Audeze has built a solid reputation among engineers, producers, and serious listeners for magnetically adjustable headphones that prioritize precision without sacrificing musical engagement. With the Audeze MM-520, the brand continues its Manny Marroquin Signature Series with an open-back headphone designed for critical listening, mixing, and studio production. Building on the foundation of the MM-500, the MM-520 introduces updated acoustic technology and refined reference tuning aimed at delivering better bass control, precise imaging, and faithful detail across the entire frequency range. For those looking for a studio headphone that combines planar speed with a focused, monitor-like presentation, the MM-520 makes a strong case as one of Audeze’s most versatile instruments.
What You Get
- MM-520 headphones
- 2.5m (8.2ft) headphone cable
- 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter
- Standard Travel Case
- MM-Series Soft Carry Bag
See & Feel
If you’re familiar with Audeze’s latest crop of headphones, or even the last iteration of this headset, the MM-500, the MM-520 fits right into that catalog in terms of design. Aside from a few tweaks, the MM-520 isn’t a standout in terms of looks. The MM-520 adds the same line to its ear cups that is present on the LCD-S20 and Maxwell, and the aluminum color may be a little lighter on this one. Otherwise, the grille pattern, headband, and yokes are all very similar. There’s nothing I could say needs fixing with the MM-500, especially with the quality of the materials.
If you were hoping for something easy, you might be disappointed, but holding them in my hands and carrying them on my head never gave me the impression that these are that heavy. Of course, this affects the level of comfort, and thankfully, I think that the MM-520 is the perfect headphone to wear during serious listening sessions and studio production. The earpads are thick and fluffy, made of advanced memory foam.
Design
The Audeze MM-520 is built with approximately 90mm magnetic drivers, using Audeze’s Fluxor magnet array, Ultra-Thin Uniforce diaphragm, Fazor phase management, and SLAM acoustic technology for improved bass definition and spatial accuracy. It comes with a quarter-inch termination and a 3.5mm adapter. An earphone amp is recommended, but if you’re using a small studio audio interface, that should work well enough to drive the MM-520.
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102dB/1mW (@Drum Reference Point) |
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Minimum power requirement |
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Sound stage
With Audeze’s MM series headphones, you know you’re not getting an expansive, holographic soundstage. Instead, you get a sound that makes up for its accuracy and precision. The MM-520’s soundstage takes a while to show you what it can do with its presentation, but once you start to get a sense of its scope, the way it stacks and folds is surprisingly impressive. It doesn’t extend too far outside, and you might think the picture is more focused in the center, but the sound is more localized with the pointing position. Everything is stuck in its carved place, still showing its size and its functional and orderly layering.
The way the stereo environment is displayed with the MM-520 is very similar to a pair of studio monitors in a bedroom studio. Spatial imaging isn’t trying to impress you; it tries to reproduce the most effective in conveying realistic pan movements in a refined stereo environment. As a result, the MM-520 may appear to be the most linear of open headphones of this caliber, but as a studio instrument, it is exactly what it needs to be.
The Low End
Much has been said about how Audeze’s SLAM technology can add to the bass response, but the MM-520 should ensure that everything is under control. The MM-520 is the same with its bass frequencies. A controlled bass tone that puts enough emphasis on its sub-bass to give the lows a very solid foundation. It gives the MM-520’s sound profile a believable scale, and rumble with natural detail in the timbre. The clarity of the bass is not in question, as the bass strings hold with a resolving vibration worthy of critical testing. The mid-bass doesn’t hit you with any great impact, but its transient response is still quick and tight. Overall, the bass has as much balance as you’d expect from a professional studio sound signature, but the SLAM technology allows the sub-bass to reveal more gravel for an interesting listen.
Mids
Everything is balanced and airy in the middle of the MM-520, as it is a tuning that should sound familiar with studio gear. There’s nothing left behind, but nothing exciting, leaving the sound signature simple and clinical. There are still finer details to be found on certain instruments, including string pluck definition and vocal clarity. Distorted electric guitars are brought to a more organized and chaotic level. It shows you how well the MM-520 maintains its frequencies, providing a structured response that allows you to explore the midrange without fogging. For casual listeners, the MM-520 is still full and defined in the midrange, leaning away from the metal sound signature but can still be considered a little light. There is no warmth, but the upper-mids have a slight hump for high-pitched vocals.
They are high
The treble is incredibly airy and has some character to it. It’s still a timbre you can rely on for pure high-end detail, but its response is somewhere between focused and extended. The MM-520 finds a good midrange to express this treble flavor, combining air and touch in an informative and satisfying way. Its brightness is increased to an additional height, which allows the frequencies to ring naturally without causing fatigue. The tails of the saber retreat to a more open space, while the broken cymbals crackle and scatter with a sparkle. Everything is still organized and intact, but the height of the MM-520 brings more to its reference profile here and is a little more fun.
Summary
The Audeze MM-520 isn’t trying to be the biggest or most cinematic open-back headphone in its class. Instead, it succeeds as a dedicated studio headphone with a solid image, clean layer, and a sound signature built to precision. Its 90mm magnetic drivers deliver tight low-end control, transparent mids, and airy highs, while SLAM technology helps give the bass a more focused sense of texture without pushing the tuning too far from neutral. Some listeners may want a wider soundstage or a warmer midrange. Still, for mixing, critical listening, and professional production, the MM-520 offers disciplined performance that makes it easy to trust. It’s another solid entry in Audeze’s MM Series and the perfect choice for engineers and audiophiles who value precision over exaggeration.
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The Audeze MM-520 will be available soon from Audio46.