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  1. Home
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Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition vs Audeze MM-500

Which Headphones Are Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Sound
      Sound ProfileFrequency Response ConsistencyRaw Frequency ResponseBass Profile: Target ComplianceMid-Range Profile: Target ComplianceTreble Profile: Target CompliancePeaks/DipsStereo MismatchGroup DelayCumulative Spectral DecayPRTFHarmonic DistortionElectrical AspectsVirtual SoundstageTest Settings
    Design
      StyleComfortControlsPortabilityCaseBuild QualityStabilityHeadshots 1Headshots 2TopIn The Box
    Isolation
      Noise Isolation - Full RangeNoise Isolation - Common ScenariosNoise Isolation - Voice HandlingANC Wind HandlingLeakage
    Microphone
      Microphone StyleRecording QualityNoise Handling
    Active Features
      BatteryApp Support
    Connectivity
      Wired ConnectionBluetooth ConnectionWireless Connection (Dongle)PC CompatibilityPlayStation CompatibilityXbox CompatibilityBase/Dock
    Comments

Products

Fostex TH900mk2 Limited Edition 
early access
Audeze MM-500

Tested using Methodology v2.0

Updated Jan 29, 2026 07:16 PM

This review is in Early access

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v2.0

Updated Aug 27, 2025 02:37 PM

SEE PRICE
B&H
Fostex TH900mk2 Picture
Audeze MM-500 Picture
TypeLocked
Noise CancellingLocked
EnclosureLocked
Bass Amount
Locked
WirelessLocked
TransducerLocked
Treble Amount
Locked
MicLocked
Sound Signature
Locked
TypeOver-ear
Noise CancellingNo
EnclosureOpen-Back
Bass Amount
Slightly Underemphasized (-3 dB)
WirelessNo
TransducerPlanar Magnetic
Treble Amount
Slightly Underemphasized (-3 dB)
MicNo
Sound Signature
Flat

Our Verdict

Fostex TH900mk2

Audeze MM-500

Full comparison details regarding individual product score sets can be found in the section below
0 

Variants

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

Review

See Fostex TH900mk2 Review
See Audeze MM-500 Review
0 
0 

Check Price

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

Main Differences for
Sports And Fitness

Threshold 

0.10

Sports And Fitness 
 

0.0
5.7
GET INSIDER ACCESS  to see main differences

Full Comparison

Sound

Sound Profile 
 

Sound Profile  

Fostex TH900mk2 Sound Profile Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

 Preview Graph
Audeze MM-500 Sound Profile

Normalization Frequency 
 

Lock Hz
900 Hz

Bass Amount 
 

Locked
Slightly Underemphasized (-3 dB)

Treble Amount 
 

Locked
Slightly Underemphasized (-3 dB)

Sound Signature 
 

Locked
Flat
Show Text 

Frequency Response Consistency 
 

N/A
8.0

Consistency L  

Fostex TH900mk2 Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

 Preview Graph
Audeze MM-500 Consistency L

Consistency R  

Fostex TH900mk2 Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

 Preview Graph
Audeze MM-500 Consistency R

Std. Deviation 
 

Lock dB
0.83 dB
Show Text 

Raw Frequency Response 
 

Raw FR L  

Fostex TH900mk2 Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

 Preview Graph
Audeze MM-500 Raw FR L

Raw FR R  

Fostex TH900mk2 Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

 Preview Graph
Audeze MM-500 Raw FR R

Bass Profile: Target Compliance 
 

N/A
8.0

Bass Profile: Target Compliance  

Fostex TH900mk2 Bass Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

 Preview Graph
Audeze MM-500 Bass Profile: Target Compliance

RMS Deviation From Target 
 

Lock dB
4.3 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
20 Hz

Low Bass 
 

Lock dB
-5.87 dB

Mid Bass 
 

Lock dB
-3.02 dB

High Bass 
 

Lock dB
-0.09 dB
Show Text 

Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance 
 

N/A
9.5

Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance  

Fostex TH900mk2 Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

 Preview Graph
Audeze MM-500 Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance

RMS Deviation From Target 
 

Lock dB
0.9 dB

Low Mid 
 

Lock dB
0.32 dB

Mid-Mid 
 

Lock dB
-0.08 dB

High Mid 
 

Lock dB
-0.79 dB
Show Text 

Treble Profile: Target Compliance 
 

N/A
5.9

Treble Profile: Target Compliance  

Fostex TH900mk2 Treble Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

 Preview Graph
Audeze MM-500 Treble Profile: Target Compliance

RMS Deviation From Target 
 

Lock dB
5.32 dB

Low Treble 
 

Lock dB
-1.25 dB

Mid Treble 
 

Lock dB
-6.43 dB

High Treble 
 

Lock dB
-6.74 dB
Show Text 

Peaks/Dips 
 

N/A
6.9

Peaks/Dips Graph 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

 Preview Graph
Audeze MM-500 Peaks/Dips Graph

Peaks 
 

Lock dB
1.87 dB

Dips 
 

Lock dB
2.05 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Mismatch 
 

N/A
8.0

Frequency Response Mismatch  

Fostex TH900mk2 Frequency Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

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 Preview Graph
Audeze MM-500 Frequency Response Mismatch

Phase Response Mismatch  

Fostex TH900mk2 Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

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 Preview Graph
Audeze MM-500 Phase Response Mismatch

Weighted Amplitude Mismatch 
 

Lock dB
0.27 dB

Weighted Frequency Response Mismatch 
 

Lock dB
0.97 dB

Weighted Phase Mismatch 
 

Lock°
2.0°
Show Text 

Group Delay 
 

N/A
5.7

Group Delay  

Fostex TH900mk2 Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

 Preview Graph
Audeze MM-500 Group Delay

Weighted Group Delay 
 

N/A
1.5 ms
Show Text 

Cumulative Spectral Decay 
 

CSD 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 CSD Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Compare High-Res
Audeze MM-500 CSD

PRTF 
 

N/A
5.4

PRTF  

Fostex TH900mk2 PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

 Preview Graph
Audeze MM-500 PRTF

PRTF Accuracy (RMS Deviation) 
 

Lock dB
2.47 dB

PRTF Size (Avg.) 
 

Lock dB
1.99 dB

PRTF Distance 
 

Lock dB
8.22 dB
Show Text 

Harmonic Distortion 
 

N/A
8.6

Harmonics Levels  

Fostex TH900mk2 Harmonics Levels Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

 Preview Graph
Audeze MM-500 Harmonics Levels

THD Ratio  

Fostex TH900mk2 THD Ratio Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

 Preview Graph
Audeze MM-500 THD Ratio

WHD @ 94 dB SPL 
 

Lock%
0.15%

WHD @ 104 dB SPL 
 

Lock%
0.27%
Show Text 

Electrical Aspects 
 

Impedance  

Fostex TH900mk2 Impedance Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

 Preview Graph
Audeze MM-500 Impedance

Sensitivity @1kHz-1V 
 

Lock dB SPL
113.8 dB SPL

Bluetooth Max SPL 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Virtual Soundstage 
 

N/A
0.0

Virtual Soundstage 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Compare High-Res
Audeze MM-500 Virtual Soundstage

Head Modeling 
 

Locked
No

Speaker Modeling 
 

Locked
No

Room Ambience 
 

Locked
No

Head Tracking 
 

Locked
No

Virtual Surround 
 

Locked
No

Test Settings 
 

Firmware 
 

Locked
No Firmware

Power 
 

Locked
Passive

Connection 
 

Locked
Wired

Codec 
 

Locked
PCM, 24-bit, 48kHz

Test Instrument  

Locked
Audio Precision APx517B

EQ 
 

Locked
No EQ

ANC 
 

Locked
No ANC

Tip/Pad 
 

Locked
Default

Microphone 
 

Locked
No Microphone
Show Text 
Design

Style  

Design Picture 2 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Compare High-Res
Audeze MM-500 Design Picture 2

Type  

Locked
Over-ear

Enclosure  

Locked
Open-Back

Wireless  

Locked
No

Transducer  

Locked
Planar Magnetic
Show Text 

Comfort 
 

N/A
8.0

Comfort Picture 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Compare High-Res
Audeze MM-500 Comfort Picture

