Audeze LCD-S20

The "LCD" Precision Finally in a Closed-Back Version, Geared Toward Production

The LCD-S20 carries the DNA of the studio-oriented planar headphones from the LCD line, with a clear goal: to offer a closed-back listening experience capable of maintaining a stable image and reliable signature, while providing truly usable isolation in recording situations. This approach makes it a relevant alternative when you want detailed reproduction and solid bass performance without relying on an acoustically treated room or sacrificing sound confidentiality in booths, home studios, or on the go.

For Tracking, Monitoring, and Challenging Environments

The LCD-S20 is aimed at engineers, producers, musicians, and creators who need precise and isolating monitoring headphones. In tracking, its bidirectional passive noise reduction limits bleed and helps maintain clean takes, even with sensitive microphones. In editing, broadcast, or mobile post-production, its low distortion and clarity in the low end facilitate decisions on transients, kick/bass balance, and intelligibility at comfortable and realistic listening levels.

Planar Technologies and Design Focused on Clarity

90 mm Planar Driver: Coherence, Speed, and Micro-Dynamics

At the heart of the LCD-S20, the 90 mm planar magnetic driver emphasizes temporal coherence and attack precision. The ultra-thin Uniforce diaphragm, combined with the Fluxor magnet array and Fazor waveguides, aims for a refined phase response and a stable image. The result is particularly useful for controlling stereophony, depth, reverberation, and transient clarity without any sense of compression during dense passages.

SLAM: Low-End That Goes Deep Without Masking the Mix

The SLAM acoustic management focuses on the bass register: it provides foundation and impact while avoiding the "bloated" effect that can mislead balance decisions. For studio work, this is a direct advantage: you can set the kick drum level, the length of an 808, or the sustain of an electric bass with more confidence, even as volume increases.

Long-Session Comfort and Quick Maintenance

The construction combining magnesium, aluminum, and steel is designed to last in a production environment. The adjustable leather suspension headband improves weight distribution, and the soft gel-filled ear pads promote good sealing over long sessions. The magnetically attached ear cups simplify maintenance and customization: quick replacement, clean handling, and immediate reassembly. The cable's ability to connect on either the left or right side also allows adapting the setup to the workstation.

Efficiency and Dynamic Headroom According to the Source

With an impedance of 18 ohms and a sensitivity of 93 dB/1 mW, the LCD-S20 remains easy to drive daily with most audio interfaces and mixers. To fully exploit dynamic range and transient control, a recommended power above 250 mW allows accessing greater headroom, especially on mixes rich in sub-bass or highly dynamic takes.

Technical specifications

Style	On-ear, closed-back	Sensitivity	93 dB/1 mW (at drum reference point)
Driver Type	Planar magnetic	Maximum Power	5 W RMS
Magnetic Structure	Fluxor magnet array	Minimum Required Power	> 100 mW
Magnet Type	Neodymium N50	Recommended Power Level	> 250 mW
Phase Management	Fazor	Materials	Magnesium, aluminum, and steel
Acoustic Management	SLAM	Ear Cups	Magnetic attachment, soft gel-filled pads
Diaphragm Type	Ultra-thin Uniforce	Headband	Adjustable leather suspension
Driver Size	90 mm	Cable Connection	Both sides (left or right)
Maximum SPL	> 120 dB	Weight	550 g
Frequency Response	10 Hz - 40 kHz	Shipping Weight	3 lbs.
THD	< 0.1% @ 100 dB SPL, 1 kHz	Package Dimensions	9.5 L x 10 H x 5 W in.
Impedance	18 ohms