Audeze is a brand extensively covered on TechPowerUp and renowned for its planar magnetic headphones and in-ear monitors. With the recently announced flagship class LCD-5, the company unveiled the culmination of several years of R&D and new technology packed into a $4500 set of headphones that is understandably well beyond the reach of the average end user, however in a working example of trickle-down technology we see today two announcements that help in this aspect while showcasing also what's to come from the USA-based audio brand. First up, Audeze announced 11-time Grammy award-winning engineer/producer Manny Marroquin as its new Head of Professional Products, with Marroquin aiming to bring his music industry and production experience to the Audeze team. Audeze and Manny Marroquin are collaborating to create a new series of audio products—called the MM Series—focused on using cutting-edge technology and engineering to deliver better results more efficiently for working audio professionals.

The first of the products under the MM Series also launched alongside in the form of the MM-500, which takes several cues from the LCD-5. It features a new chassis design for comfort over long sessions at a reduced mass of 495 grams compared to the 600+ g heavyweights under the Audeze umbrella. The MM-500 is designed to perform both inside and outside the studio, with low impedance and high sensitivity that make it easy to drive from any console, interface or laptop. It is an open-back, over-ear set of planar magnetic headphones with Audeze's Uniforce voice coil over an ultra-thin diaphragm, and utilizes Fazor waveguides coupled with Fluxor magnets. The transducer is 90 mm in size and the use of the LCD-5 style frame and headband design combined with single-sided magnets also indicates the MM-500 is going to be a force to be reckoned with in the prosumer and audiophile market. The Audeze MM-500 costs $1699 and will be available for purchase soon. Read past the break for reactions on the collboration as well as more information about the new product itself.

Marroquin brings his keen understanding of the demands facing producers directly to the engineers at Audeze, to craft an advanced line of comfortable headphones that deliver unsurpassed accuracy and reliability. "We are very excited to welcome Manny to our team. Manny brings a strong focus to our pro audio business, deepening our commitment to developing products and relationships that serve the needs of music industry professionals," said Sankar Thiagasamudram, CEO of Audeze.

"I am thrilled to be joining the Audeze team as my entire career has been spent in the music industry. I look forward to furthering my career by helping develop and provide other recording industry professionals with the tools that have helped me elevate my creativity," said Marroquin.

MM-500 Specifications

• Style: Over-ear, open-back
• Housing Material: Machined Alumnium
• Transducer type: Planar Magnetic
• Magnetic structure: Fluxor magnet array
• Phase management: Fazor
• Magnet type: Neodymium N50
• Diaphragm type: Ultra-Thin Uniforce
• Transducer size: 90 mm
• Maximum power handling: 5 W RMS
• Maximum SPL: >130dB
• Frequency response: 5 Hz - 50kHz
• THD: <0.1% @ 100 dB, 1kHz
• Impedance: 18 Ω
• Sensitivity: 100 dB/mW (at Drum Reference Point)
• Recommended power level: >250 mW
• Weight: 495 g