Audeze MM-100
Planar Magnetic Headphones
Made in U.S.A. w/Magnesium Frames: $399!!!
Intro Specifications New Good Bad Missing
Performance Compared User's Guide
Audeze MM-100 (17¼ Ω, ¼″ cable included, 16.2 oz./459g, $399). bigger. I'd get mine at Adorama, at B&H or at Crutchfield, all of whom offer at least a 30-day 100% cash-back return if you don't LOVE them after enjoying them with your own music. They're also available at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay, but I'd avoid getting them used because Audeze always is making significant technical improvements — but never changes the model names!
This 100% all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to my personally approved sources I've used myself for way over 100 combined years when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, store demo or used headphones — and all of my personally approved sources allow for 100% cash-back returns for at least 30 days if you don't love your new MM-100. I've used many of these sources since the 1970s because I can try it in my own hands and return it if I don't love it, and because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your new headphones before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I've used myself for decades for the best prices, service, return policies and selection.
December 2023 Audeze Reviews Headphone Reviews Tube Amp Reviews Audio Reviews All Reviews
Planar Magnetic vs. Dynamic and Electrostatic Headphones
Introduction top
Intro Specifications New Good Bad Missing
Performance Compared User's Guide
I buy only from these approved sources. I can't vouch for ads below. |
This is the best $400 you could possibly spend on headphones.
The MM-100 are professional American-made planar magnetic headphones. They have extraordinary performance and an extraordinarily low price. The only thing wrong with them is that they are so good and inexpensive you'll probably have to order yours and be patient for them to be hand built for you; they are only rarely in stock.
Most Audeze headphones sell for at least triple the price. These sound almost identical, and the MM-100 are lighter, more comfortable, easier to wear and feel more precisely made than most of the larger models!
These MM-100 are the best-made headphones I've ever used. They are all steel and magnesium, super precise in how they move and tough enough to take a beating. The only plastic parts are those that need to be flexible. Far more expensive headphones like Sennheiser HD800 use lots of plastic everywhere, and brands that can use a lot of metal, like Stax, are very delicate. Never have I used another headphone so precise and tough and lightweight and made of all metal. Bravo!
Completely different from traditional dynamic headphones, these reproduce sound by putting ultralight laser-cut conductors on an ultralight plastic diaphragm, and suspending this diaphragm in a very strong magnetic field. There is no cone glued to a coil to try to reproduce sound as in almost all speakers and headphones; in this case the sound is generated directly all over the ultralight diaphragm, coupling the sound directly to the air rather than using a cone. Unlike a cone only driven where the coil is glued to it, just like electrostatics these diaphragms are driven all across the diaphragm's surface.
How pure is the sound? You can shine a flashlight through them!
Transparent drivers. bigger.
Just like electrostatics, the sound is so transparent that if you listen as you bring your hands closer to the outsides of the earpieces you'll hear changes in the sound. This is because some sound reflects off your hands and can come through the ultralight diaphragm and interfere with the intended sound. This is excellent; if this didn't happen it would show us that the diaphragms were so heavy that outside sound can't get through. This is a sign of a very open and uncolored headphone.
These MM-100 also sound almost identical to the more expensive models. The differences are very subtle; these are very slightly less sensitive, and have just a little less response at the very top and very bottom than the LCD-X. Turn up the volume one click (2 dB) and throughout 90% of the range these MM-100 sound just as smooth and delicious as Audeze' best.
Sure, get the LCD-X which sound just a tiny bit better on top and bottom, and considering that these are all passive headphones with nothing to go obsolete they should never need service or go obsolete for many, many decades so the price of the LCD-X shouldn't be an issue, but if you want 95% of the sound quality for a fraction of the price, these MM-100 are astounding. These will put any conventional coil-and-cone headphones like the Sennheiser HD-800 to shame for smooth, natural sound at a quarter of the price!
These MM-100 are awesome for mixing and mastering because they sound slightly less interesting than the bigger Audeze, with slightly less extended frequency extremes than the more expensive models, which if anything will give your mixes a little more on top and bottom and sound great everywhere.
You hear your music, not your equipment. The sound is completely transparent; these are completely neutral and uncolored. What you create with these should sound awesome everywhere.
Audeze are professional Made in U.S.A. recording studio equipment. The MM-100 is a bargain at $399 and it should last for the rest of your career and retirement. Unlike digital cameras, TVs, phones and consumer electronics, this is a passive device and should last not for years, but for decades and decades of enjoyment and creation. There is nothing about these to wear out or go obsolete; your minor investment should last a lifetime and be passed on later, still performing flawlessly.
