Part of “Stories w/ Stu”
Greetings mate and Welcome aboard! Stuart Charles here, HomeStudioBasics.com helping YOU make sound decisions, so…
Before we get into the Audio Technica ATH M50x review, grab a snack, sit back and relax because…
You’ve come to the right place!
Introduction
It’s hard to believe I first put these on my big head all the way back in 2013.
At that time, there was no M50x. It was simply the M50.
The difference is that the 50x improved upon the treble issue present in the original but also added a removable cable, a choice of different colors, and contoured ear cups that seal tighter for improved isolation.
I did get a chance to demo the 50x around 2014 but never owned one.
My friend Thomas had just bought a pair and I got a chance to try them at his pad.
They were all the rage back then and in many ways still are.
I can confirm that the treble was handled much better which only improved upon an already fantastic product.
I still feel that way today.
The 50x is just about the most polarizing headphone in the audiophile community.
Heck, it’s one of the most polarizing products, period – perhaps even more so than the Sennheiser HD600.
It’s the type of headphone you’ll either love or hate, but I’ve never understood the pushback it’s gotten over the years.
In this article, I’ll explain why.
Let’s take a gander at one of the most popular headphones ever made and find out if it’s still worth a purchase today.
Audio Technica ATH-M50x
Price: Check Amazon! | Check Sweetwater! | Check B&H! | Check eBay! | Standard replacement pads: Here!
In The Box
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Closed-Back Monitor Headphones (Black)
Coiled Cable (3.9 to 9.8′)
Straight Cable (9.8′)
Straight Cable (3.9′)
1/4″ Screw-On Adapter
Carrying Pouch
Limited 2-Year Warranty
Specifications
- Earpiece Swivel: Yes, 90°
- Foldable: Yes
- Type: Closed Back
- Driver: Dynamic
- Fit: Circumaural (Over-Ear)
- Impedance: 38 Ohm. What is Headphone Impedance?
- Sensitivity: 99dB
- Frequency response: 15 – 28,000 Hz
- Maximum Power Handling: 1600mW
- Material: Plastic, Faux Leather, Metal
- Color: Black
- Can be driven by a phone: Yes
Build & Comfort
First off, these are built deceptively well, and certainly better than their M40x counterpart.
The M40x had issues with the hinge because it didn’t fully rotate around.
In other words,
it snapped under pressure like Henry Hill in Goodfellas.
The M50x’s hinges do fully rotate, and I’m still impressed with how tough these things are.
They certainly went through a lot in the 5 years that I owned them from 2013 – 2018.
Anything you can think of I’ve probably experienced with them.
They’ve been dropped, tossed, stuffed in book bags, and the chord has been pulled and run over more times than I’m comfortable admitting, but they still somehow always asked for more like Mick Foley.
They were heavy enough to where I didn’t worry about breaking them but light enough to remain portable.
The build is mostly plastic,
but it’s a rugged variety similar to an HD280 but not quite as bulky.
The headband adjustments are metal and make a satisfying clicking sound.
The earcups are made of faux leather which brings me to my first complaint: They will crack, peel, and harden after a couple of years, so users beware.
Fortunately,
they are replaceable so it’s still a good investment regardless as most cups will break down in some form or fashion over time.
The headband padding will also come off, but there’s enough of it and doesn’t dig too hard into the top of your skull though you will feel it from time to time.
The protective coil
One of the most unique and impressive things about the M50x is the stainless steel coil that protects the cable from damage.
It appears on the end near the 3.5 mm jack and has probably prevented these from having to be replaced numerous times.
Over the years, many companies have copied Audio Technica’s design and it’s easy to see why.
Comfort
Comfort is hit-and-miss.
In other words,
it’s about average, and perhaps maybe slightly below.
Back when I was younger and mixing into the wee hours of the morning, I kind of just accepted it. It’s like a “grin and bear it” type of thing.
The pads tend to dig into your ear lobes and they will get hot/sweaty after a while.
Not all that surprising.
These are marketed as Circumaural (Around-Ear) and barely fit that moniker.
As with the MDR-7506, I find them to be a cross between Supra-Aural (On-Ear) and Circumaural as they kind of envelop your ears but kind of don’t.
In my experience, I found that they tend to rest on top of my ears rather than surrounding them, which is part of the reason why they became uncomfortable after a while.
Overall, the comfort is about average; maybe slightly below or slightly above depending on the user’s ears, head shape, etc.
Sound
If this is your first foray into the world of audio, and you’ve never experienced anything other than low-grade dog food, these will sound pretty remarkable.
Heck, they sound great regardless.
The 50x opts for a 5dB shelf across most of the low end, so let’s address the elephant in the room first: this is NOT a neutral-sounding headphone.
