Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition vs Audeze MM-500

Which Headphones Are Better?

Products

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition
Audeze MM-500

Tested using Methodology v2.0

Updated Feb 05, 2026 05:33 PM

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B&H

Tested using Methodology v2.0

Updated Mar 09, 2026 04:27 PM

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Amazon.com

Our Verdict

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition

Audeze MM-500

The Audeze MM-500 and Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition are both premium headphones. The open-back Audeze headphones have planar magnetic drivers and are marketed more toward professional use, rather than hi-fi enthusiasts. The Manny Marroquin collab headphones have a flat sound that prominently emphasizes the low-treble range while cutting the rest of the treble. On the other hand, the closed-back, dynamic-driver Fostex does the opposite, emphasizing sibilants and airiness and cutting down on vocal harshness. In terms of ergonomics, the Audeze are better, with deep, plush ear cups and a flexible headband for weight distribution. Still, you may prefer the use of earthy materials and striking color options of the lacquered wood ear cups on the Fostex.

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Variants

  • TH900mk2 (Bordeaux Red)
  • TH900mk2 Limited Edition (Onyx Black)
  • MM-500 (Black)

Check Price

Bordeaux Red
TH900mk2
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B&H
Black
MM-500
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Amazon.com
Onyx Black
TH900mk2 Limited Edition
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Amazon.com
Black
MM-500
SEE PRICE
B&H
 
Black
MM-500
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Black
MM-500
BestBuy.com
 
Black
MM-500
Audeze

Main Differences for
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Full Comparison

Sound

Sound Profile 
 

Sound Profile  

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Sound Profile Sample

SAMPLE

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Audeze MM-500 Sound Profile Sample

SAMPLE

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Normalization Frequency 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

Bass Amount 
 

Locked
Locked

Treble Amount 
 

Locked
Locked

Sound Signature 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Frequency Response Consistency 
 

N/A
N/A

Consistency L  

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Consistency L Sample

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Audeze MM-500 Consistency L Sample

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Consistency R  

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Consistency R Sample

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Audeze MM-500 Consistency R Sample

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Std. Deviation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Raw Frequency Response 
 

Raw FR L  

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

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Audeze MM-500 Raw FR L Sample

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Raw FR R  

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

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Audeze MM-500 Raw FR R Sample

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Bass Profile: Target Compliance 
 

N/A
N/A

Bass Profile: Target Compliance  

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Bass Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

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Audeze MM-500 Bass Profile: Target Compliance Sample

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RMS Deviation From Target 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

Low Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

High Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance 
 

N/A
N/A

Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance  

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance Sample

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Audeze MM-500 Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance Sample

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RMS Deviation From Target 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid-Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

High Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Treble Profile: Target Compliance 
 

N/A
N/A

Treble Profile: Target Compliance  

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Treble Profile: Target Compliance Sample

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Audeze MM-500 Treble Profile: Target Compliance Sample

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RMS Deviation From Target 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

High Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Peaks/Dips 
 

N/A
N/A

Peaks/Dips Graph 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Audeze MM-500 Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

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Peaks 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Dips 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Stereo Mismatch 
 

N/A
N/A

Frequency Response Mismatch  

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Frequency Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

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Audeze MM-500 Frequency Response Mismatch Sample

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Phase Response Mismatch  

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Phase Response Mismatch Sample

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Audeze MM-500 Phase Response Mismatch Sample

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Weighted Amplitude Mismatch 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Weighted Frequency Response Mismatch 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Weighted Phase Mismatch 
 

Lock°
Lock°
Show Text 

Group Delay 
 

N/A
N/A

Group Delay  

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

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Audeze MM-500 Group Delay Sample

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Weighted Group Delay 
 

N/A
Lock ms
Show Text 

Cumulative Spectral Decay 
 

CSD 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition CSD Sample

SAMPLE

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Audeze MM-500 CSD Sample

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PRTF 
 

N/A
N/A

PRTF  

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition PRTF Sample

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Audeze MM-500 PRTF Sample

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PRTF Accuracy (RMS Deviation) 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

PRTF Size (Avg.) 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

PRTF Distance 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
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Harmonic Distortion 
 

N/A
N/A

Harmonics Levels  

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Harmonics Levels Sample

SAMPLE

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Audeze MM-500 Harmonics Levels Sample

