Previously, our only experience with planar magnetic headphones was an older review we conducted using Audeze’s own LCD-XC headphones, which featured super stylish carbon fiber earcups and some of the best sound reproduction we’ve ever experienced in the studio.
Now that we’ve had a chance to audition and test out the latest addition to the MM series (produced in conjunction with Manny Marroquin), we are confident in saying that these best the LCD-XC experience in every way. Sure, they’re a bit pricier, so you’d expect that, but every aspect of the listening (and wearing) experience has received an upgrade.
To start, how do they feel? Comfort is important and crucial for long studio sessions, These are billed as studio reference headphones, after all, so they’ve got to prove their worth after an all-day tracking session or late-night mixes. Thankfully, we felt far less fatigue than other headphones in this class. To be upfront, yes, they might be a bit heavier than what you’re used to. That’s been our experience all around with each of the planar magnetic headphones we’ve tested since our original run-though with Audeze, but not really much more so than comparable cans in the same price range or features-category. If you’re sensitive to that, Audeze does offer lighter headphone options, but you’ll be trading a bit of sound quality so weigh (no pun intended) the decision carefully.
So yes, you might feel them (or at least be aware of their presence) a bit more than standard consumer-grade studio headphones, but the adjustable headband is super-comfy even after a few hours, and the wight is less noticeable than our initial review of the LCD-XC models.
What’s most important, though, is of course the audio quality. For our testing purposes, we threw a bunch of stuff at the MM500’s to see how they fared in a variety of settings. Nothing was off limits, and no genre was left off the table. We listened back to vinyl, CD and hi-res streams of hip-hop, classical, hard bop classics and new indie and alternative cuts to really get a sense for how the MM-500s fared for pure listening playback, in addition to monitoring sessions in our DAW of choice, Studio One.
First and foremost, however: tracking and mixing. We played back and demo’d them for real-time use during a synth heavy recording session featuring modern Mellotron Micro keyboards, Akai MPCs, Roland TR-08 drum machines, the Korg reissue of the Arp Odyssey as well as Moog’s Sub25. All in all, bass reproduction was ridiculously crisp, heavy and never flubby or “loose.” The punch was there, and it felt like real air was moving in our ears. The highs were sharp, well-defined and never shrill, the overall balance including mid-range frequencies was reference-level; stereo separation and sound staging was impeccable as well.
In short, this was perhaps the best audiophile listening experience we’ve ever encountered with a pair of headphones, and the semi-open nature allowed a bit of…shall we say breathability and perhaps airiness to the overall sound? Whatever is going on here from a technical level, if you’re serious about recording, and using headphones during the tracking and mixing of your records, we cannot recommend the MM500’s enough. Seriously, they’re that good and well-worth the near $1700 price tag.
Frequency response was as flat as you’d like, with no noticeable coloration (exactly what you want in the studio), and none of our hardware had any issue driving them, from our hi-fi stereo (HK 430 twin powered receiver) to our various audio interfaces (an Apollo and a Focusrite Clarett) as well as plugging straight into the headphones outs of our Arp and Moog synths for practice sessions. Plus we even wore them on a few nature hikes using a portable DAP, MiniDisc recorder as well as our smartphone streaming hi-res Apple Music files.
The last thing to mention is the attention to detail in the packaging and presentation. When you’re forking over this much cash, you want to get a premium experience out of the box, and Audeze delivers on that front. The hard-shell case has custom molded foam inserts to ensure a perfect, protected fit for traveling, the braided balanced cables feel rugged and premium, and they even include a 1/8″ adapter for consumer product usage. You get a custom carrying shroud with the MM series logo on it, case keys and the standard Audeze cards and paperwork in their own slot.
We think you’ll fall in love with these like we have, the MM-500 headphones ear our absolute highest recommendations ever.
And for those that want the spec sheet, here you go.
| Style | Over-ear, open-back |
| Transducer type | Planar Magnetic |
| Magnetic structure | Fluxor™ magnet array |
| Phase management | Fazor™ |
| Magnet type | Neodymium N50 |
| Diaphragm type | Ultra-Thin Uniforce™ |
| Transducer size | 90 mm |
| Maximum SPL | >130dB |
| Frequency response | 5Hz – 50kHz |
| THD | <0.1% @ 100 dB SPL, 1kHz |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/1mW (at Drum Reference Point) |
| Impedance | 18 ohms |
| Max power handling | 5W RMS |
| Min recommended power | >100mW |
| Recommended power level | >250mW |
| Weight | 495g |