Sony MDR-7506 vs. Audio Technica ATH M50x vs. Sennheiser HD280 Pro
Part II of a Reference Mini-Series on affordable studio headphones!
Updates:
- 2/1/21. Article posted.
- 2/26/21. Video added. Ranking edit. Added chart.
Which of these headphones is best for mixing? Which is best for casual music listening? How do the V6 and 40x come into play? All of these answers and more, comin’ up…
Greetings bass head, and welcome aboard. Stuart Charles here, HomeStudioBasics.com helping YOU make sound decisions leading to a beautiful audio experience that will make you fall in love with music… All over again, so…
For all intents and purposes, this will be a 3-way shootout and we’ll throw in the 40x and V6 in there for good measure.
So are you ready for the Sony MDR7506 vs. Audio Technica ATH M50x vs. Sennheiser HD280 Pro comparison?
Good. Let’s dive in!
At A Glance
Video Discussion
In The Box
Sony MDR-7506
- Sony MDR-7506 Headphones
- Soft Case
- 1/4″ Adapter
- Limited 90-Day Warranty
Audio Technica ATH M50x
- 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
Sennheiser HD280 Pro
- Sennheiser HD 280 Pro Circumaural Closed-Back Monitor Headphones
- 1/4″ Adapter
- Limited 2-Year Warranty
Specs/Graphs
Sony MDR-7506
Shoutout to RTINGS for the graph! This is RTINGS’ graph. There are many like it, but this one is theirs. 😂
- Price: Check Amazon! | Check Sweetwater! | Check eBay!
- Type: Circumaural, Closed Back. Closed back vs. Open back Headphones
- Frequency Response: 10Hz – 20kHz
- Design: Over-Ear
- Impedance: 63 Ohm
- Sensitivity: 104dB/mW
- Cable Length: 10′ (3m)
- Weight: 7.8 Oz. (221g)
- Foldable: Yes
Audio Technica ATH M50x
Shoutout to Crinacle for the graph! This is Crinacle’s graph. There are many like it, but this one is his. 😂
- Price: Check Amazon! | Check Sweetwater!
- Type: Circumaural, Closed Back
- Frequency Response: 15Hz – 28kHz
- Design: Over-Ear
- Impedance: 38 Ohm
- Sensitivity: 99dB/mW
- Cable Length: 3.9 to 9.8′ / 1.2 to 3 m
3.9 to 9.8′ / 1.2 to 3 m
3.9 to 3.9′ / 1.2 to 1.2 m - Weight: 10 Oz. / 284 g (Without Cable)
- Foldable: Yes
Sennheiser HD280 Pro
Shoutout to RTINGS for the graph! This is RTINGS’ graph. There are many like it, but this one is theirs. 😂
- Price: Check Amazon! | Check Sweetwater! | Check eBay!
- Type: Circumaural, Closed Back
- Frequency Response: 8Hz – 25kHz
- Design: Over-Ear
- Impedance: 64 Ohm
- Sensitivity: 102dB/mW
- Cable Length: 9.8′ (Coiled)
- Weight: 7.8 oz / 221.1 g
- Foldable: Yes
Which is best for mixing though?
Out of these three, I’d go with the 7506 first, followed by the HD280, and then the 50x.
Edit: In the video, I went with the above ranking, but the 280 is just terrible for mixing/mastering so I’m editing this to put it last.
I have mixed on all 3 in the past, but the 7506 is most certainly going to help you find flaws in a recording better than the other 2. It’s more predictable and neutral sounding, with a smoother overall response aside from the peaky treble. It just sounds the most “correct” if that makes sense.
The V6 is a pretty similar sounding headphone with a bit more bass roll-off. By and large, the 2 headphones are almost identical at the end of the day.
Related: Sony MDR V6 vs. MDR 7506
Because the V6 has been discontinued and goes for outrageous prices now, I’d just get a 7506 and be done with it.
The HD280 is certainly a flat sounding headphone for the most part, but it’s dull and there are some sucked out spots in the mid-bass and mid-range that make it sound kind of strange when you’re kicking back with some music or trying to listen critically. I could never quite figure out what the 280 was trying to be, and thus I gave it away.
The M50x and M40x are both marketed as mixing headphones which is a flat out lie.
They’re not. I wouldn’t personally purchase either for mixing. I was able to use an M50 back in the day for mixing, and my beats came out pretty good, but I wouldn’t advise it or use one nowadays for that purpose.
The M40x’s bass rolls off a bit more, but the mid-bass is a bit too punchy and the treble sounds metallic and weird a lot of the time. I actually prefer a 50x over a 40x for both mixing and general music listening, but both are incredibly flawed from a reference standpoint and should be used only in emergencies.
For casual listening, a 7506 sounds phenomenal outside of the peaky treble. While that’s great for finding flaws in a mix, I’d probably EQ 10kHz down by a few dB if I was just maxin’ and relaxin’. It just ends up being a bit too much of a good thing.
The M50x is still a fun sounding headphone, regardless of what some snob like Metal462 (or whatever number he’s using this week) tells you.
Haha just kidding. Love you Metal. Me love you long time!
Don’t expect good Soundstage out of any of these, as they’re all closed back and fairly boxed in sounding.
Genre-wise, they all do well with most genres that I love, including Rock, Metal, Hip-Hop, R&B, Indie Pop, EDM, etc. I wouldn’t really rely on any of them for Jazz or Classical, but I suppose they may work in a pinch. These are headphones mostly meant for studio purposes and harder stuff. Related: The Best Headphones for Jazz < Article is part of a genre series so definitely check it out!
Build
All of these headphones are built pretty well with some caveats.
The 7506 and V6’s pads flake and peel over time, the coiled cable is a pain in the**, and it isn’t detachable. The pad itself on my 7506 came off altogether with hard daily use, causing me to have to re-wrap it around the cup constantly. That was definitely annoying.