Weight  

Lock lbs
1.09 lbs

Clamping Force 
 

Lock lbs
1.4 lbs
Show Text 

Controls 
 

N/A
0.0

Controls Picture 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Compare High-Res
Audeze MM-500 Controls Picture

OS Compatibility 
 

Locked
No Controls

Ease Of Use  

Locked
No Controls

Feedback  

Locked
No Controls

Call/Music Control  

Locked
No

Volume Control  

Locked
No

Microphone Control  

Locked
No

Channel Mixing 
 

Locked
No

Noise Cancelling Control  

Locked
No

Talk-Through 
 

Locked
No

Additional Controls  

Locked
No

Portability 
 

N/A
5.6

Portability Picture 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

Compare High-Res
Audeze MM-500 Portability Picture

L  

Lock" (Lock cm)
8.4" (21.3 cm)

W  

Lock" (Lock cm)
8.0" (20.4 cm)

H  

Lock" (Lock cm)
2.3" (5.8 cm)

Volume  

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)
153.79 in³ (2,520.22 cm³)

Transmitter Required  

Locked
No
Show Text 

Case 
 

N/A
9.0

Case Picture 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Compare High-Res
Audeze MM-500 Case Picture

Type  

Locked
Hard case

L  

N/A
11.6" (29.4 cm)

W  

N/A
10.0" (25.5 cm)

H  

N/A
7.4" (18.7 cm)

Volume  

N/A
853.91 in³ (13,993.00 cm³)
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

N/A
8.5

Build Quality Picture 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Compare High-Res
Audeze MM-500 Build Quality Picture
Show Text 

Stability 
 

N/A
6.0

Stability Picture 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Compare High-Res
Audeze MM-500 Stability Picture
Show Text 

Headshots 1  

Angled Picture 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Compare High-Res
Audeze MM-500 Angled Picture

Side Picture 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

Compare High-Res
Audeze MM-500 Side Picture

Headshots 2  

Front Picture 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

Compare High-Res
Audeze MM-500 Front Picture

Rear Picture 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

Compare High-Res
Audeze MM-500 Rear Picture

Top  

Top Picture 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

Compare High-Res
Audeze MM-500 Top Picture

In The Box  

In The Box Picture 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Compare High-Res
Audeze MM-500 In The Box Picture
Show Text 
Isolation

Noise Isolation - Full Range 
 

N/A
0.5

Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph  

Fostex TH900mk2 Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

 Preview Graph
Audeze MM-500 Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph

Noise Cancelling  

Locked
No

Overall Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
-1.07 dB

Bass 
 

Lock dB
2.77 dB

Mid 
 

Lock dB
0.30 dB

Treble 
 

Lock dB
-7.25 dB
Show Text 

Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios 
 

N/A
0.7

Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph  

Fostex TH900mk2 Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

 Preview Graph
Audeze MM-500 Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph

Airplane Noise Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
-1.24 dB

Airplane Noise Isolation Audio 
 

GET INSIDER ACCESS

Office Noise Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
-0.99 dB

Office Noise Isolation Audio 
 

GET INSIDER ACCESS

Street Noise Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
-1.46 dB

Street Noise Isolation Audio 
 

GET INSIDER ACCESS
Show Text 

Noise Isolation - Voice Handling 
 

Female Voice 1 
 

GET INSIDER ACCESS

Male Voice 1 
 

GET INSIDER ACCESS

Female Voice 2 
 

GET INSIDER ACCESS

Male Voice 2 
 

GET INSIDER ACCESS

ANC Wind Handling 
 

ANC Wind Handling Graph  

Fostex TH900mk2 ANC Wind Handling Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Audeze MM-500 ANC Wind Handling Graph

