Audio Technica ATH-M50x Review: Still great in 2023

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Audio Technica covers all the things from microphones to headphones and turntables for high quality audio experiences. Their headphone assortment alone ranges from an affordable $30 to an exorbitant $1,999.

The ATH-M50x matches in a snug spot inside that vary at $169 retail, interesting to those that wish to check out studio-style headphones for a constantly pleasing listening expertise, or others searching for an improve.

Out of the field, the headphones include a carrying pouch, a quarter-inch audio adapter, a 1.2 meter to three meter coiled cable, a 3 meter straight cable, and a 1.2 meter straight cable for various modes of connection.

Within the context of the Apple ecosystem expertise, we discover that these particulars distinction with Apple’s USB-C heavy or Bluetooth choice. The audio jack stays (largely) common for computer systems no less than, and the M50x may be plugged right into a Mac with little trouble.

These headphones just lately turned 9 years previous, so to maintain up with the instances, Audio Technica now sells a Bluetooth version of the ATH-M50x for $199.

The M50x are over-the-ear, closed-back headphones, contributing a good quantity of pure noise isolation. This comes nowhere near headphones with devoted noise-canceling options, nonetheless.

Light-weight and transportable, you are in a position to pack up the M50x shortly or modify them to your wants. Ear cups swivel at ninety levels, the headphones collapse flat, and the cables are removable.

The shortage of in-line controls could battle with portability or on-the-go listening, furthering our level that headphones like these are higher if you’re sitting down at your pc.

The big measurement and adjustment band make it match most head sizes. On an analogous be aware, the sunshine nature of the headphones mixed with the comfy earpad and headband materials makes them comfy to put on for lengthy durations.

As for the construct high quality, the mostly-plastic construct will put it aside from a number of drops, and two years of utilization has proven little put on and tear, contrasting with the lesser sturdiness of the ATH-M40x, which we broke in previous experiences. This, in addition to the audio high quality, makes the $50 distinction value it in our eyes.

Pushed by 45mm diameter drivers with 99 dB sensitivity, the headphones create an excellent and immersive expertise.

Anybody first making an attempt studio headphones might be shocked by the dearth of overwhelming bass attribute of many standard trendy headphones. Nonetheless, the M50x’s have good bass, nevertheless it’s balanced alongside the clear mids and distinct highs to create good listening all-around.

The M50x is available in metallic colours, giving it a clear look.

Our expertise throughout voice calls, many genres of music, and TV and movie utilizing the M50x have been fulfilling.

Vocals come by clearly all through rap anthems like Metro Boomin’s Superhero, and the sonic neutrality boosts genres like digital and jazz. We discovered Miles Davis’ Milestones to be a great instance of this.

The shortage of base could also be underwhelming in the case of watching motion pictures, however we have by no means felt that the bass was disproportionately low for many experiences. For informal listeners who worth impartial listening, it is an important pair of headphones, having no particular specialised options for audio however having depth and high quality.

The M50x attraction to musicians, music lovers, and aspiring audiophiles alike. They’ve definitely stood the take a look at of time within the audio and tech communities over the previous 9 years.

Most options of the M50x take into accounts high quality and luxury, however the “constructed for studio” nature of the headphones makes them supreme for stationary Mac or MacBook setups, leaving them at dwelling to favor your wi-fi earbuds or headphones of selection.

• Compact
• Respectable worth
• Nice, balanced sound

• Plastic-heavy construct
• Could not sustain with trendy wants