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Audeze LCD-5s vs Yamaha YH-5000SE

Both are planar magnetic open-back headphones.

The YH-5000SE is 155 g lighter, at 320 g against 475 g.

The LCD-5s needs 8 dB more power to reach a loud 110 dB peak, so it asks more of the amplifier.

The LCD-5s lists for $500 less.

AudezeLCD-5s

$4,500

$4,999.95

Side by side

LCD-5sYH-5000SE
Driver
Planar magnetic
Planar magnetic
Diaphragm
Nano-Scale Parallel Uniforce diaphragm (thickness unpublished)
Thin film with etched coil on both sides, concentric corrugation, outer-edge mount
Driver size
90 mm
Not published
Enclosure
Open-back
Open-back
Weight
475 g
320 g
YH-5000SE is 155 g lighter
Impedance
35 ohms
34 ohms
Sensitivity
90 dB/1 mW (at Drum Reference Point)
98 dB/mW at 1 kHz
Power for 110 dB
100 mW, 1.87 V
15.8 mW, 0.73 V
LCD-5s needs 8 dB more
Drive
Moderate drive
Easy to drive
Frequency response
5 Hz – 50 kHz
5 Hz – 70 kHz
Made in
USA (California)
Japan
Released
2026
2023
List price
$4,500
$4,999.95
LCD-5s is $500 less
Materials
Carbon fibreMagnesiumLeatherEngineered films
MagnesiumStainless steelLeather
Both use magnesium, leather

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 YH-5000SE →

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 YH-5000SE

List $4,999.95

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

More head to head