Audeze MM-520 vs HIFIMAN HE1000se
Both are planar magnetic open-back headphones.
The HE1000se is 115 g lighter, at 440 g against 555 g.
The HE1000se needs 6 dB more power to reach a loud 110 dB peak, so it asks more of the amplifier.
AudezeMM-520
$1,699
HIFIMANHE1000se
$1,699
Side by side
MM-520HE1000se
- Driver
- Planar magnetic
- Planar magnetic
- Diaphragm
- Ultra-Thin Uniforce diaphragm (thickness unpublished)
- Nanometer-thickness film (2018 release states 1 nm); film material unpublished
- Driver size
- 90 mm
- Not published
- Enclosure
- Open-back
- Open-back
- Weight
- 555 g
- 440 g
- HE1000se is 115 g lighter
- Impedance
- 18 ohms
- 35 ohms
- Sensitivity
- 102 dB/1 mW (at Drum Reference Point)
- 96 dB
- Power for 110 dB
- 6.31 mW, 0.34 V
- 25.1 mW, 0.94 V
- HE1000se needs 6 dB more
- Drive
- Easy to drive
- Easy to drive
- Frequency response
- 5 Hz – 50 kHz
- 8 Hz – 65 kHz
- Made in
- USA (California)
- China
- Released
- 2026
- 2018
- List price
- $1,699
- $1,699
From each maker’s published figures; sources are on each headphone’s page. Power for 110 dB is worked out from sensitivity and impedance.
Amplifiers that drive both
How the matching worksEach of these has 10 dB or more in reserve above a loud 110 dB peak on both headphones, so one amplifier serves either.
Where to buy the MM-520
List $1,699
Retailer prices checked 2026-10-21. We may earn a commission on purchases. How this works
Where to buy the HE1000se
List $1,699
Retailer prices checked 2026-10-21. We may earn a commission on purchases. How this works