Audeze MM-100

[pk4425]

This has a chance to be the cat amongst the pigeons.

$400 for a high quality Audeze planar could be something special in this hotly contested price range.

Yep. This could be Audeze's version of the HiFiMan Edition XS -- a headphone that tips over the market for value and sound signature at a certain price point.

Fingers crossed.

 

[pk4425]

I have never gotten to demo a pair so I have been left wondering why these didn't take off more. I'm guessing their must have been some obvious shortcomings?

I've never heard them, either. But I do know their construction is mainly plastic amid a world of sturdy, metal Audezes. Lighter, but less durable. Plus I've also read the cup size is small, which is weird for Audeze since its other LCD models have some of the roomiest cups in the industry.

 

[pk4425]

Perhaps. But if you think they are going to compete with their more expensive offerings, think again.

Maybe, maybe not. Some people think the HiFiMan Edition XS bests the Ananda and runs on the periphery of the same neighborhood as the Arya.

I doubt the MM-100 will be an LCD-X 2021 killer. But if it can get 80 to 90 percent of the way there at one-third the cost, it will be mega.

 

[killthrash]

Audeze's ability to deliver excellent high-end, low-volume boutique headphones is undisputed. I've had two sets of LCD-2's and an LCD-X, and they were all amazing. Audeze has historically struggled in the lower-end, high-volume segment. Their subreddit is a shitshow of pissed Penrose and Mobius owners. And the LCD-1 just quietly disappeared.

I'd love to see the Maxwell and this MM-100 get Audeze a long-deserved foothold in the mid-fi segment and give Sennheiser some competition so they stop putting out overpriced, incremental hype pieces (660S2).

 

[JAnonymous5150]

I'd love to see the Maxwell and this MM-100 get Audeze a long-deserved foothold in the mid-fi segment

Genuinely curious what you meant by this. How does Audeze "deserve" a piece of the mid-fi market? Isn't it just a case of making worthwhile products that consumers want? I'm probably missing something which is why I'm asking. Not at all trying to be antagonistic, I'm just genuinely curious and hoping to understand your thoughts and perspective.

 

[JAnonymous5150]

Maybe, maybe not. Some people think the HiFiMan Edition XS bests the Ananda and runs on the periphery of the same neighborhood as the Arya.

I doubt the MM-100 will be an LCD-X 2021 killer. But if it can get 80 to 90 percent of the way there at one-third the cost, it will be mega.

Right now if you want a planar around that price you're looking at Hifiman with Sundara, Edition XS, HE560, and even HE6SE. Sure you have a few Fostex planar mods put out by Modhouse, Mayflower, and others and random offerings like Oppo PM-3, Monoprice/Monolith, etc, but basically Hifiman is at the top of the heap for the affordable planar market.

Point being, if Audeze puts together an MM-100 that's similarly balanced and well tuned like the MM-500 and has technical chops to be competitive with other headphones in and around it's $399 price range then the MM-100 has real potential to be quite the market disruptor. I assume since they're using an MM model number that it will follow their studio/reference tuning style they used on the MM-500 which I think would be the perfect way to go for that $399 range because it'll be less polarizing/niche than their bassier/darker tunings. As I said, I'm really looking forward to seeing and hearing how this turns out.

 

[killthrash]

Genuinely curious what you meant by this. How does Audeze "deserve" a piece of the mid-fi market? Isn't it just a case of making worthwhile products that consumers want? I'm probably missing something which is why I'm asking. Not at all trying to be antagonistic, I'm just genuinely curious and hoping to understand your thoughts and perspective.

Hey! No worries! I have a pretty thick skin and am always happy to elaborate on my [poorly-worded] thoughts I was speaking more to the "foothold" and not necessarily a piece of the market. Audeze has been working really hard over many years to try to get a foothold in mid-fi but unfortunately hasn't worked out for them. I'm optimistic they'll eventually get there, and when they do, that foothold will be well-deserved. From that point on, you are correct in that they'll have to continue to manufacture, deliver and support worthwhile products to capture any significant market share.

