In this article we look at the Audeze MM-100 studio headphone, selling for $399 USD.

 

Disclaimer: The Audeze MM-100 was sent to us by Audeze directly, in exchange for our honest review. Audeze is not related to Headfonia in any way. 

Audeze

If you’ve been following the personal audio world for the last 10+ years, then Audeze will ring many bells. The California, USA based company completely changed and upped the headphone game to new levels. Bio from the Audeze site:

Audeze’s origins go back to 2008 when founders Sankar Thiagasamudram and Alexander Rosson met engineer Pete Uka who developed specialized flexible circuit materials for NASA. They quickly realized the material might be perfect for headphones. And the rest is history.

Since then, Audeze has launched many successful audiophile headphones and IEMs and lately they were focusing a lot on their gaming headphones. We’ve reviewed almost all of the Audeze products here on Headfonia, the latest ones being the Maxwell and the MM-500. If you’re not familiar with Audeze’s LCD and other headphones, then I strongly suggest to read up on them first.

In this review we’re checking out the Audeze MM-100, let’s get started.

Planar Magnetic Technology

As the MM-100 is a planar magnetic technology headphone, we’re giving a very short summary of the tech for those not familiar with it.

Audeze feature proprietary planar magnetic designs with extremely thin-film driver materials and powerful custom magnets. Planars overcome many limitations inherent in typical cone drivers; our lightweight diaphragms are, for example, faster and more responsive than heavier moving-coil or dome drivers. Planar magnetic diaphragm also have a voice-coil circuit spread across the diaphragm surface. The diaphragm’s voice-coil circuit interacts with the magnetic field to produce an electromagnetic force that moves the diaphragm back and forth creating the sound you hear when energized by an audio signal.

If you want to read more about the technology, you can do this here:

https://www.audeze.com/blogs/technology-and-innovation

https://www.audeze.com/blogs/technology-and-innovation/planar-magnetic-technology

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headphones#Planar_Magnetic

Audeze MM-100

The MM-100, like its big brother the MM-500, of course was developed in collaboration with Grammy award-winning engineer/producer Manny Marroquin.

The MM-100 is a full-sized, open-back headphone with 90mm planar magnetic drivers, using Audeze’s Fluxor™ magnet array and Fazor™ technology. The magnet type is Neodymium N50. You can find the MM-100’s dedicated web page here.

For years top audio professionals worldwide have relied on Audeze headphones like the LCD-X and MM-500. 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. Take the room out of the equation, trust the MM-100.

The MM-100’s driver are highly efficient. With their  98 dB/1mW (at Drum Reference Point) sensitivity and 18 ohms Impedance, the MM-100 works well with a large variety of equipment. It’s an easy to drive headphone that will perform no matter what source is being used, so it is ideal for on the go. If you want studio quality sound anywhere, the MM-100 will provide it.

Price, Box & Accessories

The MM-100 is an affordable headphone and it is selling at $399 on Audeze’s website. The MM-100 is on backorder for May’s production so you might need to wait a few weeks before receiving it. Of course you can also get it from one of their distributers/resellers which might still have it in stock.

The MM-100 comes in a simple box compared to its more expensive sibling, and the number of accessories is limited. The package includes the MM-100 headphone, a braided headphone cable (2.5m (8.2ft) Single ended 3.5mm TRS to 1/4″ TRS), a soft storage bag and Audeze’s Certificate of Authenticity and Warranty Card.

It’s a simple package but at this price we don’t really expect to get the high-end experience either.

Design, Build Quality

One of the main MM-100 features is its build quality and Audeze describes this entry-level studio headphone as durable, with a premium chassis featuring magnesium and steel. The Audeze MM-100 – according to Audeze – 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.

It really does feel robust and I am convinced it can take a beating. I really like the design and top-level finishing though, so if you are like me, you will most likely be gentle with it. Every pair of MM-100s is hand-assembled and tested in Audeze’s Southern California workshop to ensure it fits and sounds right. I visited the Audeze HQ last September and I can honestly say the production and QC line were impressive. My MM-100 unit is perfectly finished and the build quality is top-level, there’s no doubt about that. Anyway, when you do need to take the MM-100 with you, Audeze does supply a soft pouch to store and protect it in.

Design wise, the focus is on the headband and the gorgeous/iconic grills, featuring the famous Audeze A. The headband system is made from a lightweight, premium chassis, featuring magnesium yokes and grilles, as well as a spring-steel headband. I really like the look and feel of the MM-100, and especially the cups as they share the MM-500’s design. Compared to that 500, the MM-100 ised different cable connectors which are now integrated in the cup, where the Mini-XLRs on the MM-500 are outside of the cup. The headband system on the MM-500 is very different, but both of the designs are really nice.

The MM-100, as mentioned above, uses Single ended 3.5mm connectors and you will find it on both cups, even though you only need to connect one side, That makes it easy to work around your instrument, computer, or console. If for some reason the left connection is bothering you, just switch it to the right. It have switched from left to right and back a dozen of times already, depending where the source or amplifier used is located. It’s very handy and comfy as such.

Fit, Comfort and Isolation

The headband system does an excellent job of distributing the 475g over the top of your head. The MM-100, like most Audeze headphones, is quite heavy but it doesn’t feel that way because of the headband design. The side pressure is on the softer side but it’s enough to keep the headphone in place when moving around or shaking your head. Of course this depends on the size of your head as well, but in my case I can say both the top and side pressure are excellent, as well as the weight distribution. I find it to be a nice and comfy headphone, even when using it for many hours without interruption. You can easily adjust the headband by putting the screws into different holes, present on both sides.

The pads aren’t the largest so if your ears are a bit larger in size, take into account that your ears might be touching the cushions. Some people really don’t like that, so do try that before you order. The pads themselves are gel-filled so they are super comfy. I really like the feeling of the pads myself. Isolation wise this of course is a fully open back headphone, so music will leak out and noise will leak in. The MM-100 is designed to be used in quiet (studio) environments, there’s no going around that.

The article continues on the second page, with the part on Sound. Click here or use the jumps below.

Page 1: Audeze, Planar Magnetic technology, MM-100, Price & Box & Accessories, Design & Build quality, Fit & Comfort & Isolation

Page 2: Sound Intro, General, Sources

Page 3: Comparisons, Conclusion, Summary