Short answer: the Audeze LCD-4z, though neither ranks well in its class. Both are rated 2.7/5 for sound quality (#187 and #190 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the Audeze LCD-4z costs $3,995 against $4,999.95 for the Yamaha YH-5000SE, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 216 over-ear headphones, so if sound quality matters, consider the Dan Clark Audio E3 instead, ranked #1 at $2,299.
The case for the Audeze LCD-4z: Its 106mm planar magnetic driver keeps the low mids right on the Harman target, so voices and instruments in the 200 Hz to 1 kHz range sound full and natural. The tradeoff: In oratory1990’s measurement the treble sits about 8 to 9 dB below target from 3 to 10 kHz, with a 14 dB hole near 9.1 kHz, so cymbals, string attack and detail sound muted and veiled.
What the Yamaha YH-5000SE does well: The open back planar magnetic driver has a 34 ohm, 98 dB/mW load that a phone or small dongle can drive. The tradeoff: In oratory1990’s measurement a deep 16.7 dB dip near 2.75 kHz and a presence band 6.9 dB under target push vocals and lead instruments far back, for a preference score of 52 with 3.88 dB of deviation.
Buy the Audeze LCD-4z. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $1,004.95 less than the Yamaha YH-5000SE.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Audeze LCD-4z | Yamaha YH-5000SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,995.00 | $4,999.95 |
| Ranked | #187 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #190 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 53 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 52 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.62 dB standard deviation | 3.88 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.00 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.90 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 45 Hz (-6.3 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 106mm planar magnetic | 1 x planar magnetic (Orthodynamic) |
| Impedance | 15 ohms | 34 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW | 98 dB/mW |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (560 g) | 0.7 lbs (320 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 70kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to Audeze LCD-4z:
- Focal Utopia 2022 vs Audeze LCD-4z
- Dan Clark Audio Voce vs Audeze LCD-4z
- T+A Solitaire PSE vs Yamaha YH-5000SE
- Dan Clark Audio Voce vs Yamaha YH-5000SE
- Sennheiser HD 820 vs Fostex TH900
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
Audeze LCD-4z: $3,995.00 B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Its 106mm planar magnetic driver keeps the low mids right on the Harman target, so voices and instruments in the 200 Hz to 1 kHz range sound full and natural. The low 15 ohm impedance and 98 dB/mW sensitivity mean it does not need a high voltage amplifier to reach good volume. Listeners who like a warm, dark presentation are its best match.
Cons: In oratory1990’s measurement the treble sits about 8 to 9 dB below target from 3 to 10 kHz, with a 14 dB hole near 9.1 kHz, so cymbals, string attack and detail sound muted and veiled. Sub-bass also runs about 6 dB short below 60 Hz, and at 560 g it is a very heavy open back headphone that leaks sound. The Focal Utopia 2022 is rated higher at a similar price.
Full Audeze LCD-4z review and specifications →
| Released | May 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.62 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 106mm planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 53 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 15 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 45 Hz (-6.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.00 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (560 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.3 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 | +3.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,020 Hz | -4.4 dB | 1.42 |
| Peak | 3,720 Hz | +6.3 dB | 1.81 |
| Peak | 8,839 Hz | +4.6 dB | 1.61 |
| Peak | 267 Hz | -2.5 dB | 0.46 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -5.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,999 Hz | +1.5 dB | 4.03 |
| Peak | 5,676 Hz | -2.2 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 6,879 Hz | +3.1 dB | 5.52 |
| Peak | 1,402 Hz | -0.7 dB | 3.80 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Yamaha YH-5000SE: $4,999.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: The open back planar magnetic driver has a 34 ohm, 98 dB/mW load that a phone or small dongle can drive. Its warm tilt suits listeners who prefer a relaxed, bass-leaning balance over a bright one. At 320 g it is moderate in weight for a planar headphone.
Cons: In oratory1990’s measurement a deep 16.7 dB dip near 2.75 kHz and a presence band 6.9 dB under target push vocals and lead instruments far back, for a preference score of 52 with 3.88 dB of deviation. Sub-bass also sits 6 dB below target, and the open back leaks sound. The Audeze LCD-2 Closed Back rates far higher for much less money.
Full Yamaha YH-5000SE review and specifications →
| Released | Dec 2022 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.88 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x planar magnetic (Orthodynamic) |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 70kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 52 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 34 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.90 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (320 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.6 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 | +9.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,812 Hz | +6.8 dB | 1.88 |
| Peak | 1,242 Hz | -7.9 dB | 2.00 |
| Peak | 57 Hz | -8.0 dB | 0.46 |
| Peak | 3,792 Hz | +2.7 dB | 5.86 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -5.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,174 Hz | +2.0 dB | 0.67 |
| Peak | 326 Hz | -0.9 dB | 2.14 |
| Peak | 230 Hz | +0.8 dB | 2.83 |
| Peak | 4,523 Hz | -2.0 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons