Audeze MM-520 – Reference Planar Magnetic Headphones for Studio Use

The Audeze MM-520 are professional reference open-back headphones developed in collaboration with Manny Marroquin, the 18-time Grammy Award-winning producer and mixing engineer.

Designed to provide a trusted reference for mixing, mastering, music production and critical listening, the MM-520 combine Audeze's Planar Magnetic technology with the new SLAM™ acoustic technology, delivering greater bass extension and definition without compromising the accuracy and neutrality of the midrange.

With 90 mm Planar Magnetic drivers, Ultra-Thin Uniforce™ diaphragms, Fluxor™ magnet arrays and Fazor™ elements, the MM-520 are designed to reveal the finest details within a recording and enable mixing decisions that translate consistently across different playback systems.

Developed with Manny Marroquin

The MM series was born from the collaboration between Audeze and Manny Marroquin, one of the most respected mixing engineers in the music industry.

With 18 Grammy Awards and work with artists including Kendrick Lamar, Post Malone, Lizzo and Jon Batiste, Marroquin has used Audeze headphones for years as a reference tool both inside and outside the studio.

The MM-520 have been tuned to provide a particularly consistent reference for professional work, allowing engineers and musicians to accurately assess tonal balance, dynamics, stereo imaging, bass response and fine details within a mix.

New SLAM™ Acoustic Technology

One of the major developments in the MM-520 is the incorporation of SLAM™ – Symmetric Linear Acoustic Modulator technology.

This system carefully manages the acoustic pressure generated between the driver and the ear, improving low-frequency behaviour and spatial presentation.

The result is deeper, more defined and controlled bass while retaining the clarity and midrange accuracy that characterise Audeze's professional MM series.

90 mm Planar Magnetic Drivers

The MM-520 use large 90 mm Planar Magnetic drivers, developed and refined by Audeze at its facilities in California.

Unlike a conventional dynamic driver, Planar Magnetic technology uses an extremely thin diaphragm across a large surface area, enabling exceptionally fast and uniform response.

This architecture helps reduce distortion while improving resolution, transient response and the ability to reproduce subtle dynamic variations within a recording.

Ultra-Thin Uniforce™ Diaphragm

Audeze's patented Uniforce™ technology uses a specially designed voice-coil structure to distribute force more evenly across the diaphragm.

Combined with an extremely lightweight diaphragm, this enables more precise and controlled movement, contributing to the MM-520's low distortion and high transparency.

Fluxor™ Magnet Array

The drivers incorporate Audeze's Fluxor™ Magnet Array technology with N50 neodymium magnets.

This configuration concentrates magnetic flux across the diaphragm, providing high efficiency and excellent control even during complex musical passages and large dynamic swings.

Fazor™ Technology

Fazor™ elements help control the propagation of sound waves within the headphones.

By reducing unwanted interference and diffraction, this technology contributes to more accurate stereo imaging, improved spatial definition and a more coherent presentation.

Accuracy for Mixing and Mastering

The MM-520 were designed as a genuine professional monitoring tool.

Their sonic signature is engineered to provide a sufficiently accurate reference for making decisions involving equalisation, compression, spatial positioning, dynamics and tonal balance.

This ability to reveal subtle details also makes them an excellent choice for audiophiles seeking a highly informative presentation that remains faithful to the original recording.

5 Hz to 50 kHz Frequency Response

The frequency response extends from 5 Hz to 50 kHz, providing wide-band reproduction capable of revealing both deep low-frequency extension and fine high-frequency detail.

Total harmonic distortion is below 0.1% at 100 dB SPL / 1 kHz, while maximum SPL exceeds 130 dB.

18 Ohms and High Sensitivity

With an impedance of just 18 Ohms and sensitivity of 102 dB/1 mW, the MM-520 present a relatively easy load for Planar Magnetic headphones of this class.

They can be used with audio interfaces, mixing consoles and a wide range of headphone amplifiers, although a high-quality source and amplification will allow their resolution and dynamic capability to be fully exploited.

Open-Back Design for Natural Sound

The open-back architecture allows air to flow naturally through the drivers and reduces the internal reflections commonly associated with closed-back headphones.

This configuration promotes a more open and natural spatial presentation, making the MM-520 particularly suitable for mixing, mastering and critical listening in quiet environments.

New Magnetic Earpads

The MM-520 feature new memory foam earpads designed to provide comfort during extended working and listening sessions.

The magnetic attachment system allows the earpads to be quickly and easily removed or replaced, also simplifying cleaning and maintenance.

Built for Professional Use

The robust construction of the MM-520 is designed to withstand the demands of daily studio and professional use.

With a weight of 555 g, the structure distributes weight through the suspension headband and large circumaural earpads to provide stability and comfort during extended sessions.

Detachable Cable and Accessories Included

The MM-520 include a 2.5-metre detachable cable, 3.5 mm to 6.3 mm adapter, hard carrying case and MM-Series travel pouch.

This package makes it easy to protect the headphones while travelling and use them across different studio environments and High-End playback systems.

Key Features

• Professional open-back circumaural headphones
• Audeze Planar Magnetic technology
• Developed in collaboration with Manny Marroquin
• 90 mm Planar Magnetic drivers
• SLAM™ acoustic technology
• Fluxor™ Magnet Array
• Fazor™ elements
• Ultra-Thin Uniforce™ diaphragm
• N50 neodymium magnets
• 5 Hz to 50 kHz frequency response
• 18 Ohm impedance
• 102 dB/1mW sensitivity
• THD below 0.1%
• Maximum SPL above 130 dB
• Maximum power handling of 5 W RMS
• Memory foam earpads
• Magnetic earpad attachment system
• 2.5-metre detachable cable
• Hard carrying case included
• MM-Series travel pouch included

Technical Specifications

Type: Over-Ear / Circumaural / Open-Back
Transducer: Planar Magnetic
Transducer size: 90 mm
Magnetic structure: Fluxor™ Magnet Array
Phase management: Fazor™
Acoustic management: SLAM™
Magnet type: N50 Neodymium
Diaphragm: Ultra-Thin Uniforce™

Frequency response: 5 Hz – 50 kHz
Impedance: 18 Ohms
Sensitivity: 102 dB/1mW (@ Drum Reference Point)
THD: <0.1% @ 100 dB SPL / 1 kHz
Maximum SPL: >130 dB
Minimum recommended power: >100 mW
Maximum power handling: 5 W RMS

Weight: 555 g
Cable: 2.5 m detachable cable
Adapter: 3.5 mm to 6.3 mm

In the Box

• Audeze MM-520 headphones
• 2.5 m headphone cable
• 3.5 mm to 6.3 mm adapter
• Hard carrying case
• MM-Series travel pouch