Short answer: the HIFIMAN Ananda Nano. It ranks #4 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.5/5, at $319; the Beyerdynamic MMX 300 ranks #11, rated 4.4/5, and costs $352, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
Why pick the HIFIMAN Ananda Nano: A preference score of 94 puts it close to the Harman target, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz within 0.1 dB of target and the midrange within about 1 dB. Watch for: The top end is the weak spot, with the air region above 10 kHz running about 4.6 dB hot and a 10.8 dB peak near 11.9 kHz, preceded by a 4.4 dB dip near 9.6 kHz.
Why pick the Beyerdynamic MMX 300: It scores 91 on the Harman model, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz and the whole midrange within about half a dB of target. The catch: The top end is uneven, with a 4.3 dB dip near 9.5 kHz followed by a 6.1 dB peak near 11.9 kHz and air above 10 kHz about 5.3 dB hot.
Buy the HIFIMAN Ananda Nano. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Beyerdynamic MMX 300 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| HIFIMAN Ananda Nano | Beyerdynamic MMX 300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $319.00 | $352.00 |
| Ranked | #4 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #11 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 94 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 91 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.43 dB standard deviation | 1.73 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.14 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.09 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.0 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 14 ohms | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 94 dB | 96 dB SPL |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (420 g) | - |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 55kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for HIFIMAN Ananda Nano:
- HIFIMAN Ananda Nano vs Sennheiser HD 560S
- HIFIMAN Ananda Nano vs Austrian Audio Hi-X60
- HIFIMAN Ananda Nano vs Dyson Zone
- Austrian Audio Hi-X60 vs Beyerdynamic MMX 300
- Beyerdynamic MMX 300 vs Dyson Zone
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
HIFIMAN Ananda Nano: $319.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 94 puts it close to the Harman target, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz within 0.1 dB of target and the midrange within about 1 dB. Impedance of just 14 ohms makes it simple to drive from a phone or dongle, and the open planar design gives a spacious presentation. Sub-bass is only moderately light, about 2.8 dB under target.
Cons: The top end is the weak spot, with the air region above 10 kHz running about 4.6 dB hot and a 10.8 dB peak near 11.9 kHz, preceded by a 4.4 dB dip near 9.6 kHz. That can make cymbals and strings sound bright or sharp on some recordings. At 420 g it is heavy, and the open back leaks sound and gives no isolation.
Full HIFIMAN Ananda Nano review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.43 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 55kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 94 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 14 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 94 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.14 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (420 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -3.9 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 | +4.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,884 Hz | +2.9 dB | 2.00 |
| Peak | 84 Hz | -2.2 dB | 1.06 |
| Peak | 343 Hz | -0.7 dB | 1.30 |
| Peak | 2,910 Hz | -1.8 dB | 3.07 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -6.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 969 Hz | -1.0 dB | 4.06 |
| Peak | 170 Hz | +1.0 dB | 3.86 |
| Peak | 129 Hz | -0.7 dB | 3.65 |
| Peak | 752 Hz | +0.9 dB | 5.09 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Beyerdynamic MMX 300: $352.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: It scores 91 on the Harman model, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz and the whole midrange within about half a dB of target. A built-in microphone and closed back make it practical for calls, gaming and noisy rooms, and 32 ohms with 96 dB SPL sensitivity runs from a phone or laptop. Its tuning is slightly warm.
Cons: The top end is uneven, with a 4.3 dB dip near 9.5 kHz followed by a 6.1 dB peak near 11.9 kHz and air above 10 kHz about 5.3 dB hot. That can make cymbals and strings sound sharp or glassy. Sub-bass is about 3.2 dB under target, so the deepest bass notes lack some rumble.
Full Beyerdynamic MMX 300 review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.73 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 91 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 96 dB SPL |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.09 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.8 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 | +7.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 73 Hz | -7.9 dB | 0.69 |
| Peak | 3,829 Hz | +3.8 dB | 3.33 |
| Peak | 79 Hz | +6.7 dB | 2.65 |
| Peak | 5,667 Hz | -4.2 dB | 6.00 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -8.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 8,787 Hz | +3.1 dB | 1.63 |
| Peak | 216 Hz | +1.9 dB | 3.10 |
| Peak | 142 Hz | -1.4 dB | 2.61 |
| Peak | 1,207 Hz | +0.6 dB | 1.60 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons