April 10, 2025 | Written by Fc-Construct

Release Summary

Audeze has just announced the release of their newest headphone, the Audeze LCD-S20 at $499. It is a closed-back planar headphone that features Audeze’s SLAM technology for extended, dynamic bass that was first introduced in their flagship electrostatic CRBN2. It is marketed as a tracking headphone for use in recording sessions. It is available now for purchase and will ship in early May 2025.

Like many other Audeze headphones, it utilizes their 90 mm planar magnetic driver and the headband uses the MM-100 and Maxwell style suspension strap with seven adjustment steps in total. But unlike the other Audeze headphones, the LCD-S20 utilizes magnetic earpads for easy replacement and customization. 

For build and specs, the LCD-S20 weighs 550 g and is built with magnesium, aluminum, and steel. It features single 3.5 mm entry on either cup. It has an impedance of 18 Ohms and a sensitivity of 93 dB/1mW.

Link to the press release: https://www.audeze.com/products/lcd-s20 

Reviewer Commentary

Audeze is a familiar name in the headphone hobby. They’ve built a reputation on their high end planar headphones, and have become the biggest Western planar headphone manufacturer. Audeze’s success has led to two major developments:

1. The split of their product lines between Audiophile, Professional, and Gaming.
2. The acquisition of Audeze by Sony Interactive Entertainment on Aug 2023.

It was the extreme success of the Audeze Maxwell gaming headset that led to Audeze’s acquisition, and many speculated that Audeze would shift significant focus into the gaming market. However, beyond manufacturing the Sony’s PULSE Elite and Explore gaming headphones and earbuds, Audeze has ostensibly remained the same company they were before. Instead of new gaming products, Audeze has marched forward with the Audiophile and Professional headphones with the electrostatic CRBN2 and aforementioned MM-100 respectively.

Audeze LCD-S20. Credit to Audeze.

The release of the LCD-S20 reinforces this trend. Falling under the Professional category, it has a rather specific marketing pitch of being a tracking headphone for studio recordings. Specifically, Audeze emphasizes the isolation of the LCD-S20 to avoid microphone bleeding and bass extension of its SLAM technology for better instrument accuracy. Presumably, the hot-swappable earpads and 3.5 mm connection on either cup were conveniences made for the studio.

Personally, I find the LCD-S20 a bit of an odd release. It’s not so much the price or the sound quality that I question; Audeze has generally put out good sounding headphones and $499 isn’t too outrageous for a professional or audiophile level product. However, it seems to me that the LCD-S20 was made to solve an already solved problem. Closed back studio headphones already exist in the market, with the Sony MDR-7506 being the most famous example. Alternatively, if enhanced isolation and bass extension is what you’re after, in-ear monitors (IEMs) will often outperform headphones due to the seal that can be achieved.

Audeze LCD-S20. Credit to Audeze.

But more than the market positioning of the LCD-S20, I question its practicality. At 550 g, this is a heavy headphone. For reference, the MDR-7506 is less than half at 220 g. Audeze’s closest product comparison is the closed-back gaming-focused Audeze Maxwell, and that comes in at 490 g. I’ve reviewed the Maxwell in the past, and while it is an excellent headphone, the weight was one of my primary complaints. It can become uncomfortable over long periods.

In addition, the use of the Maxwell and MM-100 style suspension strap is a concern. The strap has a narrow footprint, meaning less surface area to spread the weight around and leading to pressure spots on the head. There also isn’t much range of adjustment with this headband, making for a potentially awkward fit. Lastly, the size of planar drivers and closed back cups means that this will be a bulky headphone, making it more prone to sliding around on your head while moving.  In other words, I suspect users may need to hold up the LCD-S20 with their hands during a recording session to ensure it stays on. 

Audeze LCD-S20. Credit to Audeze.

All that said, from an enthusiast standpoint, I celebrate the announcement of the LCD-S20. The closed-back headphone market has recently been reinvigorated with the release of headphones like the FiiO FT1 ($150) and Focal Azurys ($600) adding great options to a previously stagnant space. I look forward to seeing impressions and frequency response measurements.

At the moment, there are no plans from the Headphones.com team to cover the LCD-S20 as we have not received a review unit. However, stay tuned to The Headphone Show and join us over at the Headphones Community forum for more information and discussion on headphones, in-ear monitors, and other audio products.