Headphones — Audeze LCD-5s

The LCD-5s is an open-back over-ear headphone from Audeze, a well-established American manufacturer known for accomplished planar-magnetic headphone engineering, built with balanced XLR connectivity. The LCD-5s brings Audeze's considered engineering to a serious open-back over-ear format.

Key specs that matter

The transducer uses electrostatic or planar-magnetic driver technology in an open-back, over-ear, wired configuration - a premium driver technology favoured for its exceptional speed and detail retrieval. Frequency response spans an exceptionally wide 5Hz to 50,000Hz within plus-or-minus 10dB. Connection uses a balanced XLR connector. Sensitivity is a comparatively modest 90dB SPL at 1kHz/1mW, with impedance at a comparatively benign 30 ohms. Weight is 475g.

Sound and use context

Expect the exceptionally fast, detailed character planar-magnetic driver technology is broadly celebrated for, with the comparatively modest 90dB sensitivity benefiting from a capable headphone amplifier for full dynamic potential.

Pairing

The comparatively modest 90dB sensitivity and balanced XLR connectivity benefit considerably from a capable dedicated balanced headphone amplifier.

Alternatives

Audeze's own Maxwell 2 offers a wireless, closed-back alternative within the same broader catalogue for buyers wanting a different form factor.