Alright guys, before you comment about the measurements, please watch the previous video we posted that goes over it in detail. This is a new (and much more complete) way of showing the measurements, but its going to take some time for folks to learn.
cant we have a mixed version of both during this transition time? because without an 'anchor' line my brain basically looses all context :D at least show the preference window with old style as well.
@@mehmetgurdal You must unlearn what you have learned... haha yeah currently the only middle ground would be to show raw against a 10dB tilt - since flat untitled DF wouldn't work for that. But then that leaves out the preference bounds.
I like it. It's pretty simple to understand. I barely noticed anything about it at first, to be frank. Big fan of the grey area denoting usual preference too.
@@ResolveReviews yes Sensei :D I absolutely love 10 db tilt DF its pretty realistic. however raw graph kinda gives me more clue on how a certain type of experience headphone would give; For example when I see a delayed pinna gain or subdued pinna gain I know that It'll sound spacious or vocals will be residing between instruments rather than isolated an upfront. and on IEM's; it gives me idea on how it might be tuned how much tilt it has and were bass starts to kick in?, where exactly the crossover points might be? preference boundries doesn't give me any indication on that regard unless if its compared with another model that has a known tuning. keep the preference boundry but also at least add the DF target line for fine assesment.
With the MM-100 and MOONDROP Para falling around the price of the Sundara, I’d be curious to see a comparison on how the three planars stack up against each other
It would have been good if you said whether you preferred the MM-100 or the Sundara or the 600/650 but we were left with no real idea if you think the MM-100 is better or worse or if it has better soundstage and imaging than Sundara etc.
Hey DMS. Sine we are now seeing more of these crossover products, how about a show (or series) on Studio vs. Audiophile phones? I mean it would be an education for non audio pros, and even perhaps explain to pros the reason why straight neutral is not enjoyable for most, and that coloration adds to the experience / enjoyment. Hey, even some studio gear caomparisons to audiophile phones? E.g. An AKG 702 vs. Sundara or Neumann NDH 30 vs. HD 800S. In the end it more a case of Tool vs. Toy, but it's a topic never really covered by most Headphone channels.
I'd be interest to see how these stack up in gaming. Sundara's are just not great for gaming because of their imaging. I'd love to see Chrono do another gaming test where he compares like a HD560s, the MM-100, and maybe an LCD-X
Great video! I’m trying to decide between mm-100 and Sundara. I currently use dt-880 with Sonarworks profile for audio production but want to buy a set of planars. The sundara costs about 28% less where I live… anyone got any thoughts on this?
I am so glad for your opinion on this planar. I'm still rocking the SHP9500 and really like it. I've tried the 1990 Pro, the TYGR 300, and was planning on trying the Audeze MM100. While playing around with EQs in the last couple of weeks I found that what I mostly dislike in headphones is what you often call 'shout'. I listen to a lot of modern metal and guitars and harsh vocals just sound wrong with headphones that are a bit shouty. My Aria's need a hefty dip in the 2K-4K region to make guitars sound 'right; to me. I'll maybe get to try the MM100 in a store, but I'm afraid I'll live without the shout ;)
Thank you for such an in depth detailed review! I subscribed and look forward to future videos. I have the HD650 headphones I am using for mixing. I have been a mixing engineer for over 25 years and am wondering if the HIFIMAN SUNDARA might be a better fit for me with the high end boost??? Your thoughts would be appreciated.
DMS, on your custom headphone build try to achieve a frequency response range well beyond audible range that is as wide as possible from the low single digits (eg 3-5 hz) up to its peak (125 khz) because though frequency above 20 khz is inaudible it fully demonstrates the fast-responsiveness of the headphone diaphragm which directly correlates to detail retrieval.
Folks need to realize that raw FR is entirely pointless except in the very specific cases of being done on GRAS KEMAR and KB5000 pinna based systems. You cannot compare raw FRs of different headphones done on different rigs, since each rig has a different HRTF. DMS's measurements are done on the 4128, and unless you're comparing it directly to other measurements done on a 4128... there is literally nothing you can do with that information.
Shoutiness in some planars is something I’ve learned to live with, depends on the song for me, being impervious to the often hated Beyerdynamic treble helps for sure
Hello again, I mix and master with MM500's straight out of my mac book pro which drives them easily. I need a comparable closed back that could also help me avoid an amp, thus keeping things portable. Great channel, any suggestions?
This pair of headphone is super comfortable for me.I can use it for mixing over 10 hours and still not feel tired. Moreover, I like the frequency more than MM-500 but it is a bit lack of high. By the way I can use my HD800S for a double check😊
Anyone actually using tge mm-100 for mixdown? Of so how are you liking them? I am using the DT 990 Pro now and like them ok but always looking to upgrade.
These Audeze's seem similar to the Maxwells, but open back. My only knock on the Maxwell's was that they were closed back. These being open back seem like the alternative I was looking for. I am a gamer first and foremost. I just bought the Sennheiser 490 Pros, but I am wondering if I should exchange them for these mm-100s. ANyone have suggestions?!