ANC Wind Noise 
 

GET INSIDER ACCESS
N/A

Leakage 
 

N/A
2.8

Leakage  

Fostex TH900mk2 Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

 Preview Graph
Audeze MM-500 Leakage

Leakage Audio 
 

GET INSIDER ACCESS

Overall Leakage @ 1ft 
 

Lock dB
59.01 dB
Show Text 
Microphone

Microphone Style 
 

Integrated 
 

Locked
No

In-Line 
 

Locked
No

Boom 
 

Locked
No

Detachable Boom 
 

Locked
No

Mic  

Locked
No

Recording Quality 
 

N/A
0.0

Microphone Frequency Response  

Fostex TH900mk2 Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

Audeze MM-500 Microphone Frequency Response

Recorded Speech 
 

GET INSIDER ACCESS
N/A

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

Noise Handling 
 

N/A
0.0

SpNR  

Fostex TH900mk2 SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

Audeze MM-500 SpNR

SpNR 
 

N/A
N/A

Noise Gate 
 

Locked
No

Speech + Pink Noise Handling 
 

N/A
N/A

Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample  

GET INSIDER ACCESS
N/A

Speech + Subway Noise Handling 
 

N/A
N/A

Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample  

GET INSIDER ACCESS
N/A
Active Features

Battery 
 

N/A
0.0

Battery Type 
 

Locked
No Battery

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
No

Audio While Charging 
 

Locked
No

Passive Playback 
 

Locked
Passive Headphone

Charging Port  

Locked
None

App Support 
 

N/A
0.0

App Picture 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

Compare High-Res
Audeze MM-500 App Picture

App Name  

Locked
No App

iOS  

Locked
No

Android  

Locked
No

macOS  

Locked
No

Windows  

Locked
No

Equalizer 
 

Locked
No

ANC Control 
 

Locked
No

Mic Control  

Locked
No

Room Effects 
 

Locked
No

Playback Control 
 

Locked
No

Button Mapping  

Locked
No

Surround Support 
 

Locked
No
Connectivity

Wired Connection 
 

N/A
9.9

Cable Picture 
 

Fostex TH900mk2 Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

Compare High-Res
Audeze MM-500 Cable Picture

Analog Audio 
 

Locked
Yes

USB Audio 
 

Locked
No

Detachable 
 

Locked
Yes

Length 
 

Lock ft (Lock m)
7.68 ft (2.34 m)

Connector 
 

Locked
1/4" TRS

Latency - Analog 
 

Lock ms
0.2 ms

Latency - USB 
 

N/A
N/A

Recorded Latency 
 

GET INSIDER ACCESS

Recorded Latency Connection  

Locked
Analog
Show Text 

Bluetooth Connection 
 

N/A
0.0

Bluetooth Version 
 

Locked
No Bluetooth

Multi-Device Pairing 
 

Locked
No

Quick Pair (Android) 
 

Locked
No

Quick Pair (iOS) 
 

Locked
No

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 
 

GET INSIDER ACCESS
N/A

Recorded Latency Codec  

Locked
No Bluetooth Audio

AAC Support 
 

Locked
No

Wireless Connection (Dongle) 
 

N/A
0.0

Line Of Sight Range 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - Dongle 
 

N/A
N/A

Recorded Latency 
 

GET INSIDER ACCESS
N/A

PC Compatibility 
 

Analog 
 

Locked
Audio Only

Wired USB 
 

Locked
No

Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
No
Show Text 

PlayStation Compatibility 
 

PS4 Analog 
 

Locked
Audio Only

PS4 Wired USB 
 

Locked
No

PS4 Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
No

PS5 Analog 
 

Locked
Audio Only

PS5 Wired USB 
 

Locked
No

PS5 Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
No
Show Text 

Xbox Compatibility 
 

Xbox One Analog 
 

Locked
Audio Only

Xbox One Wired USB 
 

Locked
No

Xbox One Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
No

Xbox Series X|S Analog 
 

Locked
Audio Only

Xbox Series X|S Wired USB 
 

Locked
No

Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
No
Show Text 

Base/Dock 
 

N/A
0.0

Type 
 

Locked
No Base/Dock

USB Input 
 

Locked
No

Line In 
 

Locked
No

Line Out 
 

Locked
No

Optical Input 
 

Locked
No

RCA Input 
 

Locked
No

Dock Charging 
 

Locked
No

Power Supply 
 

Locked
No Base/Dock

Check Price

Bordeaux Red
TH900mk2
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
MM-500
SEE PRICE
B&H
Onyx Black
TH900mk2
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
MM-500
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Black
MM-500
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Black
MM-500
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
 
Black
MM-500
SEARCH
Audeze
Back to Top

Fostex TH900mk2

Audeze MM-500

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 6 hours ago

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

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