Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Thanks to Audeze for sending the LCD-5s for review!

Buy LCD-5s from Audio46 (affiliate link): audio46.com/products/audeze-lcd-5s-flagship-planar-headphones?ref=reviewsbywavetheory

Buy LCD-5s from Apos Audio (affiliate link): https://apos.audio/products/audeze-lcd-5s-planar-magnetic-headphone?sca_ref=1448954.julYPU81dF

My OG LCD-5 review: youtu.be/b87rg-KJ4tQ

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Test Gear...

All music was digital in lossless or hi-rez FLAC or DSD formats either played locally or streamed from Qobuz (FLAC only), all through Roon.

Chain 1:

Sonore opticalRendu Deluxe Edition (review coming) USB output into Berkeley Alpha USB DDC (youtu.be/94AvDeeRjHA) AES output into Berkeley Alpha S2 DAC (youtu.be/JY3c4HEyH0s) then XLR output into one of Niimbus HPA US5 Pro (youtu.be/lLlPJyvGSIQ) or Senna Sound Sunstone (youtu.be/wrOptAyRWYo)

Chain 2:

MacMini running HQP (youtu.be/T3Kqgh0NdvM) oversampling all to DSD128, SincL filter, USB output through JDS Labs Synapse (youtu.be/m3stCPEl3Q8) then into Lampizator Baltic 3 DAC (youtu.be/QShvh2rqETc) then XLR output into either LTA Z10e (youtu.be/Bft6HUsYDhE) or Mass Kobo 465 (review coming soon!)

Chain 3:

Sonore opticalRendu Deluxe Edition (review coming) USB output into Berkeley Alpha USB DDC (youtu.be/94AvDeeRjHA) AES output into Berkeley Alpha S2 DAC (youtu.be/JY3c4HEyH0s) then XLR output into same amps as chain 2.

Chain 4:

Chord 2Go USB into Chord Hugo 2 (youtu.be/uuSOYjFtcvY) then a PW Audio RCA to 4.4mm adapter for XLR into the Sunstone, HPA US5 Pro, or HiFiMan Goldenwave Prelude (youtu.be/Ev_GFLFKKUM)

Chain 5:

Chord Hugo 2 with 2Go streamer direct headphone output

Compared Headphones...

Audio Technica ATH-ADX7000: youtu.be/d7yjTA584go
HiFiMan HE1000 Unveiled: youtu.be/pSXKdoYg0Tc

Timestamps...

00:00 Intro, Pricing, Disclaimer
01:36 Shameless Self Promotion
02:09 Setup
02:36 About the LCD-5s
06:42 Test Gear in Description!
07:52 Sound
16:42 Comparisons with HE1000 Unveiled & AT ATH-ADX7000
20:10 Final Thoughts