I have been a big fan of Audeze headphones for years and have enjoyed auditioning and reviewing almost everything in their line. Their open-back LCD-X [Tape Op #119] and MM-500 headphones are used daily in my studio for mixing, and I recommend them to anyone looking for an accurate playback complement or alternative, if necessary, to control room monitors. There is some debate on whether you should use open-back headphones when tracking. I do it all the time, and the bleed is negligible when used at a reasonable volume. For example, if a singer brings in their own pair of closed-back headphones and is having pitch issues, I hand them a pair of my open-back Audeze headphones, and more often than not the issue is resolved. Almost everything in the Audeze line of products up to this point has been an open-back planar magnet design, but they are now offering some closed-back designs, such as the LCD-XC and their new, budget-friendly, LCD-S20.
At $499, the LCD-S20 is a planar design that utilizes Audeze’s patent-pending SLAM (symmetric linear acoustic modulator) technology, first introduced in 2024 on their insanely high-end CRBN2 open-back electrostatic headphone. The technology amounts to a series of tuned acoustic chambers to “selectively enhance low frequencies and enable more free and accurate diaphragm movement.” On the LCD-S20’s closed-back design, this tech aims to bring the listener more accurate sound staging with natural and realistic low frequencies.
The LCD-S20s are comfortable. Although there may be some concern that these headphones are heavy, once they are on I almost forget that they are there. They are built on the same chassis as their Maxwell gaming and spatial audio headset and have some cool features such as user-removable/replaceable magnetic earpads – such a great idea! The drivers are a 90 mm planar magnetic design and feature Audeze’s patented Fluxor™ Neodymium N50 magnets, Fazor™ waveguides, and Uniforce™ voice coils. The claimed frequency response is 10 Hz to 40 kHz. Another smart feature is that the LCD-S20 has a single-sided cable that can be connected to either the right or left side of the headphones to accommodate the user's positioning preference.
The LCD-S20s have high-output 18 ohm drivers and should perform just fine with most built-in headphone amps, including mobile devices, laptops, and your favorite interface or mixer. A minimum of 100 mW of power is needed but 250 mW is recommended. For general listening, I auditioned the LCD-S20s with both the Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ [Tape Op #131] and Audeze Deckard [#119] headphone amp/DAC. As I knew, the difference between these and a laptop headphone jack is remarkable.
Since I am accustomed to (and love) Audeze’s open-back headphones, there was a slight adjustment period to get myself tuned in to the LCD-S20s closed-back design. But, after auditioning several albums that I know well, I settled into the sound. The low end on these headphones is focused, firm, and robust, but never felt flabby or over-extended in an artificial way. The soundstage is detailed and spacious, with a precise sense of specific sounds in space. The top end of the LCD-S20s was smooth and exhibited more of a ‘70s hi-fi system vibe when compared to the ultra-revealing reference level high end of the LCD-X and MM-500 models. I mean this in the best way! Very groovy. In terms of the midrange, these headphones lean more towards the sound of the Audeze MM-500, with a more mid-forward sound than the flatter profile of the LCD-X.
In the studio, I used the LCD-S20s with my Crane Song Avocet II [Tape Op #103] monitor controller. For tracking, the isolation was quite good and, as I noticed at home, the imaging was excellent with a full and detailed overall sound. It does make a difference when you track with great-sounding headphones. I like the feeling of “being inside” the record during tracking, and the LCD-S20s delivered on this front. Engineers working in the same room as musicians while recording will appreciate the impressive isolation and detail provided for making choices when dialing in sounds. When checking mixes on the LCD-S20s, with their solid detail, I was able to hear missed or subpar edits. Pan moves felt precise; there was no major perceptible drop-off in frequency response at lower monitoring levels. After a lengthy listening session at moderate volume, I didn’t have the typical ear fatigue I can sometimes experience with other closed-back headphones.
Priced at $499, the Audeze LCD-S20s are an excellent option for engineers, producers, and pleasure listeners alike to step into Audeze products at a reasonable price point. With all of the cool features and options, such as the magnetic replaceable earpads, these headphones are a super good value. You will have to pry my beloved LCD-Xs from my cold, dead hands, but the LCD-S20s will get plenty of use and will be a fantastic option for tracking when no headphone bleed is essential.