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Audio-Technica ATH-M50x  Headphones Review

Review updated Dec 05, 2023 at 05:03pm
Writing modified Jul 29, 2025 at 03:58pm
Tested using methodology v2.0 
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
5.7
Sports And Fitness 
5.5
Travel 
4.0
Office Work 
4.4
Wireless Gaming (In Development) 
6.4
Wired Gaming (In Development) 
6.5
Audio Reproduction Accuracy 
4.5
Noise Isolation 
0.0
Microphone (In Development) 
 6

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are closed-back, over-ear headphones. The manufacturer has a reputation for making well-built products that are well-suited for both professional and home use. Thanks to their closed-back design, comfortable fit, and detachable cable, these headphones are a versatile choice for a variety of listening applications, and they remain a mainstay in studios around the world.

Our Verdict

5.7
Sports And Fitness 

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are disappointing for sports. They have a decently comfortable design, but they're a bit too bulky and unstable for sports. They also have a thick audio cable with no control scheme to change tracks while working out.

Pros
  • Sturdy and comfortable build.
  • Detachable audio cable.
Cons
  • Prone to leakage at higher volumes.
  • Poor noise isolation performance.
  • No buttons or audio control options.
5.5
Travel 

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are inadequate for travel. They only block noise passively, which won't be enough for the noisy environments involved in commuting. They're also too bulky to carry around on your person at all times and have no control scheme to change tracks on the go.

Pros
  • Sturdy and comfortable build.
Cons
  • Prone to leakage at higher volumes.
  • No buttons or audio control options.
  • Disappointing frequency response consistency. 

4.0
Office Work 

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are disappointing for office use. They don't leak too much audio but might be audible to the people around you at higher volumes. Unfortunately, they also don't block enough noise to use in noisy environments, so you'll hear the ambient chatter and scraping chairs of a lively office.

Pros
  • Sturdy and comfortable build.
Cons
  • Prone to leakage at higher volumes.
  • Poor noise isolation performance.
  • Disappointing frequency response consistency. 

4.4
Wireless Gaming (In Development) 

These headphones can only be used wired, so they're not suitable for wireless gaming.

6.4
Wired Gaming (In Development) 

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are passable for wired gaming, so long as you own a standalone mic. Their wired connection ensures a virtually latency-free gaming experience. These comfortable headphones also have extra boom for a more immersive experience and balanced mids, ensuring that dialogue and instruments sound clear and accurate in cinematic cut scenes. You may need to adjust their fit between gaming sessions to ensure you get a consistent sound.

Pros
  • Sturdy and comfortable build.
  • Detachable audio cable.
Cons
  • Poor noise isolation performance.
  • Disappointing frequency response consistency. 

6.5
Audio Reproduction Accuracy 

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are okay for audio reproduction accuracy. Their frequency response mostly follows their balanced sound profile, with most deviations occurring in the bass range. There are a few factors responsible for this, such as the inconsistencies in audio delivery caused by their rigid design and a phase cancellation in the mid-bass range. This phase cancellation also translates to a poor group delay performance. While this means transients in the bass range aren't as well-defined as they could be, the rest of the frequency response is generally balanced, meaning vocals and instruments are clear and natural-sounding. Overall, their frequency response complies well with our target curve.

4.5
Noise Isolation 

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x have a disappointing noise isolation performance. While their closed-back design provides some passive isolation against treble-range frequencies, it does very little to prevent bass and mid-range noises from interfering with your audio. As a result, you'll be able to hear noises like engine rumble; be they from planes, trains or automobiles, as well as mid-range noises like background conversations.

0.0
Microphone (In Development) 

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x lack a built-in microphone.

5.9
Frequency Response Consistency 

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x's frequency response consistency is sub-par. The rigid headband and bulky earcups can result in some deviations in bass-range delivery, meaning the bass response is generally stronger in the right channel than the left. If you have long hair, this can disrupt the seal formed over your ears, too, resulting in more deviations in bass delivery between reseats. The response is generally more consistent across the mid and treble range, though.

