I was going to sell them. I don't want to rush into judgement and I think I'm finally starting to dial them in. I'm a drummer, bass player, guitar and piano. I listen for pleasure but use phones to check mixes and masters. I guess everyone needs something different. Any suggestions besides EQ on how to get these to punch or slam better?
To be honest, I don't recall enough to give a fair comparison. Both are exceptional and unique. Here is a link to my Stax 009 review: th-cam.com/video/NzbiR_hohQI/w-d-xo.html
I have run a pair of Beoplays B&O H6 since 2014, my pads are now finished. Before that, I used a pair of Sennheiser HD600 which I liked very much. I primarily use headphones through my laptop with an iFi Zen Dac. As a mature student with a young family, there is only so much money. I was wondering if you could direct me to an affordable headphone to add to my list. My budget is €350,00 I want pads that are easily accessible and relatively easy to drive, but still benefit from a headphone amp. Preferably headphones with a balance cable. I prefer shorter cables as well. I like the bass to be tight and detailed with no interference with the mids or treble. Ideally Sennheiser HD600 midrange if possible. Thank you, and keep up the great videos.
@the Honest Audiophile - Your comment on R&D made me think - Have you ever heard the Original 1980's/90's Beyerdynamic 880 or the Sennheiser HD 540, or even the original 600 ohm Beyer DT 770 ? If you haven't and you get an opportunity PLEASE try one or all them - The incredible tuning, quality & natural tonality in many ways (not all) are very hard to beat even today, even many of the $1000+ cans these days struggle to match the sweet natural mids!
I have heard those you mentioned many years ago, so far back that I don't recall much sonically about them. I do own the DT880 600ohm, haven't reviewed them, it doesn't get played often at all. I started my channel using the Beyerdynamic Custom Studios. I also reviewed the Beryerdynamic DT177x Go. Custom Studio: th-cam.com/video/v456hCFSVhA/w-d-xo.html 177x Go: th-cam.com/video/LK8sLd8RkNA/w-d-xo.html DT990 250ohm:www.thehonestaudiophile.com/post/beyerdynamic-dt990-pro-250-ohm-sometimes-things-are-not-like-what-everyone-told-you
That is an interesting question. So the CTM Da Vinci X is the closest in technical abilities and the JQ 4U Pro and Studio 4 are similar in tonal qualities. I can't think of an IEM that is closest in all aspects though. LCD-5 is not a fair comparison to an IEM in my opinion.
Great review! so will you say it's a similar signature to HE-1000SE which is also touted as a detail monster except the mids and soundstage, so how does the LCD5 compare with it.
The immedeate difference is the Hifiman has very hot treble, and big staging, where the audeze's treble is rolled off and soundstage is pretty average in scale.
Hey! Would you recommend the LCD-5 or the Meze Elite for mixing/mastering/music production/sound design? Those are my two choices and I don't know which to go. Appreciate the time!
I think that price is frankly insulting - Would love to know the mark up / profit margin. In terms of Mastering or in other words - making meaningful changes to frequencies in a reliable manner - I wonder how much 'better' they would do than the humble AKG 371... a headphone Ive yet to find unreliable in terms of mastering?
My thoughts on the AKG K371: th-cam.com/video/35oKUP8-SwA/w-d-xo.html To each their own. Thank you for the comment. (edited to include link for AK K371 review)
I own the LCD-5 as well and I agree with Dave’s impressions. Even though the price of the LCD-5 is up there… the sound is up there as well, I think they are worth it. I also got them a bit cheaper than MSRP. To each their own ✌🏼
@@TheHonestAudiophile Strictly speaking, my point is more about the price. I wouldnt mix on the AKG, of course not but would an extra $3800 give you a $3800 better master...? I just think the prices that many western named headphone companies is far too much. For $4000 I would want to hear a minimum of 'These are THE best music presentation I have ever heard' I understand paying for quality but what exactly is costing $4000 ?? Is the headband made of platypus skin? Are the magnets from the moon? Is the driver made of gold ? I suspect that because they tuned it well they hope the professional audio market will buy them and hence they added a huge mark up
Thanks for your great review! i finally bought a pair of used Audeze LCD-X 2021 revision (on your recommendation) and couldn't be happier! i mix and master a lot of brazilian bossa nova music (all very open and natural but often having a surdo drum which is way deeper than a drum's kick) and the Audeze are simply stellar. They show me exactly where everything sits in the mix and the level of sub-bass speed and accuracy is uncanny! i also mix classical and jazz and couldn't be happier! i was coming from a pair of Beyer DT 1990 and the difference is huge... also because i can have long mixing/mastering sessions with the Audeze without the ear fatigue the Beyer's caused. my current headphone amp is a used Rupert Neve RNHP that seems to work very well with the audeze. Again, super happy...but of course would love to hear what that huge additional extra expense offers with the LCD-5. since you know the LCD-X well, do you consider the LCD-5 hugely better?? basically....worth it?? Thanks!
