Audeze MM-100 Headphone Review

The Audeze MM-100 casts a wider net with its lower price point. This is a pair of headphones designed to deliver the Audeze sound through the planar magnetic technology the company is known for, but at a reduced price point. Somehow, Audeze has had to find areas where it can cut costs without compromising on that overall sound quality. While these are cheaper headphones, they’re still firmly set in the mid-range, where buyers will still be scrutinizing the nuances in detail. After using the MM-100 for music, movies, and games, I’m ready to give my review.

Audeze done cheaper

When I know a company is looking to introduce a “budget model,” I’m especially vigilant of corners that have been cut. Impressively, Audeze makes the downgrades very difficult to detect.

Looking at the driver, buyers of the MM-100 will enjoy the same design as higher-end models. With the planar magnetic tech, users should enjoy a faster transient response and reduction in low-end distortion.

Same tight sound

I’m a big fan of the sound profile. Everything feels so present and tight. I love how vocals are reproduced with the MM-100. This “tightness” does mean that bass might not be as booming as some listeners might be expecting. However, the quick punches work well for the music I listen to.

The driver can really shine thanks to the open-back design. Everything feels natural and “correct” with pinpoint precision that makes well-mastered music sound incredible. There’s a spaciousness here, too, which is especially appreciated in video games.

With the sound quality on point, it’s time to assess overall build quality. Perhaps there’s something here that indicates a corner being cut?

Solid build

Out of the box, the MM-100 feels solid. A combination of metals is used to make the earcups durable without being overly heavy. There are no issues with comfort here, as I’ve enjoyed multiple 3-4 hour-long listening sessions. The headphones feel well-built with no clear areas of weakness. They can fold flat, but the hinge looks well-constructed. I think this will last the test of time, if users take appropriate care.

Time to nitpick

It is damn hard to work out where the MM-100 falls short against its bigger and more expensive brothers. When listening closely, the high-end sounds a little lacking or “veiled” on the MM-100, which is something the more expensive planar magnetic options don’t suffer with.

The included extras — a braided cable and soft case — are perhaps where some of the cost has been saved. However, I’m fine with that as it has no impact on the overall quality of the headphones themselves.

Disclosure: Review sample provided by Audeze.