Audeze doesn’t need to reinvent itself every year to stay relevant, but it rarely stands still. At AXPONA 2026 in Chicago, the California headphone maker drew steady traffic in the Ear Gear section with a lineup that spans both audiophile and gaming use, anchored by its expanding use of SLAM technology across multiple models.
The booth stayed busy for a reason. Audeze is not chasing trends. It is refining its own approach, and listeners showed up to hear how that translates across a broader range of headphones rather than a single headline product.
At the top of the range, Audeze CRBN2 and Audeze LCD-5s were both on hand and available for extended listening. We’ve already given both models Editors’ Choice Awards, and neither required much debate to get there. They take different paths to a similar destination.
The CRBN2 leans into a more forward presentation with added energy through the upper mids and lower treble, which gives it a sense of immediacy and openness that works well with detail-heavy material. The LCD-5s pulls things back slightly through the midrange, sounding more relaxed and a bit more natural over longer sessions without losing resolution.
Both now incorporate Audeze’s SLAM technology, which increases airflow and adds low-end weight without stepping on the rest of the frequency range. That matters. Electrostatic and planar designs have long carried a reputation for being light in the bass, and this feels like a direct response to that criticism. The added presence down low brings better balance without turning either headphone into something it isn’t.
I asked Karlee Little about a possible trade-up program for existing LCD-5 owners. The answer was polite but clear. Demand for current production is already high, and keeping up with orders is the priority. If anything like that happens, it won’t be anytime soon.
Custom Maxwell 2 Builds?
The Audeze Maxwell 2 was being demonstrated with both gaming systems and standard audio setups, and it rarely sat idle. The mix of listeners and gamers cycling through made it clear that Audeze understands where the volume is in today’s market.
I’ve had a pair on my desk for a few weeks, and the updates are not subtle. It builds on what was already one of the more compelling options at its price point with refinements that make it easier to recommend beyond just gaming use.
Audeze was also using the show to gather feedback on its new interchangeable faceplate concept, the reSkin program. Four gaming-inspired designs were on display, with more potentially on the way depending on response. Attendees were actively voting on which designs should come first, which is a smart way to avoid guessing wrong.
For context, Editor in-Chief Ian White and Editor at-Large Chris Boylan were shown early sample cup covers at CanJam NYC 2026, but Audeze asked us to hold off on sharing details until the program was finalized. What we saw in Chicago looks more like a controlled rollout than an experiment.
A full custom upload option where users submit their own graphics would make this far more interesting. Whether Audeze wants to deal with that level of complexity is another question. For now, the four designs on display are the starting point.
LCD-S20 Brings SLAM to the Studio
The fourth model incorporating SLAM is the Audeze LCD-S20, a closed-back design that Audeze had pulling double duty at AXPONA 2026. We were loaned four pairs for use at the podcast booth, and they were also available for demo on the show floor.
In a space that was anything but quiet, the LCD-S20 proved its value quickly. Isolation was the standout. Even with a steady wall of background noise, voices came through cleanly without needing to crank levels or fight the environment. Our producer kept pushing us to get closer to the mic to cut through the noise, but the headphones were already doing most of that work.
This model slots into Audeze’s studio lineup alongside the Manny Marroquin series and LCD-X variants, offering a closed-back alternative at roughly the same price point as the open-back MM-100. That alone makes it worth paying attention to. There aren’t many options in this range that aim for a reference tuning while also addressing real-world recording conditions.
Build quality is another strong point. The LCD-S20 feels durable without becoming a burden during long sessions. There was even some joking about dropping a pair off a third-floor balcony, which the rep didn’t exactly discourage. We didn’t test that theory, but the reaction said enough. Audeze seems confident these will hold up under normal use, and then some.
The Bottom Line
Audeze doesn’t operate on a fixed script, and that’s part of the appeal. One minute it’s solving niche problems like medical applications, the next it’s refining products aimed at gamers and studio users.
Based on what was shown and discussed at AXPONA 2026, SLAM looks less like a feature and more like a direction. It’s already spreading across multiple models, and there are few obvious scenarios where added airflow and improved low-end balance would be a drawback.
Beyond that, the roadmap is exactly what you’d expect from Audeze. It depends on what users ask for and what the engineering team decides is worth chasing. So far, that combination has produced a wide range of headphones that don’t all sound the same and don’t all chase the same audience. That’s not an accident.
Sony knew exactly what it was buying when it acquired Audeze, and from what we’ve seen up close, there’s no sign they intend to interfere with that momentum. As long as models like the Maxwell 2 and its collaborative offshoots keep moving in serious volume, Audeze has the room to keep pushing headphone design forward. That’s where things get interesting.
Where to buy:
- Audeze LCD-S20 – $499 at Amazon
- Audeze Maxwell 2 (PS5) – $329 at Amazon
- Audeze Maxwell 2 (Xbox) – $349 at Crutchfield
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