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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 8
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Arctic White — Gaming · 2022 · Black
SteelSeries

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Arctic White

Gaming · 2022 · Black

88
/ 100
From $249
Specdex verdict

Audeze LCD-5 takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Audeze LCD-5 lands at 96 and SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Arctic White at 88. That puts Audeze LCD-5 ahead by 8 points — a decisive 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 SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Arctic White if…

  • ✓Low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless (most)
  • ✓Detachable broadcast mic
  • ✓Console compatibility
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Winner by scenario

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

Sound quality

Audeze LCD-5

Tuning, detail, and staging

Audeze LCD-5 leads on sound (96 vs 88).

Noise cancelling

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Arctic White

ANC strength for commute and travel

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Arctic White leads on anc (70 vs 0).

Comfort

Audeze LCD-5

Long-session wearability

Audeze LCD-5 leads on comfort (88 vs 86).

Value for money

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Arctic White

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Arctic White more score per dollar ($249 vs $4,500).

Audeze LCD-5 96
vs
88 SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Arctic White

Score breakdown

Audeze LCD-5
96
anc 0
sound 96
comfort 88
battery 100
features 50
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Arctic White
88
anc 70
sound 88
comfort 86
battery 86
features 88

Specs side-by-side

Audeze LCD-5 versus SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Arctic White — full spec comparison
Spec Audeze LCD-5 SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Arctic White
Type
Planar magnetic
Gaming headset
Variant
—
Black
Release year
—
2022

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

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Arctic White

Pros
  • +Low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless (most)
  • +Detachable broadcast mic
  • +Console compatibility
Cons
  • −Bulkier than audiophile cans
  • −Game-tuned EQ
  • −Software required on PC

FAQ: Audeze LCD-5 vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Arctic White

Which is better, Audeze LCD-5 or SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Arctic White? +

Audeze LCD-5 scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 8. 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 SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Arctic White worth the price? +

At $249, SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Arctic White delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in sound.

Does Audeze LCD-5 or SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Arctic White 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 better for sound quality, Audeze LCD-5 or SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Arctic White? +

Audeze LCD-5 — leads on sound (96 vs 88). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Audeze LCD-5 or SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Arctic White? +

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Arctic White — leads on anc (70 vs 0). ANC strength for commute and travel.