In a hurry? Here’s our verdict

To keep things brief, the ATH-M50x sound excellent, are very comfortable for long periods of time, and accurate enough for a lot of pro audio work as well as being lively enough to make consumer-grade listening enjoyable.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x specifications

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x review

Initial thoughts

The ATH-M50x definitely gave an impression of a solid product right out of the gate. They feel weighty in the hands, but not inflexible or heavy. Feeling just how thick and sturdy the headband seemed though, I was initially concerned about comfort and that weight sitting on my head during listening.

Aesthetically, the black edition of the ATH I received are nothing to write home about, but they’re sleek and minimal – which is what I like.

I’m never really one to get hung up on the look of equipment, so long as it functions well and feels good to interact with.

Whether it’s mics, headphones, or turntables, I’ve had at least some experience with a variety of Audio-Technica kit, and everything I’ve tried has this functional minimalist look and a sturdy, workmanlike feel that appeals to me.

If you’re a more vibrant personality who wants some colour and cool aesthetics to make a bit more of a statement with your equipment, Audio-Technica do have a few variations. There’s a very nice-looking white variant and an intriguing dark blue, grey, and orange version they call “Lab”.

I’ve used the AT2020 and AT4040 mics for studio recordings, the AT-LP120X turntable for vinyl playback, and the ATH-M40x headphones for vocal monitoring in a studio, and I’ve been impressed by the build qualities of all of them.

Design and build quality

Putting the headphones on dispelled my original concerns about their weight in short order. It is a little bulky compared to the first-generation Bose QuietComfort 35s I use for consumer listening, but it’s no less comfortable.

I also use the beyerdynamic DT880 semi-open-back headphones for mixing and studio work, and the ATH-M50x felt like they exerted less pressure on my head than the beyerdynamics did. The earcups swivel and rotate to fit your head shape and the adjustable headband got me a good fit quickly.

In terms of the earpads, they’re firm and have enough give to sit comfortably. They’ve softened over the time I’ve had them to hand now too. It’s not as luxurious as the velour pads of the beyerdynamic DT880, but it still feels soft.

Fit and comfort

These are the most comfortable pair out of the three headphones I’m most familiar with. The headband’s plastic exterior doesn’t feel as tough as the mostly-metal design of the DT880, the extra give in them feels better on the head, and the solid metal interior of the headband doesn’t leave me with any questions on how long they’ll last.

The feel of the ATH-M50x does somewhat highlight the overall space that they sit in as a product, straddling the line between consumer and professional audio equipment. This is to the M50x’s benefit though, as I can – and have – kept these headphones on for close to seven hours in a day before with only a few breaks.

Sound quality

This is where the M50x really won me over. But it wasn’t as immediate as you might expect.

I first found the midrange definition of the Audio-Technicas a little pokey when I first started listening to them. The reason for this was not actually the fault of the headphones, but I’d become more accustomed to the V-shaped sound profile of the Bose QuietComfort.

By comparison, that clear, neutral midrange felt like a bit of a jump. I got used to it by the end of my first day with them, though.

I’ve consulted frequency response graphs for both sets of headphones which confirmed this suspicion to me, as well as several others. The M50x are something of a hybrid between the neutrality of studio headphones and the more flattering characteristics of audiophile headphones.

The M50x has some of the most accurate midrange response I’ve seen in a set of headphones – especially at this price point, and their treble response is smooth without sacrificing detail.

Bass is present, throughout most of the spectrum. Low-mids, a point which usually gets overlooked as a source of definition by a lot of audio manufacturers is as accurate as anyone could hope for.

The overall result is that almost everything sounds great.

I tested the M50x on podcasts regularly while I worked, and every voice sounded great – not harsh and sibilant, which I sometimes felt with the hyped treble of the QuietComfort. As far as music was concerned, I tried it on a plethora of albums in various genres to get a feel for what it handled and how.

On my first day reviewing the headphones for music, I felt a little tired and just wanted to get lost in some music, so I stuck to various indie-folk artists. It was hard to find any fault whatsoever with the sound of the headphones on this front for the most part. Although I did notice the kick drums on Bon Iver’s “Perth” sounded a little softer than I remembered.

Day two saw me dig into some electronic music. It was at this point I noticed that the low-frequency definition of the M50x is very good until we get into the sub-bass frequencies below around 50 Hz. This area gets exaggerated by the QuietComforts, so I just lost a touch of that extra low punch I was accustomed to. I quickly acclimatised to this

The day of electronica did give me another confirmation, the ATH-M50x have a very good soundstage. I could very comfortably feel the panning in the fingerpicked guitars of Holocene and the wildly spacious sound design of Rival Consoles’ Now Is. Synths were also easier to follow around the stereo image.

This means they’re great for production too. If I’m doing sound design work, messing around with synth plugins, or shifting elements around in my mixes, I know I’ll be able to rely on what the M50x are telling me. I’ve used monitor speakers where I’ve felt far less confident while making some wild panning effects than I would with these.

Of course, I wouldn’t have fully broken the Audio-Technicas in without one last day of music with some of my favourite artists, so I put some time in with my personal favourites in rap, rock, and metal. This solidified my impression of the bass. There’s still presence in the ultra-low frequencies, but some of that real boom from bass, downtuned guitars, kick drums, and 808s doesn’t always punch quite as hard as I wanted.