Audeze includes a ¼″ to 3.5mm cord for use with pro gear. Each earpiece has a 3.5mm socket. Either one drives both ears so you can use whichever you like.
The MM-100 sound great plugged into an iOS device; use an Apple USB-C to 3.5mm adapter or Apple A1749 Lightning Audio Adapter and use a Beats 3.5mm to 3.5mm remote cord as I do to run these from portable 3.5mm devices. These cords add a remote control and a mic for making calls!
I'd get my MM-100 at Adorama, at B&H or at Crutchfield, all of whom offer at least a 30-day 100% cash-back return if you don't LOVE them after enjoying them with your own music. They're also available at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay, but I'd avoid getting them used because Audeze always is making significant technical improvements — but never changes the model names!
New intro top
Audeze' first low-price, round driver headphones. These replace the LCD-1 with much sturdier mechanics, although they're larger.
New mechanics are much more smooth, light and precise than most of Audeze' more exotic headphones. Headphones like the LCD-X look and feel handmade because they are, while these have much more finished look - also while being handmade.
Audeze' first full-size headphones that stay on my head as I move around. Larger headphones like the LCD-X are heavier and not good for wearing while moving around; they tend to fall off.
Good intro top
Flawlessly smooth, detailed and natural sound.
Better than more exotic headphones like the LCD-X, these have no potentially sharp edges that could damage furniture or consoles.
Better than more exotic headphones like the LCD-X, these fold flat for carrying.
Smooth, open, natural and uncolored sound.
None of the resonances or harshness of conventional headphones.
Trivially easy to drive. Work just as well plugged into an iPhone as they do with a dedicated amplifier like my Benchmark DAC1 HDR.
Ready to plug-and-play as soon as you get them.
Very inexpensive for state-of-the-art American-made headphones that will last a lifetime. These are passive transducers that don't go obsolete, break or wear out. They're not like a TV or computer or bluetooth headphones that will be thrown away in few years. These MM-100 can last for a lifetime of music production and enjoyment; they're a one-time investment and not simply one of many cameras, phones or TVs you'll buy in a lifetime.
Made in the United States of America.
Bad intro top
Slightly less exciting sound for music enjoyment than the LCD-X due to a little less top and bottom — but flawless for music production.
Missing intro top
No obvious LEFT and RIGHT designations. The L and R are very subtly marked with small letters on the inside of the headband, so you have to know on which side you have your cable attached or remember that the headband should come slightly towards you or that AUDEZE should look upside-down as you put them on.
These are professional headphones with a ¼" plug. For use with portable and iOS gear with 3.5mm jacks, use a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cord (not included) instead.
No Bluetooth; just regular wired headphones for serious listening.
No GPS.
No Wi-Fi.
No batteries to charge, replace or change.
No electronics whatsoever; completely passive transducers.
Nothing to break.
Nothing to go obsolete.
No problems!
Specifications top
Intro Specifications New Good Bad Missing
Performance Compared User's Guide
I'd get my MM-100 at Adorama, at B&H or at Crutchfield, all of whom offer at least a 30-day 100% cash-back return if you don't LOVE them after enjoying them with your own music. They're also available at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay, but I'd avoid getting them used because Audeze always is making significant technical improvements — but never changes the model names!
Type specifications top
Passive planar-magnetic, around-the-ear, open-back headphones.
Transducer Size specifications top
Audeze MM-100 folded for storage. bigger.
90mm (3.54") diameter.
Earpads specifications top
Fake leather.
Magnets specifications top
Neodymium N50 "Fluxor" array.
Cord specifications top
Each earpiece has a 3.5mm stereo socket. They're wired together; use either one and you're good.
Use any cord that ends in a 3.5mm plug. Audeze includes this 8.2 foot (98 inch or 2.5 meter) braided cord with a ¼" plug on one end and a 3.5mm plug on the other:
Included cable. bigger.
It has metal grips with plastic strain reliefs.
The styles will probably change over time; Audeze is always innovating.
Impedance specifications top
Rated 18 Ω.
I measure 17.3 Ω DC (left) and 17.2 Ω DC (right) (17¼ Ω DC average).
My experience with every other planar magnetic headphone has been that's it's purely resistive (the same impedance and 0º phase angle at every frequency as DC), so I was too lazy to fire up my laboratory gear to measure its actual impedance versus frequency.
Sensitivity specifications top
Rated 98 dB @ 1 mW at drum reference point.
