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The Audeze MM-100 is a planar magnetic headphone that aims to bring professional-level audio to a wider audience without the hefty price tag. Building on the success of its predecessors, the MM-500, Audeze has collaborated with renowned mixing engineer Manny Marroquin to create an affordable yet high-quality audio solution.
This is my first time reviewing planar magnetic headphones, so there will inevitably be some bias as I don’t have any frame of reference against competing models.
Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Audeze MM-100 Professional Open-Back Headphones, Planar... | £399.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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Specifications

- 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: >120dB
- Frequency Response: 20Hz – 25kHz
- THD: <0.1% @ 100 dB SPL, 1kHz
- Sensitivity: 98 dB/1mW (at Drum Reference Point)
- Impedance: 18 ohms
- Max Power Handling: 5W RMS
- Recommended Power Level: >250mW
- Cable: 2.5m (8.2ft) Single-ended 3.5mm TRS to 1/4″ TRS
- Weight: 475g
Features
Take Your Studio Anywhere
For years, top audio professionals worldwide have relied on Audeze headphones like the LCD-X and MM-500. The MM-100 instantly transforms your space into a studio, putting you between a pair of industry-trusted monitors that consistently deliver the sound and emotions the artist intended. The MM-100 allows users to experience sound as intended by the professionals, without the influence of room acoustics.
Advance Your Craft with Audeze Technology
The MM-100 is designed to help you hear deeper into every mix, ensuring that no detail goes unnoticed thanks to its industry-leading driver technology. With newly designed planar magnetic drivers, the MM-100 offers pinpoint precision and ultra-low distortion. Built with the same dedication as the flagship LCD-5, and featuring patented waveguides, magnet arrays, and diaphragms, the MM-100 raises the bar on sound quality in its class.
Engineered for Comfort
The MM-100 is designed to deliver effortless comfort for even your longest sessions. The plush gel-filled earpads cradle your ears, and the adjustable suspension strap feels feather-light, allowing hours of comfortable listening. Despite the headphones’ weight, the ergonomics have been carefully considered to minimize fatigue.
Adaptable to Fit Your Workflow
The MM-100’s single-sided cable allows for easy connection to either side of the headphone, providing convenience whether you’re working with instruments, computers, or consoles. Additionally, the MM-100 folds flat, making it easy to store or travel with inside the included soft cover gig bag.
Built for Durability
The MM-100 is built to withstand the rigours of professional and everyday use. Whether you’re moving from the studio to the road, from home to school, or from the office to live performance, the MM-100 is crafted to endure. Each pair is hand-assembled and tested in Audeze’s Southern California workshop to ensure it fits and sounds right. The lightweight, premium chassis features magnesium yokes and grilles, and a spring-steel headband.
Design and Build Quality

Sturdy Construction with a Few Compromises
The Audeze MM-100 is an over-ear, open-back design that uses planar magnetic technology, known for its detail and low distortion. It features a sturdy construction with magnesium yokes and a spring-steel headband, making it durable enough for regular use.

I have noticed many people criticise Audeze and planar magnetic headphones in general for being heavy, making them relatively uncomfortable. Still, I haven’t found this to be the case for me.

The earcups are beautifully crafted, and while they are certainly not as light as many others, the plush gel-filled earpads provide excellent comfort, ensuring the headphones can be worn for extended sessions without discomfort. The open-back design also helps to avoid ears getting too hot too quickly.

Headband Adjustment
That said, the headband suspension mechanism is somewhat of a compromise. The MM-100 offers only three adjustments per side, which may not be flexible enough for all users. Initially, I found that I needed an adjustment about halfway between two positions, which led to some discomfort. However, after a few days of use, the leather headband seemed to stretch, and the fit became much more comfortable.
Accessories and Practicality