Awesomeness! I am glad you enjoy the LCD-X 21. I do think the LCD-5 is the next step from the LCD-X 21 but they are different but I wouldn't say they are hugely better just more refined. I recommend getting them used, if possible.
GM ..time traveling thru TH-cam…
I’m still loving and exploring the LCDX 2021 ….the 5 may as you’ve pointed out ..and if I want to stay in the AUDEZE ecosystem endgame .
☕️
I hope you get opportunity to hear LCD-5. Glad you enjoy the LCD-X 21, it's a very good headphone.
You rock! Thanks for the review.
My pleasure, you're welcome.
Thanks for the kind words, much appreciated.
Great review! Thank you very much! I agree with your impressions 100%
Awesomeness 😎👍 Thanks for watching and commenting!
Great review!
Thanks!
for some reason most if not all of the reviewers are missing the fact that new headphones with planar drivers are built for resolution.. the higher the better and when you take a headphone like the LCD-5 and couple it with EQ then you get to make the headphone sound any way you want it to sound because thats what planar drivers do well.. the price for the lcd-5 is for the precise planar drivers.... another issue that reviewers never ever talk about is what price you have to pay to have an expensive headphone repaired.... a $4500 headphone will cost you a minimum of $2000 to replace a driver if one goes bad... because they won't replace just one driver because its not matched to the other driver .... so they replace both drivers as matched pair.... need to consider that cost if you buy new or used...
wow I wish I could afford these headphones - great vid
I hope you get the opportunity to hear them :) Glad you enjoyed the video. Thank you for watching and commenting.
Checked out the Audeze LCD-5 today at my local hifi store. Compared them against the best offerings of Hifiman available there (1000se/v2) and Focal Utopia. LCD-5 easily the best when it comes to technical abilities. Love how textured the bass and lower mids are. Now I know what my endgame would be. The price is prohibitive though... maybe I will wait for a used sale.
Awesome 👍 Glad you had an opportunity to hear the LCD-5. Thanks for the impressions.
r @TheHonestAudiophile Thanks for the review! Based on the review, the LCD-5 was the first thing I wanted to test.
I'm glad you enjoy the LCD-5.
Best Bass of any headphone? I've posted comments on several videos to see what I'm not doing right. I don't feel the bass as much as I want. I don't feel the attack from bass drums or bass instruments. It just doesn't have the punch. I'm coming from Focal MG's, Stellia's, Araya Stealth's, DT1990, 1770, 990 and mostly dynamic headphones. I'm using the newer RME 2/4. I used the Bass and treble knobs to adjust EQ but it did not add like I wanted. I've now messed with the graphic EQ and added the bass shelf with soft EQ around 100 +5 and treble shelf bump starting at 10K +2. Now I'm starting to feel these a bit more. Maybe I'm just starting to get use to the sound signature. The bass was the biggest turnoff and I was going to sell them. I don't want to rush into judgement and I think I'm finally starting to dial them in. I'm a drummer, bass player, guitar and piano. I listen for pleasure but use phones to check mixes and masters. I guess everyone needs something different. Any suggestions besides EQ on how to get these to punch or slam better?
DAC and amplifier can make a difference with dynamics and bass.
Stax 009 vs Audeze LCD-5 ? I am thinking to move to Electrostatic world. Thank you.
To be honest, I don't recall enough to give a fair comparison. Both are exceptional and unique. Here is a link to my Stax 009 review:
th-cam.com/video/NzbiR_hohQI/w-d-xo.html
@@TheHonestAudiophile i will definately check it out. Thank you for the reply.