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THD Ratio  

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition THD Ratio Sample

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Audeze MM-500 THD Ratio Sample

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WHD @ 94 dB SPL 
 

Lock%
Lock%

WHD @ 104 dB SPL 
 

Lock%
Lock%
Show Text 

Electrical Aspects 
 

Impedance  

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Impedance Sample

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Audeze MM-500 Impedance Sample

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Sensitivity @1kHz-1V 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

Bluetooth Max SPL 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Virtual Soundstage 
 

N/A
N/A

Virtual Soundstage 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

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Audeze MM-500 Virtual Soundstage Sample

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Head Modeling 
 

Locked
Locked

Speaker Modeling 
 

Locked
Locked

Room Ambience 
 

Locked
Locked

Head Tracking 
 

Locked
Locked

Virtual Surround 
 

Locked
Locked

Test Settings 
 

Firmware 
 

Locked
Locked

Power 
 

Locked
Locked

Connection 
 

Locked
Locked

Codec 
 

Locked
Locked

Test Instrument  

Locked
Locked

EQ 
 

Locked
Locked

ANC 
 

Locked
Locked

Tip/Pad 
 

Locked
Locked

Microphone 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Design

Style  

Design Picture 2 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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Audeze MM-500 Design Picture 2 Sample

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Type  

Locked
Locked

Enclosure  

Locked
Locked

Wireless  

Locked
Locked

Transducer  

Locked
Locked
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Comfort 
 

N/A
N/A

Comfort Picture 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Audeze MM-500 Comfort Picture Sample

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Weight  

Lock lbs
Lock lbs

Clamping Force 
 

Lock lbs
Lock lbs
Show Text 

Controls 
 

N/A
N/A

Controls Picture 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Controls Picture Sample

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Audeze MM-500 Controls Picture Sample

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OS Compatibility 
 

Locked
Locked

Ease Of Use  

Locked
Locked

Feedback  

Locked
Locked

Call/Music Control  

Locked
Locked

Volume Control  

Locked
Locked

Microphone Control  

Locked
Locked

Channel Mixing 
 

Locked
Locked

Noise Cancelling Control  

Locked
Locked

Talk-Through 
 

Locked
Locked

Additional Controls  

Locked
Locked

Portability 
 

N/A
N/A

Portability Picture 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Audeze MM-500 Portability Picture Sample

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Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

 

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

 

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume  

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)
Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Transmitter Required  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Case 
 

N/A
N/A

Case Picture 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Audeze MM-500 Case Picture Sample

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Type  

Locked
Locked

 

N/A
Lock" (Lock cm)

 

N/A
Lock" (Lock cm)

 

N/A
Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume  

N/A
Lock in³ (Lock cm³)
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build Quality Picture 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Audeze MM-500 Build Quality Picture Sample

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Stability 
 

N/A
N/A

Stability Picture 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Audeze MM-500 Stability Picture Sample

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Show Text 

Headshots 1  

Angled Picture 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Audeze MM-500 Angled Picture Sample

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Side Picture 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Audeze MM-500 Side Picture Sample

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Headshots 2  

Front Picture 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Audeze MM-500 Front Picture Sample

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Rear Picture 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Audeze MM-500 Rear Picture Sample

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Top  

Top Picture 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Audeze MM-500 Top Picture Sample

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In The Box  

In The Box Picture 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition In The Box Picture Sample

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Audeze MM-500 In The Box Picture Sample

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Show Text 
Isolation

Noise Isolation - Full Range 
 

N/A
N/A

Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph  

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Audeze MM-500 Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph Sample

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Noise Cancelling  

Locked
Locked

Overall Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios 
 

N/A
N/A

Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph  

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Audeze MM-500 Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Airplane Noise Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Airplane Noise Isolation Audio 
 

Office Noise Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Office Noise Isolation Audio 
 

Street Noise Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Street Noise Isolation Audio 
 

Show Text 

Noise Isolation - Voice Handling 
 

Female Voice 1 
 

Male Voice 1 
 

Female Voice 2 
 

Male Voice 2 
 

ANC Wind Handling 
 

ANC Wind Handling Graph  

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition ANC Wind Handling Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Audeze MM-500 ANC Wind Handling Graph Sample

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ANC Wind Noise 
 

Leakage 
 

N/A
N/A

Leakage  

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

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Audeze MM-500 Leakage Sample

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Leakage Audio 
 

Overall Leakage @ 1ft 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 
Microphone

Microphone Style 
 

Integrated 
 

Locked
Locked

In-Line 
 

Locked
Locked

Boom 
 

Locked
Locked

Detachable Boom 
 

Locked
Locked

Mic  

Locked
Locked

Recording Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Microphone Frequency Response  

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Audeze MM-500 Microphone Frequency Response Sample

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Recorded Speech 
 

LFE 
 

N/A
N/A

FR Std. Dev. 
 

