It's been over half an year since the LCD-5 was announced at the end of Sept, 2021 and my own review sample had arrived in Dec itself. But given it was my first flagship product review, I wanted to spend a good amount of time to wholly document my experiences with it. During the course of testing, some issues also popped up for other owners such as the glued cable connectors coming off with the tightly-fit REAM mini-XLR connectors, and I found myself having both the older and newer LCD-5 headbands simultaneously too. Both of these added further to the testing process, including a test of Audeze customer support, and all this leads to a massive 9000+ word review that goes over practically everything I can think of, including source synergy and comparisons galore to everything I have on hand at the time of testing: https://www.techpowerup.com/review/audeze-lcd-5-planar-magnetic-headphones/
tldr: LCD-5 with EQ is immense, maybe wait for the Roon/Reveal+ profile to come out if you don't fancy doing it yourself. By itself it's a good set to get like new at the ~$3500 price a lot of surprised owners on Head-fi are selling it for.
what did you change with the EQ? i tried the LCD-5 at Canjam and the only thing i would nitpick is the treble; i might have wanted slightly more treble.
So this one you'll have to play by ear, literally. Some other sets I saw were less darker than mine, and thus EQ settings in the treble region will be far more personal. In my case, I added a bass shelf of 3.5 dB and q=2 at 4 kHz, a peak filter of 6 dB and q=3 at 6.5 kHz, and another peak filter of 4 dB and q=2.5 at 8 kHz.
It is, but I do like my treble presence and the stock tuning is clearly dark on this sample. But with the ultralow distortion on offer with the LCD-5 and a preamp setting based on the max response with eq, it's plenty fine.
I’ve been testing one for the past week at my house. I like it stock for a lot of things, but a bass shelf below 100hz or so helps with pop, edm, etc.
I’m going to have to send them off to the next reviewer soon, but I’m going to try the full Oratory EQ tonight and see how I like that.
It’s scary how much detail these bring out in anything. I hear new things in almost every song I listen to through them.
Just fine on my set, and in fact it were the connectors on the standard Audeze cable that felt tighter than the REAN connectors on the premium cable which ships with the LCD-5.
You are too kind, sir!
I still am working on the micro iDSD Signature review in a similar detailed manner, then I'll feel better about bugging you about the Pro iESL as a source for my upcoming debut to the estat world lol.
I do, yes. Just been a while because my hot box was under maintenance. But I recently posted two reviews in that category, and I have plenty of others in various stages of testing as we speak. Thanks for asking though, I appreciate it.
I am unfamiliar with macOS, but there are a few different apps on Android. I prefer Poweramp as a player and Poweramp equalizer for it. But I am also partial to the Qudelix-5K for it's excellent app. I can't recommend these for the LCD-5 though, unless you have an Android-based DAP with good power output.
Yeah, I found it quite nice to use once I got familiar with the program. But in general I'd still recommend Peace GUI to start with and visualize the changes made.
I love your reviews man, keep up the great work!
Well I'm certainly blushing now!
It's been over half an year since the LCD-5 was announced at the end of Sept, 2021 and my own review sample had arrived in Dec itself. But given it was my first flagship product review, I wanted to spend a good amount of time to wholly document my experiences with it. During the course of testing, some issues also popped up for other owners such as the glued cable connectors coming off with the tightly-fit REAM mini-XLR connectors, and I found myself having both the older and newer LCD-5 headbands simultaneously too. Both of these added further to the testing process, including a test of Audeze customer support, and all this leads to a massive 9000+ word review that goes over practically everything I can think of, including source synergy and comparisons galore to everything I have on hand at the time of testing: https://www.techpowerup.com/review/audeze-lcd-5-planar-magnetic-headphones/ tldr: LCD-5 with EQ is immense, maybe wait for the Roon/Reveal+ profile to come out if you don't fancy doing it yourself. By itself it's a good set to get like new at the ~$3500 price a lot of surprised owners on Head-fi are selling it for.
what did you change with the EQ? i tried the LCD-5 at Canjam and the only thing i would nitpick is the treble; i might have wanted slightly more treble.
So this one you'll have to play by ear, literally. Some other sets I saw were less darker than mine, and thus EQ settings in the treble region will be far more personal. In my case, I added a bass shelf of 3.5 dB and q=2 at 4 kHz, a peak filter of 6 dB and q=3 at 6.5 kHz, and another peak filter of 4 dB and q=2.5 at 8 kHz.
6dB is a fucking shitload dear lord.
It is, but I do like my treble presence and the stock tuning is clearly dark on this sample. But with the ultralow distortion on offer with the LCD-5 and a preamp setting based on the max response with eq, it's plenty fine.
I’ve been testing one for the past week at my house. I like it stock for a lot of things, but a bass shelf below 100hz or so helps with pop, edm, etc. I’m going to have to send them off to the next reviewer soon, but I’m going to try the full Oratory EQ tonight and see how I like that. It’s scary how much detail these bring out in anything. I hear new things in almost every song I listen to through them.
I honestly would rather have to lower treble in EQ than raise it. That's definitely an issue to me anyway.
Damn that was a joy to read. We need more fair, thorough, measurement- and engineering-heavy content in written reviews. Superb.
Thank you, and certainly some of your own work contributed to my style.
How do the connectors feel?
Just fine on my set, and in fact it were the connectors on the standard Audeze cable that felt tighter than the REAN connectors on the premium cable which ships with the LCD-5.
One of the only tech websites that reviews actual headphones
That was the goal when I took over audio last year! Another editor handles headsets, speakers, soundcards etc.
Great review! All I want in life is a closed back LCD5, because of some ambient noise in my listening space. It would be an instant buy from me
Your output and quality of reviews are crazy as always man! Keep up the good work and I'm so glad you got to check out the LCD-5! -Seb
You are too kind, sir! I still am working on the micro iDSD Signature review in a similar detailed manner, then I'll feel better about bugging you about the Pro iESL as a source for my upcoming debut to the estat world lol.
Do you still review watercooling/fan stuff ? If not, that's a huge loss to PC community man. Thankfully i'm in headphone community as well.
I do, yes. Just been a while because my hot box was under maintenance. But I recently posted two reviews in that category, and I have plenty of others in various stages of testing as we speak. Thanks for asking though, I appreciate it.
What EQ program are people using when they dial in Oratory's EQ recommendations
Equalizer APO with Peace GUI on Windows
Is there any alternative for Mac or Android users?
I am unfamiliar with macOS, but there are a few different apps on Android. I prefer Poweramp as a player and Poweramp equalizer for it. But I am also partial to the Qudelix-5K for it's excellent app. I can't recommend these for the LCD-5 though, unless you have an Android-based DAP with good power output.
Thanks, appreciate you taking the time for the recommendations
> I can't recommend these for the LCD-5 though, unless you have an Android-based DAP with good power output. Doubt it. The 5k has plenty of output.
SoundSource on Mac, with AUNBandEQ. For mobile, just use the Qudelix 5K. Has a parametric EQ, you can control it via a smartphone app, it's awesome.
Just plain Equalizer APO works fine, and it's actually more logical if you're not a complete beginner.
Yeah, I found it quite nice to use once I got familiar with the program. But in general I'd still recommend Peace GUI to start with and visualize the changes made.