1 mW into 18 Ω (rated) is 134.1 mV or -17.45 dBV, which means you should get about 115.45 dB SPL at 1V.
Distortion specifications top
Rated <0.1% at 100 dB at 1 kHz.
Power Handling specifications top
Rated "5 watts RMS" (6.99 dBW); not specified if this is continuous or peak for how long, so it's meaningless.
5 watts into 18 Ω (rated) is 9.49 V or +19.54 dBV, which should create 134.5 dB SPL if there's no power compression.
I'll take "5W" as a peak rating since the maximum SPL below comes at much less continuous power.
Maximum SPL specifications top
>120 dB SPL, conditions not specified; probably at 1.69 V (+4.55 dBV) or 158 mW.
Recommended Amplifier Power specifications top
100mW (1.341 V or +2.55 dBV into 18 Ω) minimum.
Ideally 250mW (2.121 V or +6.53 dBV into 18 Ω) or more.
See my User's Guide for practical specifics.
Frequency Response specifications top
Rated "20 ~ 25,000 Hz," no decibel tolerance listed.
Quality specifications top
Designed and made in the United States of America.
Weight specifications top
16.200 oz. (459.3 g) actual measured weight without cord.
Rated 16¾ oz. (475 g).
Case specifications top
None included; just a bag:
Included bag. bigger.
Knock yourself out at Amazon if you want a hard case.
Included specifications top
Bag.
Credit-card style Certificate of Authenticity and Warranty Cards.
Box, Audeze MM-100. bigger.
Inside the Box, Audeze MM-100. bigger.
The cables and all are below this.
Audeze' Model Number specifications top
211-MM-1100-00.
Price, U. S. A. specifications top
December 2023
$399 at Adorama, at B&H and at Crutchfield.
They're also available at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay, but I'd avoid getting them used because Audeze always is making significant technical improvements — but never changes the model names!
Performance top
Intro Specifications New Good Bad Missing
Performance Compared User's Guide
Overall Image & Soundstage Bass
I'd get my MM-100 at Adorama, at B&H or at Crutchfield, all of whom offer at least a 30-day 100% cash-back return if you don't LOVE them after enjoying them with your own music. They're also available at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay, but I'd avoid getting them used because Audeze always is making significant technical improvements — but never changes the model names!
Overall performance top
The MM-100 sounds clear, detailed and smooth. It has a very neutral balance and nothing is exaggerated or rough.
Nothing is boosted or hyped in the MM-100. If you prefer jacked bass, tweaked treble or squawky midrange, you won't be impressed by the MM-100.
There isn't much variation in sound with changes in position on my head.
Image & Soundstage performance top
The stereo images are precise. You'll hear exactly what was recorded.
Bass performance top
The MM-100 have completely natural, unboosted, non-boomy bass.
I prefer more bass; with the MM-100 you'll want to play them louder as our ears are much less sensitive to bass at softer levels; most headphones boost the bass to compensate for this: the MM-100 are optimized for louder levels.
Sensitivity performance top
Here's another very good thing: the MM-100 have more than enough sensitivity to be enjoyed plugged directly into an iPod, iPad or iPhone. All you need is a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cord and a lightning to 3.5mm adapter or Apple USB-C to 3.5mm Adapter.
With proper Hi-Fi gear like a Benchmark DAC1 HDR, there is more than enough output and sensitivity to deafen yourself quickly.
Isolation performance top
These are open headphones; there's little to no isolation from outside sound.
Leakage performance top
These are open; sound comes out the back.
If it's quiet, someone a couple of feet away will hear them.
Ergonomics performance top
These are extremely comfortable full-sized headphones.
Amazingly they arrived perfectly adjusted to my head, and they stay that way. I LOVE having headphones with which I never need to fiddle every time I put them on.
They ride around my ears, so nothing is pressing on them.
There are no obvious LEFT and RIGHT designations. The L and R are very subtly marked with small letters on the inside of the headband, so you have to know on which side you have your cable attached or remember that the headband should come slightly towards you or that AUDEZE should look upside-down as you put them on.
The big earpieces that house the huge drivers leave lots of room for our ears. They feel great.
These are comfortable for all-day or all-night listening.
They're light enough, much lighter than the larger Audeze like the LCD-X and LCD-XC, so that they will stay on my head as I walk around. The heavier ones fall off as I move my head, but these stay on reasonably well.
Be careful when standing up; if your cord is caught on anything you could break the cord or pull the MM-100 off your head. Hopefully the cord will pull out, but it's pretty tight so don't bank on it.
