Audeze MM-500 vs Sony MDR-7506
Audeze MM-500 (#1, best overall) vs Sony MDR-7506 (#5, best budget): in our Over-ear Headphones for Studio scoring the Audeze MM-500 totals 9.3/10 and the Sony MDR-7506 7.7/10, the Audeze MM-500 leading on Accuracy and Detail Resolution and the Sony MDR-7506 on Value.
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TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| Audeze MM-500 | Sony MDR-7506 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1699 | $104 |
| Driver Size | 90mm planar magnetic | 40mm neodymium |
| Impedance | 18Ω | 63Ω |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz-50kHz | 10Hz-20kHz |
| Weight | ~500g | 227g |
| Design | Open-back | Closed-back, foldable |
| Connector | Mini-XLR to ¼" TRS | — |
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 Sony MDR-7506 made our Top 5 Over-ear Headphones for Studio, at #1 (best overall) and #5 (best budget). 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. The ONLY closed-back headphone on this list—essential for tracking and recording where open-back models leak sound into microphones. Industry standard since 1991, found in virtually every professional studio. At $104, every studio should own a pair regardless of what else they have. Not ideal for critical mixing (use open-back for that), but indispensable for recording sessions.
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 Sony MDR-7506 7.7. The widest gap is Accuracy, where the Audeze MM-500 scores 10 against 7.5 for the Sony MDR-7506 — flat, revealing frequency response. Detail Resolution also separates them: 10 for the Audeze MM-500 versus 7.5 for the Sony MDR-7506. The Sony MDR-7506 claws back ground on Value.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Driver Size — 90mm planar magnetic on the Audeze MM-500 versus 40mm neodymium on the Sony MDR-7506; Impedance — 18Ω on the Audeze MM-500 versus 63Ω on the Sony MDR-7506; Frequency Response — 10Hz-50kHz on the Audeze MM-500 versus 10Hz-20kHz on the Sony MDR-7506; Weight — ~500g on the Audeze MM-500 versus 227g on the Sony MDR-7506; Design — Open-back on the Audeze MM-500 versus Closed-back, foldable on the Sony MDR-7506.
Pricing as of February 8, 2026: $1,699 for the Audeze MM-500 and $104 for the Sony MDR-7506, a $1,595 difference in the Sony MDR-7506'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 Sony MDR-7506 for industry standard since 1991 and closed-back design essential for tracking/recording (prevents bleed); the most common complaint is bright, fatiguing for long mixing sessions.
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)
Sony MDR-7506
- Industry standard since 1991
- Closed-back design essential for tracking/recording (prevents bleed)
- Reveals flaws (sibilance, distortion, noise)
- 63Ω drives easily from any interface or laptop
- Bright, fatiguing for long mixing sessions
- Non-replaceable coiled cable
- Ear pads wear out (cheap to replace)
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 Sony MDR-7506 is the better fit for tracking/recording sessions (closed-back prevents bleed) and quality control checks, and the stronger choice if Value matters more to you than the overall score. If the $1,595 saving matters more than Accuracy, the Sony MDR-7506 is the better value. The Audeze MM-500 is a poor fit for tracking/recording sessions (open-back leaks sound); the Sony MDR-7506 is a poor fit for critical mixing (open-back is better).
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 Sony MDR-7506 if
- Tracking/recording sessions (closed-back prevents bleed)
- Quality control checks
- Budget studios needing a do-everything headphone
Skip it if
- Critical mixing (open-back is better)
- Comfort prioritizers
Common questions
Is the Audeze MM-500 better than the Sony MDR-7506?
In our Over-ear Headphones for Studio ranking the Audeze MM-500 scores higher overall, 9.3 to 7.7, with the biggest advantage in Accuracy. The Sony MDR-7506 is stronger on Value, so it is the better pick if that matters most to you.
How much more does the Audeze MM-500 cost than the Sony MDR-7506?
$1,595 more as of February 8, 2026: $1,699 for the Audeze MM-500 against $104 for the Sony MDR-7506. Prices move, so the merchant page shows the current figure. What the extra buys is mostly Accuracy — 10 versus 7.5 in our scoring.
What is the main difference between the Audeze MM-500 and the Sony MDR-7506?
The headline spec difference is Driver Size: 90mm planar magnetic on the Audeze MM-500 versus 40mm neodymium on the Sony MDR-7506. In use, the gap that matters most is Accuracy (10 vs 7.5 in our scoring): flat, revealing frequency response.