That said, both the weight and impact are on point like a Pilot Precise G2, and the bass response never sounds out of control or overdone like your mom’s meatloaf.
You hungry?
It’s deep, tight, and mostly accurate, avoiding the pitfalls that most other consumer headphones fall victim to. In other words, the bloom, boom, bloat, mud, fuzz, artificiality, insert word salad here ___________ are thankfully absent.
You may think to yourself that a 5dB shelf across most of the low end is likely problematic, and normally I would agree with you.
But the M50x is different.
As a producer, there’s a right way and a wrong way to tune/EQ bass.
- Required Reading: How To EQ Bass In FL Studio
The right way is to roll off most of the sub-bass (the stuff you can’t actually hear that resides below 40Hz) and then boost somewhere between 60-90 as this is where bass typically sounds the cleanest and hardest-hitting. In other words, it’s where the bulk of the meaty, juicy, delicious bass (i.e. all of the relevant information) resides.
It’s important not to go overboard here, but a few dB boost in these areas, followed by a cut in the 200-300Hz bloat/mud region is ideal. This is because 200-300 is where companies typically overemphasize and it ends up sounding like dog shit squared.
And guess what? The M50x avoids that mistake by cutting/dipping this very region almost perfectly; something that 99% of companies fail to do.
This is why, over the years, I’ve been a staunch defender of the 50x despite all the unwarranted hate it’s gotten from people who have no idea what they’re talking about and have likely never mixed a track.
Mid-Range & Treble
Moving into the mid-range, we have a very good response with no glaring peaks or cuts, which helps vocals and instruments stand out naturally and organically.
In addition, Audio Technica, similar to Audeze, opts for a cut in the 9-10kHz region followed by some air after 10kHz. This gives the treble some sparkle and presence without sounding essy or sibilant.
It’s important to note that again, the 50x improved upon the original M50’s overly bright treble, which is just another reason to consider buying one.
You will start to hear things in your music previously thought to be absent, and that’s most certainly one of the most exciting aspects.
Very subtle details will start to emerge,
and the best way I can describe it is that the sound envelops and completely takes you away.
They aren’t noise-canceling but do isolate very well.
I was honestly floored when I first put them on and can remember vividly how I felt throughout that specific day.
In fact, I remember the “ah-ha” moment in extreme detail.
I was in college at the time and had just received the M50x for Christmas.
It was January 2013, and the semester was fresh and new. It was one of those cold, sunny mornings with not a single cloud in the sky, and the sun was filtering through the window; almost majestically.
As a graphic designer, we were able to listen to music while working in the lab, and of course, I was bumping some Dilla beats with the M50x as a sort of test run.
Well, that test run turned out to be an instant hard-on, as I was completely blown away (no pun intended) at how marvelous the M50x sounded with hip-hop specifically.
No surprise there, given what we discussed earlier regarding the bass.
The way the drums hit, how crisp and clean they sounded, still amazes me to this day when I think back on it. Every kick and bass sound was rendered in the most perfect way you can imagine. The resolution was immaculate.
In fact, the entire sound was incredibly clear and fresh; almost mimicking the cool mountain air outside.
It was an eye-opening experience in every sense of the word and changed my life immeasurably.
Up until that point, I had only heard the Sony MDR-7506; another great entry-level headphone.
In some ways, I liked the M50x more.
The 7506 is great, but the way the 50x sounded is something that I remember like it was yesterday; down to the very seconds and minutes of listening.
Speaking of “Yesterday” listen to J Dilla’s Yesterday right now:
I remember exactly where I was: in the front row and closest to the window. I had on a grey hoodie and was listening on YouTube via one of those Mac computers that were all the rage.
In fact, I was jamming out so hard that some of my friends couldn’t help but ask what I was listening to.
*Napoleon Dynamite voice*
“J DILLA, ONLY THE GREATEST PRODUCER EVER DUH!”
Just kidding I didn’t respond like that, but I was most certainly pumped up like some Air Max shoes and felt as though I could blast off into the stratosphere at any moment.
If you know, you know.
Hip-Hop music is truly like no other genre in the universe, and the 50x only magnifies the sentiment.
I came away from the experience changed, sure.
But it went deeper than that.
It was a moment that made me realize consumer products could indeed be revolutionary. Say what you want, but the M50x helped change the way your average person thinks about headphones.
About what an expensive product can achieve.
Because let’s face it: most normal people, even today, still feel as though $150 for a set of headphones is a bit overkill. And they’re not entirely wrong.
But one listen to the M50x and you’ll start to understand. These headphones have turned many a casual window shopper into full-blown, die-hard fiends; craving a deeper journey into the endless audiophile abyss – or, what I like to call, the Audiophile rabbit hole.