  • 5.7
    Sports And Fitness
  • 5.5
    Travel
  • 4.0
    Office Work
  • 4.4
    Wireless Gaming (In Development)
  • 6.4
    Wired Gaming (In Development)

  • Performance Usages

  • 6.5
    Audio Reproduction Accuracy
  • 4.5
    Noise Isolation
  • 0.0
    Microphone (In Development)
  • 5.9
    Frequency Response Consistency
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Jul 29, 2025: 

      We've updated the Sound Profile box with a link to a downloadable folder of EQ settings that will help you match these headphones' frequency response to different target curves available in our Graph Tool.

    2.  Updated May 21, 2025: 

      The Bass Profile: Target Compliance was updated to mention the FIIO FT1.

    3.  Updated Apr 25, 2025: 

      This review has been updated to Test Bench 2.0, which adds the following tests: Stereo Mismatch, Group Delay, Cumulative Spectral Decay, PRTF, Harmonic Distortion, and Electrical Aspects. We've added new performance usages and updated the text throughout the Sound tests and side-by-sides.

    4.  Updated Apr 25, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 2.0, which updates our sound tests and adds performance usages. You can read more about this in our changelog.

    Differences Between Sizes And Variants

    The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x come in two color variants: 'Black' and 'White'. The manufacturer holds a poll every year to pick a new limited edition colorway, so you might see other colors like 'Ice Blue,' 'Purple and Black,' 'Deep Sea Blue' and 'Lantern Glow' available new or on the secondhand market. We tested the 'Black' variant, but we expect all colorways to perform similarly. If you encounter another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the comments, and we'll update our review.

    Popular Headphones Comparisons

    The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are closed-back headphones well-suited for both audiophiles and audio professionals. Their closed-back design and sturdy construction resemble the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO. The Audio-Technica have a conveniently detachable audio cable, but otherwise, preferences between the two in terms of sound and comfort will come down to personal taste. The manufacturer also offers other headphones in the same series to suit a range of budgets, like the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x, which offer a similar design and fit at a more wallet-friendly price. That said, they don't sound as neutral, and their build quality isn't as good. Audio-Technica has also since released a Bluetooth-equipped, wireless variant: the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2. While they're more portable and feature an integrated mic, they lack the wired version's boomy bass. For more, check out our recommendations on the best Audio-Technica headphones.

    If you're interested in other brands, see our articles on the best headphones for music, the best DJ headphones, and the best headphones for studio use.

    Sony MDR-7506

    The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x and Sony MDR-7506 are similar headphones targeted toward professional and studio use. The Audio-Technica are more comfortable to wear during long listening sessions, and they feel better built than the Sony MDR-7506. Both are tuned for monitoring and recording audio. The headphones are fairly similar, but you might be able to find the Sony at a cheaper price point, so they might offer better value, even though the Audio-Technica include swappable cables for easy replacement.

    Audio-Technica ATH-M40x

    The Audio Technica ATH-M50x are very similar to the Audio Technica M40x, but they have a slight edge over them. They feel a bit sturdier and better-built than the M40x. Both headphones will give you great sound and are also great options for critical listening, but the M50x offer one of the best values on the market due to their great price-to-performance ratio.

    Audio-Technica ATH-M70x

    While the Audio-Technica ATH-M70x are more comfortable than the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, they might not be the better choice for most people. The M50x are more affordable, meaning they'll offer great value for most people. The two headphones are very similar and the extra investment necessary for the M70x might not be worth it.

    Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO

    The Audio Technica ATH-M50x and the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO have very similar performance, but some might prefer the better build quality of the Beyerdynamic. Their metal frame feels sturdy, and the soft padding fabric feels nice on the skin. However, they can be tight for some, especially if you have a larger head. They might also sound a bit sharp for some and don't come with as many cable options as the Audio Technica.

