Audeze LCD-S20 is a bold step into the closed-back planar magnetic headphones market, which transfers the high-fidelity sound and professional level of engineering of the brand into a design that can be used in tracking, mixing, and critical listening. These headphones are a combination of Audeze high-tech planar magnetic drivers with the latest technology such as SLAM (Symmetric Linear Acoustic Modulator) in order to address the weaknesses of the traditional closed-back designs such as pressure build-up, limited bass, without losing isolation or detail.
Design and Build Quality: Rugged Comfort Studio Practical.
Physically, the LCD-S20 has the solid high-end feel that Audeze has been associated with, made of magnesium, aluminum and steel, all to stand the test of time. The adjustable leather suspension headband and gel-stuffed ear pads are guaranteed to be comfortable to wear most of the day, but the headphones themselves are quite bulky (around 550 g), and could be noticeable to wear if you spend a long time in sessions.
The magnetic earpad system, where users can change or replace the pads casually is one of the considerate touches that can be made in the designer of a phone. The connection by the detachable cable is also bi-directional and flexible in the studio set up.
Although these are not carry-around-sized products, they are obviously functional instead of fashionable, their design is built in such a way that they provide a durable focusing listening device as opposed to a portable one.
Sound Performance: Extravagant, Meticulous, and Untidy.
The sound quality of the LCD-S20, particularly in the studio work, is what makes this device really unique. The headphones provide an extremely low level of distortion with a wide frequency response due to large 90 mm planar magnetic drivers using the Fluxor magnet array and Fazor technology, which provides the headphones with a frequency response of 10 Hz to 40 kHz.
The addition of SLAM technology addresses a typical weakness of closed-back headphones, namely, pressure and resonance in the earcup which may smear low-end response. Rather, the LCD-S20 displays deep, controlled and textured bass without artificial bloating, is still fast and clear.
This pattern of exact reproduction continues into mids and highs, where vocals and instruments are clear and uncolored, so one can more readily make a correct judgment of the mixes. Detail resolution is very high, allowing one to see compression artifacts and mix problems that are obscure to lesser quality headphones.
The soundstage is quite open in a closed design, and despite not being open back wide, it is large enough to keep the sealed headphones in a can not feeling confined.
Use in Practice: Studio and Beyond.
Studio-centric in nature, the LCD-S20 is capable of isolating the sound, which makes it applicable in any scenario where exterior noise would be disturbing. Their active noise-cancellation capabilities can outmatch most of the active noise-cancelling headphones, particularly to constant noise.
With that being said, wireless connectivity or inbuilt communication functionality (and weight) are lacking, which implies that they should not be used on the go but only in regulated settings such as studios or desks. The slam of a bass that is present in consumer equipment may not be perceived by casual listeners.
Final Decision: Almost the Professional Closed-Back Planar.
The Audeze LCD-S20 is able to provide serious performance to anyone that requires the accurate and detailed sound in closed-back format. Its frequency response, low distortion and comfort that are not too studio friendly are features that makes it to be an attractive option to both professionals and audiophiles. Though its design and weight may not be preferred by all, these headphones are one of the more complete closed-back planar headphones available in the market today.
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News Source: Pcmag.com
