The Audeze LCD-S20 vs Beyerdynamic DT 1770 MKII Comparison

SOUNDSTAGE & IMAGING

Closed-back headphones tend to have a narrower soundstage because they get cut off at the ends, but these two headphones present equally wide stereo images. The width presented truly wraps around you, more in the Audeze LCD-S20 than the Beyerdynamic DT 1770 MKII. The Audeze has a very wide soundstage that is flatter than anything. This headphone was advertised as a mixing headphone, and that's exactly what I think of when I use this headphone. There is very little height or depth to show any personality, and while that may make a headphone boring, it instead makes it a great tool for professional use. 

On the other hand, Beyerdynamic has been well-regarded in the audio industry for years, and the DT 770 MKII adds onto that legacy. It has a soundstage that is equally as wide but with more coloration. There are subtle dynamic notes to the top and bottom end, giving you a bit of flair for entertaining listening as much as studio work. There is decent height to the frequencies at the top end, and there is noticeable depth for instrument separation. Imaging accuracy is a strong suit and is comparable to what you would find on the LCD-S20. 

These two headphones offer similar sound signatures, but there are enough distinct qualities in each for you to tell the difference. The LCD-S20 focuses on image placement and tonal accuracy, and leaves nothing up to imagination. The DT 1770 MKII leans into a more fun experience with natural sound reproduction and more dynamics between the highs and lows. 

BASS FREQUENCIES

As we go into the specific frequency ranges, we can pick apart what really sets the LCD-S20 and the DT 1770 MKII apart. To be blunt, Audeze LCD-S20 has no bass. It is severely lacking, so much so that you think there's nothing there at all. However, upon closer inspection, you notice that the S20 bass is there, just very delicately placed behind midrange and treble coloration. People who need to hear some sub-bass rumble will definitely be disappointed by the response from this headphone. On the flip side, you get amazing color and texture from the bass that opens up the possibility of more unique bass tones. You won't miss the twang of a bass or the note of a kick drum, so you can expertly place them into your mix without issue. 

The DT 1770 MKII also doesn't have a lot of bass, but it still has more than the LCD-S20. It is more controlled and punchier, with a thicker body that actually takes up space in a track. You get more drive in this bass and get to feel the beat of a song as well as hear it. The lower register instruments hit harder and have more body to them than you get in the LCD-S20. It doesn't overpower the whole signature, and it isn't super powerful to become overwhelming, but it has just enough presence to be effective and deliver a punch when it needs to. This is good for people who tend to mix bass-heavy: you will be forced to tune it back based on the low register already coming off strongly. 

MIDRANGE FREQUENCIES

Midrange clarity is something both these headphones do well. The Audeze LCD-S20 is exceptionally good at uncovering hidden details that may get lost in other recordings, because the sound is so frontal and ready to be picked apart from the minute you press play. I was impressed by the vocal clarity and how natural everything was, sounding like it was in the room with me and not just being reproduced through headphones. The timbres of instruments were easy ot pick apart as well, and with the imaging accuracy, the LCD-S20 becomes a front-runner for reference sound. 

Similarly, the Beyerdynamic DT 1770 MKII delivers the same stunning precision in the midrange placement. There is excellent sound reproduction to keep instrument timbres honest and natural, so using these headphones in a studio environment makes perfect sense. While there is a good amount of detail in the midrange, it lessens when you put it directly against the LCD-S20. The frequencies don't separate as cleanly as some others, but you still get distinct coloration that helps you in your audio editing. 

TREBLE FREQUENCIES

The treble range is the most noticeable thing in both of these headphones. The LCD-S20 doesn't shy away from a strong treble response, as it helps the detail and space come into this headphone. The top end of the LCD-S20 holds a lot of air and space for frequencies to dissipate naturally, most heard in some orchestral recordings. Some frequencies bordered on too sharp, and without the bass to balance it out, these areas were a little fatiguing at times. Still, the level of detail this range provides cannot be dismissed, as it gives all the qualities a reference headphone should. 

The DT 1770 MKII handles treble frequencies in a more laid-back fashion. While the space and detail are still there, you get less forward presence from the treble frequencies. They line up more with the bass frequencies, filtering just behind the midrange, so you get most of the instrumental detail first with treble highlights. When you look at this side-by-side with the LCD-S20, you may think the DT 1770 MKII is lacking. The treble performance may not be as strong, but it still accentuates the detail in a subtle way without ever getting into "piercing" or "sharp" territory.