OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
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REVIEWS
Scored using Headphones Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Audeze LCD S20 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£440Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Audeze LCD S20 Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Audeze LCD S20
5.7/10

Overall score

Score
5.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 80% of models
Score components

80%

5.9

Technical score

20%

4.8

User score

▼Worse than 80% of headphones
6.4

Value for money

Value for money
6.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 93% of models
Score components

70%

5.7

Overall score

30%

8.2

Price

▼Worse than 93%
5.9

Technical score

Technical score
5.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 50% of models
Score components

52%

7.4

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

4.9

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

5.0

Calls & Controls

▲Better than 50%
4.8

User score

User score
4.8/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 99% of models
Score components

70%

5.6

User ratings

30%

3.0

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
▼Worse than 99%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Audeze LCD S20

Technical score
Technical score
5.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 50% of models
Score components:

52%

7.4

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

4.9

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

5.0

Calls & Controls

5.9
User score
User score
4.8/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 99% of models
Score components

70%

5.6

User ratings

30%

3.0

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
4.8
Popularity
Popularity
3.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 70% of models
Popularity:
Audeze LCD S20 has a popularity score of 3 points, which is lower than that of 69.9% of products in this category.
3.0
Value for money
Value for money
6.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 93% of models
Score components:

70%

5.7

Overall score

30%

8.2

Price

6.4
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
planar
Driver size
90 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 90 mm, larger driver size than 98.3% of headphones and equal to 0.3% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
10 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 10 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 67.2% of headphones and equal to 12.6% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
yes
This pair of headphones includes a boom microphone. 86.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
Show more
Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Audeze
Form factor
over-ear
Weight
550 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 550 g, heavier than 99% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
6.67
Market range: <2.5 – >6.1
This pair of headphones has a clamp force of 6.67, higher clamp force than 93.5% of headphones.
Show more

Audeze LCD S20 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Hi-Res Audio certification
    This pair of headphones has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.1% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
  • 50 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (90 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    90 mm vs 40 mm
  • Spatial audio support
    This pair of headphones supports spatial audio, the average pair of headphones does not. 15.9% of headphones support spatial audio.
  • 20,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (40,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    40,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 8 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    10 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 0.2 % lower distortion
    This pair of headphones has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.1 % vs 0.3 %
  • 1.3 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (2.5 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    2.5 m vs 1.2 m
  • 50x higher input power handling
    This pair of headphones has a higher max input power than the average pair of headphones (5,000 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    5,000 mW vs 100 mW
  • 1.3 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (2.5 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    2.5 m vs 1.2 m
  • 5 mm more spacious earcup height
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup height than the average pair of headphones (65 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    65 mm vs 60 mm
  • Hi-Res Audio certification
    This pair of headphones has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.1% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
  • 50 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (90 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    90 mm vs 40 mm
  • Spatial audio support
    This pair of headphones supports spatial audio, the average pair of headphones does not. 15.9% of headphones support spatial audio.
  • 20,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (40,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    40,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 8 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    10 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 0.2 % lower distortion
    This pair of headphones has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.1 % vs 0.3 %
  • 50x higher input power handling
    This pair of headphones has a higher max input power than the average pair of headphones (5,000 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    5,000 mW vs 100 mW
  • 20 dB higher max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a higher max SPL than the average pair of headphones (130 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    130 dB vs 110 dB
  • Boom microphone included
    This pair of headphones includes a boom microphone, the average pair of headphones does not. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
  • 9 newer release date
    This pair of headphones was released more recently than the average pair of headphones (2025 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    April 2025
    2025 vs 2016
  • 2.52x higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (550 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    550 g vs 218 g
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 9 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (93 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    93 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 2.37 higher clamp force
    This pair of headphones has a higher clamp force than the average pair of headphones (6.7 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    6.67 vs 4.3
  • 66% lower user score
    User score
    4.8/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    ▼
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Audeze LCD S20
    the average pair of headphones
    Audeze LCD S20 has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (4.82 vs 8).
    4.82 vs 8
  • 4.89x more expensive
    Audeze LCD S20 is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£440 vs £90).
    £440 vs £90
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 13% worse value for money
    Audeze LCD S20 has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.43 vs 7.3).
    6.43 vs 7.27
  • 66% lower user score
    User score
    4.8/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    ▼
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Audeze LCD S20
    the average pair of headphones
    Audeze LCD S20 has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (4.82 vs 8).
    4.82 vs 8
  • 4.89x more expensive
    Audeze LCD S20 is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£440 vs £90).
    £440 vs £90
  • 13% worse value for money
    Audeze LCD S20 has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.43 vs 7.3).
    6.43 vs 7.27
  • 96.1% less popular
    Audeze LCD S20 is less popular than the average pair of headphones (2.99 vs 5.9).
    2.99 vs 5.87
  • 2.52x higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (550 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    550 g vs 218 g
  • 2.37 higher clamp force
    This pair of headphones has a higher clamp force than the average pair of headphones (6.7 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    6.67 vs 4.3
  • 9 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (93 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    93 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 10 dB SPL lower sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a lower sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (93 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    93 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