 

[JAnonymous5150]

Hey! No worries! I have a pretty thick skin and am always happy to elaborate on my [poorly-worded] thoughts I was speaking more to the "foothold" and not necessarily a piece of the market. Audeze has been working really hard over many years to try to get a foothold in mid-fi but unfortunately hasn't worked out for them. I'm optimistic they'll eventually get there, and when they do, that foothold will be well-deserved. From that point on, you are correct in that they'll have to continue to manufacture, deliver and support worthwhile products to capture any significant market share.

Right on! Thanks for clarifying and answering quickly. Some folks around here can be touchy so I gonout of my way to make it clear that I'm not trying to argue.

As for Audeze getting a foothold in the affordable mid-fi market, I'm all for it. I happen to really like some of Hifiman's headphones in that area (particularly the HE-560s), but adding new blood and more competition to the market is always a good thing. Plus, while I haven't always been the biggest fan of some of Audeze's bassier and darker tunings, the tuning on the MM-500 is right up my alley so if they stick with something similarly well balanced I would be very pleased. Like you, I'm hoping this is where Audeze finally puts out a competitive and well received pair of headphones at the more affordable end of the spectrum.

 

[pk4425]

Right now if tou want a planar around that price you're looking at Hifiman with Sundara, Edition XS, HE560, and even HE6SE. Sure you have a few Fostex planar mods put out by Modhouse, Mayflower, and others and random offerings like Oppo PM-3, Monoprice/Monolith, etc, but basically Hifiman is at the top of the heap for the affordable planar market.

Point being, if Audeze puts together an MM-100 that's with tuning that's similarly well balanced as the MM-500 and has technical chops competitive withh other headphones in and around it's $399 price range then the MM-100 has real potential to be quite the market disruptor. I assume since their using an MM model number that it will follow their studio/reference tuning style they used on the MM-500 which I think would be the perfect way to go for that $399 range because it'll be less polarizing/niche than their bassier/darker tunings. As I said, I'm really looking forward to seeing and hearing how this turns out.

I have not heard the MM-500. But perhaps my biggest concern based on impressions isn't the tuning, which was widely applauded. It's the excessive clamping force.

I have a pretty big melon. Any can that is "clampy" usually crushes me. I hope Audeze has reacted to repeated criticisms of clamping force with the MM-500 and loosened the vise.

It appears the MM-100 has the Maxwell headband, which is different from the carbon-fiber 'band used on the MM-500. Is there a Goldilocks out there who has owned/tried the MM-500 and the Maxwell and can compare the clamping force of both?

On the bright side, the MM-100 appears to use the same, new fiberglas cup rings as those on the MM-500 and LCD-5, which should be a definite improvement of the porky weight in the LCD line from the 2C all the way to the 4.

 

[killthrash]

Right on! Thanks for clarifying and answering quickly. Some folks around here can be touchy so I gonout of my way to make it clear that I'm not trying to argue.

As for Audeze getting a foothold in the affordable mid-fi market, I'm all for it. I happen to really like some of Hifiman's headphones in that area (particularly the HE-560s), but adding new blood and more competition to the market is always a good thing. Plus, while I haven't always been the biggest fan of some of Audeze's bassier and darker tunings, the tuning on the MM-500 is right up my alley so if they stick with something similarly well balanced I would be very pleased. Like you, I'm hoping this is where Audeze finally puts out a competitive and well received pair of headphones at the more affordable end of the spectrum.

I was about to pull the trigger on the MM-500 but everyone says the clamp on those is too aggressive. Comfort is almost as important as sound to me and I decided to hold off until Audeze solves that problem. They are really good about listening to the community so I was assuming the next iteration would have better comfort. Maybe this Maxwell headband works for longer listening sessions, and a version of that headband trickles up to the 500.

