Hardwired
In Hardwired, AC Senior Editor Harish Jonnalagadda delves into 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 in the last two years, mainly with the introduction of the Maxwell and the new Maxwell 2 gaming headsets. While I like the Maxwell 2 a lot and use it extensively, the MM-500 continues to be my go-to choice while I’m at my desk.
However, the MM-500 costs $1,699, and if you want Audeze-branded headphones in the vicinity of $500, the Maxwell 2 and MM-100 were the only option — until now. Audeze rolled out the LCD-S20 at the end of last year, and I’ve been using the headphones for most of the last six months.
The LCD-S20 has planar drivers and even comes with similar SLAM tech as the electrostatic CRBN2, which costs $5,999. The best part is that the LCD-S20 comes in at $499, making it one of the most accessible options in Audeze’s catalog. Don’t get me wrong; that’s still a lot of cash towards a headset, but given the drivers, tuning, and the price, it may just be the best Audeze product in recent years.
The LCD-S20 shares a lot of the same characteristics of the MM-100, including the design. The key difference is that the headphone has a closed-back design, and it does a much better job with isolation and audio leakage as a result.
As with all Audeze headphones, build quality is excellent. The LCD-S20 is made out of a mix of aluminum, magnesium, plastic, and steel, and it feels every bit like a high-end product. The bundled ear pads are highly comfortable, and while I would’ve preferred greater adjustability around the headband, it hasn’t proven to be a problem. The outside of the ear cup is finished in fabric, and this allows you to easily distinguish the LCD-S20 from the Maxwell 2.
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If anything, the only issue I have with the LCD-S20 is the weight. At 550g, it’s one of the heaviest headphones in this category, and you’ll feel that heft. Yes, the headband does a good job distributing the heft evenly, but there’s no doubting that you’ll notice the weight — particularly if you’re using it for an extended amount of time. After using the LCD-X, LCD-GX, MM-500, MM-100, and the Maxwell 2 over the last four years, I’m now used to the bulk of these headphones, but it is something to consider if you’re eyeing the LCD-S20.
You get the same cable bundled with the LCD-S20 as the MM-100, and it is a good choice. It connects to either ear cup, has a 6.35mm connector, and you get a dongle that lets you convert it to 3.5mm out. There’s no cloth carrying case with the LCD-S20, which is a bit of a letdown, but other than that, I don’t have any issues with the accessories bundled with the product.
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Coming to the sound, the LCD-S20 uses the same 90mm planar drivers as the Maxwell 2, alongside Neodymium N50 magnets, Fazor waveguides, and SLAM tech that delivers a cleaner low-end. The bass itself is rich and detailed, and even though the LCD-S20 has a slight boost in the sub-bass frequencies, it is still quite controlled. You get an engaging bass with plenty of vibrancy and fast transients, and I like it better than the MM-100 in this regard.
Mids are clean and natural, with vocals shining in the mix. The treble is smooth, and while you don’t quite get the airiness, overall dynamic range is pretty good. The soundstage and tuning makes the LCD-S20 a good choice for casual listening as well as studio monitoring — if you don’t mind the heft.
The LCD-S20 has 18Ω impedance and 93dB/mW sensitivity, and you’ll need a good source to make the most of the LCD-S20. I used the headphone predominantly with the Fiio K19, and it did an excellent job unlocking its full potential.
Overall, I enjoyed using the LCD-S20 quite a bit. It’s a great addition to Audeze’s catalog, and alongside the MM-100 and the Maxwell 2, the brand has a decent selection of mid-range products aimed at different use cases.
With exquisite build quality and class-leading planar drivers, the LCD-S20 prove once again that Audeze knows how to deliver a pair of great-sounding studio monitoring headphones.