We go hands-on with Audeze’s newest entry-level headphones
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Audeze has long been a pinnacle of luxury audiophile headphone design, with some of its products costing thousands of dollars. Unfortunately, most of its products are way out of most people’s price range. It’s also important to note that audiophile headphones are not studio headphones. Sure, they can be used for studio work, but are tuned to maximize your listening experience.
Enter the MM series, a collab with award-winning mix engineer Manny Marroquin, designed to maximize your studio experience. Having started with the MM-500, Audeze breaks down the unaffordable barrier with their MM-100 model.
Experience the precision and reliability of a professional studio anywhere you create or listen to music with the new MM-100. Enjoy all-day comfort from Audeze’s newest full-sized headphones, built in the USA on a lightweight premium chassis featuring magnesium, aluminum, and steel. Using the same drivers and technology as the MM-500, the 100 opts for more lightweight materials at a price point that won’t break the bank. Below are a few key features provided by Audeze.
Key Features
ENGINEERED FOR COMFORT
MM-100 is designed to deliver effortless comfort for even your longest sessions. Relax as the supple gel-filled leather earpads cradle your ears, and the adjustable suspension strap feels feather-light for hours.
ADAPTABLE TO FIT YOUR WORKFLOW
Work easily around your instrument, computer, or console thanks to MM-100’s single-sided cable, which can be conveniently connected to either side of the headphones. To make sure you always stay connected, MM-100 includes a 6.35mm to 3.5mm cable adapter for laptops, mobile devices, and smaller studio equipment. When it’s time to hit the road, MM-100 folds flat for travel or storage inside the included soft cover gig bag.
BUILT FOR DURABILITY
MM-100 is crafted to stand up to the rigors of life, whether it takes you from the studio to the road, from home to school, or from the office to live performance. Every pair is hand-assembled and tested in our Southern California workshop to ensure it fits and sounds right. MM-100’s lightweight, premium chassis features aluminum yokes, magnesium grilles, and a spring-steel headband.
My Experience
If you’re familiar with my reviews here on Magnetic, you know I love studio headphones and have reviewed quite a few. I’ve owned many top pairs and love comparing them (stay tuned for a headphone shootout). I’ve owned two pairs of Audeze headphones, the LCD-X, its original “reference” headphones, and the LCD-1, their previous entry-level studio headphones. As great as the LCD-Xs were, I used the LCD-1 extensively.
When Audeze first introduced the MM-500 as a sort of “successor” to the LCD-X, my interest was piqued. Expectedly, they sounded amazing but also came at a higher price point of about $1600. Then, Audeze announced the MM-100, which, as stated above took all the important parts of the 500s and put them into a lightweight and affordable package. After a few months, I finally got my hands on them, and I have to say, what a treat they are.
First impressions: Very lightweight, modern and sleek look, great color scheme
Using the LCD-X and LCD-1 as a reference, this feels (not sounds) like a perfect hybrid. Lightweight and comfortable like the 1s, but better build and look like the Xs. Sound-wise, I think these are much better than either. The soundstage is incredible. Music sounds big and bold. Highs are crisp, the mids are warm and forward, and the bass is deep and rich, but not overpowered or enhanced. The drivers allow for so much clarity that most headphones struggle to define.
From an actual producer’s standpoint, I found these to be easy to use and mostly accurate to what I was working on. Are these the most neutral headphones? No, definitely not, but overall I enjoy working on them. It’s important to reference your work through different listening mediums, regardless of how much you enjoy your main listening devices. This seems to go against other reviewers’ experiences, but they all seem more consumers than working professionals.
A problem with the Xs, and most of their top-end line, is they are too heavy to wear for long periods. The 1s were so light you could wear them forever, and I can say these are comfortable enough to be worn for hours. All day? I have yet to try, but maybe not, which is fine. You should have no issues getting your work done in these. The earpads though…extremely comfortable! Another issue with the larger-sized earpads on the Xs etc, is that they would get so hot on your ears. I’m unsure if they also went with a different material on these, but I had no issues with my ears getting too hot.
I was surprised by the included cable, as it’s single-sided, whereas the 1s and Xs had a split cable. I’m not sure how it would impact the sound, but since it works on either cup, you can upgrade to a third-party split cable if you’re a real nerd.
Who Are These For?
Critical listening is a crucial part of the production process, and often our rooms are unreliable when trying to nail a mixdown. The MM-100 is for artists looking for top-quality headphones from a well-respected brand, without having to fork out thousands of dollars. There are plenty of great options at this price point, but there is something special about owning a pair of Audeze headphones.
Gamers might also find these appealing, as they are lightweight enough to be worn for long sessions, although Audeze’s new Maxwell headphones might be more in line with their needs. Depends on preference.
As for the audiophiles, can they ever own too many pairs of headphones? With the great sound signature at a reasonable price, these could be a perfect travel pair for those looking (although they aren’t the most portable).
The M-100 also has a low impedance, which means you don’t need an amp to drive them, so these work on most devices such as laptops, phones, etc.
What Could Be Improved?
Aesthetically and sonically, it’s hard to improve these headphones. That being said, they aren’t the most portable. They are limited to both cups rotating about 90 degrees, like the Apple Airpod Pro. Audeze provides what they call a “gig bag”, a soft pouch to drop them in, but they don’t collapse like the LCD-1. I’m sure that would add a bit of complexity to the design, but it would make this more versatile and usable outside of your studio.
Final Thoughts
The MM-100s from Audeze are an amazing pair of headphones. The sleek solid build looks beautiful on your desk when not in use, and most importantly, the sound quality is nearly identical to the 500s, but at a price point many people can afford. They are a joy to work on and provide incredible comfort. The only problem is you might have to wait a bit to get a pair.
For more info on the Audeze MM-100 and other products, click here.
