Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Headphones Review

No matter what kind of audio equipment you may need, Audio-Technica is by far one of the best brands to look for.

Catering to the needs of both professionals and more amateur users, they offer a vast range of reasonably priced products that will last you a long time.

Their ATH M50x headphones are definitely no exception, and here’s why!

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Headphones Review

The original M50s made a boom the moment they appeared. They were soon an absolute favorite of DJs, audiophiles, and studio engineers.

Luckily, when the good folks at Audio-Technica decided to go with an updated version, they managed to keep all the good traits and add some new ones as well.

The M50x model is comfortable, lightweight, and offers amazing audio as well as noise isolation. Pretty much everything you’d want from a good pair of headphones.

Key Features:

• Detachable cable
• Improved earcup padding
• Amazing noise isolation
• Slightly wider frequency response

The differences between the M50x and the original M50s are more obvious if you already own the original model.

It’s pretty much all about the details, which, some user may not find that important, but at the end of the day give a slightly more improved user experience.

While all of the specs and features do seem (and mostly are) amazing, don’t forget that this model does rock the closed-back design, which makes the soundstage feel noticeably smaller.

Pros:

• Useful improvements over the original model
• Superb build quality
• Balanced sound, flat response
• Comfy even after a couple of hours of using them

Cons:

• Pretty bulky, not quite portable

Who are the ATH-M50x headphones for?

Audio-Technica is known for focusing on audiophiles and studio engineers. The M50x offers a much better listening experience than most other competitor models in this price range.

If you’re looking for a pair of flat frequency headphones that give you a true image of the music you’re listening to, definitely consider getting the M50x.

However, do have in mind that there is no cable with integrated mic/controls for these headphones and that they may be too bulky for traveling/carrying around.

What makes the ATH-M50x stand out from the crowd?

Comfort is definitely a priority if you plan on using your headphones for hours on end. Luckily, the new and improved earcup padding eliminates pretty much any fatigue that may occur this way.

As the earcups are large enough to go all the way around your ears, they’re not just comfortable but ensure a snug fit and tight isolation when it comes to any kind of unwanted noise around you.

Included in the package are 2 regular cables (3m and 1.2m) as well as a coiled one (3m), all of which with 3.5mm connectors. The cable is easily detachable from the headphones and locks securely in place so you won’t have to worry about accidentally snapping it out.

The M50x model is known for an almost flat frequency response, with a discreet boost in the lows and highs. This gives a nice touch in terms of dynamics, while still delivering a fairly natural sound image to the listener.

User experience

With just under 9,000 reviews online, the ATH-M50x headphones got a pretty satisfying rating.

Here’s what the users had to say:

“These sound amazing no matter what device you use them with”

“After so many different brands and models, I’ve finally found the best sounding headphones for my preferences” 

The only downsides users found with this model were the slightly different and unique frequency response, and the earcups flaking after a year or so.

“The lows are too muddy”

“The earcups could definitely be better, they peel and flake after a year of using the headphones”

Some extra info

You get a total of 3 cables included with the headphones.

There is also an option for purchasing a Bluetooth adapter for making the headphones fully wireless.

Conclusion

So, are the M50x headphones worth the around $150 price tag?

Well, as we’ve gone over it already, they are well-made, comfortable, practical, and sound pretty good.

As for the sound signature, I personally like it. An absolutely flat frequency response can get a bit boring, and the M50x add a nice spark to the experience.

That pretty much wraps it. I hope that this article was helpful and fun to read.

As always, thank you for reading, and I’ll see you in the next one!