Short answer: the Audeze LCD-5. Both are rated 3.6/5 for sound quality (#115 and #116 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the Audeze LCD-5 costs $4,500 against $5,995 for the Abyss AB1-266 Phi TC, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
Why pick the Abyss AB1-266 Phi TC: Oratory1990’s measurement gives it a preference score of 73, and air above 10 kHz is lifted about 3 dB, giving cymbals and room sound a light, airy sheen. The catch: Bass sits about 6 dB below target under 60 Hz and 3 dB low from 60 to 200 Hz, so kick drums and bass lines sound thin, and treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 6 dB low with a 10 dB dip near 6.5 kHz that veils detail.
Why pick the Audeze LCD-5: The 90mm planar driver keeps the midrange very even in oratory1990’s measurement, with everything from 200 Hz to 6 kHz within 1.5 dB of target and no peak above 0.7 dB between 1.5 and 12 kHz, so vocals sound natural and free of harshness. The catch: A deep 13.8 dB dip near 9.8 kHz leaves the treble nearly 8 dB below target, so cymbals and air sound dull and veiled.
Buy the Audeze LCD-5. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $1,495 less than the Abyss AB1-266 Phi TC.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Abyss AB1-266 Phi TC | Audeze LCD-5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5,995.00 | $4,500.00 |
| Ranked | #116 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #115 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 73 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 73 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.81 dB standard deviation | 2.85 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.39 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.32 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.7 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 47 Hz (-7.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 66mm planar magnetic | 1 x 90mm planar magnetic |
| Impedance | 50 ohms | 14 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 88 dB/mW | 90 dB/mW |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (640 g) | 0.9 lbs (420 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Audeze LCD-5:
- Stax SR-009S vs Audeze LCD-5
- Audeze LCD-5 vs ZMF Caldera Closed
- Audeze LCD-5 vs Focal Utopia 2022
- Audeze LCD-5 vs T+A Solitaire PSE
- Abyss AB1-266 Phi TC vs T+A Solitaire PSE
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Abyss AB1-266 Phi TC: $5,995.00 Abyss eBay
Pros: Oratory1990’s measurement gives it a preference score of 73, and air above 10 kHz is lifted about 3 dB, giving cymbals and room sound a light, airy sheen. The open-back 66mm planar magnetic driver suits listeners who prefer a relaxed, laid-back presentation. It matches the rating of the Audeze LCD-5 and is rated above the Focal Utopia 2022.
Cons: Bass sits about 6 dB below target under 60 Hz and 3 dB low from 60 to 200 Hz, so kick drums and bass lines sound thin, and treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 6 dB low with a 10 dB dip near 6.5 kHz that veils detail. At 88 dB/mW sensitivity it needs a capable headphone amp, it weighs 640 g, and the open back leaks sound and offers no isolation. The Stax SR-009S is rated higher for less money. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full Abyss AB1-266 Phi TC review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.81 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 66mm planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 73 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 50 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 88 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.39 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (640 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.9 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +3.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,064 Hz | -5.3 dB | 1.29 |
| Peak | 3,885 Hz | +5.4 dB | 2.10 |
| Peak | 236 Hz | -2.3 dB | 1.36 |
| Peak | 1,952 Hz | +3.7 dB | 3.03 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -9.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 8,198 Hz | +5.2 dB | 0.96 |
| Peak | 5,233 Hz | -4.8 dB | 5.05 |
| Peak | 1,416 Hz | -0.4 dB | 4.94 |
| Peak | 2,854 Hz | -1.2 dB | 4.61 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Audeze LCD-5: $4,500.00 Apos Audio eBay
Pros: The 90mm planar driver keeps the midrange very even in oratory1990’s measurement, with everything from 200 Hz to 6 kHz within 1.5 dB of target and no peak above 0.7 dB between 1.5 and 12 kHz, so vocals sound natural and free of harshness. It reaches a preference score of 73, and it rates the same as the Abyss AB1-266 Phi TC, which costs more.
Cons: A deep 13.8 dB dip near 9.8 kHz leaves the treble nearly 8 dB below target, so cymbals and air sound dull and veiled. Sub-bass sits about 7 dB low and falls 6 dB short by 47 Hz, which thins kick drums and synth bass. Sensitivity of 90 dB/mW calls for a capable headphone amp, it weighs 420 g, and the open back leaks sound. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full Audeze LCD-5 review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2021 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.85 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 90mm planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 73 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 14 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 47 Hz (-7.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.32 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (420 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.0 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +6.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,241 Hz | -5.3 dB | 1.03 |
| Peak | 6,732 Hz | +7.7 dB | 0.18 |
| Peak | 121 Hz | -2.1 dB | 0.31 |
| Peak | 3,769 Hz | -8.3 dB | 1.07 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -6.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,190 Hz | +1.1 dB | 3.60 |
| Peak | 2,968 Hz | -0.9 dB | 3.35 |
| Peak | 4,074 Hz | +1.3 dB | 4.83 |
| Peak | 4,981 Hz | -1.1 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons