cabling
In cablingAC Senior Editor Harish Jonnalagadda delves into all things hardware, including phones, audio products, storage servers, and networking equipment.
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 Headset. Although I really like the Maxwell 2 and use it a lot, the MM-500 It’s still my go-to option while at my desk.
However, the MM-500 costs $1,699, and if you want Audeze-branded headphones in the neighborhood of $500, the Maxwell 2 and MM-100 They were the only option, until now. Audeze released the LCD-S20 late last year and I’ve been using the headphones for the better part of six months.
The LCD-S20 has planar drivers and even comes with SLAM technology similar to that of the electrostatic CRBN2. which costs $5,999. The best part is that the LCD-S20 costs $499making it one of the most accessible options in the Audeze catalog. Don’t get me wrong; It’s still a lot of money for a headset, but given the drivers, fit, and price, it may be Audeze’s best product in recent years.
The LCD-S20 shares many of the features of the MM-100, including the design. The key difference is that the headphones have a closed-back design and, as a result, do a much better job with isolation and audio leakage.
As with all Audeze headphones, the build quality is excellent. The LCD-S20 is made from a mix of aluminum, magnesium, plastic and steel, and looks like a high-end product. The included earpads are very comfortable, and while I would have preferred more adjustability around the headband, it hasn’t proven to be a problem. The exterior of the headset is finished in fabric, making it easy to distinguish the LCD-S20 from the Maxwell 2.
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In any case, the only problem 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 weight. Yes, the headband does a good job of distributing the weight evenly, but there’s no doubt you’ll notice the weight, especially if you wear it for an extended period of time. After using the LCD-X, LCD-GX, MM-500, MM-100 and Maxwell 2 over the past four years, I’m now used to most of these headphones, but it’s something to consider if you’re looking at the LCD-S20.
It includes the same cable with the LCD-S20 as it does with the MM-100, and it’s a good option. It plugs into either headset, has a 6.35mm jack, and you get a dongle that lets you convert it to a 3.5mm output. There is no cloth case with the LCD-S20, which is a little disappointing, but other than that, I have no problem with the accessories included with the product.
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Sound-wise, the LCD-S20 uses the same 90mm planar drivers as the Maxwell 2, along with N50 neodymium magnets, Fazor waveguides and SLAM technology that delivers cleaner bass. The bass itself is rich and detailed, and although the LCD-S20 has a slight boost to the sub-bass frequencies, they’re still quite controlled. You get attractive bass with lots of bounce and fast transients and in this regard I like it better than the MM-100.
The mids are clean and natural, with vocals shining through the mix. The treble is smooth and, although there is no noticeable lightness, the overall dynamic range is quite 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 weight.
The LCD-S20 has an impedance of 18 Ω and a sensitivity of 93 dB/mW, and you will need a good source to get the most out of the LCD-S20. I used the headphones predominantly with the Fiio K19and did an excellent job unleashing its full potential.
Overall, I quite enjoyed using the LCD-S20. It’s a great addition to Audeze’s catalog and, along with the MM-100 and Maxwell 2, the brand has a decent selection of mid-range products aimed at different use cases.
With exquisite build quality and class-leading flat drivers, the LCD-S20 proves once again that Audeze knows how to deliver a great-sounding pair of studio monitoring headphones.
