(September 20, 2021) California’s Audeze has unveiled a new flagship planar magnetic headphone. The LCD-5, successor to the heavier LCD-4, features many of the company’s core technologies and a few new twists intended to improve performance.
Landing with an impedance of 14 Ohms and a sensitivity of 90dB, the over-ear, open-back LCD-5 weighs 420 grams (1/3 less than its predecessor). Audeze’s engineers have incorporated what it calls “Parallel Uniforce” voice coils, which have varied-width parallel traces designed to keep impedance low. This design also increases voltage headroom by altering the current density within each trace, while adding more space between the headphone’s Fluxor Neodymium magnets for a more open soundstage.
The LCD-5’s large circular earcups mirror the iconic look of past LCD models, but differences are prevalent. For example, all-new internally slopped earpads crafted from premium leather reduce resonances and interior reflections. And Audeze says the overall bones of the headphone have been completely re-engineered, incorporating magnesium in the housing, carbon fiber in the suspension headband, and delicious “tortoiseshell” flavored acetate rings for visual pop.
The headphones ship with an aluminum travel case and a low-resistance premium-copper audio cable. Priced at $4,500, the Audeze LCD-5 is available for purchase now.
Additional Photos:
Full Specifications:
- Style: Over-ear, open-back
- Transducer type: Planar Magnetic
- Magnetic structure: FluxorTM magnet array
- Phase management: Fazor
- Magnet type: Neodymium N50
- Diaphragm type: Nano-Scale Parallel UniforceTM
- Transducer size: 90 mm
- Maximum power handling: 5W RMS
- Maximum SPL: >130dB
- Frequency response: 5Hz - 50kHz
- THD: <0.1% @ 100dB
- Impedance: 18 ohms
- Sensitivity: 90 dB/1mW (at Drum Reference Point)
- Minimum power requirement: >100mW
- Recommended power level: >250mW
- Weight: 420g