7.0
Reviews By WaveTheory
≈ estimated
11/03/2026
Hands-on review · sound leak test, EQ and comparison
Verdict
Audeze LCD-S20 is only recommended for narrow cases: isolation-focused use with good EQ, not casual enjoyment.
6.0
Mic And Cam
≈ estimated
22/11/2025
Hands-on review · sound tests, comparison and amp pairing
Verdict
Audeze LCD-S20 is a mixed bag: great potential, but only under very specific conditions.
8.0
GadgetryTech
≈ estimated
10/04/2025
Hands-on review · measurements, sound and comparisons
Verdict
Audeze LCD-S20 earns a good spot at its price for strong EQ ability and bass texture, though the tuning is bassy.
Brand video
Shop video
Not graded yet

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Audeze LCD S20

  • Durable, industrial-grade build quality using magnesium, aluminum, and steel
  • Excellent passive noise isolation, making it suitable for studio tracking and recording
  • Neutral and accurate tuning ideal for professional mixing and critical listening
  • Highly detailed midrange and transparent highs with good transient response
  • Low impedance (18 ohms) and high sensitivity make it very easy to drive without a powerful amplifier
  • User-replaceable magnetic earpads that are easy to swap
  • Flexible dual-sided 3.5mm inputs allowing the cable to be connected to either ear cup

What customers don't like about Audeze LCD S20

  • Heavy weight (approx. 550g–600g), which can lead to neck fatigue during long sessions
  • Bass may feel lean or lack 'slam' and impact for casual listeners or bass enthusiasts without EQ
  • Limited and sometimes finicky headband adjustment options compared to competitors
  • Intimate or linear soundstage that can feel flat or lacking depth for a planar headphone
  • Lacks included accessories such as a carrying case or balanced cable
  • Upper midrange can sound forward or 'etched' to some listeners, potentially causing fatigue
  • Stability issues for users with smaller heads; the loose clamping force can make them feel insecure if moving

Verdict

The Audeze LCD-S20 is a professional-grade closed-back planar magnetic headphone designed specifically for studio tracking and mixing, featuring 90mm drivers and patent-pending SLAM technology for enhanced, distortion-free low-end response. It boasts high-efficiency specs including an 18-ohm impedance and 93dB/1mW sensitivity, making it remarkably easy to drive from a wide range of devices, while its construction utilizes premium magnesium, aluminum, and steel for long-term durability. Main pros include its exceptional detail, strong passive noise isolation, and a versatile single-sided cable that can connect to either ear cup. However, some users note significant cons such as its substantial 550g weight which can cause fatigue during long sessions, a somewhat dark treble profile that may lack air, and a limited suspension headband adjustment system.

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