    Show more 

    Test Results

    perceptual testing image
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    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Sound
    Sound Profile
    See details on graph tool
    Normalization Frequency
    550 Hz
    Bass Amount
    Balanced (0 dB)
    Treble Amount
    Balanced (0 dB)
    Sound Signature
    Balanced

    The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x have a balanced sound profile. However, the rigid design of the headband makes it difficult to achieve consistent audio delivery between the left and right channels, resulting in some amplitude mismatch in the bass range.

    If you'd like to tweak the headphones' frequency response to more closely match one of the target curves found in our Graph Tool, check out our downloadable EQ parameters folder.

    5.9
    Frequency Response Consistency
    See details on graph tool
    See details on graph tool
    Std. Deviation
    1.36 dB

    The frequency response consistency is sub-par. Bass range delivery in particular can vary quite a bit depending on your head size and facial features, due to the rigidity of the headband. In most cases this makes for a strong bass response in the right channel, compared to the left. Users with long hair will also notice more inconsistencies in the bass response between different reseats. Consistency is a little better in the mid and treble range, but you'll still need to ensure you adjust the fit to ensure optimal audio delivery. 

    Raw Frequency Response
    See details on graph tool
    See details on graph tool
    8.7
    Bass Profile: Target Compliance
    See details on graph tool
    RMS Deviation From Target
    3.3 dB
    Low-Frequency Extension
    22.45 Hz
    Low Bass
    -3.66 dB
    Mid Bass
    0.45 dB
    High Bass
    1.95 dB

    They have excellent bass target compliance. While there's some deviation between the response in the left and right channels in this range, due to inconsistencies created by their rigid headband and shallow ear cups, the response delivers ample boom and fullness to kick drums and bass guitars. Deep synths are comparatively a bit lighter on the low rumble in tracks like Aerodynamic by Daft Punk, due to a phase cancellation in the mid-bass, but still sound prominent. If you use these headphones for wired gaming, this bump in the high-bass can also help bring out the sound of footsteps. On the other hand, if you want a thumpier bass response, the FIIO FT1 can deliver a more even and heftier low- and mid-bass.

    8.8
    Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance
    See details on graph tool
    RMS Deviation From Target
    1.69 dB
    Low Mid
    -2.43 dB
    Mid-Mid
    0.01 dB
    High Mid
    1.06 dB

    The mid-range target compliance is amazing. Overall, the response is fairly neutral across the entire range. As a result, vocals and lead instruments are generally present and detailed. A small dip in the low-mid makes lead instruments sound a little thin, but the rest of the mids are fairly even, if a touch elevated, in the high-mids to intensify vocals slightly.

    9.1
    Treble Profile: Target Compliance
    See details on graph tool
    RMS Deviation From Target
    2.43 dB
    Low Treble
    1.16 dB
    Mid Treble
    -1.33 dB
    High Treble
    -1.19 dB

    Their treble's target compliance is outstanding. The lower half of the low-treble is quite balanced and produces clear vocals. There are some deviations from our target in the mid-treble that can cause sibilants to vary in their brightness, but it's hard to pick up unless you're an astute audiophile. These slight deviations carry through to the high-treble, though we lose sensitivity to this range over time. 

    7.5
    Peaks/Dips
    See details on graph tool
    Peaks
    1.33 dB
    Dips
    2.18 dB

    These headphones have a good peaks and dips performance. They follow their own balanced sound profile for the most part, with narrow deviations. Due to the rigid design of the headphones and the difficulty getting an adequate seal over your ears, there's some deviation between left and right in the bass response. That said, the bass is overall somewhat flat, except for sharp dips that reduce the rumble of sub-bass synths, and a gradual over-emphasis in the higher bass regions adds extra punch to kicks. A narrow notch in the low-mids declutters the bloat of the high-bass a bit, while the rest of the mids are rather even for balanced-sounding leads. The treble range sees a series of narrow peaks and dips which result in uneven sounding vocal harmonics and cymbals, that come across as either overly bright, shrill, or a somewhat muffled and veiled in the details.

