Audeze MM-500
The Studio Headphones That Redefine Professional Audio
As a music producer, there’s nothing more exhilarating than discovering a piece of gear that feels like an extension of your creative mind. The Audeze MM-500 planar magnetic headphones are exactly that—a tool crafted with precision, passion, and an uncompromising commitment to sonic truth. Developed in collaboration with Manny Marroquin, an 11-time Grammy-winning mixing engineer who’s worked with icons like Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Kendrick Lamar, these headphones are designed to deliver mixes that translate flawlessly across systems while doubling as a high-fidelity listening experience for audiophiles. Whether you’re in a bustling studio or a quiet home setup, the MM-500 promises to elevate your craft and immerse you in sound like never before. Let’s dive into why these headphones are a game-changer for producers, engineers, and music lovers alike.
A Design Built for the Long Haul
The moment you unbox the Audeze MM-500, you know you’re holding something special. Encased in a rugged, Pelican-like hard travel case, these headphones scream professionalism. The case is lined with thick foam to protect your investment, and there’s even a soft carrying pouch for lighter travel—perfect for producers on the go. The headphones themselves are a work of art, blending sleek aesthetics with robust engineering. With a machined aluminum chassis, spring steel headband, and premium leather earpads, the MM-500 strikes a balance between durability and luxury. They’re lighter than Audeze’s earlier LCD-X model, clocking in at around 500 grams, but don’t let that fool you—they still feel substantial, like a high-end instrument you’d trust in a critical session.
Comfort is key for those marathon mixing sessions, and the MM-500 delivers. The earpads are plush and slightly angled to fire sound into your ears at a natural angle, making them comfortable for hours. However, if you’ve got a larger head, you might notice some clamp force initially. A quick trick is to stretch the spring steel headband over a stack of books overnight to loosen it up—a tip shared by users and even Audeze reps. While not featherlight like some dynamic driver headphones, the MM-500’s ergonomic design ensures they’re wearable for extended periods, whether you’re tweaking a vocal track at 2 a.m. or losing yourself in a jazz record for pure enjoyment.
The open-back design is a standout feature, offering a spacious soundstage that feels like you’re listening to near-field monitors in a treated room. Of course, this means they’re not ideal for noisy environments since they leak sound and don’t isolate external noise. But in a controlled studio or home setting, this openness is what makes the MM-500 a revelation for critical listening and mixing.
The Sound: Neutral, Detailed, and Unforgiving
As a producer, you know the importance of hearing every nuance in a mix—every breath in a vocal, every pluck of a guitar string, every subtle reverb tail. The MM-500’s planar magnetic drivers, with a 90mm diameter (the same size as Audeze’s flagship LCD-5), deliver exactly that. These headphones are powered by Audeze’s patented technologies, including the single-sided Fluxor magnet array and Ultra-Thin Uniforce diaphragm, which ensure lightning-fast transients, low distortion, and an accurate frequency response from 5 Hz to 50 kHz. With an impedance of just 18 ohms and a sensitivity of 100 dB, they’re easy to drive, even from a laptop or audio interface, though pairing them with a quality DAC/amp (like a Universal Audio Apollo or Chord Mojo 2) unlocks their full potential.
The sound signature of the MM-500 is best described as neutral but engaging. Unlike some headphones that color the sound with boosted bass or hyped treble, the MM-500 aims for truth. The bass is deep and controlled, extending into the sub-bass region without overpowering the mix. It’s not the punchiest low end you’ll hear—some reviewers note a slight mid-bass emphasis that can make sub-bass feel less pronounced—but it’s precise, allowing you to make informed EQ decisions. For example, when mixing a kick drum, you’ll hear exactly how it sits against the bassline, with no artificial bloom to cloud your judgment.
The midrange is where the MM-500 truly shines. Vocals and instruments leap out with clarity and presence, reminiscent of the legendary Sennheiser HD 650 but with the technical precision of planar magnetic drivers. There’s a slight warmth in the lower mids, giving male vocals a touch of richness without sacrificing detail. The upper mids have a gentle rise, ensuring vocals cut through without sounding harsh or sibilant. This makes the MM-500 ideal for dialing in vocal EQ or checking for masking issues in dense arrangements.
