Audio-Technica M-Series ATH-M50x
The 45mm large-aperture drivers and closed-back design deliver a flat 15Hz-28kHz frequency response with 99dB sensitivity, making it a reference standard for accurate audio monitoring. Its robust, foldable build with contoured leather earpads provides excellent sound isolation and all-day comfort, now enhanced with detachable cables for field flexibility. This headphone is best for audio engineers and studio professionals who need precise, uncolored sound for mixing and mastering long sessions.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x delivers standout, detailed sound and a durable build that's rare at this price. But the comfort is a real problem for many, and you get zero modern features like ANC. Buy it for accurate wired monitoring, skip it if you want an all-day, everyday headphone.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Detailed, energetic sound that reveals nuances in your music. 96th
- Tank-like build quality with a handy foldable design. 85th
- Detachable locking cable is a lifesaver for longevity. 84th
- Excellent passive noise isolation from the tight earcup seal. 83rd
Cons
- Comfort is a major issue with a tight, fatiguing clamp force.
- Bass can sound distorted to some listeners.
- The microphone is useless for anything beyond a quick voice memo.
- Zero noise cancellation means they're a poor choice for commuting.
What owners think
The Word on the Street
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
- Q1 202667/100
Buyers praised durability and audio quality but strongly criticized uncomfortable clamp force, especially for glasses wearers.
- Uncomfortable clamp force and earpads, especially for glasses wearers.
- Durable build; headphones survive drops and last years.
- Good audio quality and versatile cords for gaming or music.
- Good value for beginners but comfort issues limit long use.
- Q1 2025100/100
Buyers praised sound quality, comfort, and deep bass. One noted a tight clamp causing discomfort but overall considered them among the best headphones owned.
- Sound quality is great, with deep bass that doesn't overpower vocals.
- Comfortable for home use and drum practice.
- Tight clamp on head can cause discomfort, but overall positive.
- No frills design, good for home use.
- Q4 202463/100
Buyers praised sound quality and value, but noted flimsy build, poor battery life, and uncomfortable ear pads.
- Excellent sound profile and value for the price, favored over competitors.
- Battery life is poor and headphones stopped working after two months.
- Ear pads are too small and cause pressure, but replacing them improves comfort.
- Build feels flimsy, but long-term durability is acceptable with pad replacements.
- Q1 202473/100
Buyers praise sound quality and comfort, but note missing ANC, poor microphone quality, and fragile materials.
- Excellent sound quality and comfort for music and gaming.
- Build feels light and flimsy but is actually sturdy.
- Missing ANC and poor call audio quality for the price.
- Fragile plastic parts and poor synthetic leather covering.
- Q4 202367/100
Buyers praised sound quality and durability, but some reported hinge breakage issues.
- Excellent sound quality, balanced and clear for studio use.
- Flimsy plastic hinge breaks repeatedly, even after warranty replacement.
- Very durable; one user reported daily use for 8 years without failure.
- Great value for price, but headphones may slip off easily.
- Q3 202349/100
Buyers praise sound quality and comfort but report durability issues: padding flakes off, joints break, and drivers develop rattling distortion.
- Excellent sound quality, flat frequency response, and good bass.
- Padding and headband vinyl disintegrate, leaving black flakes on skin and clothes.
- Foldable joints and overall construction feel cheap and prone to breaking.
- Drivers develop rattling distortion over time, especially at moderate volumes.
- Q4 202297/100
Buyers praised these headphones for crisp sound, flat response, and solid build. One noted bass is not the best, but overall value is excellent.
- Super crisp sound quality, revealing details in music.
- Great value for the price, especially as starter monitors.
- Solid build and reliable, with no issues over years of use.
- Bass is not the best; some users EQ for casual listening.
- Q2 202267/100
Buyers praised sound quality and value, but one reported a freezing issue after two months, echoing a prior defect complaint.
- Excellent sound quality that sets a benchmark for other headphones.
- Good value and solid build for creative industry use.
- Headset freezes after 15-20 minutes, with no troubleshooting available.
- Long-term reliability praised by some, but defects like flaking and freezing reported.
- Q1 202267/100
Buyers praised sound quality, comfort, and value, but one reported recurring right-side audio failure across two units.
- Excellent sound quality with clear highs and lows.
- Comfortable for extended wear and good battery life.
