Audeze announced the new LCD-S20 closed-back headphones, the first planar model from the Californian company featuring their patent-pending SLAM technology for powerful bass response and improved spatial imaging, along with a new magnetic earpad attachment system. At $499, LCD-S20 becomes Audeze’s most affordable LCD headphones, appealing to a whole new group of content producers, musicians, and music enthusiasts that always admired the planar magnetic products from the manufacturer.
The new LCD-S20 headphones are representative of Audeze’s evolution since it joined Sony Interactive Entertainment – the Sony division responsible for the PlayStation products family – and undertook a major expansion of its volume production capabilities in its facilities located in Santa Ana (Orange County). Now able to create highly consistent planar magnetic drivers in larger volumes at lower cost, Audeze is also able to leverage the maturity of its designs and available industrial resources to create specific solutions that appeal greatly to its original market of musicians, producers, and audiophiles. With the LCD-S20 closed-back headphones, Audeze delivers a great solution for those in need of acoustic isolation to access the brand’s studio-trusted sound quality.
SLAM, short for symmetric linear acoustic modulator, is a technology Audeze introduced on their flagship CRBN2 electrostatic headphones in 2024, which uses precisely tuned acoustic channels to selectively enhance low frequencies and enable more linear, accurate diaphragm movement. Now featured on a planar magnetic headphone design for the first time, SLAM allows the LCD-S20 to deliver a richer, more lifelike low end, and more accurate fine detail for precise soundstage presentation compared to similar closed-back headphones.
“With the LCD-S20, we’re bringing Audeze’s renowned studio-quality sound to a broader audience without compromising on innovation or performance. The integration of our SLAM technology is a leap forward in both audio fidelity and user experience,” says Audeze CEO, Sankar Thiagasamudram. “LCD-S20 is not just an entry point into the Audeze family; it’s a testament to our commitment to making world-class audio accessible to everyone, from budding musicians to seasoned audiophiles,” he adds.
The new LCD-S20 headphones are also designed for long-term user comfort and convenience, with supple, supportive user-replaceable synthetic leather earpads and head strap. These are the first Audeze headphones to use a new magnetic earpad attachment system that allows users to quickly and easily swap or replace the earpads. Additionally, the LCD-S20 features a detachable single-sided cable that users can connect to either the left or right earcup to optimize the cable routing for their individual uses.
The LCD-S20 is built on a proven Audeze chassis that debuted with the popular Maxwell headset in 2022 – a gaming design that is the highest volume produced by the company, achieving also its highest levels of reliability and economies of scale. The design features a spring-steel headband, forged aluminum yolks, and high-strength glass-infused nylon parts. In this particular model, the earcups are wrapped in a sophisticated woven cloth for a high-end finish. The 90mm planar magnetic drivers are all built in Audeze’s highly automated California factory and feature patented innovations including Fluxor magnets, Fazor waveguides, and Uniforce voice coils which help ensure that LCD-S20 delivers the accurate, ultra-low distortion sound quality that Audeze is known for.
The LCD-S20 headphones are large over-ears that will be too large and still too heavy (550g) for the average consumer, but will no doubt appeal to all those who appreciate and recognize the quality of build and the unique planar magnetic technology from Audeze. For all those, the affordable closed-back model will be the best option ever available from the brand. The LCD-S20 headphones retail for $499 and are available now.
www.audeze.com
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