Sony
Sony WH-1000XM3
Over-ear · 2018
86
/ 100
From $349
VS
Audeze LCD-5 · Arctic White wins by 10
Audeze
Audeze LCD-5 · Arctic White
Planar magnetic
96
/ 100
From $4,500
Specdex verdict
Audeze LCD-5 · Arctic White takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Sony WH-1000XM3 lands at 86 and Audeze LCD-5 · Arctic White at 96. That puts Audeze LCD-5 · Arctic White ahead by 10 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Sony WH-1000XM3 if…
- ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- ✓Premium build
- ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
Pick Audeze LCD-5 · Arctic White if…
- ✓Reference-level detail
- ✓Well-regarded in audiophile community
- ✓Long-term ownership appeal
Sony WH-1000XM3 86
vs 96 Audeze LCD-5 · Arctic White
Score breakdown
Sony WH-1000XM3
86 anc 84
sound 86
comfort 85
battery 82
features 82
Audeze LCD-5 · Arctic White
96 anc 0
sound 96
comfort 88
battery 100
features 50
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Sony WH-1000XM3 | Audeze LCD-5 · Arctic White |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-ear | Planar magnetic |
| Release year | 2018 | — |
Sony WH-1000XM3
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 · Arctic White
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: Sony WH-1000XM3 vs Audeze LCD-5 · Arctic White
Which is better, Sony WH-1000XM3 or Audeze LCD-5 · Arctic White? +
Audeze LCD-5 · Arctic White scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 10. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Sony WH-1000XM3 worth the price? +
At $349, Sony WH-1000XM3 delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in sound.
Is Audeze LCD-5 · Arctic White worth the price? +
At $4,500, Audeze LCD-5 · Arctic White delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in battery.
Does Sony WH-1000XM3 or Audeze LCD-5 · 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.