I prefer a coiled cord; the MM-100 have a long, straight cord, but so what, it works with any cable ending with a 3.5mm stereo plug.
They fold flat for travel and fit perfectly in a backpack.
Durability performance top
As far as I can see these are and will be very durable. Don't tell anyone, but I dropped my LCD-XC three feet off a console to a hardwood floor and they're fine; I'm not trying that with these but I expect these should last forever if you avoid dropping or drowning them.
As passive headphones with standard connectors there's nothing to go obsolete; these ought to last you a lifetime. My Koss 4AA from 50 years ago also still work fine today, and these are made much, much better.
Compared top
Intro Specifications New Good Bad Missing
Performance Compared User's Guide
I'd get my MM-100 at Adorama, at B&H or at Crutchfield, all of whom offer at least a 30-day 100% cash-back return if you don't LOVE them after enjoying them with your own music. They're also available at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay, but I'd avoid getting them used because Audeze always is making significant technical improvements — but never changes the model names!
Versus the Audeze LCD-X
I've been making comparisons throughout this review.
The LCD-X are slightly more sensitive by about 2 dB, which is barely audible and typically just one click of a volume control.
The LCD-X have slightly deeper bass and a slightly more extended high end. I find the LCD-X more entertaining for enjoying music, while these MM-100s are smaller and lighter and more comfortable to wear all day while working on audio projects — so there.
I suspect a little EQ on top and bottom could make these sound identical to the LCD-X.
Versus the Audeze LCD-1
The LCD-1 sold for $399 several years ago. They are smaller and lighter because they're mostly made of plastic. They also fold up to fit in the small hard case with which they ship.
Honestly there MM-100 sound about the same as the LCD-1. They are all very close; all Audeze headphones are smooth and uncolored so the only differences are slight variations in sensitivity and very slight variations in overall tonal balance.
User's Guide top
Intro Specifications New Good Bad Missing
Performance Compared User's Guide
I'd get my MM-100 at Adorama, at B&H or at Crutchfield, all of whom offer at least a 30-day 100% cash-back return if you don't LOVE them after enjoying them with your own music. They're also available at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay, but I'd avoid getting them used because Audeze always is making significant technical improvements — but never changes the model names!
Plugging-in
Plug your 3.5mm cable into either earpiece. Either drives both channels.
The included cable has a professional ¼" plug on its other end. To plug these into consumer devices with 3.5mm headphone jacks, I use a a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cord and skip the included cable. A huge advantage of most 3.5mm to 3.5mm cords is that they may have iOS remote controls and mics for use with Apple and other devices. My a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cord even controls playback when plugged into my Mac Pro or MacBook Pro!
To play from Apple iOS devices with a lighting connecter but no headphone jack, I use Apple's Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone adapter and a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cord.
To play from a USB-C port, as on my iPad, I use Apple's USB-C to 3.5mm Headphone Adapter and a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cord.
Amplification
Go right ahead and use a dedicated headphone amplifier if you insist (I love my Benchmark DAC1 HDR), but honestly, they also sound fantastic plugged right into Apple devices with the plugs and cords just mentioned above.
The MM-100 plugged into a portable device sounds so much better than dinkier "portable" headphones plugged into a portable. When you own these MM-100, use them.
While Apple's devices and their Lightning adapters and USB-C to 3.5mm adapters have great low-source-impedance headphone outputs and sound great with these, I can't vouch for off-brands like Android, LG, Samsung, HTC or other iPhone copies.
Likewise, I can't vouch for any of the lightweight electronic waste that comes in from China. We want to have near-zero source impedance from whatever's driving these. If your gear uses series resistors in its headphone outputs (typical for headphone jacks on imported receivers and preamplifiers), the sound should be good, but may distort more than it should or have very limited maximum output levels. Even plugged into my iPhone I can get clean and deafeningly loud sound, but not so much with dinkier - but often expensive - outboard amplifiers. Be sure only to use amplifiers with near-zero (< 1Ω) output source impedances.
Honestly, if you don't want to man-up to American-made pro gear like Apogee, Benchmark or Grace Design, it's often a safer bet to drive these from your iOS devices which usually work better than offshored stereo gear.
Levels
Probably because the MM-100 have such smooth and clean sound as well as practically unlimited output levels, it's tempting to play them way too loud. They sound awesome played at full concert level all day long.
It's easy to damage your hearing. If your ears start ringing or buzzing, even long after you've been listening, cool it for a while.
Cables
The MM-100 comes with a swell cable.
