Short answer: the Sennheiser HD 480 Pro. It ranks #228 of 481 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $399; the Audeze MM-100 ranks #268, rated 3.4/5, at $399. With prices this close, go by the sound-quality ranking rather than the cost.
The case for the Sennheiser HD 480 Pro: The median of 5 hobbyist measurements gives it a solid Harman preference score of 72 with a 2.08 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. Watch for: Presence sits about 3.8 dB low with a 7 dB dip near 4.1 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite.
The case for the Audeze MM-100: The 90 mm planar magnetic driver has an 18 ohm impedance and 98 dB/mW sensitivity, so it gets loud from a phone dongle or laptop without a dedicated amp. The tradeoff: Oratory1990’s measurement shows sub-bass about 6.6 dB below target, falling 6 dB short by 50 Hz, so deep electronic bass and organ notes lack rumble.
Buy the Sennheiser HD 480 Pro. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Audeze MM-100 at the same price, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
The median of 5 hobbyist measurements gives it a solid Harman preference score of 72 with a 2.08 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural.
Amazon $399.00 eBay
The 90 mm planar magnetic driver has an 18 ohm impedance and 98 dB/mW sensitivity, so it gets loud from a phone dongle or laptop without a dedicated amp.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser HD 480 Pro | Audeze MM-100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $399.00 |
| Ranked | #228 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones | #268 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Back | Closed | Open |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 38mm dynamic | 1 x 90mm planar magnetic |
| Impedance | 130 ohms | 18 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 107 dB/Vrms | 98 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | 3Hz - 28.7kHz | 20Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (272 g) | 1 lbs (475 g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 72 (median of 5 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 69 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.08 dB standard deviation | 3.17 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.00 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.36 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+2.1 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 50 Hz (-6.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
Frequency Response Compared
Both headphones’ measurements overlaid on the Harman target. Above the target sounds louder in that range, below it quieter. Each curve is the median of several independent measurements, shifted so its 500 Hz to 2 kHz average sits at 0 dB, so only the tuning is compared.
Measurement data: the Sennheiser HD 480 Pro from daemonxar, elrics, listener, sai and superreview; the Audeze MM-100 from audioamigo, gadgetrytech, kuulokenurkka, listener, sai and therollo9, all via squig.link.
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