Audeze has expanded its Manny Marroquin Signature Series with the launch of the MM-520, a new pair of professional studio headphones.
These new cans build on the foundations of the well-regarded MM-500, while also introducing the company’s latest SLAM technology.
Developed in collaboration with 18-time Grammy-winning mix engineer Manny Marroquin, the MM-520 is aimed squarely at audio professionals who need a pair of monitoring cans that remain consistent across different playback systems.
So rather than reinventing the formula, Audeze has focused on refining areas that matter most in critical listening environments, focusing on bass response and spatial accuracy.
The headline addition is SLAM, short for Symmetric Linear Acoustic Modulator. Audeze says the technology optimises air pressure inside the earcups to improve low-frequency performance and spatial presentation. Audeze says this is achieved without altering the neutral midrange character, an aspect that helped make the MM-500 a popular choice among engineers and producers.
That focus on low-end accuracy is particularly relevant for modern music production. In modern contexts, mixes often need to translate effectively across everything from studio monitors to wireless earbuds and car stereos. Therefore, by enhancing bass impact while maintaining control and precision, the MM-520 aims to provide a more reliable reference point during mixing and mastering sessions.
Elsewhere, the headphones continue to use Audeze’s 90mm planar magnetic drivers with Ultra-Thin Uniforce diaphragms and Fazor waveguide technology. These components can minimise distortion and preserve detail across the frequency range, helping engineers identify subtle changes in a mix without introducing unwanted colouration.
Audeze has designed the MM-520 with relatively high sensitivity and low impedance, so users can drive the headphones directly from audio interfaces, mixing consoles, laptops, or portable equipment.
Comfort has also received attention. Audeze has fitted the MM-520 with upgraded memory foam earpads that are intended to remain comfortable during long editing, mixing, or mastering sessions. The pads attach magnetically as well. This makes replacement simpler over the long term.
At $1699, the MM-520 sits firmly in the premium end of the professional headphone market. For engineers who value accurate bass reproduction and detailed spatial imaging, the MM-520 could be a meaningful evolution of the MM-500.
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