The transient response of the ATH-M50x’s 45 mm drivers is very snappy and keeps the definition of drums and fast percussive elements very clear, too. Testing it on the rhythmic interplay of modern, chuggy metalcore guitars and skittering alternative rap beats really made this clear to me. Reverb tails and delays are pretty clear here too.

The treble is clear and full without feeling harsh, which can be a pretty difficult line to walk while tuning particularly studio-based headphones.

So, are they up to the task of monitoring while recording? Most definitely. These headphones’ punchy, clear, and pretty flat overall sound is accurate and marginally flattering without being misleading.

I’d happily hand a set of these to a vocalist while recording, and since they’re closed-back, I’d be pretty confident they wouldn’t leak too much either.

I would also happily mix on these headphones, even in denser work with metal bands, I’d feel confident in what the ATH-M50x are telling me.

There are a few points in the frequency response to keep in mind, a dip in the low-mids around 300 to 400 Hz – a point I usually dip on most instruments anyway, and that sub-bass roll-off that could end up being overcorrected for if you’re not aware of it. But so long as you keep those in mind, you could easily get a balanced mix that translates.

Unlike some speakers and headphones I’ve used, I’m sure I wouldn’t end up with hyper-exaggerated bass or boxy low-mids in my mixes with these as compensation, where I have in other cases. Plus, their linearity through the all-important midrange would lead me to make the right calls with EQ.

What about mastering? While the definition and linearity of the M50x is encouraging, I think I’d opt for higher-end open-backs for mastering – although frankly, I’d rather pick out a set of studio monitors for this kind of work.

The subtleties of dynamics, saturation and surgical EQ I’d need to do, I think I could pull off on the M50x if push came to shove, but there are other options I’d go to for that kind of work under ideal circumstances.

Noise cancellation

Being closed-backs, the noise isolation of the ATH-M50x will naturally be better than that of most open-backs. However, the general isolation level of these headphones isn’t especially high. Without active noise cancellation, these headphones do tend to pick up sounds around you, not in a particularly defined way, but it is present.

Even in the relative quiet of the Gear4music offices as I write this, I can still hear faint snippets of conversation, the quiet ambient hum of the air conditioning system, and the clicking of my keyboard. It’s not particularly distracting or egregious, but it is present.

If you’re looking for a set to completely and utterly shut out the outside world, these aren’t it. Nor do Audio-Technica claim them to be. External noises are dampened and faded, but if you’re paying attention, they’re still there. For those in subpar environments or who struggle to get absorbed by whatever they’re listening to, you might want to look elsewhere.

In terms of spill, however, I’d gladly trust these on a vocalist in a booth while tracking. At higher volumes, there is some noticeable leakage, but at sensible listening levels, it’s not a problem.

Who are the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones suited to?

Truthfully, I think the ATH-M50x are pretty great pick for all-purpose headphones. Unless you’re a real bass head who needs those strongly-boosted sub-frequencies, it’s extremely good for getting a neutral yet flattering playback for casual listening. Everything’s full and well-defined, and it’s balanced enough that you’ll get a very good representation of the intended mix of a finished track.

For self-recording musicians with home or portable studios – guitarists and vocalists especially – these would be great for monitoring while you record. DJs, producers, and beatmakers would enjoy them too, as their evenness is great for dialling in sound design and effects and representing the full shape of your work.

Bassists and drummers might yearn for stronger sub response as there’s some detail and punch they’ll be missing in that 20 to 40 Hz range, but it doesn’t feel weak, simply less powerful than we’re often used to.

For mixing, I think the ATH-M50x are probably the best value option. They offer performance and reliability that’s hard to get until you reach the range of £300 to £400 for high-performance open-backs specifically tailored to mastering.

As far as mastering is concerned, you’d probably want to seek out a higher-performance pair for that extra-detailed level of work, but it’s pretty impressive to see a £150 set of headphones capably handle everything up to this level of professional audio and casual listening.

FAQs

Are the ATH-M50x still the best?

The ATH-M50x are still considered among the best headphones for accurate audio reproduction. Known for their balanced sound and durability, they’re widely favoured by audiophiles and professionals. Although newer models exist, their price-to-performance ratio keeps them competitive.

Do ATH-M50x have noise cancellation?

The ATH-M50x do not have active noise cancellation. They provide decent passive isolation due to their over-ear, closed-back design but lack ANC technology. For users needing active noise cancelling, models like the ATH-M50xBT2 are available with additional features.

What artists use the ATH-M50x?

Many artists, including Deadmau5, Halsey, and Flying Lotus, use the ATH-M50x for their accurate sound, clarity, balanced response, and reliable build. These headphones are great for mixing and monitoring, and their reputation spans both professional and personal audio settings.

Final thoughts

The ATH-M50x are an extremely impressive pair of headphones not just for the price, but at any price, and the sizeable praise they receive from audiophiles, producers, musicians, and casual users alike reflects this.

The headphones are comfortable and sturdy, and they sound great. Essentially, they reflect Audio-Technica’s commitment to solid working designs without any unnecessary bells and whistles. They’re not flawless for everything, but for almost any scenario that warrants headphones – both in audio production and for personal listening – I would be very happy to know that I have this pair to hand.

So, that was our review of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, an excellent option for anyone. If you happen to be looking for microphones to record with, check out our guide to the best microphones for vocals. If you’re more of a DJ, we have a fantastic guide to DJ setups. More of a producer? Look at our favourite mixing tips and tricks.