Audeze MM-500 vs Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT

Short answer: the Audeze MM-500. It ranks #134 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.4/5, at $1,699; the Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT ranks #151, rated 3.3/5, and costs $1,999, so there is little reason to consider the other one.

The case for the Audeze MM-500: The midrange from 200 Hz to 3 kHz tracks the Harman target within about 0.3 dB, so voices and instruments in the core of the music sound accurate. The catch: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz sits about 7.3 dB under target, with a 15 dB dip near 9.6 kHz, so cymbals, hi-hats and vocal air sound dark and muffled.

Why pick the Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT: The closed back keeps sound in and outside noise out, and the 48 ohm, 102 dB/mW load reaches good volume straight from a phone. The catch: A deep 16.9 dB dip near 6.7 kHz leaves the 6 to 10 kHz treble about 11 dB below target in oratory1990’s measurement, so cymbals, string texture and room ambience sound muted.

Buy the Audeze MM-500. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.

Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

Related Headphone Comparisons

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• Denon AH-D9200 vs Audeze MM-500
• Audeze MM-500 vs Sendy Peacock
• Audeze MM-500 vs Fostex TH900mk2
• Denon AH-D9200 vs Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT
• Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT vs Fostex TH909

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The Two Headphones In Full

Audeze MM-500: $1,699.00 Amazon eBay

Pros: The midrange from 200 Hz to 3 kHz tracks the Harman target within about 0.3 dB, so voices and instruments in the core of the music sound accurate. The planar magnetic driver is easy to power at 18 ohms and 100 dB per mW, so a phone or basic dongle can drive it. The open back gives a wide, airy presentation for critical listening at home.

Cons: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz sits about 7.3 dB under target, with a 15 dB dip near 9.6 kHz, so cymbals, hi-hats and vocal air sound dark and muffled. Sub-bass is about 5.8 dB light, which loses rumble in electronic and cinematic music. At 495 g it is heavy for long sessions, the open back leaks sound and offers no isolation, and the Denon AH-D7200 has a higher rating at a much lower price.

Full Audeze MM-500 review and specifications →

Back	Open
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	2.98 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Planar magnetic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	69 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	18 ohms
Sensitivity	100 dB/mW
Sub-bass Extension	Falls 6 dB below target at 32 Hz (-6.1 dB at 30 Hz)
Tonal Tilt	-0.52 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)
Weight	1.1 lbs (495 g)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -5.3 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.

Filter	Frequency	Gain	Q
Low shelf	105 Hz	+5.6 dB	0.70
Peak	8,516 Hz	+7.3 dB	1.16
Peak	2,405 Hz	-1.6 dB	0.21
Peak	109 Hz	-1.9 dB	0.31
Peak	4,306 Hz	+4.4 dB	4.44
High shelf	10,000 Hz	-3.6 dB	0.70
Peak	1,954 Hz	+2.2 dB	3.28
Peak	2,899 Hz	-2.3 dB	3.50
Peak	1,242 Hz	-1.1 dB	2.48
Peak	2,185 Hz	+0.7 dB	2.52

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the Audeze MM-500 (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Audeze MM-500 vs Denon AH-D9200
  • Audeze MM-500 vs Sendy Peacock
  • Audeze MM-500 vs Fostex TH900mk2

Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT: $1,999.00 B&H Photo Video eBay

Pros: The closed back keeps sound in and outside noise out, and the 48 ohm, 102 dB/mW load reaches good volume straight from a phone. The upper midrange tracks the target within 0.6 dB and the largest peak above 1.5 kHz is only 2.3 dB, so nothing in the treble turns shrill or fatiguing. Its warm tilt suits listeners who prefer a relaxed, darker sound.

Cons: A deep 16.9 dB dip near 6.7 kHz leaves the 6 to 10 kHz treble about 11 dB below target in oratory1990’s measurement, so cymbals, string texture and room ambience sound muted. Sub-bass sits 9.5 dB under target and falls 6 dB short by 42 Hz, which thins out low bass, and at 405 g it is a heavy headphone. The Audeze MM-500 earns a higher rating at a similar price.

Full Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT review and specifications →

Released	Nov 2019 (6 years ago)
Back	Closed
Built-in Microphone	No
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	3.44 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Drivers	1 x 53mm dynamic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	5Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	65 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	48 ohms
Sensitivity	102 dB/mW
Sub-bass Extension	Falls 6 dB below target at 42 Hz (-9.2 dB at 30 Hz)
Tonal Tilt	-0.38 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)
Weight	0.9 lbs (405 g)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -6.2 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.

Filter	Frequency	Gain	Q
Low shelf	105 Hz	+6.6 dB	0.70
Peak	2,377 Hz	-9.1 dB	0.50
Peak	8,032 Hz	+8.4 dB	1.33
Peak	69 Hz	-4.4 dB	1.18
Peak	2,675 Hz	+10.7 dB	1.49
High shelf	10,000 Hz	-8.0 dB	0.70
Peak	214 Hz	+3.2 dB	2.51
Peak	125 Hz	-1.0 dB	1.98
Peak	310 Hz	-1.2 dB	3.63
Peak	1,384 Hz	-0.9 dB	3.04

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT vs Fostex TH909
  • Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT vs HEDD Heddphone 2
  • Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT vs Denon AH-D9200