Audeze MM520 vs HiFiMAN HE 1000 V2: which should you buy?

Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Audeze MM520 vs HiFiMAN HE 1000 V2, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.

Over-Ear

Audeze MM520

Not yet scored

$1,700

Full review data

Over-Ear

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

HiFiMAN HE 1000 V2 leads on 4 of 4 measures.

Audeze MM520
HiFiMAN HE 1000 V2

HearWiki score

Sound

9.5

Value

7.0

Price (USD)

$1,700

$1,400

Specifications

MM520HE 1000 V2

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $1,700; $1,400
HearWiki score: Not scored; 88
Released: 2026; 2016
Driver: 90 mm planar magnetic; 131.2 mm planar magnetic
Driver type: planar; planar
Driver size: 90 mm; 131.2 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 5 Hz - 50 kHz; 8 Hz - 65 kHz
Sound signature: -; neutral
Impedance: 18 Ω; 35 Ω
Sensitivity: 102 dB/mW; -
Weight: 555 g; 420 g
Connector: XLR; -
Balanced connection: -; Yes

Specification comparison of Audeze MM520 vs HiFiMAN HE 1000 V2
Spec	Audeze MM520	HiFiMAN HE 1000 V2
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$1,700	$1,400
HearWiki score	Not scored	88 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2026	2016
Audio
Driver	90 mm planar magnetic	131.2 mm planar magnetic
Driver type	planar	planar
Driver size	90 mm	131.2 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	5 Hz - 50 kHz	8 Hz - 65 kHz
Sound signature	-	neutral
Impedance	18 Ω	35 Ω
Sensitivity	102 dB/mW	-
Design
Weight	555 g	420 g
Connector	XLR	-
Balanced connection	-	Yes

What reviewers said

Audeze MM520

No summary yet - we haven't aggregated enough reviews.

HiFiMAN HE 1000 V2

The HiFiMAN HE 1000 V2 is a premium planar magnetic headphone offering a neutral, reference-grade sound signature with exceptional clarity and detail. Its large 131mm driver delivers a wide, airy soundstage while maintaining precise imaging, making it a strong choice for critical listening. Despite its high price, it earns top-tier marks for tonal accuracy and technical performance, though it requires a capable amplifier to shine.

Pro:Excellent neutral tonality with accurate timbre
Pro:Outstanding detail retrieval and resolution
Pro:Very wide and open soundstage

Con:High price point limits accessibility
Con:Low sensitivity (90dB/mW) demands powerful amplification
Con:Large ear cups may not suit smaller heads

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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