I have run a pair of Beoplays B&O H6 since 2014, my pads are now finished. Before that, I used a pair of Sennheiser HD600 which I liked very much. I primarily use headphones through my laptop with an iFi Zen Dac. As a mature student with a young family, there is only so much money. I was wondering if you could direct me to an affordable headphone to add to my list. My budget is €350,00 I want pads that are easily accessible and relatively easy to drive, but still benefit from a headphone amp. Preferably headphones with a balance cable. I prefer shorter cables as well. I like the bass to be tight and detailed with no interference with the mids or treble. Ideally Sennheiser HD600 midrange if possible. Thank you, and keep up the great videos.
Can't think of anything outside of Sennheiser that has HD600 midrange. I recommend the Hifiman Sundara for your other requirements.
@the Honest Audiophile - Your comment on R&D made me think - Have you ever heard the Original 1980's/90's Beyerdynamic 880 or the Sennheiser HD 540, or even the original 600 ohm Beyer DT 770 ? If you haven't and you get an opportunity PLEASE try one or all them - The incredible tuning, quality & natural tonality in many ways (not all) are very hard to beat even today, even many of the $1000+ cans these days struggle to match the sweet natural mids!
I have heard those you mentioned many years ago, so far back that I don't recall much sonically about them. I do own the DT880 600ohm, haven't reviewed them, it doesn't get played often at all. I started my channel using the Beyerdynamic Custom Studios. I also reviewed the Beryerdynamic DT177x Go.
Custom Studio: th-cam.com/video/v456hCFSVhA/w-d-xo.html
177x Go: th-cam.com/video/LK8sLd8RkNA/w-d-xo.html
DT990 250ohm:www.thehonestaudiophile.com/post/beyerdynamic-dt990-pro-250-ohm-sometimes-things-are-not-like-what-everyone-told-you
What's the closest IEM to LCD5 in your opinion?
That is an interesting question. So the CTM Da Vinci X is the closest in technical abilities and the JQ 4U Pro and Studio 4 are similar in tonal qualities. I can't think of an IEM that is closest in all aspects though. LCD-5 is not a fair comparison to an IEM in my opinion.
Great review! so will you say it's a similar signature to HE-1000SE which is also touted as a detail monster except the mids and soundstage, so how does the LCD5 compare with it.
Sorry haven't heard the HE-1000SE but a couple of times at audio shows and I don't recall enough to compare.
The immedeate difference is the Hifiman has very hot treble, and big staging, where the audeze's treble is rolled off and soundstage is pretty average in scale.
Most people watching this haven't heard these headphones. How would it be "up to them if these are worth the price"?
Hey!
Would you recommend the LCD-5 or the Meze Elite for mixing/mastering/music production/sound design? Those are my two choices and I don't know which to go. Appreciate the time!
I would recommend the LCD-5 for mixing and mastering.
@@TheHonestAudiophile Thank you very much!
@@artisandro8298 my pleasure, you're welcome
I think that price is frankly insulting - Would love to know the mark up / profit margin.
In terms of Mastering or in other words - making meaningful changes to frequencies in a reliable manner - I wonder how much 'better' they would do than the humble AKG 371... a headphone Ive yet to find unreliable in terms of mastering?
My thoughts on the AKG K371:
th-cam.com/video/35oKUP8-SwA/w-d-xo.html
To each their own. Thank you for the comment.
(edited to include link for AK K371 review)
I own the LCD-5 as well and I agree with Dave’s impressions. Even though the price of the LCD-5 is up there… the sound is up there as well, I think they are worth it. I also got them a bit cheaper than MSRP. To each their own ✌🏼
@@TheHonestAudiophile Strictly speaking, my point is more about the price. I wouldnt mix on the AKG, of course not but would an extra $3800 give you a $3800 better master...? I just think the prices that many western named headphone companies is far too much. For $4000 I would want to hear a minimum of 'These are THE best music presentation I have ever heard' I understand paying for quality but what exactly is costing $4000 ?? Is the headband made of platypus skin? Are the magnets from the moon? Is the driver made of gold ?
I suspect that because they tuned it well they hope the professional audio market will buy them and hence they added a huge mark up
I personally wouldn’t use k371 for mixing and mastering 😅 it’s an alright fun headphone if you’re into that tuning but I don’t like it for studio use…
@hobby talk I totally agree 100000000000000000%
The new MM-500's are insane! Especially if you mix and master music
😋👍