- Audeze LCD-S20 are its cheapest planar magnetic headphones
- Closed, with Slam Tech for Big Bass
- Available from May 2025, for £ 499 / $ 499 (about $ 1,045 in)
There are two things that I know how to be true: planar magnetic headphones seem fantastic, and the planar magnetic headphones are often terribly expensive. But the newly announced LCD-S20 headphones from Audeze are a fraction of the price of flagship cans of the same company, only £ 499 / $ 499 / approximately $ 1,045 in.
It is always at high prices among the best wired headphones, but these could be excellent: we have examined the magnetic headphones planaries of Audeze, the LCD-X of Audeze, and we thought that they were phenomenal (and heavy, something of an Audeze tradition: these new headphones are 550 g).
We have said that “the LCD-X screen is displayed with some of the best dynamic market drivers without sweating”. I am therefore intrigued by the new LCD-S20, which promise similar sounds for much less money.
Audeze LCD-S20: key features
Audeze’s LCD-S20 headphones are closed models, which means that they will passively block a certain exterior, and they are the first planar headphones to obtain Audeze’s Slam technology. This runs for the symmetrical linear acoustic modulator and we saw it for the first time in the flagship product – and almost $ 6,000 / £ 4.5,000 – CRBN2 electrostatic headphones last year.
Slam uses finely adjusted acoustic channels to provide a more linear linear diaphragm movement, and according to Audeze, this means a considerably improved and more precise bass as well as better imagery. The promise here is something closer to open sonics with closed isolation.
The pilots are 90 mm and have a trio of Auze technologies: Fluxor magnets, Fazor waves guides and Uniforce vocal coils which “provide the precise and ultra-faible distortion sound quality for which Audeze is known”.
The chassis is based on that of the Maxwell helmet and has a spring banner, forged aluminum yellows and nylon parts infused with high resistance glass.
The LCD-S20 screen is the first Audeze helmet with a new listening magnetic fixing system that allows you to exchange or replace quickly or replace the ears. And the cable is detachable and swapable between the left and the right according to your configuration.
They released in May 2025, and we can’t wait to compare them to the best over -ear headphones – we love a plan plan.
