- The Audeze LCD-5s have a new planar magnetic driver for “palpably physical” bass response
- Redesigned for improved comfort and audio seal
- Priced at $4,500 (about £3,333 / AU$6,570)
Audeze has upgraded its highly acclaimed flagship planar headphones, the LCD-5: the new LCD-5s headphones come with a new driver design for even more powerful bass and redesigned earpads for improved audio sealing and comfort.
The LCD-5s’ 90mm planar magnetic transducers feature what Audeze says is “our thinnest, most responsive materials” and a revised chassis structure that delivers “the most precise midrange tuning possible.” And they incorporate the SLAM (Symmetric Linear Acoustic Modulator) technology first introduced in the Audeze CBRN electrostatic headphones.
SLAM was created specifically to deliver powerful bass with precision and depth without reducing the ultra-thin driver’s reliability or longevity, and in the CBRN Audeze said it delivered “the most powerful bass of any electrostatic headphone”. So these planars could be tons of fun.
Audeze LCD-5s: key features and pricing
The LCD-5s headphones are exceptionally good-looking, with copper accents brightening up a design that consists of carbon fiber, magnesium, genuine leather and polished polymer acetate. And the earpads have been redesigned to improve the audio seal, minimize audible reflections and to be more comfortable for long listening sessions. The weight is a little on the hefty side at 475g, admittedly.
The supplied cable is Audeze’s most premium option, with high-purity copper strands for low capacitance and a low resistance signal path. It’s a four-pin XLR cable and comes with a four-pin XLR to 6.3mm TRS adapter, and a 6.3mm to 3.5mm adapter.
Frequency response is 5Hz to 50kHz, impedance is 30 ohms and the maximum SPL is >130dB. The minimum power requirement is at least 100mW but over 500mW is recommended.
The new Audeze LCD-5s are available now, with a price tag of $4,500 (about £3,333 / AU$6,570).
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