    4.9
    Stereo Mismatch
    See details on graph tool
    See details on graph tool
    Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
    1.40 dB
    Weighted Frequency Response Mismatch
    2.01 dB
    Weighted Phase Mismatch
    5.4°

    These headphones have a poor stereo mismatch performance. The difficulty in achieving a solid fit means there's some frequency response mismatch in the bass range, so mid and high-bass frequencies sound louder in the left channel. While the L/R drivers are well-matched across the rest of the frequency range, the deviations in the bass range mean there is an audible amplitude mismatch between them. There are some mismatches in phase, too, most notably in the bass range and the low-mid, where there are audible cancellations that are reflected in the frequency response.

    1.9
    Group Delay
    See details on graph tool
    Weighted Group Delay
    2.6 ms

    The group delay performance is terrible. Our group delay tests show a negative phase shift in the low and mid-bass regions. This translates to a resonance clearly visible in the frequency response graph. As a result, bass frequencies lack tightness, with transients that lack clear definition.

    7.1
    PRTF
    See details on graph tool
    PRTF Accuracy (RMS Deviation)
    2.43 dB
    PRTF Size (Avg.)
    2.73 dB
    PRTF Distance
    13.24 dB

    The PRTF performance is decent, especially compared to other closed-back headphones. There's a non-negligible amount of interaction with the pinnae that can help provide a sense of distance between audio objects, though it's still not on par with the immersive qualities of an angled reference loudspeaker or even that of open-back audiophile headphones, like the Sennheiser HD 800 S

    9.5
    Harmonic Distortion
    See details on graph tool
    See details on graph tool
    WHD @ 94 dB SPL
    0.04%
    WHD @ 104 dB SPL
    0.11%

    The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x have an outstanding harmonic distortion performance. Audio reproduction is clean and pure across the entire spectrum, with no deterioration in audio fidelity between listening levels. 

    Electrical Aspects
    See details on graph tool
    Sensitivity @1kHz-1V
    115.4 dB SPL
    Bluetooth Max SPL
    N/A

    You won't need an external amp to drive these headphones as they're capable of playing back audio at high volumes with mobile devices, like laptops and smartphones. 

    0.0
    Virtual Soundstage
    Head Modeling
    No
    Speaker Modeling
    No
    Room Ambience
    No
    Head Tracking
    No
    Virtual Surround
    No App
    Test Settings
    Firmware
    No Firmware
    Power
    Passive
    Connection
    Wired
    Codec
    PCM, 24-bit, 48kHz
    Test InstrumentAudio Precision APx517B
    EQ
    No EQ
    ANC
    No ANC
    Tip/Pad
    Default
    Microphone
    No Microphone

    These are the settings used to test these headphones. Our results are only valid when used in this configuration.

    Design
    Style
    TypeOver-ear
    EnclosureClosed-Back
    WirelessNo
    TransducerDynamic

    These headphones have the same studio design as the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x. They sport a non-descript, all-black color scheme. The flat oval ear cups add a bit more flare to the overall look of the headphones, with silver accents around the logo. They're also available in the 'White' colorway or limited edition color variants like 'Ice Blue.'

    7.5
    Comfort
    Weight0.65 lbs
    Clamping Force
    1 lbs

    The Audio-Technica M50x's ear cups are slightly larger than the similarly modeled Audio-Technica ATH-M40x, which makes them a little more comfortable. The additional space easily accommodates larger ears, and they don't feel too tight on the head. Unfortunately, the padding feels stiff and squeaky, especially when moving or adjusting the headphones on your head. For audiophile headphones with less stiffness, consider the open-back Audio-Technica ATH-R70x. However, if you want more plush ear pads, check out the Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X.

    0.0
    Controls
    OS Compatibility
    No Controls
    Ease Of UseNo Controls
    FeedbackNo Controls
    Call/Music ControlNo
    Volume ControlNo
    Microphone ControlNo
    Channel Mixing
    No
    Noise Cancelling ControlNo
    Talk-Through
    No
    Additional ControlsNo

    These headphones don't have a control scheme and don't come with an additional audio cable with an in-line remote like some other wired designs.