- Good value with included accessories like cables and case.
- Recurring right headphone audio failure reported.
- Q4 202167/100
Buyers praised sound and build quality but noted comfort issues and high impedance. One reported a critical freezing defect with no reset option.
- Good sound and build quality, with love for the audio and cable options.
- Headphones freeze, cannot be reset without draining battery or USB connection.
- Comfort is a concern; headphones sit hot on ears after extended use.
- High impedance requires high volume from consumer devices, limiting potential.
- Q1 2021100/100
Buyers praised the headphones for exceptional comfort, sound quality, and fast delivery, with all reviews highly recommending the product.
- Comfort praised for long wear during video editing and audio mastering.
- Sound quality described as amazing and a delight for audio work.
- Fast delivery and competitive pricing noted as positive.
- Overall satisfaction with strong recommendation to buy.
- Q4 202080/100
Buyers praised sound quality and comfort for long wear, but one noted a cheap plastic build compared to older models.
- Great sound quality for mixing and gaming.
- Comfortable for extended use, no pain after 8 hours.
- Plastic build feels cheaper than earlier versions.
- Excellent value for money under $300.
- Q3 202091/100
Buyers praised the excellent sound quality and value, noting a surprising bass response, flat frequency response for mixing, and versatile included cables.
- Excellent sound quality and value for the price
- Surprising bass response for a lightweight headset
- Flat frequency response ideal for studio mixing
- Versatile included cables with short cable for smartphones
- Q2 201967/100
Buyers praised the premium sound quality but reported durability issues with ear-pads and headband peeling after a few years.
- Excellent sound quality for music, movies, and video editing.
- Ear-pad and headband cushion deteriorated, leaving white particles.
- Comfortable initially but causes discomfort after extended use.
- No replacement parts available for worn headband.
- Q1 201985/100
Buyers praised sound quality, build, and included accessories, but noted occasional ear discomfort and low volume with poor sound isolation.
- Excellent sound quality, rich and satisfying for picky listeners.
- Well-made with quality components, leather bag, and multiple cords.
- Right ear pinching causes soreness after 20 minutes; requires readjustment.
- Too quiet with poor sound isolation.
- Q4 201843/100
Buyers praised sound quality and comfort but reported that the ear pad covering disintegrates within a year, with some experiencing distortion and build quality issues.
- Ear pad covering flakes or disintegrates after limited use.
- Sound quality is good for the price, with clear audio and noise isolation.
- Comfort is good for some but can cause warmth or discomfort if not adjusted.
- Build quality concerns: padding material fails, and some units have distorted bass.
- Q2 201871/100
Most buyers praise the sound quality and value, but a few report poor fit, discomfort, and unreliable cables.
- Excellent audio quality with balanced bass, mids, and highs.
- Great value for the price, often compared favorably to pricier brands.
- Uncomfortable fit, ear cups pinch and cause discomfort.
- Cable reliability issues, multiple cords failing within a year.
- Q1 201895/100
Buyers praise these headphones for exceptional sound quality, comfort, and durability, making them ideal for daily use and professional settings.
- Excellent sound quality, described as full, crisp, and comparable to high-end speakers.
- High comfort for extended wear, used 10+ hours daily without discomfort.
- Versatile for various uses: music mixing, video editing, commuting, and work.
- Lack of a hard case; only a soft cover that offers limited protection.
Based on 106 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
The sound is where these still earn their reputation. Sitting in the 84th percentile, the 45mm drivers deliver a detailed, energetic signature that's a standout for the price. You get a wide 15Hz to 28kHz range that pulls out little textures in tracks you might miss on more consumer-tuned headphones. The build quality is also impressive, landing in the 81st percentile with a robust, foldable design that can take a beating in a backpack. But it's not all good news. Comfort is a real weak spot, ranking in the 13th percentile, and many users find the clamp force too tight for long sessions. The microphone is mediocre at best for calls, and there's no active noise cancellation to speak of, so you'll hear everything going on around you.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | closed |
| Foldable | Yes |
| Weight | 0.3 kg / 0.6 lbs |
| Ear Cushion | leather |
| Headband | Aluminum |
Audio
| Driver Type | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 45 |
| Freq Min | 15 |
| Freq Max | 28000 |
| Impedance | 38 |
| Sensitivity | 99 |
| Codecs | Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Pro Monitor Headphones, Black With Leather Earpads |
Connectivity
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm |
| Detachable Cable | Yes |
| Cable Length | 3 |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
vs Competition
Stacked against modern heavyweights like the Sony WH-1000XM6 or Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4, the M50x feels like a time capsule. Those wireless cans obliterate it in comfort, features, and noise cancellation, making them far better for daily life and travel. The Sennheisers also offer a more refined, spacious sound. Even Apple's AirPods Max, while pricier, are in a different universe for build and ecosystem integration. The M50x only wins on one front: a flat-out, wired, analytical sound that doesn't rely on batteries or Bluetooth codecs. It's a specialist tool, not an all-rounder.
