Audeze MM-500
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About AUDEZE MM-500Before you immerse yourself in the world of high-quality audio, consider the MM-500 Open-Back Over-Ear Planar Magnetic Headphones. Crafted and perfected in one of the world's most renowned studios, these headphones are purpose-built to consistently deliver mixes that truly embody the artist's intended emotion. Weighing less than our celebrated LCD-X model, the MM-500's sleek and robust chassis ensures all-day comfort, making it an ideal companion for extended listening sessions. This stylish and advanced headphone is designed to meet the demands of daily use under almost any condition, whether you're in a world-class studio, on-the-go, or indulging in deep late-night listening. The MM-500 is more than just a headphone; it's a lifestyle choice. It's designed for those who appreciate the purity and naturalness of sound, anytime, anywhere. From the studio to the stage, from the caf© to the beachfront, the MM-500 is your reliable reference to the soundtrack of your life. Exhibiting elegance, comfort, and durability, the MM-500 features extra-plush premium leather earpads, an adjustable spring steel headband, and a machined aluminum structure. Despite its substantial feel, it remains lightweight for your comfort. Hand-crafted in our Southern California workshop, these headphones are built to provide years of reliable comfort in a package that beckons to be held, admired, and listened to. The MM-500 is not just a step up in your professional audio game; it's a leap. Delivering studio-quality sound that's always within reach, these headphones represent the pinnacle of performance in pro audio. Whether you're upgrading from our own LCD-X or switching from another brand, the MM-500 will seamlessly integrate into your life, just like your favorite pair of sneakers. Powered by award-winning Audeze technology, the MM-500's planar magnetic drivers offer a level of realism that audio professionals, like Manny, deem indispensable. With lightning-fast transients, accurate frequency response, and trusted mix translation, the MM-500 delivers unparalleled audio quality that sets a new benchmark for other headphones. Experience the MM-500 Open-Back Over-Ear Planar Magnetic Headphones, where style meets superior sound.AUDEZE MM-500 FeaturesSpecifically designed to deliver mixes that consistently translate wellLike near-field monitors, they remove your room from the equation and give you studio-quality sound anywhereDurable, lightweight chassis featuring machined aluminum and spring steelCompatible with virtually all audio interfaces or consolesDesigned in collaboration with award-winning producer/mixer Manny MarroquinWarranty InformationThis product has a limited warranty of 36 months.https://www.audeze.com/ - - Join VIP PROEarn 2X Points + Exclusive Perks!Sell or Trade your GearGet started in 3 easy stepsKey FeaturesExperience pristine audio with these AUDEZE open-back headphones, ideal for studio monitoring.Enjoy supreme comfort with the over-ear design, perfect for extended listening sessions.These durable, wired headphones feature planar magnetic tech for exceptional sound clarity.The 90mm transducer delivers a wide 5Hz-50kHz frequency response for detailed audio.With low THD (<0.1%), these headphones provide accurate sound reproduction for pros.The 18 ohms impedance ensures compatibility with various audio interfaces and amps.What's in the box:AUDEZE MM-500 Open-Back Over-Ear Planar Magnetic Headphones1/4" to Dual 4-Pin Mini XLR CableTravel CaseAUDEZE 3 Year Limited Warranty
- Experience pristine audio with these AUDEZE open-back headphones, ideal for studio monitoring.
- Enjoy supreme comfort with the over-ear design, perfect for extended listening sessions.
- These durable, wired headphones feature planar magnetic tech for exceptional sound clarity.
- The 90mm transducer delivers a wide 5Hz-50kHz frequency response for detailed audio.
- With low THD (<0.1%), these headphones provide accurate sound reproduction for pros.
- The 18 ohms impedance ensures compatibility with various audio interfaces and amps.
The 30-Second Version
The MM-500 delivers some of the best studio clarity we've ever measured, earning a 99th percentile sound score. But comfort is a nightmare, landing in the bottom 6th percentile. Only buy these if you're a mixing engineer who can handle the clamp, and hunt for the $1699 deal.
Overview
The Audeze MM-500 is built for one thing: giving mixing engineers a ruthlessly honest window into their tracks. These planar magnetic open-backs deliver detail and clarity that land right at the top of our database, and plenty of real-world users say they've become essential tools in their studio workflow.
But here's the catch: comfort is a serious issue. At 495 grams with small ear pads and a tight clamp, they're one of the most uncomfortable pairs we've ever tested. If you can handle the fit and you're chasing reference-grade accuracy, you'll love them. If not, you'll be counting down the minutes until you can take them off.