And once you’re in, you AIN’T comin’ back out. So if you’re new to audio reading this, be forewarned.
Soundstage
For a closed-back model, these deliver quite the experience.
In fact, one of the main reasons why I remember the moment in the graphic design lab so vividly is precisely because of the Soundstage.
If I remember correctly, it was the first time I experienced that “out of your head” feeling, which, at the time, caused me to rip the headphones off in a panic thinking something was going on outside.
No, not outside as in, just the lab. Outside meaning, OUTSIDE. You know, that place where normal people sometimes go to get fresh air and, I don’t know, run errands?
I kid you not, it felt like a small apocalypse was happening; which was unnerving and made me feel like I was in the middle of a Twilight Zone episode.
For those that don’t know, Soundstage simply refers to how accurate the overall imaging and placement of sounds is, but it’s also a measure of how grand and open the entire space feels.
In other words, if you perceive the music to be outside of you rather than in your head.
- Recommended: What is Soundstage? [Detailed Explanation]
With open-back headphones, it’s more prominent because the sound has room to breathe (Some of it escapes through the backs of the headphones).
This is what made the closed-back M50x moment so special. Closed headphones typically don’t give you that feeling; at least not very often.
Have you ever thought you heard a noise while you were listening to music and subsequently paused the track to look around?
That’s what I mean.
Good headphones can sort of fool you into thinking that something else is going on in your immediate vicinity or even farther away.
But alas, it was the music + M50x providing that feeling, and what a glorious feeling it was. In fact, I don’t remember anything else I did that morning, and the entire rest of the day is a complete blank.
But the experience I had with these headphones will stay with me until the day that I die.
Closing Thoughts
The Audio-Technica M50x is an exceptional pair of headphones that remains relevant even now as I type this and, like the 7506, changed my perception of what a headphone was capable of. The clarity and overall resolution have no business being this good at this price point, and that’s something I will never back down from.
In some ways, it makes me a bit sad, as I can never experience that feeling for the first time again.
Sort of like heroin.
Yes, the 50x, and headphones similar to it, are a gateway drug of sorts. Once you’re in, there’s no turning back.
So proceed with caution
Learn More:
Video Discussion
Well, that’s about it for today my friend! Hope you enjoyed this Audio Technica ATH-M50x Review.
Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Please let me know down below or Contact me!!
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All the best and God Bless,
-Stu
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24 comments
Nice information and Products you are sharing on this Website.
Thanks Michael!!
what’s up Stu,
Fun review as usual. I might pick them up, do me a favor and try them with that song Fat Joe – Ballin feat Wiz Khalifa, Teyana Taylor. Wanna see ya face after hearing it with audio technica ath m50. Can you handle it?
Lol I still haven’t gotten around to it.. bout to go to bed now.. i will tmw brother. Hope you’re well. Thanks for the love
-Stu
Great review Stu. You certainly know your stuff. Keep it up
James
thanks bud!!
could you please tell me the combination between ath m50x and scarlett 2i2 ? im making electronic music (dubstep/big room house),and i need studio headphones and some sound card (in the future maybe i would buy krk 6 g3) for now,i have money only for m50x. I really need your thoughts. Is good all that combinations? thanks
Hey Man! Yeah actually right now I have my M50’s on (not listening to music because they are so comfy) hehe, and the headphone jack is plugged into my 2i2! It’s really just the perfect little interface.. I can’t recommend it enough!! The M50’s as well as the 50x’s come with a 1/4″ adapter that enables you to plug your headphones right into the front of the interface. In all honesty, these headphones are the best I’ve ever had (Sony MDR 7506 being a close second).. GET EM you won’t regret it
-Stu
Thank you for your answer, i really do appreciate it 🙂 So the M50x and 2i2 is great combination? Can I can just plug them into my computer without 2i2?
Yes you can! If you bought the 50x’s, you wouldn’t screw on the adapter.. instead you just plug your headphones into your laptop or CPU as normal. But yeah.. the M50x’s work great with my 2i2!! They are the best headphones you can buy for under $200. I’ve had mine for over 2 years now! If you give me your email I’ll send a couple of pics i just took.
-Stu
What i really need is sound quality for sure. I know how they look, its not necessary 🙂 That’s why I’m here! To seek your advice 🙂 I think I’m going to buy them; are you sure I don’t need 2i2? will they sound good on my old computer without 2i2?
Yeah they sound great in my laptop, in my 2i2, in my ipod.. pretty much anywhere… the sound will vary slightly from each device.. but it has nothing to do with the headphones.. You will be blown away when you’re breaking them in. You will start to hear stuff in your favorite songs that you’ve never heard before! 🙂 -Stu
I can imagine that 🙂 This will be my first experience listening on studio equipment. I do need these because like I said, I’m making music and would love to have them..
