Short answer: the Audeze LCD-5. It ranks #115 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $4,500. The Focal Utopia 2022 ranks #125, rated 3.5/5, at $4,089, $411 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The case for 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 tradeoff: 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.
What the Focal Utopia 2022 does well: The midrange is very close to target, within about 0.7 dB from 60 Hz through 3 kHz, so vocals and instruments sit naturally. Watch for: Sub-bass is about 5.5 dB under target and treble is about 5.4 dB low from 6 to 10 kHz, with a 12.6 dB dip near 10 kHz, so cymbals and air sound muted and deep bass lacks rumble.
Buy the Audeze LCD-5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $411 saving on the Focal Utopia 2022 is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audeze LCD-5 | Focal Utopia 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,500.00 | $4,089.00 |
| Ranked | #115 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #125 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 73 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 71 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.85 dB standard deviation | 2.62 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.32 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.70 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 47 Hz (-7.0 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 30 Hz (-6.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 90mm planar magnetic | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 14 ohms | 80 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB/mW | 104 dB SPL/mW |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (420 g) | 1.1 lbs (490 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to Audeze LCD-5:
- Stax SR-009S vs Audeze LCD-5
- Abyss AB1-266 Phi TC vs Audeze LCD-5
- Audeze LCD-5 vs ZMF Caldera Closed
- Audeze LCD-5 vs T+A Solitaire PSE
- Focal Utopia 2022 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
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 |
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Focal Utopia 2022: $4,089.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: The midrange is very close to target, within about 0.7 dB from 60 Hz through 3 kHz, so vocals and instruments sit naturally. A 2.62 dB deviation and a preference score of 71 show a smooth profile with no large peaks, the biggest being only 0.3 dB near 1.5 kHz. An 80 ohm, 104 dB/mW design is manageable from a decent amplifier, and the open back gives a spacious presentation.
Cons: Sub-bass is about 5.5 dB under target and treble is about 5.4 dB low from 6 to 10 kHz, with a 12.6 dB dip near 10 kHz, so cymbals and air sound muted and deep bass lacks rumble. Presence is also about 3 dB low, which makes the sound dark and veiled. It weighs 490 g, the open back leaks sound, and it sits well below higher rated rivals like the HIFIMAN Susvara.
Full Focal Utopia 2022 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.62 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 71 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 80 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB SPL/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 30 Hz (-6.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.70 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs (490 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 | +9.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 65 Hz | -5.4 dB | 0.33 |
| Peak | 1,227 Hz | -3.1 dB | 1.92 |
| Peak | 10,000 Hz | +6.3 dB | 0.87 |
| Peak | 1,980 Hz | +2.9 dB | 3.30 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 5,018 Hz | +2.9 dB | 4.42 |
| Peak | 5,972 Hz | -3.2 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 3,000 Hz | -1.7 dB | 4.41 |
| Peak | 3,578 Hz | +1.5 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons