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Audeze LCD-5 — Planar magnetic
Audeze

Audeze LCD-5

Planar magnetic

96
/ 100
From $4,500
VS
Audeze LCD-5 wins by 1
Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black — Open-back
Sennheiser

Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black

Open-back

95
/ 100
From $1,699
Specdex verdict

Audeze LCD-5 takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Audeze LCD-5 lands at 96 and Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black at 95. That puts Audeze LCD-5 ahead by 1 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Audeze LCD-5 if…

  • ✓Reference-level detail
  • ✓Well-regarded in audiophile community
  • ✓Long-term ownership appeal

Pick Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black if…

  • ✓Reference-level detail
  • ✓Well-regarded in audiophile community
  • ✓Long-term ownership appeal
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Sound quality

Tie

Tuning, detail, and staging

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Noise cancelling

Tie

ANC strength for commute and travel

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Comfort

Tie

Long-session wearability

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Value for money

Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black more score per dollar ($1,699 vs $4,500).

Audeze LCD-5 96
vs
95 Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black

Score breakdown

Audeze LCD-5
96
anc 0
sound 96
comfort 88
battery 100
features 50
Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black
95
anc 0
sound 95
comfort 88
battery 100
features 50

Specs side-by-side

Audeze LCD-5 versus Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black — full spec comparison
Spec Audeze LCD-5 Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black
Type
Planar magnetic
Open-back

Audeze LCD-5

Pros
  • +Reference-level detail
  • +Well-regarded in audiophile community
  • +Long-term ownership appeal
Cons
  • −Requires amplifier (most)
  • −No active noise cancellation
  • −Impractical for commuting

Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black

Pros
  • +Reference-level detail
  • +Well-regarded in audiophile community
  • +Long-term ownership appeal
Cons
  • −Requires amplifier (most)
  • −No active noise cancellation
  • −Impractical for commuting

FAQ: Audeze LCD-5 vs Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black

Which is better, Audeze LCD-5 or Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black? +

Audeze LCD-5 scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 1. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Audeze LCD-5 worth the price? +

At $4,500, Audeze LCD-5 delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in battery.

Is Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black worth the price? +

At $1,699, Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in battery.

Does Audeze LCD-5 or Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is the better value, Audeze LCD-5 or Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black? +

Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black — more score per dollar ($1,699 vs $4,500). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.