I like how you compared the MM-100 to the Sundara; as a new audiophile, I GREATLY APPRECIATE the way you define brite and dark in context to the "gray" area on the graph. This kind of essential information is great for those of us just starting out but not too mandate for the experience audiophile. Thanks from Knoxville!
This is the only review that mentioned that MM-100 cannot be adjusted vertically. I’ve tried MM-500 at a HiFi show but with this knowledge in missing vertical adjustment for MM-100 I will definitely need to find a store here in 🇩🇰 where I can try them. It is a deal breaker if I cannot adjust them properly like I could with MM-500.
Which reference headphones would you recommend for mixing and even mastering trap/phonk music in the $200-350 range (within the limits of your means) ? I have a few headphones in mind. I would like to learn based on your experience and knowledge. The ones I have in mind are; AKG K-371, Audio Technica M40 to M70 models, Beyerdynamic DT770 to 990 models, Shure brand, Sony mdr-7506
Hello, I just want to use one earphone and don't want to be tired of switching devices all the time depending on the type of music. I listen to 80% classical and 20% jazz and pop. I have also seen the mm500 so far, and I think the instrument part is quite good, and the vocals are in the front, so the female voice sounds good. Do you recommend other headphones at this level? I think the sound field of the mm500 is okay. For classical music, the instrument tone is not too modified. , the low-frequency dive is enough for jazz. I don’t know if I understand this right?
As always pleasure to see a DMS video. You measured these on 4128? It has completely different DF curve compared to 5128. Much more 8-9k. Compensated measurements VS RAW are not just like pro vs noob. Even the most pro measurement reader will struggle to make sense of a comp measurement if there isn’t proper clarification of what target and what rig has been used.
I’ve watched it. But you were used to utilize BK 5128 FOR measuring. There is a 4128 label in top right corner of FRs shown here. That made me confused. Using a 4128 rig and compensating to 5128 DF is basically wrong. Or am I missing something?
@@portalhead95 Yes, you are missing the bit about each measurement being compensated to its rig-specific HRTF. That means measurements done on a 4128 get the 4128 DFHRTF, just like measurements on the 5128 get 5128 DFHRTF, and so on. That's the only way these measurements are comparable.
@@TheHEADPHONEShowI am literally saying the exact same thing😅 I’m trying to say if the rig is 4128, then what DMS has used for compensation here is 4128 DF , right? The reason i got confused was because its first time I see you use older 4128 rig and not usual 5128. So wasn’t sure if it’s a typo or actual rig. Since DF curve of 4128 has a lot more 8-9K energy.
I've watched the other video that Resolve did about reading the new frequency response chart yesterday and was quite confused, I still have quite a bit of trouble reading these new graphs, how many decibels above was the MM-100 that gave it that shout factor in the 2-4khz range, it doesn't show in this new frequency response chart each frequency range measured in (hz) only some frequency ranges on the horizontal axis, or each DB range on the vertical axis, if something is dark or bright sounding I need to know how much each frequency is being pushed forward or being pushed back in decibels and what is the most common listening preference for each range is.
That's just it though, "too dark or too bright" is going to be relative to the person listening and their HRTF. We as a community need to get used to reading FR graphs not as absolutes but as a range of potential conditions. We're used to seeing it as being X amount of dB above "the target" at 3khz, but that assumes there's an absolute value for where it SHOULD be. In reality, in order to satisfy most listeners, it really should fall within a range. But, with that in mind, one thing we are considering is how to show various different clusters for where people preferred a given level.
@@ResolveReviews Yes definitely, 100 % agree, even though I'm not an audiophile, I'm too dumb to be, I just want to try to understand these graphs at a basic level so it can better inform my headphone/IEM purchases, even though as you said FR graphs aren't absolutes, what concerns me is the shout range, as I don't want it to be boosted or overemphasized as the music I listen to which is heavy metal can be a bit shouty, but not for all my metal music, it depends on the sub genre of heavy metal and the singer. I want the best clarity for vocals and instruments without a too dark or too bright sound signature in headphones, IEMS or even speakers, something that sounds balanced, without anything in the vocal range being boosted or reduced, from what most people prefer as the norm in the 2-4Khz range.
@@robertobuatti7226Try playing with an EQ while listening to music to see the basics of how the frequency changes your perception. Ultimately for application to choosing the best for you it is easiest just to audition headphones first or buy somewhere with a forgiving return policy until you get a grasp of what you want.
@@AnomieDomine Oh thank you for that, much appreciated, I'm quite new to the audiophile world even though I've been listening to music for all my 42 years, I don't understand anything to do with frequency response but I'm trying to teach myself, I have learning disabilities so it's extremely difficult to understand it, but I have been using other high end headphones EQ profiles on my budget headphones & IEMs that I want to improve the clarity of, in which I the use Poweramp app on my Android DAPS and my headphones and IEMS sound so much better using these headphone EQ profiles.
