Denon AH-D9200 vs Audeze MM-500

Short answer: the Denon AH-D9200. It ranks #124 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $1,799. The Audeze MM-500 ranks #134, rated 3.4/5, at $1,699, $100 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.

Why pick the Denon AH-D9200: The bass is well behaved, within about 1.4 dB of target through the sub-bass and about 1.2 dB over in the bass, which gives a full but controlled foundation. The catch: Upper mids are about 2.4 dB under target and a 6.1 dB dip near 2.3 kHz recesses vocals and piano.

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.

Buy the Denon AH-D9200. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $100 with the Audeze MM-500 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

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• Audeze MM-500 vs Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT
• Audeze MM-500 vs Sendy Peacock

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The Two Headphones In Full

Denon AH-D9200: $1,799.00 Amazon eBay

Pros: The bass is well behaved, within about 1.4 dB of target through the sub-bass and about 1.2 dB over in the bass, which gives a full but controlled foundation. A preference score of 71 and a 2.5 dB deviation show a reasonably smooth overall tune. A 24 ohm impedance and 105 dB/mW sensitivity make it easy to drive from portable sources, and the closed back isolates.

Cons: Upper mids are about 2.4 dB under target and a 6.1 dB dip near 2.3 kHz recesses vocals and piano. Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is 3.5 dB low, then a 6.4 dB peak near 11.9 kHz and 4.8 dB of excess air add a hot, uneven sheen on top. At 375 g it is a heavy headphone, and the price is far beyond what the response alone delivers compared with the Denon AH-D7200.

Full Denon AH-D9200 review and specifications →

Released	Oct 2019 (7 years ago)
Back	Closed
Built-in Microphone	No
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	2.50 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Drivers	1 x 50mm dynamic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	5Hz - 56kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	71 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	24 ohms
Sensitivity	105 dB/mW
Sub-bass Extension	Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.9 dB at 30 Hz)
Tonal Tilt	-0.80 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)
Weight	0.8 lbs (375 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	+1.4 dB	0.70
Peak	190 Hz	-3.8 dB	0.77
Peak	2,176 Hz	+6.6 dB	1.99
Peak	1,036 Hz	-2.7 dB	1.43
Peak	420 Hz	+2.1 dB	2.13
High shelf	10,000 Hz	-3.4 dB	0.70
Peak	7,028 Hz	+3.5 dB	1.56
Peak	5,420 Hz	-6.3 dB	3.42
Peak	4,317 Hz	+1.9 dB	5.76
Peak	42 Hz	-0.4 dB	2.39

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the Denon AH-D9200 (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Denon AH-D9200 vs ZMF Ori 3.0
  • Denon AH-D9200 vs Sendy Peacock
  • Denon AH-D9200 vs Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT

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 Sendy Peacock
  • Audeze MM-500 vs Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT
  • Audeze MM-500 vs Fostex TH900mk2