While the headphones are robust and can withstand the rigours of travel, the accessories included are basic. A standard carrying bag and a simple cable are provided, but they fall short compared to what you might expect from a premium brand. The carry bag, while functional, would have been much better if it was a hard case. Additionally, the cable terminates in a 6.5mm connector with an adapter for 3.5mm use, which is slightly inconvenient. However, the MM-100 allows you to use a standard 3.5mm TRS ‘aux’ cable, making it easy to find alternatives.
Sound Quality
To test these headphones, I used them with the FiiO K5 Pro Desktop DAC on my main PC and the THX Onyx on my laptop.
Bass
The MM-100’s planar magnetic drivers deliver bass with excellent control and definition. The low-end extends deep while maintaining clarity and avoiding the bloated character sometimes found in lesser headphones. Bass-heavy electronic music and orchestral pieces benefit from the driver’s ability to reproduce subtle variations in low-frequency content.
The bass response might seem restrained to those accustomed to consumer headphones with elevated bass signatures. However, this more neutral presentation serves well for professional applications and critical listening, where accuracy takes precedence over impact.
Midrange
The midrange presentation shows particular strength in vocal reproduction, with both male and female voices rendered with natural timbre and excellent detail. Instrumental separation in complex arrangements remains clear, allowing individual elements to maintain their distinct character without becoming muddled.
A slight emphasis in the upper midrange brings additional presence to some instruments, though this never becomes harsh or fatiguing. This characteristic helps maintain clarity in dense mixes while keeping acoustic instruments sounding natural.
Treble
The treble of the MM-100 is deliberately recessed, providing a “safe” tuning that avoids any harshness or sibilance. While this does result in a smoother listening experience, it also means that the MM-100 may lack some of the sparkle and detail found in higher-end studio headphones like the Audeze LCD-X or even the MM-500. The treble tuning is suitable for those sensitive to high frequencies and makes the MM-100 particularly well-suited for genres that are prone to harsh treble.
This recessed treble has caused some mixed opinions online. The problem is that many people who buy planar magnetic headphones want a neutral analytical sound profile, making them ideal for mixing purposes, but the recessed treble means that these are not really suitable for this purpose. Personally, I have I am very sensitive to high frequencies, and tend to listen to a lot of punk and metal music. I often struggle with creamy vocals, cymbals/hi-hat, and heavy distortion on guitars. I, therefore, love the recessed highs on these.
Soundstage and Imaging
The open-back design contributes to a wide soundstage that extends both horizontally and vertically. Instrument placement within this space proves precise, creating a convincing three-dimensional presentation of well-recorded material. The sense of space never feels artificial, instead allowing recordings to breathe naturally.
The imaging capabilities help in identifying specific elements within complex mixes, making these headphones particularly useful for mixing and mastering work. Live recordings benefit from the spatial presentation, with audience sounds and venue acoustics being reproduced convincingly.
Price and Alternative Options
Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Audeze MM-100 Professional Open-Back Headphones, Planar... | £399.00 | Buy on Amazon |
The Audeze MM-100 have an RRP of £399, which is a fraction of the price of the MM-500, which has an RRP of £1700.
Audeze also has other ranges, including the LCD-2 Classic, which is the next cheapest model at £799.
HiFiMAN has several planar magnetic headphones at a reasonable price, including the XS Stealth at £320 and the Ananda-Nano at £389.
The FIIO FT5 are well-reviewed open-back planar magnetic headphones, which are priced at £426.
Final Verdict
I personally love the Audeze MM-100 with the caveat that these are the first planar magnetic headphones I have reviewed, and my preference is recessed highs. This is fundamentally the problem with audio reviews: our perception of how something sounds is highly subjective. Even if a pair of headphones has a technically perfect sound signature, you may not like it.
Factoring in that, the Audeze MM-100 is a well-rounded planar magnetic headphone that offers a balanced, midrange-focused sound signature at a reasonable price. While it lacks some of the detail and refinement of Audeze’s higher-end models, it provides an excellent introduction to the world of planar magnetic headphones without breaking the bank. The build quality is solid, and the comfort is good, although the headband adjustment could use improvement.
For those looking for a headphone that provides a high-quality listening experience with an emphasis on midrange clarity and imaging, the MM-100 is an excellent choice. Its ability to reveal details in the midrange and deliver a clear and articulate sound makes it ideal for both casual listeners and professionals alike.
However, if you’re seeking a wide, expansive soundstage or a more detailed treble response, other options like the Hifiman Edition XS might be better suited to your needs. The MM-100 finds its place as a versatile headphone that balances performance, build quality, and price, offering a glimpse into Audeze’s renowned sound without the hefty investment.
Audeze MM-100 Review
Summary
The Audeze MM-100 is a well-rounded planar magnetic headphone that offers a balanced, midrange-focused sound signature at a reasonable price. While it lacks some of the detail and refinement of Audeze’s higher-end models, it provides an excellent introduction to the world of planar magnetic headphones without breaking the bank. The build quality is solid, and the comfort is good, although the headband adjustment could use improvement.
Pros
- Affordable planar magnetic headphones
- Excellent build quality and very comfortable for long sessions (for me, at least)
- Superb midrange with a emphasis of vocal and midrange instruments
Cons
- The treble is heavily recessed
- Sound leakage due to open back design

I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.
Last update on 2025-02-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API