    5.8
    Portability
    L5.1" (13.0 cm)
    W6.9" (17.5 cm)
    H3.5" (9.0 cm)
    Volume124.93 in³ (2,047.23 cm³)
    Transmitter RequiredNo

    They're on the larger side for over-ear headphones. Thankfully, they fold into a more compact format and can easily be carried in a backpack but will be too large for most jacket pockets. The swiveling ear cups also lay flat, taking up less space but not as much as when folded. The audio cable is also detachable and you can swap it out for a non-braided one, so it takes up less space.

    6.5
    Case
    TypePouch
    LN/A
    WN/A
    HN/A
    VolumeN/A

    These headphones come with a soft pouch that will protect them from scratches while in your bag, but it won't protect them from falls.

    8.0
    Build Quality

    The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are well-built headphones. They feel sturdy and durable because of the dense plastic used for the ear cups and headband. They'll withstand a few drops without taking much damage. However, like the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x, the headphones seem susceptible to breaking at their joints, which feel weaker than the rest of their build. The metal frame used to reinforce the headband is thicker than the one utilized for the Audio-Technica ATH-M30x.

    6.5
    Stability

    These headphones are reasonably stable but easily slip off your ears during high-intensity head movements, like headbanging. Fortunately, they're stable during casual use, even if you often tilt your head. If you DJ or move around quite a bit, the Sennheiser HD 25 can provide better stability with different hairstyles and head sizes with its splittable headband to hold the headphones in place.

    Headshots 1
    Headshots 2
    Top
    In The Box

    • Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones
    • Carrying pouch
    • Audio cables (x3)
    • 1/8" to 1/4" adapter

    Isolation
    4.3
    Noise Isolation - Full Range
    See details on graph tool
    Noise CancellingNo
    Overall Attenuation
    -10.18 dB
    Bass
    2.24 dB
    Mid
    -8.56 dB
    Treble
    -27.01 dB

    The Audio-Technica M50x's isolation performance is poor. There's no Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) system, so these headphones rely on their closed-back design to isolate you passively. While their enclosure provides some attenuation against treble and upper-mid range frequencies, most bass and lower-mid frequencies will find their way into your audio. 

    4.1
    Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios
    See details on graph tool
    Airplane Noise Attenuation
    -9.11 dB
    Airplane Noise Isolation Audio
    Office Noise Attenuation
    -9.54 dB
    Office Noise Isolation Audio
    Street Noise Attenuation
    -8.80 dB
    Street Noise Isolation Audio

    Their noise isolation performance in common scenarios is also poor. Their closed-back enclosure can help tamp down on treble-range noises like background chatter or in-flight announcements, but they won't block out the roar of plane or car engines, and sounds like scraping chairs will still find their way into your audio. 

    Noise Isolation - Voice Handling
    Female Voice 1
    Male Voice 1
    Female Voice 2
    Male Voice 2
    ANC Wind Handling
    ANC Wind Noise
    N/A
    7.2
    Leakage
    See details on graph tool
    Leakage Audio
    Overall Leakage @ 1ft
    38.32 dB

    The leakage performance is decent. Escaping audio is primarily concentrated in the mid and treble ranges, so audio leakage sounds thin. That said, the level of leakage isn't too loud. People around you can hear what you're listening to, but only if you're cranking your tunes in a quiet office or a library.

