Bose
Bose QC45 · Rose Gold
Over-ear · 2021
88
/ 100
From $329
VS
Audeze LCD-5 · Rose Gold wins by 8
Audeze
Audeze LCD-5 · Rose Gold
Planar magnetic
96
/ 100
From $4,500
Specdex verdict
Audeze LCD-5 · Rose Gold takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Bose QC45 · Rose Gold lands at 88 and Audeze LCD-5 · Rose Gold at 96. That puts Audeze LCD-5 · Rose Gold ahead by 8 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Bose QC45 · Rose Gold if…
- ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- ✓Premium build
- ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
Pick Audeze LCD-5 · Rose Gold if…
- ✓Reference-level detail
- ✓Well-regarded in audiophile community
- ✓Long-term ownership appeal
Bose QC45 · Rose Gold 88
vs 96 Audeze LCD-5 · Rose Gold
Score breakdown
Bose QC45 · Rose Gold
88 anc 86
sound 88
comfort 87
battery 82
features 84
Audeze LCD-5 · Rose Gold
96 anc 0
sound 96
comfort 88
battery 100
features 50
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Bose QC45 · Rose Gold | Audeze LCD-5 · Rose Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-ear | Planar magnetic |
| Release year | 2021 | — |
Bose QC45 · Rose Gold
Pros
- +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- +Premium build
- +Active noise cancellation (most models)
Cons
- −Battery varies by codec
- −Some are Bluetooth-only
- −Price creep vs previous gen
Audeze LCD-5 · Rose Gold
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: Bose QC45 · Rose Gold vs Audeze LCD-5 · Rose Gold
Which is better, Bose QC45 · Rose Gold or Audeze LCD-5 · Rose Gold? +
Audeze LCD-5 · Rose Gold scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 8. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Bose QC45 · Rose Gold worth the price? +
At $329, Bose QC45 · Rose Gold delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in sound.
Is Audeze LCD-5 · Rose Gold worth the price? +
At $4,500, Audeze LCD-5 · Rose Gold delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in battery.
Does Bose QC45 · Rose Gold or Audeze LCD-5 · Rose Gold 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.