Audeze MM-500

Open-back over-ear studio reference headphone co-developed with Manny Marroquin

“Finally, a headphone I can mix records on”

– Manny Marroquin, 18-time Grammy Winner

Conceived and refined in one of the world’s most acclaimed studios, the MM-500 is a purpose-built tool designed to deliver mixes that consistently translate and capture the emotion the artist intended. Lighter than the famous LCD-X, the MM-500’s sleek and sturdy chassis offers all-day comfort.

Step up to the headphone used to mix Kendrick Lamar’s #1 album “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” at Larrabee Studios: the Audeze MM-500.

A serious tool for every situation

“I rely on my MM-500 as much as the main monitors in my studio”

– Manny Marroquin

The MM-500 is designed to suit the requirements of long daily listening sessions under almost any condition. World-class studio monitor? Check. Quick reference on-the-go? No problem. Deep late-night listening? Done. With its ease of drive, comfortable fit and trustworthy sound, you can count on the MM-500 to deliver in every situation.

Elegance, comfort, and durability

Featuring extra-plush premium leather earpads, an adjustable spring steel headband, and a machined aluminum structure, the MM-500 feels substantial yet lightweight. Just like Audeze’s flagship headphones, the MM-500 is hand-crafted in Southern California to provide years of reliable comfort in a package that calls out to be held, admired, and listened to.

Elevate your professional audio game

Offering studio-quality sound—always within reach—the MM-500 is truly the next level of performance in pro audio. Whether you’re stepping up from Audeze’s own LCD-X or from another brand, the MM-500 will be as much a part of your life as your favorite pair of sneakers.

Award-winning Audeze technology

The MM-500’s planar magnetic drivers provide realism that audio professionals like Manny “can’t live without.” With lightning-fast transients, accurate frequency response, and trusted mix translation powered by Audeze’s patented innovations, the MM-500 delivers audio quality other headphones can only dream of.

Technical specifications

Measurements

What does this mean?

The black line is something that could be called the “ideal” curve of what a headphone should sound like. The Harman Research Group has a range of scientific studies around audio and the human perception of it—one of which asked: how should a headphone sound to be favored by a majority of people, regardless of age or other demographic variables? The result is called the Harman target.

From left to right we have sub-bass, bass, mids, and then the curve finally tilts upward where the treble begins—this part of the frequency spectrum gets amplified naturally by the shape of the human ear.

As we can see, the bass region is not elevated—just neutral. This extends to the mids and lower treble, until, in the upper treble, it is slightly recessed. This tuning doesn’t emphasize anything; it tries to be true to the source—without causing listening fatigue over long periods.

This is truly a professional tool—or a headphone for the discerning listener who wants music presented in a way that represents the producer’s ideal.

More about Harman Research

The Perception and Measurement of Headphone Sound Quality – What Do Listeners Prefer?