The Audeze MM-100 excels in terms of audio reproduction accuracy. The frequency response follows a generally flat sound profile, but there are a few significant peaks and dips.
The sound profile is relatively consistent with the intended target in the low and midrange regions.
Audeze MM 100 Review 2025
The Audeze MM-100 headphones are crafted from premium materials, and the magnesium, steel, and leather construction exudes a professional feel and aesthetic.
These headphones will look great in any studio or listening room.
However, the heavy materials can negatively impact portability and comfort. Weighing 475g, they are heavier, larger, and bulkier than other headphones.
Look
The MM-100 boasts a lightweight yet extremely robust chassis, featuring a magnesium yoke and grille, and a spring-steel headband.
While it may look like an Audeze headphone, it’s actually the epitome of Audeze lightweightness.
The gel (faux leather) earpads comfortably encircle the ears while providing a comfortable fit.
The adjustable suspension strap felt virtually weightless even during extended use. Compared to competing models (e.g., Beyerdynamic), the MM-100 stands out for its superior comfort.
The single-sided cable connects to both sides of the headphones, making it convenient for use in studios or desktop environments.
Finally, these headphones fold flat for easy portability and storage, making them perfect for on-the-go use. No complaints there.
Design
The Audeze MM-100 are over-ear, open-back headphones with a sleek and modern design.
They share similarities with the Audeze Maxwell Wireless, such as the adjustable ski-band design on the headband.
The distinctive black grille features an embossed Audeze logo, and the gunmetal gray earcups and yoke add a touch of style.
A unique design allows for a detachable audio cable to be connected to the input ports on both earcups, allowing for greater freedom of movement when working in the studio.
Audeze MM 100 Features
The Audeze MM-100 is a modestly sized, open-back, circumaural planar magnetic headphone with a unique dual-entry 3.5mm single SE cable connection system.
Inside, Audeze utilizes the latest 90mm planar drivers, which are similar in size to the MM-500 and Maxwell versions, but all three models utilize significantly different tuning methods.
By utilizing N50 neodymium magnets in a single-sided Fluxor magnet array and an ultra-thin Uniforce diaphragm, they achieve the best of both worlds.
The MM-100 delivers 98dB/1mW (drum reference) SPL into 18Ω impedance, matching the MM-500 in terms of efficiency, but slightly lower in sensitivity than the larger model by about 2dB.
The MM-100 should be considered a relatively easy-to-drive planar headphone set, easily driven by a variety of amplifiers.
The slightly raised earpad ring design of the MM-500 is also a defining feature of the MM-100. This new distance adjustment positions the pads further from the main housing, improving ventilation.
Sound
The MM-100 is renowned for its sophisticated holographic stage. In particular, the imaging precision creates a rich and delicate nuance between elements of all dimensions, creating a space that feels almost tangible.
The stereo field, in particular, delivers an immersive sense of scale, maintaining a realistic sense of space without sacrificing overall spatial awareness.
The overall soundstage feels expansive yet maintains a focused and centered quality, imbuing the listening experience with authenticity.
There’s nothing overly exaggerated or pretentious about the placement. The MM-100 produces a clean, vibrant, and rich sound, with precision and remarkable separation.
Low Frequency Range: The ultra-clean lows are close to neutral in tuning. While they offer solid extension, the sub-bass frequencies aren’t overly colored or vibrant.
Nevertheless, there’s ample low-end punch when needed, and the lows provide ample warmth and dimensionality, injecting vitality into rich mixes.
Low-frequency transparency is top-notch, delivering a very natural and textured acoustic instrument sound.
Despite the vibrant feel of the strings, the timbre is slightly colored, adding a touch of grandeur to the performance.
Therefore, despite presenting an honest low-frequency range, the MM-100 never felt flat or boring.
Midrange: The midrange is incredibly vibrant, with the snare drum sounding powerful and the vocals projecting forward with a vibrant yet subtle presence.
In some ways, the tuning is surprising, as the midrange, at least to my ears, feels more emphasized.
Given the intended use of these headphones, I expected a flatter midrange. However, especially with vocals, a more forward midrange can be beneficial for mixing.
However, this balance isn’t always perfect, and those particularly sensitive to low frequencies may prefer a more relaxed midrange.
Technically, however, the MM-100 ticks all the boxes. It strikes a wonderful balance between detail and smoothness, revealing rich tonal nuances while allowing for fluidity.
While there’s no excessive tonal shift or weight, it’s enough to remind you that these are Audeze headphones.
The fast transient response adds to the MM-100’s dynamic atmosphere, particularly infusing rhythm instruments with tightness and energy.
Finally, the layering is perfect, delivering a perfectly integrated sound without losing any elements in the mix.
Treble: The treble has a slight airiness, but its contours aren’t necessarily smooth. The treble has a slight weight, but its presentation isn’t overly saturated.
In fact, the sound is quite neutral in this area, with a hint of sparkle but without any dazzling or sizzling sound.
So don’t expect excessive charisma in the treble. However, you can expect a transparent and honest sound that’s relatively comfortable for long listening sessions.
Conclusion
Most people would not recommend the Audeze MM-100. For $399, there are plenty of excellent studio headphones worth considering.
The Audeze MM-100 is only suitable for certain applications, such as mixing engineers or audio editors who want planar magnetic headphones for highly analytical listening.
FAQs
Is the Audeze MM-100 suitable for gaming?
Even with the adapter, it’s not the best headphone for gaming. Most games require deep sub-bass to immerse you in explosions and other action scenes, but these headphones don’t deliver that.
Does the Audeze MM-100 use a detachable cable?
Yes, the cable is detachable and can be attached to either the left or right earcup.
Also read: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Review