@@robertobuatti7226 Try wavelet for Android and you can import profiles for the headphones you're using and see if you like the curve adjusted sound, I do not think trying to mimick the response of another with EQ will work the way you expect. I like using a Bluetooth headphone amp, Qudelix 5k, since it supports equalizer on its own which is hard to find outside the RME ADI2. Playing with EQ to learn the bands is easiest with a graphical EQ (more than 3 but not parametric) but when you understand your process it's best to dial in with parametric.
My 20 year old Sennheiser HD-600s are still much more useful to me as a mastering engineer than my Audeze LCDX’s. There’s a “lot” of hype and propaganda in the headphone field.
LCD-X absolutely needs EQ to be anywhere near an HD600 in tuning, but then they can show off the bass in a way an HD600 never could. HD600 still has the highs for the most part.
would the average person (as you put it) know what 'neutral' and 'coloured' are? or just the average person with a dedicated interest that you happen to hang out with? this video is absolutely baffling to me - i can't see why an aspect of a part of a hobby or free time activity has to lead to a wall entirely full of headphones?
I absolutely love my MM-500, made a gamble and pre-ordered them when they launched. Took a bit to get used to the clamp force, but now I think they feel perfect. Happy to see a review for them especially comparing to the MM-100 since I had a bit of a worry that I should have waited and saved some money.
Just bought the LCD-5 and using with the RME 2/4. Listening for pleasure and mixing maybe trying to master. I am boosting the basic bas level up +2. I hope that gives me an accurate picture. The RME also has a graphic EQ if I need to do more. I would love to compare to the MM-500. I believe with just a little more bass the 5's should be better?
@@hartyewh1 Thank You. I'm checking out the list. I see RME DAC / Amps are on there. I'll have to figure out how to get that done. I don't want to use software to EQ. Maybe this is not true but I've read and heard from some mastering engineers and producers that software introduces unusual artifacts and is not great.
@@marc8vinoGood software or hardware parametric EQ on its own should not harm the sound at all, most headphones or speakers have limits to how much they can be changed without introducing significant distortion, the LCD,-5 will not have issues with any respectable parametric EQ if using equalizer APO or if your RME has it in hardware
Those compensated measurements are intertesting for the Sundara because I owned them and found them to be alright despite terribly static/build quality issues but I wasn't in love with the FR either (much better with EQ). I ended up trading for Edition XS and absolutely love them and got MM-100 to compliment them some what and I would also take the MM-100 over the Sundara any day of the week. I just need a slight bass shelf with MM-100 and find them to be fantastic. Interesting to see the inverse relationship in the treble region as DMS mentioned since that may be the reason I prefer one over the other. Can confirm that Mr Morale by Kendrick sounds just incredible on the MM-100, also plenty of other things do as well, but man that album is just magic with those and it makes sense why.
Thanks for the comparision/review DMS! I will need to listen to the MM-100 to confirm but I for sure will prefer the Sundara over it myself non Eqd. Mostly because I won't like the upper mids of the MM-100.
Thank you for sharing your review of MM100. I'm looking forward to your follow-up review of this product. The ballpark to which mm100 belongs is very competitive... Audeze's been doing a good job, I take it that MM100 basically needs to be EQed tho
I already have a 6xx and want something for audio engenierring and music production. I was looking at the edition xs but would the mm 100 be a better pick for it?
I got to audition both the mm100 and mm500 and it did everything DMS said. However the pairs I auditioned BOTH produced the reverse of the treble curve you mentioned even above 4k. The highs had been pushed way higher and more sibilant. So much volume was in the 3k-7k range that bassier quieter instruments were simply gone and the highs overtook the stage. It also became colored and sibilant in the same treble range. I did not enjoy the experience of having old music that I know well change so much just in the highs. The thought of having to EQ the hp just to tame the frequency band of this price range was a turn off. I tried this on the dCS Lina full system stack. The auditioned line up was HD660s2 HD6XX MM-100 MM-500 LCDclassic Arya Stealth and the Jade. Plus another very forgettable headphone but I forgot what it was. Only both the Audeze had the coloration and high burst I described above. One last thing I noticed and understood from the audition was, if a higher frequency note and very bassy notes were played together at the same time in the MM’s, it tend to lose speed and instrument separation would suffer in very busy songs. In fact I always play a particular song when I want to test the headroom and recovery of drivers (an extremely busy dark synth wave song) and most hps gets completely dismantled by it. So not a big deal. All hps I have or auditioned failed except for the senn HDs, Arya stealth and Jade pass this test. Not to say MM’s are bad, they’re just not as speedy as the hifimans or the senns, and for the price I would not want to fiddle with EQ every time. Otherwise it matched everything you described in the video
@@ResolveReviews I agree it's probably better once learned but for now I'm sticking with the normal measurements. Just because I'm familiar with that style and for me it's easier to make sense of.
@@liammadridista2395 Its okay, this will take time. I actually expect this type of visualization will become the norm but its still unfamiliar to folks for now.