| Spec | Audio-Technica M-Series ATH-M50x | Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 | Sony ULT WEAR WHULT900N/B | Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 | Apple AirPods Max Midnight | Technics EAH-A800 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear |
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size (mm) | 45 | 40 | 40 | 42 | 40 | 40 |
| Impedance Ohms | 38 | - | 314 | 470 | 16 | 34 |
| Wireless | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Open Closed Back | closed | closed | closed | closed | closed | closed |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 | 5.2 | 5.2 | 5.0 | 5.2 |
| Battery Life Hours | - | 30 | 30 | 60 | 20 | 50 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | User Sentiment | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audio-Technica M-Series ATH-M50x | 33.3 | 53.5 | 96 | 83.5 | 51.4 | 85.3 | 20.9 | 50.1 | 82.9 |
| Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 Compare | 98.4 | 99.5 | 96 | 99.4 | 81.1 | 61.3 | 87.3 | 98.2 | 98.6 |
| Sony ULT WEAR WHULT900N/B Compare | 98.4 | 88.8 | 80.7 | 96.8 | 81.1 | 61.3 | 71.1 | 99.2 | 89.2 |
| Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Compare | 98.4 | 88.8 | 93.3 | 98.3 | 92.9 | 90.7 | 37.5 | 98.5 | 71.5 |
| Apple AirPods Max Midnight Compare | 98.4 | 87 | 93.3 | 94.8 | 76.3 | 34.5 | 87.3 | 88.5 | 98.6 |
| Technics EAH-A800 Compare | 95 | 98.8 | 80.7 | 97.9 | 88.9 | 61.3 | 53.2 | 98 | 65.3 |
Price
Value & Pricing
For pure wired audio quality, the M50x still brings it. You're getting a sound signature that's well above average for the price, wrapped in a build that will outlast most other gear you own. The value proposition gets shaky when you realize you can find wireless headphones with ANC and better comfort for not much more cash. But if your priority is accurate, detailed sound for mixing or critical listening on a budget, the value here is undeniable.
Read more
Overview
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x has been the default recommendation for budding audio engineers and detail-obsessed listeners for over a decade. It's a wired, closed-back workhorse that promises accurate sound in a foldable, no-frills package. The big update here is detachable cables, which fixes the main headache of the original M50. But in a world now flooded with wireless ANC cans, this old-school monitor has to rely purely on its sonic chops to stay relevant.
Common Questions
Q: Are these good for mixing and music production?
Yes, that's their main strength. The 84th percentile sound quality means they offer a detailed, relatively accurate frequency response that helps you hear what's really going on in a mix, especially for the price.
Q: Can I use these for gaming?
You can, and the detailed sound will give you a good sense of space, but the mediocre microphone means you'll want a separate mic for chatting with teammates.
Q: Do they block out noise without ANC?
They do a decent job passively. The closed-back design and tight-sealing earcups provide good sound isolation, but they won't silence the rumble of a plane or train like active noise cancellation would.
Who Should Skip This
If you need all-day comfort or plan to use these for commuting, look elsewhere. The 13th percentile comfort score isn't just a number, the clamp force is a real headache for many. Anyone wanting wireless freedom or good call quality should also skip these entirely and check out the Sony WH-1000XM6 or Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4.
Verdict
The ATH-M50x is for the person who wants to hear exactly what's in a mix without any fluff. It's a studio tool first and a listening device second. If you're a budding producer, a musician tracking in a home studio, or just someone who craves a detailed, wired sound and doesn't mind a tight fit, this is still a solid buy. Just know you're sacrificing every modern convenience to get it.
