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Audeze LCD-5s vs HIFIMAN Susvara

Both are planar magnetic open-back headphones.

The Susvara is 25 g lighter, at 450 g against 475 g.

The Susvara needs 7 dB more power to reach a loud 110 dB peak, so it asks more of the amplifier.

The LCD-5s lists for $1,500 less.

AudezeLCD-5s

$4,500

HIFIMANSusvara

$6,000

Side by side

LCD-5sSusvara
Driver
Planar magnetic
Planar magnetic
Diaphragm
Nano-Scale Parallel Uniforce diaphragm (thickness unpublished)
Nanometer Grade film under 1 micrometer thick, gold-coated conductor
Driver size
90 mm
Not published
Enclosure
Open-back
Open-back
Weight
475 g
450 g
Susvara is 25 g lighter
Impedance
35 ohms
60 ohms
Sensitivity
90 dB/1 mW (at Drum Reference Point)
83 dB
Power for 110 dB
100 mW, 1.87 V
501 mW, 5.48 V
Susvara needs 7 dB more
Drive
Moderate drive
Demanding
Frequency response
5 Hz – 50 kHz
6 Hz – 75 kHz
Made in
USA (California)
China
Released
2026
2017
List price
$4,500
$6,000
LCD-5s is $1,500 less
Materials
Carbon fibreMagnesiumLeatherEngineered films
WoodLeatherEngineered films
Both use leather, engineered films

From each maker’s published figures; sources are on each headphone’s page. Power for 110 dB is worked out from sensitivity and impedance.

Amplifiers that drive both

How the matching works

Each of these has 10 dB or more in reserve above a loud 110 dB peak on both headphones, so one amplifier serves either.

Build a setup with the LCD-5s →Build a setup with the Susvara →

Where to buy the LCD-5s

List $4,500

Retailer prices checked 2026-10-21. We may earn a commission on purchases. How this works

Where to buy the Susvara

List $6,000

Retailer prices checked 2026-10-21. We may earn a commission on purchases. How this works

More head to head