Audeze MM-500 vs Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII
Audeze MM-500 (#1, best overall) vs Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII (#3): in our Over-ear Headphones for Studio scoring the Audeze MM-500 totals 9.3/10 and the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII 8.9/10. At $1,699 versus $658, the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII costs $1,041 less.
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TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| Audeze MM-500 | Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1699 | $658 |
| Driver Size | 90mm planar magnetic | 45mm TESLA.45 |
| Impedance | 18Ω | 250Ω |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz-50kHz | 5Hz-40kHz |
| Weight | ~500g | 376g |
| Design | Open-back | Open-back |
| Connector | Mini-XLR to ¼" TRS | Mini-XLR (single-sided) |
How they differ in real use
Built from our over ear studio scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the Audeze MM-500 and the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII made our Top 5 Over-ear Headphones for Studio, at #1 (best overall) and #3. The professional's choice for mixing. Developed with Grammy-winning mixer Manny Marroquin and used on Kendrick Lamar's #1 album. Its key advantage is translation—mixes made on the MM-500 consistently translate well to speakers, earbuds, and car stereos. Open-back only: NOT for tracking/recording. Exceptional detail resolution with the MKII's refined TESLA.45 drivers. At 250Ω, it requires a dedicated headphone amp or quality audio interface—but rewards with micro-detail that reveals mix issues. Open-back only: NOT for tracking/recording.
We score over-ear headphones for studio on Accuracy (40%), Detail Resolution (25%), Comfort (15%), Build Quality (10%) and Value (10%). On that basis the Audeze MM-500 totals 9.3 out of 10 and the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII 8.9. The widest gap is Accuracy, where the Audeze MM-500 scores 10 against 9 for the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII — flat, revealing frequency response. Detail Resolution also separates them: 10 for the Audeze MM-500 versus 9.5 for the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII. The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII claws back ground on Value and Comfort.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Driver Size — 90mm planar magnetic on the Audeze MM-500 versus 45mm TESLA.45 on the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII; Impedance — 18Ω on the Audeze MM-500 versus 250Ω on the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII; Frequency Response — 10Hz-50kHz on the Audeze MM-500 versus 5Hz-40kHz on the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII; Weight — ~500g on the Audeze MM-500 versus 376g on the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII; Connector — Mini-XLR to ¼" TRS on the Audeze MM-500 versus Mini-XLR (single-sided) on the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII. They match on Design.
Pricing as of February 8, 2026: $1,699 for the Audeze MM-500 and $658 for the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII, a $1,041 difference in the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII's favor. Owners praise the Audeze MM-500 for 90mm planar magnetic drivers and exceptional mix translation to other playback systems; the most common complaint is very expensive at $1,699. Owners praise the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII for exceptional detail resolution and tESLA.45 drivers with tight matching tolerances; the most common complaint is 250Ω impedance—needs a decent headphone amp or audio interface.
Audeze MM-500
- 90mm planar magnetic drivers
- Exceptional mix translation to other playback systems
- Sub-bass accuracy rivals mastering rooms
- Developed with Grammy-winning mixer
- Very expensive at $1,699
- Heavy at ~500g
- Open-back only—NOT for tracking/recording (sound leaks into microphones)
Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII
- Exceptional detail resolution
- TESLA.45 drivers with tight matching tolerances
- Dual ear pad sets (analytical and balanced profiles)
- German manufacturing quality
- 250Ω impedance—needs a decent headphone amp or audio interface
- Still slightly bright for treble-sensitive users
- Heavy at 376g for long sessions
Which should you buy?
The Audeze MM-500 is the better fit for professional mixing engineers and mastering engineers — it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Accuracy and Detail Resolution. The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII is the better fit for mixing engineers with quality headphone amps and detail-oriented critical listening, and the stronger choice if Value and Comfort matter more to you than the overall score. If the $1,041 saving matters more than Accuracy, the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII is the better value. The Audeze MM-500 is a poor fit for tracking/recording sessions (open-back leaks sound); the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII is a poor fit for treble-sensitive listeners.
Choose the Audeze MM-500 if
- Professional mixing engineers
- Mastering engineers
- High-end home studios
Skip it if
- Tracking/recording sessions (open-back leaks sound)
- Budget studios
Choose the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII if
- Mixing engineers with quality headphone amps
- Detail-oriented critical listening
- Studios already owning a headphone amp
Skip it if
- Treble-sensitive listeners
- Tracking/recording sessions (open-back)
Common questions
Is the Audeze MM-500 better than the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII?
In our Over-ear Headphones for Studio ranking the Audeze MM-500 scores higher overall, 9.3 to 8.9, with the biggest advantage in Accuracy. The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII is stronger on Value and Comfort, so it is the better pick if those matter most to you.
How much more does the Audeze MM-500 cost than the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII?
$1,041 more as of February 8, 2026: $1,699 for the Audeze MM-500 against $658 for the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII. Prices move, so the merchant page shows the current figure. What the extra buys is mostly Accuracy — 10 versus 9 in our scoring.
What is the main difference between the Audeze MM-500 and the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII?
The headline spec difference is Driver Size: 90mm planar magnetic on the Audeze MM-500 versus 45mm TESLA.45 on the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII. In use, the gap that matters most is Accuracy (10 vs 9 in our scoring): flat, revealing frequency response.