hardwired
In Hardwired, AC senior editor Harish Jonnalagadda takes an in-depth look at all things hardware, including phones, audio products, storage servers, and networking gear.
Audeze knows how to make a good pair of headphones, and the Sony-owned brand has diversified over the past two years, primarily with the introduction of the Maxwell and new Maxwell 2 gaming headsets. While I love the Maxwell 2 and use it extensively, the MM-500 remains my go-to choice whenever I’m at my desk.
However, the MM-500 costs $1,699, and if you want Audeze-branded headphones around $500, the Maxwell 2 and MM-100 were the only options – until now. Audeze launched the LCD-S20 late last year, and I’ve been using the headphones most of the time for the past six months.
The LCD-S20 has planar drivers and comes with the same SLAM technology as the electrostatic CRBN2, which is priced at $5,999. The best thing is that LCD-S20 comes in at $499Which makes it one of the most accessible options in Audeze’s catalogue. Don’t get me wrong; That’s still a lot of cash for a headset, but considering the drivers, tuning, and price, this might be the best Audeze product in recent years.
The LCD-S20 shares many of the same features as the MM-100, including the design. The main difference is that the headphones have a closed-back design, and it does a much better job with isolation and audio leakage as a result.
Like all Audeze headphones, the build quality is excellent. The LCD-S20 is made from a mix of aluminum, magnesium, plastic, and steel, and it feels like a high-end product in every way. The bundled ear pads are supremely comfortable, and while I would have preferred more adjustment around the headband, this hasn’t proven to be a problem. The exterior of the ear cups is made of fabric, and this allows you to easily distinguish the LCD-S20 from the Maxwell 2.
image 1 Of 6
If anything, my only problem with the LCD-S20 is the weight. At 550 grams, this is one of the heaviest headphones in this category, and you will feel that heaviness. Yes, the headband does a good job of distributing the weight evenly, but you’ll no doubt notice the weight — especially if you’re using it for long periods of time. Having used the LCD-X, LCD-GX, MM-500, MM-100 and Maxwell 2 over the past four years, I’ve now become used to the greatness of these headphones, but if you’ve got your eye on the LCD-S20 it’s worth considering.
You get the same cable with the LCD-S20 as you do with the MM-100, and it’s a nice option. It connects to any ear cup, has a 6.35mm connector, and you get a dongle that lets you convert it to 3.5mm out. There is no cloth carrying case with the LCD-S20, which is a bit disappointing, but other than that, I have no issues with the accessories that come with the product.
image 1 Of 3
Speaking of sound, the LCD-S20 uses the same 90mm planar drivers as the Maxwell 2, along with neodymium N50 magnets, phaser waveguides and SLAM technology that provides a cleaner low-end. The bass itself is rich and detailed, and even though the LCD-S20 has a slight increase in sub-bass frequencies, it’s still quite controlled. You get a punchy bass with plenty of liveliness and punch, and in this regard I find it better than the MM-100.
The mids are clean and natural, letting the vocals shine in the mix. The treble is smooth, and although you don’t get airiness, the overall dynamic range is very good. The soundstage and tuning make the LCD-S20 a good choice for casual listening as well as studio monitoring – if you don’t mind the heaviness.
The LCD-S20 has 18Ω impedance and 93dB/mW sensitivity, and you’ll need a good source to get the most out of the LCD-S20. I mainly used headphones The Fiio K19, and it did an excellent job of unleashing its full potential.
Overall, I quite enjoyed using the LCD-S20. This is a great addition to Audeze’s catalogue, and with the MM-100 and Maxwell 2, the brand has a good selection of mid-range products for a variety of use cases.
With excellent build quality and class-leading planar drivers, the LCD-S20 once again prove that Audeze knows how to deliver a pair of great-sounding studio monitoring headphones.