I wouldn't waste money on any different cables unless of course I need a $10 3.5mm cable. Accessory cables are a big money-maker for the people selling them, but don't give any better sound than what's already included. You're much better off saving your money to buy more music, or a serious American-made headphone amplifier, than wasting it on snake oil or cables.
If two cables sound different, then at least one of them is defective.
If buying random cables, I'd test their resistance with an ohmmeter from one end of the cable to the other. I'd hope they measure not more than 1Ω, but even if they do it will most likely only result in slightly less sensitivity rather than any other change in sound, since the impedance curve versus frequency of these should be flat.
Phone Calls
Ideally use a a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cord that includes a mic in its remote control.
Even if your cord has no mic, your iPhone's mic will pick up your voice as it usually does to your caller and route the received sound to your MM-100.
Recommendations top
Intro Specifications New Good Bad Missing
Performance Compared User's Guide
I'd get my MM-100 at Adorama, at B&H or at Crutchfield, all of whom offer at least a 30-day 100% cash-back return if you don't LOVE them after enjoying them with your own music. They're also available at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay, but I'd avoid getting them used because Audeze always is making significant technical improvements — but never changes the model names!
There's no better way to spend $400 on pro headphones if you want clear, clean, natural and uncolored sound. For daily music and audio production in a quiet environment these are superb, weighing less and giving the same results as much heavier headphones.
The MM-100 are far superior to any conventional dynamic headphones, meaning anything from Sennheiser, beyerdynamic or Audio-Technica because the MM-100 use a totally different, better-sounding and newer technology than traditional dynamic cone-style drivers.
The MM-100 sound great with every kind of audio equipment from pro recording and broadcast gear to iOS devices.
Because these MM-100 are so linear they sound best at full concert level; they don't boost the bass. Our ears are less sensitive to bass at softer levels, which is why many consumer headphones boost the bass to optimize them to softer listening levels. These sound AWESOME at full live concert levels, just don't blow-out your ears.
For music enjoyment rather than production, I love my LCD-X even more. They sound very similar, but have slightly deeper bass and are more open, bringing me closer to the sound and making my music more entertaining — but cost three times as much for merely 110% of the sound. The LCD-X weigh much more, so I doubt I'll be using them as much all day for production as I will the MM-100.
If you're only using these for enjoying music, get whichever you want regardless of price. Don't be the guy who owns a half-dozen different $150 ~ $300 headphones and is never quite overjoyed with any of them. Ever since I was a kid I've had the patience to save my money and get what I really want. This isn't supposed to be a process of buying another set of "pretty good" headphones every few years; too many people have forgotten that quality never grows old. "The poor man pays twice," meaning you eventually wind up buying what you wanted in the first place anyway.
You'll be enjoying any of these for decades. The quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten. If you don't mind the weight and are using these to enjoy music, by all means get the $1,199 LCD-X. You'll be enjoying them for the rest of your life.
These American-made pro headphones have nothing to go obsolete: no internal batteries to try to replace, no electronics (these are completely passive) and no Bluetooth that might not be compatible with new versions in a few years. These are simple passive headphones that should last you for decades and decades of pleasure, just like a pair of passive loudspeakers. Heck, my 1979 sealed-box B&W 801F and 1984 electrostatic Quad ESL-63 are still my favorite loudspeakers today and I've owned them for many, many decades and never needed service on either. In the scope of how long you'll be loving these MM-100, the price is nothing, and if you don't love them, send them back within 30 days for a full refund.
I'd get my MM-100 at Adorama, at B&H or at Crutchfield, all of whom offer at least a 30-day 100% cash-back return if you don't LOVE them after enjoying them with your own music. They're also available at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay, but I'd avoid getting them used because Audeze always is making significant technical improvements — but never changes the model names!
This 100% all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to my personally approved sources I've used myself for way over 100 combined years when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, store demo or used headphones — and all of my personally approved sources allow for 100% cash-back returns for at least 30 days if you don't love your new MM-100. I've used many of these sources since the 1970s because I can try it in my own hands and return it if I don't love it, and because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your new headphones before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I've used myself for decades for the best prices, service, return policies and selection.
Thanks for helping me help you!
Ken Rockwell.
More Information top
Intro Specifications New Good Bad Missing
Performance Compared User's Guide
I'd get my MM-100 at Adorama, at B&H or at Crutchfield, all of whom offer at least a 30-day 100% cash-back return if you don't LOVE them after enjoying them with your own music. They're also available at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay, but I'd avoid getting them used because Audeze always is making significant technical improvements — but never changes the model names!
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