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 T+A Solitaire PSE ranks #128, rated 3.5/5, and costs $4,890, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
What the Audeze LCD-5 does well: 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.
What the T+A Solitaire PSE does well: The large 110 x 80mm planar driver delivers a warm, bass-leaning tuning in oratory1990’s measurement, with the upper bass 1.1 dB and the low mids 2.2 dB above target for a full, rich body on vocals and acoustic instruments. Watch for: A peak of about 7.4 dB near 11.4 kHz lifts the air band 5 dB above target while the presence region sits 3.7 dB low, so cymbals can sound splashy even as vocals lose some edge.
Buy the Audeze LCD-5. It is rated higher for sound quality than the T+A Solitaire PSE and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audeze LCD-5 | T+A Solitaire PSE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,500.00 | $4,890.00 |
| Ranked | #115 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #128 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) | -0.69 (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 42 Hz (-6.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 90mm planar magnetic | 1 x 110 x 80mm elliptical planar magnetic |
| Impedance | 14 ohms | 45 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB/mW | - |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (420 g) | 1 lbs (440 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 8Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
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- Abyss AB1-266 Phi TC vs Audeze LCD-5
- Audeze LCD-5 vs ZMF Caldera Closed
- Audeze LCD-5 vs Focal Utopia 2022
- Stax SR-009S 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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T+A Solitaire PSE: $4,890.00 Audio46 eBay
Pros: The large 110 x 80mm planar driver delivers a warm, bass-leaning tuning in oratory1990’s measurement, with the upper bass 1.1 dB and the low mids 2.2 dB above target for a full, rich body on vocals and acoustic instruments. At 45 ohms it runs from most headphone amps without needing extreme power. It suits listeners who prefer warmth over a lean, analytical sound.
Cons: A peak of about 7.4 dB near 11.4 kHz lifts the air band 5 dB above target while the presence region sits 3.7 dB low, so cymbals can sound splashy even as vocals lose some edge. Sub-bass falls 6 dB below target by 42 Hz, thinning the deepest rumble. At 440 g it is heavy, and the open back leaks sound and offers no isolation.
Full T+A Solitaire PSE review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.62 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 110 x 80mm elliptical planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 71 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 45 ohms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 42 Hz (-6.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.69 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1 lbs (440 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.6 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 | +6.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,999 Hz | +4.4 dB | 1.91 |
| Peak | 105 Hz | -4.4 dB | 0.33 |
| Peak | 801 Hz | -1.1 dB | 1.31 |
| Peak | 1,976 Hz | +3.8 dB | 1.53 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -8.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 59 Hz | -1.9 dB | 2.87 |
| Peak | 42 Hz | +1.2 dB | 2.87 |
| Peak | 5,241 Hz | +2.3 dB | 5.21 |
| Peak | 47 Hz | +0.4 dB | 1.85 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons