Audeze’s most accessible closed-back planar aims big with new ‘Slam’ tech

Audeze’s LCD-S20 brings the company’s planar expertise to a more accessible price, mixing premium bass performance, excellent passive isolation and a uniquely dark, weighty tuning that sets it apart from typical closed-back headphones.

Audeze’s new SLAM front-facing bass port helps unlock deeper, tighter low-end performance without unwanted pressure build-up. Picture: Audeze.

After spending several weeks with the Audeze LCD‑S20, I’ve come away impressed by how much refinement, brute force and tonal personality these closed-back planars deliver for the money. They’re not perfect, but they provide a distinctive listening experience that stands apart in a crowded mid-range market.

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