The HD280 is built pretty well, boasting a hard plastic, but the headphone itself is a little bit too thick. It’s DUMMY THICC and then some. I’d consider it like that chick who’s pretty, but bordering on sloppy.
“I made ‘em extra sloppy for ya!!” 😂
The 40x is also built well, but its cups don’t rotate all the way around like the 50x’s. The 50x is the best out of these headphones, and in 5 years of daily use and abuse (from 2013 – 2018), I never had one single issue aside from the pads cracking, peeling, and then hardening over time. Definitely be ready to replace the pads on both the 50x and 40x depending on how much you use them. Related: Audio Technica ATH M40x vs. M50x
All 5 of these headphones fold and rotate in many of the same ways, and are generally very good for travel/on the go purposes.
Comfort
As far as comfort, none of these are all that great if we’re being honest. The 280 is probably the best out of this lot, as the cups are large enough not to touch your ears, but the clamp is rather tight and they’ll start to dig into your head after a while, both on the sides and top. Still, I’d say it’s slightly above average in this department.
I’d consider both the 7506 and V6 a hybrid on-ear/around-ear, and both will need slight adjustments from time to time as the pads tend to dig into your ear-lobes.
The 40x and 50x bear a similar sentiment and aren’t that great for long term listening.
Amplification
You won’t need an amplifier for any of these, but I’d invest in something like an E10K or K3 if you really want to get your feet wet with Amps & DACS.
It’s a perfect entry-level solution and will serve you well down the road as you upgrade headphones and Amps, as it can be used as just a DAC into a separate Amp.
Good Resources I’ve written for you:
- How to Choose a Headphone Amp [Definitive Guide]
- Beginners Guide: What is a USB DAC?
- What is Headphone Impedance? [Explained]
- What is Sensitivity in Headphones? [Explained]
Final Word
As for my top recommendation out of these? Definitely the 7506. It’s a headphone that withstood the test of time and still remains relevant after 30 years dating back to 1991.
It’s a product that will change your life if you’re brand new to audio, and will also help immensely when you’re mixing down a track and trying to find flaws quickly.
Check out the Video Discussion
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If you’re a little wary about the build and comfort of the 7506 and looking for an alternative, I’d highly consider purchasing a 9500. Learn why:
Interested in another relevant shootout?
Well, that’s about it for today my friend! Hope you enjoyed this Sony MDR7506 vs. Audio Technica ATH M50x vs. Sennheiser HD280 Pro Shootout/Comparison. I also hope you have a better idea of the similarities and differences between each.
Which of these sound like you? Let me know down below!!
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All the best and God bless,
-Stu
Can’t decide which headphones to purchase? Interested in a complete buyers guide outlining over 40 of the best options on the market? Click on over to the best audiophile headphones to learn more!!
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About The Author
Stuart Charles Black
Stu is determined to help you make sound decisions, and strives to deliver the best and most in depth content on the internet! In his spare time, he likes to fish, paint, play guitar, pray, rap, make beats, take photos, record videos, graphic design, and more. His sense of humour, coupled with a knack for excellence and strict attention to detail are what allow him to stand out in an crowded industry.
Hi dear Stu
I found your articles and comparisons very honest and reliable, and I think I can use your comments on buying a pair of headphones.
I am new to world of audiophile, and I’m going to buy my very first headphones. I want to train my ears and develop my hearing. My questions is, which headphone do you recommend for a start. I have a limited budget and options are few in my country, in fact, limited to Sennheiser HD 280 Pro, Audio-Technica ATH-M40x and M40x. I read that 280 has the most honest sound, and M50x & M40x have colored sounds. Does this mean that a 280 would fit me better to train my ears and enjoy simultaneously? or that ATHs are better for a start since they have a little bit of color.
PS. I mostly listen to progressive rock & classical music
Durability is also very important to me because I may nor be able to do any upgrades in next 5-8 years.
Thanks for your great articles and wish you the best.
Hey there!
Thank you so much for your support and kind words!
What about the 7506? I think that out of these 3, it’s the most honest sound. I would go ahead and just forget about the 40x/50x, and 280. I’ve mixed on all of them so you can rest assured I’m steering you in the right direction. The 280 is decent but has some sucked out spots in the mid-bass and mid-range that make it sound kind of weird. I remember owning one and just kind of being like “meh.” I ended up giving it away. The 7506 is a perfect starter solution for you. Check out this article/video: https://homestudiobasics.com/the-sony-mdr-7506-will-change-your-life/
I will say that none of these will be amazing with classical, but that’s an incredibly hard genre to recommend for. The Best Headphones For Classical.
Stay tuned for the video shootout between these 3 on my YouTube channel this Saturday 2/12/21 as well. It should really clarify things for you.
But yeah, go with the 7506. I wouldn’t really classify the 280’s sound as honest, as much as it is just “weird and dull.” The 7506 will help you find flaws in a mix much better but also sounds great with most genres. Yes, the treble is fairly bright, but it will sound livelier to you. A lot of people claim the 280 is flat, but really it’s kind of lumpy and awkward sounding. Just take a look at a graph of each. The 7506 is much better and sounds that way as well. The 280 looks exactly like it sounds, unfortunately. I would never rely on something like that for mixing. It’s way too inconsistent.
The mid-range is arguably the most important part of a mix/song and the 7506 understands that. The 280’s mids just fall off and it’s in large part what makes them sound so odd. Durability with the 7506 is great, but the pads to flake and peel, and the coiled cable is annoying. Def something to keep in mind although I’d gladly make that trade-off because of how good they sound. You can always replace the pads.
Anyway, I’ve rambled enough for now haha. Let me know if that helps and keep me posted!