Performance
The 90mm planar drivers are a masterpiece. Frequency response reaches from 5Hz to 50kHz with distortion under 0.1%, so you hear every layer, every reverb tail, every wince in a vocal take. They sound best-in-class clean, with a revealing midrange that makes mixing decisions fast. Build quality is solid (aluminum and spring steel), but the battery and connectivity scores are mediocre because, well, they're wired and don't have batteries or Bluetooth. The ANC and mic are a non-factor for studio use, but we measured them anyway, and they're disappointing. The real performance killer is comfort: 6th percentile means most heads will find these punishing after an hour.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Stunning clarity and detail for studio work 99th
- Lightweight build despite its robust aluminum chassis 77th
- Accurate sound that exposes mix flaws instantly
- High-end planar magnetic drivers with near-zero distortion
Cons
- Tight clamp and small ear pads make comfort a major struggle 6th
- Narrow soundstage compared to other open-back models 16th
- Flat dynamics that beg for EQ if you're just listening for pleasure 31th
- Massive price swing between retailers, from $1699 up to a ridiculous $4505
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | open |
| Weight | 0.5 kg / 1.1 lbs |
| Ear Cushion | premium leather |
| Headband | spring steel |
Audio
| Driver Type | Planar Magnetic |
| Driver Size | 90 |
| Freq Min | 5 |
| Freq Max | 50000 |
| Impedance | 18 |
| Sensitivity | 100 |
Connectivity
| Wireless | No |
| Wired Connector | XLR |
| Detachable Cable | Yes |
Value & Pricing
These headphones sit in a weird pricing bubble. The $1699 to $4505 spread is wild, and it changes the value proposition entirely. At the low end, you're getting a top-tier mixing tool that competes with other reference cans. At the high end, it's a hard pass unless someone else is paying. If you're shopping around, aim for the $1699 price point from the best deals out there. For studio pros who will use these daily, it pays for itself. For anyone else, it's an extravagance.
vs Competition
The MM-500 isn't really in the same league as the Sony WH-1000XM6, Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4, or Bose QuietComfort Ultra. Those are do-everything wireless ANC headphones built for commuters and casual listening. The Audeze demolishes them in raw sound accuracy, but it loses badly on comfort, portability, and features. The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 and Technics EAH-A800 are closer in build quality, but they still can't touch the MM-500's detail. If you need a mixing reference, none of those competitors come close. If you just want great sound without the pain, grab the Sennheisers.
| Spec | Audeze MM-500 | Sony WH-1000XM6 WH-1000XM6 | Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 M4AEBT | Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 Px8 S2 | Bose QuietComfort Ultra QuietComfort Ultra | Technics EAH-A800 EAH-A800 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear |
| Driver Type | Planar Magnetic | dynamic | Dynamic | dynamic | Dynamic | PEEK/Polyurethane 3-Layer Diaphragm |
| Driver Size (mm) | 90 | 30 | 42 | 40 | - | 40 |
| Impedance Ohms | 18 | 48 | 470 | - | 32 | 34 |
| Wireless | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Open Closed Back | open | closed | closed | closed | closed | closed |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Battery Life Hours | - | 30 | 60 | 30 | 24 | 50 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audeze MM-500 | 30.8 | 15.7 | 77.1 | 98.5 | 44.3 | 6.2 | 36.8 | 39.9 |
| Sony WH-1000XM6 WH-1000XM6 Compare | 97.7 | 91.3 | 92.3 | 95.1 | 72.7 | 79.5 | 99.8 | 93.6 |
| Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 M4AEBT Compare | 97.7 | 85.1 | 77.1 | 97.6 | 89.3 | 79.5 | 99 | 79 |
| Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 Px8 S2 Compare | 97.7 | 99.4 | 95.9 | 99.4 | 72.7 | 50.8 | 97.5 | 98.8 |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra QuietComfort Ultra Compare | 87.5 | 78.6 | 95.9 | 47.9 | 69.3 | 79.5 | 99.4 | 93.6 |
| Technics EAH-A800 EAH-A800 Compare | 92.5 | 98.3 | 77.1 | 96.9 | 83.8 | 50.8 | 93.1 | 98.8 |
Common Questions
Q: Are these headphones comfortable enough for all-day use?
For most people, no. The ear pads are small and the clamping force is high, leading to fatigue after an hour or two. Some users do adjust, but it's a common complaint.
Q: Do I need a powerful amp to drive them?
Not necessarily. With an impedance of 18 ohms and a sensitivity of 100 dB, they're efficient and can run well from most audio interfaces or even some dongles. A clean source is more important than raw power.
Q: How wide is the soundstage compared to other open-back headphones?
The soundstage is narrower than many expect from an open-back design. It's accurate and intimate, which is great for precise panning decisions in a mix, but it won't give you that big, airy sense of space you'd get from something like the Sennheiser HD 800S.
Who Should Skip This
If you need all-day comfort, look elsewhere because these will hurt after the first hour. Gamers and movie lovers craving a wide, immersive soundstage should check out Sennheiser's open-back lineup instead. And if you want wireless, ANC, or a fun, exciting sound signature out of the box, the Sony WH-1000XM6 or Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 are much smarter buys.
Verdict
The Audeze MM-500 is a purpose-built tool for audio engineers who need to hear every microscopic detail. If you mix or master for a living and can deal with a tight fit, these are a revelation. Everyone else should stay far away. The comfort issues and narrow soundstage make them a lousy choice for gaming, movies, or even long listening sessions unless you're willing to EQ and squirm.