N/A
N/A

HFE 
 

N/A
N/A

Weighted THD 
 

N/A
N/A

Gain 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Noise Handling 
 

N/A
N/A

SpNR  

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

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Audeze MM-500 SpNR Sample

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SpNR 
 

N/A
N/A

Noise Gate 
 

Locked
Locked

Speech + Pink Noise Handling 
 

N/A
N/A

Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample  

Speech + Subway Noise Handling 
 

N/A
N/A

Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample  

Active Features

Battery 
 

N/A
N/A

Battery Type 
 

Locked
Locked

Continuous Battery Life 
 

N/A
N/A

Additional Charges 
 

N/A
N/A

Total Battery Life 
 

N/A
N/A

Charge Time 
 

N/A
N/A

Power-Saving Feature 
 

Locked
Locked

Audio While Charging 
 

Locked
Locked

Passive Playback 
 

Locked
Locked

Charging Port  

Locked
Locked

App Support 
 

N/A
N/A

App Picture 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Audeze MM-500 App Picture Sample

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App Name  

Locked
Locked

iOS  

Locked
Locked

Android  

Locked
Locked

macOS  

Locked
Locked

Windows  

Locked
Locked

Equalizer 
 

Locked
Locked

ANC Control 
 

Locked
Locked

Mic Control  

Locked
Locked

Room Effects 
 

Locked
Locked

Playback Control 
 

Locked
Locked

Button Mapping  

Locked
Locked

Surround Support 
 

Locked
Locked
Connectivity

Wired Connection 
 

N/A
N/A

Cable Picture 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Audeze MM-500 Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Analog Audio 
 

Locked
Locked

USB Audio 
 

Locked
Locked

Detachable 
 

Locked
Locked

Length 
 

Lock ft (Lock m)
Lock ft (Lock m)

Connector 
 

Locked
Locked

Latency - Analog 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Latency - USB 
 

N/A
N/A

Recorded Latency 
 

Recorded Latency Connection  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Bluetooth Connection 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth Version 
 

Locked
Locked

Multi-Device Pairing 
 

Locked
Locked

Quick Pair (Android) 
 

Locked
Locked

Quick Pair (iOS) 
 

Locked
Locked

Line Of Sight Range 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - SBC 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - aptX 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - aptX Adaptive (High Quality) 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - aptX Adaptive (Low Latency) 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - LDAC 
 

N/A
N/A

Recorded Latency 
 

Recorded Latency Codec  

Locked
Locked

AAC Support 
 

Locked
Locked

Wireless Connection (Dongle) 
 

N/A
N/A

Line Of Sight Range 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - Dongle 
 

N/A
N/A

Recorded Latency 
 

PC Compatibility 
 

Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

PlayStation Compatibility 
 

PS4 Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

PS4 Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

PS4 Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

PS5 Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

PS5 Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

PS5 Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Xbox Compatibility 
 

Xbox One Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox One Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox One Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox Series X|S Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox Series X|S Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Base/Dock 
 

N/A
N/A

Type 
 

Locked
Locked

USB Input 
 

Locked
Locked

Line In 
 

Locked
Locked

Line Out 
 

Locked
Locked

Optical Input 
 

Locked
Locked

RCA Input 
 

Locked
Locked

Dock Charging 
 

Locked
Locked

Power Supply 
 

Locked
Locked

Check Price

Bordeaux Red
TH900mk2
SEE PRICE
B&H
Black
MM-500
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Onyx Black
TH900mk2 Limited Edition
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
MM-500
SEE PRICE
B&H
 
Black
MM-500
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Black
MM-500
BestBuy.com
 
Black
MM-500
Audeze

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition

Audeze MM-500

Comments

  1. Comparison

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition vs Audeze MM-500: Main Discussion

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