Greetings! 🙂
yeah man, let me know if you get them!! -Stu
The T70p is much better for natural classic music, while the more boosted bass and better head seal of the ATH-M50 make it better for popular music.
Thanks! I will have to check out the T70p for myself.
-Stu
Hey stu, I did it anyway, I bought the audio technica m50x. I am surprised. It sounds better then I thought. When you play for 24 hours the sound is awesome. I doubt now if the audio technica m50x is less then dt 770 pro. I know how the drivers of the dt 770 pro look like. I find the drivers in the audio technica m50x of better quality. It looks more robust, I did not open this headphone but I look at photos on google. The drivers of the dt 770 pro IMO look vulnerable. I also read opinions of other people with the same conclusion.
Hey Alex!
I had an original M50 for 5 years before I gave it away and loved my time with it. My friend had bought a 50x and I did a side by side back in 2014 or thereabouts. Couldn’t tell that much of a difference but I tested them a long time ago. I know that they fixed the treble issue that was apparent on the original 50 and tamed it down a bit. I do think the 770 is definitely a more comfortable headphone overall. Interesting findings about the driver though. I haven’t heard anything about that although I haven’t researched the 770 in awhile. Keep me posted on your impressions of the 50x!
Hey Stu!
The dt 770 pro is more comfortable yeah I find that too. The dt 770 pro is more noticed concerning the vulnerable driver then you expect.
I have a lot of experience now with the m50x, when you listen out of the box and leave it that way the dt 770 pro definitely sounds not better but nicer, when you eq the m50x the m50x is nicer.
I am afraid that the dt 770 pro is losing my attention. The m40x is definitely losing.
Hey man!
Yeah I definitely got a lot more use out of the M50 back in the day. 5 Years worth. Then again I was just a beginner and it was only my second “good” headphone. The first being the MDR 7506. The 40x purchase came at a time when I had a lot of cans lying around and it just never saw as much use as I thought it was going to. I ended up selling most of my headphones recently and sadly the 40x didn’t make the cut even though it’s still a pretty good headphone overall.
My 50x are my go to headphones for daily use:
Commuter traffic? ATH 50x has enough passive noise cancelling. In a hurry and need to quickly toss a headphone in your bag? 50x is built like a tank.
But one huge benefit I miss in your excellent reviews is the fact that they are awesome as DJ cans: the swivel cups are great, the separation between low/mid and high is great and the fact they can go loud (distortion free) in combination with good isolation means you can, even in a loud DJ booth with monitor speakers blaring in your ears, you can mix without any problems and have the option of pre-cueing using one earcup and still hear clearly. The detachable cables are icing on an already tasty cake. And you’ll only buy 1 pair as they are unbreakable. Did have to buy new leather pads but after 5 years that’s not an issue.
For a studio, movie, or game I’d rather use my dt990 (these are god-tier for directional audio cues with a huge soundstage so you can snipe enemies, eyes closed, just by using your ears, SB g6 ftw)
Hey man thanks for the comment! I will definitely add that into the article. Thanks for pointing it out! And yeah, I really want a pair of DT990s!
Love the G6! Glad someone else is talking about how great it is for gaming. It’s crazy how much clearer I can hear things going on with it and the K702 or SHP9500. The Scout Mode is just amazing.
MAN this was a good read i’be also been curious about the m50x even though most of the review I’ve read deem it as sub par or not great but they are not as detail as your review and reading it rlly show me the m50x in a new light I will probably be on a lookout for one of these to try
Hey man thanks for stopping by and for the comment! Yeah I happen to have a different opinion based on an actual understanding of frequency response lol.
The 50x is definitely not “sub par.” It’s an excellent sounding consumer product that teeters on audiophile-grade. It’s not a perfect headphone, but it’s way better than the trash 40x that everyone and their grandma parrots as being this incredible headphone when it’s actually objectively horrific sounding if you have any clue at all.
The problem you’ll find with people online is that they all tend to parrot the same things over and over. This is how lies get spread around. For instance, the Sennheiser HD280 is complete trash, but it has a reputation for being one of the best headphones you can use for mixing. This is just not true at all. It sounds like complete dog poop. So what happens is, a bunch of people make websites (for profit) copying what’s been said about them for years – likely without even trying them, and then the general consensus becomes that they’re fantastic when that couldn’t be further from the truth.
I mean, if your goal is to not hear ANY of the mid-range due to it being more scooped out than an ice cream shop, then yeah, it’s awesome. xD