The treble is smooth and refined, avoiding the “plasticky” quality some planar headphones suffer from. It’s slightly subdued compared to brighter headphones like the Sennheiser HD 800 S, but this works in its favor for long sessions, preventing ear fatigue. The result is a sound that’s brutally honest—poorly mixed tracks will sound lifeless or flawed, but well-crafted recordings will come alive with a sense of realism that pulls you into the studio with the artist.
Studio Performance: A Producer’s Dream
The MM-500 was designed with input from Manny Marroquin, and his influence is clear. These headphones are a studio tool first and foremost, built to deliver mixes that translate seamlessly to car stereos, earbuds, or club systems. Marroquin himself used a pre-production pair to mix Kendrick Lamar’s chart-topping album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, a testament to their reliability in high-stakes environments. The MM-500’s ability to “remove the room from the equation” makes it feel like you’re working with high-end monitors, even in a bedroom studio or on the road.
The soundstage, while not as expansive as the Sennheiser HD 800 S, is remarkably accurate. Imaging is pinpoint, allowing you to place instruments in the stereo field with surgical precision. This is a boon for tasks like panning synths or checking the depth of reverb effects. The headphones also excel at revealing flaws in a mix—whether it’s a harsh cymbal or a muddy low-mid buildup, the MM-500 won’t let you hide. For producers, this transparency is invaluable. You can trust that your mix decisions will hold up, whether you’re working on a pop banger or a delicate acoustic track.
One standout feature is their versatility. The MM-500’s low impedance means you can plug them into an audio interface, laptop, or even a smartphone in a pinch, though a dedicated amp will bring out their full dynamic range. This makes them perfect for mobile producers who need a reliable reference while traveling, as evidenced by users on platforms like X who praise their portability and studio-grade sound.
For Audiophiles: A Reference That Sings
While the MM-500 is marketed as a studio tool, it’s equally at home for audiophiles seeking a reference-grade listening experience. The neutral tuning means you’re hearing music as the artist intended, without embellishment. Listening to a track like Radiohead’s “Everything In Its Right Place” reveals layers of texture—subtle synth swells, Thom Yorke’s haunting vocals, and intricate percussion—that lesser headphones might gloss over. Classical recordings, like Yo-Yo Ma’s Bach: Cello Suites, come through with breathtaking clarity, every bow stroke rendered with lifelike detail.
However, the MM-500’s critical nature means they’re not the most “fun” headphones for casual listening. If you love exaggerated bass for hip-hop or a sparkly treble for EDM, you might find them too analytical. Some audiophiles apply a touch of EQ to tame the upper mids or boost the sub-bass, but for purists, the stock tuning is a near-perfect balance of accuracy and musicality.
Drawbacks and Considerations
No gear is perfect, and the MM-500 has a few quirks. At $1,699, they’re a significant investment, though they compete with headphones costing far more. Their weight and clamp force can be an issue for some, particularly those with larger heads, and the open-back design limits their use in noisy environments. The stock cable, a 1.8m braided design with a 6.3mm jack, has been criticized for being prone to tangling, and some wish Audeze included a balanced XLR cable for the price. Finally, the soundstage, while accurate, isn’t the widest, which might disappoint those chasing the airy expanse of something like the Sennheiser HD 800 S.
Why the MM-500 Stands Out
In a crowded market of high-end headphones, the Audeze MM-500 carves out a unique niche. It’s a studio workhorse that doesn’t sacrifice musicality, a reference tool that doubles as a gateway to sonic bliss. For producers, it’s a trusted partner that ensures your mixes translate perfectly. For audiophiles, it’s a window into the heart of a recording. Backed by Audeze’s reputation for quality and a three-year warranty on the drivers, the MM-500 is built to be a lifelong companion in your audio journey.
As a producer, I can’t overstate the value of gear that inspires confidence. The MM-500 does just that, whether you’re fine-tuning a vocal chain, mastering a track, or simply getting lost in your favorite album. It’s not just a headphone—it’s a statement that great sound is worth pursuing, no matter where you are. From the studio to the stage, the café to the couch, the Audeze MM-500 is the reference to the soundtrack of your life.