Sony
Sony WH-1000XM6
QN3 noise-cancel · LDAC · 30h battery
95
/ 100
From $449
VS
Audeze LCD-5 wins by 1
Audeze
Audeze LCD-5
Planar magnetic
96
/ 100
From $4,500
Specdex verdict
Audeze LCD-5 takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Sony WH-1000XM6 lands at 95 and Audeze LCD-5 at 96. That puts Audeze LCD-5 ahead by 1 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Sony WH-1000XM6 if…
- ✓Best-in-class ANC
- ✓Excellent call clarity
- ✓Folding hinges are back
Pick Audeze LCD-5 if…
- ✓Reference-level detail
- ✓Well-regarded in audiophile community
- ✓Long-term ownership appeal
Score breakdown
Sony WH-1000XM6
95 anc 98
sound 94
comfort 92
battery 90
features 94
Audeze LCD-5
96 anc 0
sound 96
comfort 88
battery 100
features 50
Specs side-by-side
Spec
Sony WH-1000XM6
Audeze LCD-5
Driver
30 mm dynamic
—
Codecs
LDAC, AAC, SBC, LC3
—
Battery
30 h (ANC on)
—
Weight
254 g
—
Connectivity
BT 5.3, Multipoint, USB-C
—
Type
—
Planar magnetic
Sony WH-1000XM6
Pros
- +Best-in-class ANC
- +Excellent call clarity
- +Folding hinges are back
Cons
- −Pricey vs XM5
- −Bass slightly boosted
- −No lossless over BT
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
FAQ: Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Audeze LCD-5
Which is better, Sony WH-1000XM6 or Audeze LCD-5? +
Audeze LCD-5 scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 1. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Sony WH-1000XM6 worth the price? +
At $449, Sony WH-1000XM6 delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in anc.
Is Audeze LCD-5 worth the price? +
At $4,500, Audeze LCD-5 delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in battery.
Does Sony WH-1000XM6 or Audeze LCD-5 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.