 

[JAnonymous5150]

I was about to pull the trigger on the MM-500 but everyone says the clamp on those is too aggressive. Comfort is almost as important as sound to me and I decided to hold off until Audeze solves that problem. They are really good about listening to the community so I was assuming the next iteration would have better comfort. Maybe this Maxwell headband works for longer listening sessions, and a version of that headband trickles up to the 500.

I heard the same things about the clamp that you and @pk4425 heard, but ended up buying the MM-500s tontry for myself anyways because I got an opportunity to buy a demo model from a dealer that was in excellent condition for $900. My head is also pretty big and I normally find myself on the last step or two on headband adjustment systems on headphones. With that in mind, the MM-500s caused me zero problems. They certainly aren't the lightest clamping pair I own, but they don't cause me any discomfort even over long, multiple hour sessions. Take that for what you will.

 

[pk4425]

I heard the same things about the clamp that you and @pk4425 heard, but ended up buying the MM-500s tontry for myself anyways because I got an opportunity to buy a demo model from a dealer that was in excellent condition for $900. My head is also pretty big and I normally find myself on the last step or two on headband adjustment systems on headphones. With that in mind, the MM-500s caused me zero problems. They certainly aren't the lightest clamping pair I own, but they don't cause me any discomfort even over long, multiple hour sessions. Take that for what you will.

How is the tuning for you? Did you need to EQ?

I love Audeze, but it does grate a bit that EQ is almost required with its products. Seems like a conspiracy to sell more Reveal plug-ins, although I'm not THAT big of a prick to suggest that's the case. I have read that the Audeze presets in Roon -- which I use and love -- are the same as Reveal. Why not tune them like that out of the factory, boys?

 

[Beagle]

Hey! No worries! I have a pretty thick skin and am always happy to elaborate on my [poorly-worded] thoughts I was speaking more to the "foothold" and not necessarily a piece of the market. Audeze has been working really hard over many years to try to get a foothold in mid-fi but unfortunately hasn't worked out for them. I'm optimistic they'll eventually get there, and when they do, that foothold will be well-deserved. From that point on, you are correct in that they'll have to continue to manufacture, deliver and support worthwhile products to capture any significant market share.

And please....bring the weight down to a wearable level.

 

[LoryWiv]

How is the tuning for you? Did you need to EQ?

I love Audeze, but it does grate a bit that EQ is almost required with its products. Seems like a conspiracy to sell more Reveal plug-ins, although I'm not THAT big of a prick to suggest that's the case. I have read that the Audeze presets in Roon -- which I use and love -- are the same as Reveal. Why not tune them like that out of the factory, boys?

Using MM-500 as I type without EQ, of course I understand others may prefer EQ but for me Feliks Euforia --> MM-500 is wonderful as is.

 

[JAnonymous5150]

How is the tuning for you? Did you need to EQ?

I love Audeze, but it does grate a bit that EQ is almost required with its products. Seems like a conspiracy to sell more Reveal plug-ins, although I'm not THAT big of a prick to suggest that's the case. I have read that the Audeze presets in Roon -- which I use and love -- are the same as Reveal. Why not tune them like that out of the factory, boys?

Nope, no EQ required. That's a big part of the reason I like the MM-500s more than just about any other Audeze I have tried (aside from perhaps the LCD-5). It's a well balanced headphone that has no big faults, is non-fatiguing, and is a good listen right out of the box. It isn't as reference neutral as one might think from their marketing it as a studio headphone. They gave it a bit of a boost (modest boosts to be sure) at both ends of the spectrum to give it some energy and I think they did a good job. It handles pretty much any genre well. Sometimes I find myself wanting a bit more in the way of treble, but only a little bit and only on certain tracks. Most of the time, I enjoy the MM-500s as an accurate, detailed, and balanced all-rounder with technical chops that are commensurate with it's price tag.