Audeze MM-520 Manny Marroquin Signature Series Headphones

The Studio Reference Headphone Gets Real Bass, Without Losing Its Neutral Midrange

The MM-520 is Audeze's update to the MM-500, developed with 18-time Grammy-winning mix engineer Manny Marroquin and now replacing it entirely in Audeze's lineup. It keeps the MM-500's core mission — an open-back planar headphone accurate enough for mixing and critical listening, and honest enough that decisions made on it translate to other systems.

The headline addition is Audeze's SLAM (Symmetric Linear Acoustic Modulator) technology, which optimizes air pressure inside the earcup to give the open-back design deeper, more controlled bass without disturbing the neutral midrange that made the MM-500 a working tool rather than a hi-fi showpiece.

SLAM Technology Brings Real Low-End to an Open Back

Open-back headphones typically trade bass weight for soundstage and clarity, since the open design lets low frequencies escape rather than build up. SLAM addresses this with a vented, knurled ring built into the driver assembly that manages internal air pressure, adding a meaningful boost below 100Hz. Independent measurement confirms the emphasis sits mainly in the 20Hz to 50Hz range, giving the MM-520 more foundation than the MM-500 without introducing the boominess or distortion that bass-heavy closed-back designs can suffer from.

Updated Comfort for Long Sessions

The MM-520 moves to magnetic detachable earpads, replacing the MM-500's glued-in pads, so swapping or cleaning them takes seconds rather than requiring adhesive work. New 180-degree swivel cups let the earcups lay flat when not in use and adjust more freely to your head. The tradeoff is weight: at 555g, the MM-520 is about 60g heavier than the MM-500, mainly due to the added SLAM ring and new pad magnet system.

Easy to Drive, Built to Scale

At 18 ohms impedance and 102dB/mW sensitivity (2dB more sensitive than the MM-500), the MM-520 can be driven cleanly from an audio interface, console headphone output, or laptop, without requiring a dedicated headphone amplifier to reach usable volume. A quality headphone amp will still let the driver show more of what it's capable of, particularly for critical listening rather than quick monitoring checks.

Is the Audeze MM-520 Right for You?

• You mix, master, or do critical listening work. The MM-520 is built for translation — decisions made on it are meant to hold up on other playback systems.
• You want real bass from an open-back design. SLAM technology directly targets the low-end weakness open-back headphones are known for.
• You already own the MM-500 and are deciding whether to upgrade. The core driver and midrange tuning carry over; the main gains are bass definition, magnetic pads, and swivel cups, at the cost of extra weight.
• You need flexible cable termination. The included cable covers 6.35mm and 3.5mm; if you need balanced 4-pin XLR or 4.4mm, budget for an aftermarket cable.
• One honest limitation: at 555g, this is a heavier headphone than the MM-500 it replaces, which is worth factoring in if you already found the MM-500 substantial for long sessions.

Setup, Compatibility & What's Included

The MM-520 connects via a detachable 2.5m cable with 3-pin mini-XLR connectors at each earcup and a 6.35mm (1/4") plug at the amplifier end; a 6.35mm-to-3.5mm adapter is included for smaller headphone jacks. There is no balanced 4-pin XLR or 4.4mm cable included. Included in the box: the MM-520 headphones, the stock 2.5m cable, a 6.35mm-to-3.5mm adapter, a soft carrying pouch, a hard travel case, a user guide, and a warranty card. A headphone amplifier is not strictly required given the MM-520's sensitivity, but is recommended to hear the driver at its best.

Key Features

SLAM Bass Technology
A vented, air-pressure-managing ring adds meaningful low-end weight to the open-back design without closed-back boominess.

90mm Planar Magnetic Driver
A single-sided Fluxor magnet array and Ultra-Thin Uniforce diaphragm target low distortion and fast transient response.

Magnetic Detachable Earpads
Swap or clean pads in seconds, without the glued-pad process used on the outgoing MM-500.

180-Degree Swivel Cups
Earcups lay flat for storage and adjust more freely for a range of head shapes.

Easy-to-Drive Specs
18-ohm impedance and 102dB/mW sensitivity let it run cleanly from an interface, console, or laptop.

Manny Marroquin Signature Tuning
Developed over four years with the 18-time Grammy-winning mix engineer for a neutral, translation-focused sound.

Specifications

• Type: open-back, over-ear planar magnetic headphone
• Driver: 90mm planar magnetic, single-sided Fluxor magnet array (14 magnets), Ultra-Thin Uniforce diaphragm, Fazor phase management, SLAM acoustic management
• Frequency response: 5Hz – 50kHz
• Impedance: 18 ohms
• Sensitivity: 102dB/1mW
• Maximum SPL: greater than 130dB
• THD: under 0.1% at 100dB SPL
• Minimum recommended power: above 100mW
• Cable: detachable, 2.5m, 20AWG OCC copper, 3-pin mini-XLR connectors, 6.35mm plug
• Included adapter: 6.35mm to 3.5mm
• Earpads: magnetic detachable, memory foam with leather-style covering
• Headband: metal frame with leather suspension strap
• Cup articulation: 180-degree swivel
• Weight: 555g
• Included: headphones, stock cable, 6.35mm-to-3.5mm adapter, soft carrying pouch, hard travel case, user guide, warranty card
• Finish: Black

Awards & Expert Reviews

Headfonics awarded the MM-520 a 9.1 Award Score (Sound Quality 9.1, Design 9.2, Comfort 8.9, Synergy 9.3), citing "impressive imaging for a compact soundstage" and "improved sub-bass response over the MM-500." The review's noted drawbacks were a slightly subdued upper-midrange for some listeners and added weight compared to the outgoing model.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a headphone amplifier to use the MM-520?

Not strictly. At 18 ohms and 102dB/mW sensitivity, the MM-520 can be driven cleanly from an audio interface, console headphone output, or laptop. A dedicated headphone amp will still let the driver show more of its capability for critical listening.

How is the MM-520 different from the MM-500?

The core driver and Marroquin-tuned midrange carry over, but the MM-520 adds SLAM bass technology for deeper, more controlled low end, magnetic detachable earpads in place of glued pads, and new 180-degree swivel cups. It's about 60g heavier as a result. The MM-500 has been discontinued in favor of the MM-520.

Does it come with a balanced cable?

No. The included cable terminates in 6.35mm (1/4") with a 3.5mm adapter. There is no 4-pin XLR or 4.4mm balanced cable in the box; an aftermarket cable would be needed for a balanced connection.

Is this an open-back or closed-back headphone?

Open-back. This gives it a more natural soundstage but means sound leaks in both directions, so it's better suited to a quiet room than shared or noisy spaces.

What else do I need to get started?

Nothing essential beyond a source with a headphone output. A dedicated headphone amplifier is a worthwhile upgrade if you want to hear the MM-520 at its best, but it isn't required to use it.

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