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Audeze MM520 vs STAX SR-009D: which should you buy?

Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Audeze MM520 vs STAX SR-009D, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.

Score breakdown

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

STAX SR-009D leads on 3 of 4 measures.

  • Audeze MM520
  • STAX SR-009D
HearWiki score
-
88
Sound
-
9.5
Value
-
5.5
Price (USD)
$1,700
$2,890

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Same generation

The Audeze MM520 is 2 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price.

  • MM52020262 yr newer
  • SR-009D2024

Specifications

MM520SR-009D
Type
Over-Ear
Over-Ear
Price (USD)
$1,700
$2,890
HearWiki score
Not scored
88
Released
2026
2024
Driver
90 mm planar magnetic
2× electrostatic
Driver type
planar
electrostatic
Driver size
90 mm
-
Drivers per side
1
2
Frequency response
5 Hz - 50 kHz
5 Hz - 42 kHz
Impedance
18 Ω
145000 Ω
Sensitivity
102 dB/mW
-
Active noise cancelling
-
No
ANC type
-
none
Transparency mode
-
No
Companion app
-
No
Custom EQ
-
No
Wear detection
-
No
Weight
555 g
594 g
Detachable cable
-
Yes
USB-C
-
No
Pad material
-
leather
Connector
XLR
-

What reviewers said

Audeze MM520

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

STAX SR-009D

The STAX SR-009D is a premium electrostatic over-ear headphone that pushes the boundaries of high-fidelity audio with an exceptionally wide frequency response and transparent, detailed sound. Its open-back design and push-pull driver technology deliver a refined, airy presentation, but it demands a dedicated amplifier and a significant investment. This is a statement piece for audiophiles seeking the utmost in technical performance, not a casual listening device.

  • Pro:Exceptional clarity and detail retrieval
  • Pro:Very wide frequency range (5Hz-42kHz)
  • Pro:Premium build quality with detachable cable
  • Con:Requires specialized electrostatic amplifier
  • Con:Very high price point
  • Con:Open-back design leaks sound and offers no isolation

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

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