Publication Reviews

At the end of the day, if you're wondering about the value of LCD-XC, they are not the most expensive studio or listening headphones, but they're a really good option if you're looking for a neutral, clean, articulate and resolute headphone.

It for sure is one of Audeze’s most neutral and precisely tuned headphones, but they have managed to do it in the most exciting and musical way. What I also like about the new Audeze LCD-5, is that it isn’t just for studios and professionals, but it is musically strong enough and very engaging to please the most discerning audiophile at home.

Certainly, it’s the most mature-sounding and cohesive high-end Audeze headphones to date. Importantly, it is their most likable tuning with plenty of verve and character and absolutely excellent levels of detail to go along with it.

The experience of listening with these truly innovative electrostatics is immersive and magical. In my opinion, the CRBN from Audeze are the best electrostatics ever produced on our planet, and rival any other luxury, state-of-the-art headphone design, dynamic or planar, that I have auditioned in my half-century as an audiophile.

The LCD-XC (2021) does take DSP and EQ very well too, which helps address some of the technical issues with ear gain and ungainly peaks in the treble response.

Audeze may produce headsets that are well within the luxury pricing, but they do so knowing that they are producing some of the best on the market. And for console players out there, the Penrose is one of the bests that you won’t regret buying.

"If your budget allows, I strongly encourage you to audition the Audeze LCD-2 CB’s. These wonderful headphones manage to combine traits from the best of both worlds (closed-back and open-back headphones) into one package, with no obvious compromise cost. These headphones are well-made, attractive, and supremely comfortable. They are equally at home in a recording studio, or as part of a home entertainment system, or as your go-to personal practice rig."

"That said, I feel the real story about these is how Audeze imported the “live” energetic performance, soundstage and resolving capabilities of their big LCD headphones into a pair of IEMs."

Audeze has created a monster of a headphone with the new LCD-X 2021. It does just about everything right, with its great packaging, excellent and industrial build to a highly detailed and pleasant sound performance. We don’t yet have a recommendation list here at Ear Fidelity, but if we did, the LCD-X 2021 would have been one of the easiest headphones to put on it

"THE SECRET of Daft Punk, discovered" Says SupraPixel of XC

"The Audeze LCD-2C is an excellent headphone - but not for the reasons that I expected. It offers a listening experience that veers towards studio monitors, and is a spectacular performer especially when it's paired up with excellent headphone amps. Paired up with iconic good-looks, it's a pair of headphones that I recommend to adorn any music lover's desktop sound setup."

"That said, if you have the budget, and strive for some of the best audio going, then the Audeze Penrose could very well be for you as its audio is seriously hard to beat."

"Overall clarity was simply the best I’ve heard from Audeze. They have been able to raise the already high bar from the LCD-4 and LCD-4z to a whole new level and I would very easily put these headphones among the very best that I’ve ever experienced... I can very easily and wholeheartedly recommend the LCD-5s for anyone looking for the very best headphones around – they are that spectacular!"

As longtime LCD-X and LCD-4z user, Carlos has a good basis for comparison on the LCD-5.

Here's Jude's review, measurements, and discussion of the tech with our CEO Sankar.

Ghian has been using LCD-Xs in his work for a long time. He tells about his impression of the LCD-5.

Hannes is a longtime LCD-4 user, and he made this video for us about the LCD-5.

"You could argue that this is a headphone for those who like their female vocals front and center but there is more to the LCD-XC 2021 than that. There is energy in this performance and flexibility also to EQ to balance it for your own personal preferences without it falling apart.  Should you get the Professional Edition? Debatable for the price jump if you have some good balanced cables anyhow and do not plan to be carrying it in a box everywhere with you. Is it still a heavy headphone? Yup, it is, no getting around that but the new designs and very comfy leather earpads help a great deal in getting the balance just right. Overall, this is a unique tuning with a cleaner, vocal-centric performance for an Audeze LCD headphone, but also one very impressive closed-back planar headphone. "

"However, if you can get over the price and the other negatives, the sound quality from these cans is seriously impressive, easily making the Adueze Mobius one of the best gaming headsets around because of it."