Audio Technica ATH M50x: The Sound of Music

We all love music, I personally do. Even if I am not an audiophile, I still have the passion for a good sound. I also happen to be starting to make videos - watch this space. As such, I deemed it necessary for me to get a top-notch pair of headphones to help me make videos.







I was looking for headphones that were comfortable to use for extended periods of time, had great sound quality down to the details because I will use them in making videos, affordable, preferably had good isolation qualities (although not active noise-canceling, that makes me dizzy), and finally: they should look good because a) I find it to be inspiring when working with well crafted tools and b) in case I wear them outside.


I started the search and spent hours in stores listening to different headphones. The quality headphones were always priced at, or over, $299 to $399 which was a roadblock for me. So I was encouraged yet a little hesitant about the sub-$200 price tag of the M50x. Keep in mind that when I first heard about Audio Technica, I, like many others, was not aware of the brand in the first place. So I started a thorough online research, as Audio Technica Headphones are not available where I live and I cannot test them in stores, and because the M50x got so many recommendations I decided to take the leap of the faith and get them online. After six weeks of use, I am really glad I did because these are remarkable headphones.

The Design:

Let me start with the first thing that draws attention: the design. I got the blue/brown limited edition of the M50x because this color combination can make pretty much anything look good.




To me these headphones have a unique, almost retro, look to them, there is a white edition that particularly looks hipster. They don’t try to be minimalist in any way: the headband has a thick cushion with a leather effect (mine is light brown) it is also wide with an Audio Technica engraving on the top - a welcomed design detail.



The headband connects to the earcups with a blue plastic piece that includes three hinges: two allow the earcups to fold into the headband, and a third enables them to swivel 90° for added flexibility. It also houses an M50x engraving that assures you that you have the right model and some metallic accents that match the color of headband - also cool.



The M50x come with a simple pouch engraved with the Audio technical logo on the side. It matches the cool brown color of the headphones - nice attention to design - I like it.
In my experience, brands that focus on quality often miss out on the looks; Audio Technica doesn’t.

The Built Quality

The built quality is super, even if they are made of plastic - The M50x are sturdy yet flexible. The headband can flex insanely without getting damaged and the adjustment piece is reinforced with aluminum and feels robust - just like all the hinges in the headphones. These are over-ear so the earcups fit comfortably around my ears and the combination of the soft cushions and the firm yet flexible headband strikes the right balance of comfort and noise-isolation so I can wear them for long periods of time without any trouble.



The M50x are wired but three detachable cables are included in the box: a 1.2m straight cable, 1.2m coiled cable which can stretch out to 3.0m, and a 3.0m straight cable, so you are covered whether you are going out for walk and want to connect them to your phone or planning to work on your desktop computer and want to connect them to the case under your desk. Their blue color matches the blue color of the headphones and, interestingly, the Apple official blue leather case for the iPhone 6 and 6Plus. You also get a 6.3 mm (1/4") screw-on adapter to connect them to an audio system.

The Sound Quality:

I have been using the M50x for six weeks now on a daily basis for listening to music and in my attempts to make videos - it’s been a fantastic experience.

The short story: They sound better than headphones that cost twice as much.

What’s great about the M50x is the purity of the sound. Since these are professional monitor headphones, they convey high sound details. In fact many Youtube tech reviewers have labelled these headphones as the best sound for under $200 (I got mine online for $189 from eBay. I also found the same model on Amazon for $179 at the time of writing this review).




The over-ear earcups do a great job isolating the sound from bleeding out or interfering in. They are not noise-canceling so they will not help much on a plane or in a super-noisy environment.

Some headphones have heavier bass; if that is what you are looking for then maybe you’d be better off with a different brand, but in my experience, the M50x delivers high-quality, balanced sound (including a punchy bass) without sacrificing the details for the bass.

I’ve become a big fan of the ATH M50x: They have excellent sound quality, great value and they are really good looking.
I must say they do not present the most exciting unboxing experience and Audio Technica doesn’t invest much in celebrity endorsements and marketing, but they do invest in research and development and it shows the minute you start using the M50x.