Headphones

Founded back in 2008 in Southern California, Audeze’s aim is to adapt NASA technology to create high-resolution audio products. For those that don’t know, the company’s name was inspired by a poster for 2001: A Space Odyssey that hung in the garage where the company first started operations – the name is pronounced Odezy, geddit?

Ever since the release of the LCD-2 in 2009, it has been instrumental in the comeback of planar technology in high-end headphone design. Jump forward to today, and the improvements found in the LCD-5 include changes to the drivers, earpads and frame design. The large wooden cups – a feature of the range in the past – have been replaced with acetate ones. As a result, Audeze has reduced the overall weight by a huge 270g compared with that of the LCD-4.

Build quality is superb. Each earcup is fitted with a nice latching four-pin mini-XLR connector, so there is no risk of the lead coming loose. The earpads are made of real leather and are now sculpted instead of being flat to help reduce unwanted resonances and interior reflections. A high-quality braided 2.5m detachable cable is supplied, it has directional OCC high-purity copper strands designed to provide a low capacitance and low resistance path for the signal. It comes with an XLR termination for a balanced system and a 6.35mm adapter. The headband has a suspension strap that sits on the head with a carbon fibre arch, combining rigidity with low weight.

The diaphragm moves as a whole, as it is suspended between magnets and the audio signal passes through it. Nano-scale technology is employed to make it ultra-thin, which according to Audeze results in high efficiency, low distortion and a great transient response. The drivers incorporate upgraded Fazor waveguides that are designed to control and improve the interaction of sound waves as they pass through the earcups.

Sound quality
We use the 6.35mm adapter to connect the LCD-5 to a HD83 valve headphone amp and start off spinning an LP of Prokofiev’s Romeo And Juliet played by the LSO and conducted by André Previn. Movement No.13 Dance Of The Knights with the stately entry of knights in armour to the ball at the Capulet’s home really grabs the attention. The soundstage is very real and surprisingly wide considering we’re listening on headphones. The powerful marching rhythm and trumpet blasts that accompany the strings playing the main theme are strident and powerful, but not at all harsh. The orchestra has great air and space around the instruments, resulting in an authoritative performance.

Next up Steve Davis’ recording of To Wisdom, The Prize from live LP We See. The trumpet, trombone and saxophone are really clean and bright but not at all edgy. The backing from piano, bass and drums is in perfect proportion to the brass instruments, while the bass is tight and punchy. The piano in particular sounds very natural and beautifully reproduced.

Turning to a classic recording of Barbra Streisand singing Tomorrow to see how it fares with vocals, the LCD-5 presents Streisand’s voice in front of the sparkling and clear orchestral backing, and there is a very natural depth to the recording. The performance is very real and the music exudes refinement throughout the entire track.

Conclusion
The overall sound quality is superb and well balanced. It presents the music with authority and a controlled and tight bass response. As someone who has attended many recording sessions over the years, the LCD-5 presents an authentic and transparent sound that is pretty close to the original live recording, which is just what we look for in headphones. NR    

DETAILS
Product: Audeze LCD-5
Type: Planar magnetic, over-ear, open-back headphones

FEATURES
● 90mm diameter transducers
● Quoted sensitivity: 90dB/1m/W
● Braided 2.5m detachable cable Read the full review in  Issue 525