    Microphone
    Microphone Style
    Integrated
    No
    In-Line
    No
    Boom
    No
    Detachable Boom
    No
    MicNo
    0.0
    Recording Quality
    Recorded Speech
    N/A
    LFE
    N/A
    FR Std. Dev.
    N/A
    HFE
    N/A
    Weighted THD
    N/A
    Gain
    N/A
    0.0
    Noise Handling
    SpNR
    N/A
    Noise Gate
    N/A
    Speech + Pink Noise Handling
    N/A
    Speech + Pink Noise Audio SampleN/A
    Speech + Subway Noise Handling
    N/A
    Speech + Subway Noise Audio SampleN/A
    Active Features
    0.0
    Battery
    Battery Type
    No Battery
    Continuous Battery Life
    N/A
    Additional Charges
    N/A
    Total Battery Life
    N/A
    Charge Time
    N/A
    Power-Saving Feature
    No
    Audio While Charging
    No
    Passive Playback
    Passive Headphone
    Charging PortNone
    0.0
    App Support
    App NameNo App
    iOSNo
    AndroidNo
    macOSNo
    WindowsNo
    Equalizer
    No
    ANC Control
    No
    Mic ControlNo
    Room Effects
    No
    Playback Control
    No
    Button MappingNo
    Surround Support
    No

    The headphones don't have a dedicated, compatible app for added customization.

    Connectivity
    9.9
    Wired Connection
    Analog Audio
    Yes
    USB Audio
    No
    Detachable
    Yes
    Length
    10.00 ft (3.05 m)
    Connector
    1/8" TRS
    Latency - Analog
    0.2 ms
    Latency - USB
    N/A
    Recorded Latency
    Recorded Latency ConnectionAnalog

    These headphones come with three detachable audio cables, all of which lack in-line controls: two TRS cables with standard 1/8" jacks and a coiled 1/8" to 1/4" TRS cable. There's also a 1/8" to 1/4" adaptor provided. When you connect these headphones, latency is very low, and you'll experience no syncing issues between audio and video.

    0.0
    Bluetooth Connection
    Bluetooth Version
    No Bluetooth
    Multi-Device Pairing
    No
    Quick Pair (Android)
    No
    Quick Pair (iOS)
    No
    Line Of Sight Range
    N/A
    Latency - SBC
    N/A
    Latency - aptX
    N/A
    Latency - aptX Adaptive (High Quality)
    N/A
    Latency - aptX Adaptive (Low Latency)
    N/A
    Latency - LDAC
    N/A
    Recorded Latency
    N/A
    Recorded Latency CodecNo Bluetooth Audio
    AAC Support
    No

    These headphones are wired and don't have a Bluetooth connection. The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 Wireless are similarly designed wireless headphones, or if you want a good Bluetooth headset for more casual use, the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 Wireless 2016 are also a solid option.

    0.0
    Wireless Connection (Dongle)
    Line Of Sight Range
    N/A
    Latency - Dongle
    N/A
    Recorded Latency
    N/A
    PC Compatibility
    Analog
    Audio Only
    Wired USB
    No
    Non-BT Wireless
    No

    These headphones are audio-only compatible with PCs when connected via an audio cable. While there's no integrated microphone, you can always purchase a standalone mic to send audio to your PC.

    PlayStation Compatibility
    PS4 Analog
    Audio Only
    PS4 Wired USB
    No
    PS4 Non-BT Wireless
    No
    PS5 Analog
    Audio Only
    PS5 Wired USB
    No
    PS5 Non-BT Wireless
    No

    They only support audio via their analog connection on PlayStation consoles. They lack an integrated microphone, so if you want mic support, you can purchase a standalone mic.

    Xbox Compatibility
    Xbox One Analog
    Audio Only
    Xbox One Wired USB
    No
    Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
    No
    Xbox Series X|S Analog
    Audio Only
    Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
    No
    Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
    No

    These headphones are audio-only compatible with Xbox consoles when connected via an audio cable. There isn't an integrated microphone, but you can always purchase a standalone mic separately.

    0.0
    Base/Dock
    Type
    No Base/Dock
    USB Input
    No
    Line In
    No
    Line Out
    No
    Optical Input
    No
    RCA Input
    No
    Dock Charging
    No
    Power Supply
    No Base/Dock

    They don't have a dock. If you need a headset with a dock that also has a wired connection for gaming or watching movies, consider the SteelSeries Arctis 7.

    Recommended Articles

    Comments

    1. Product

    Audio-Technica ATH-M50x: Main Discussion

    Let us know why you want us to review the product here, or encourage others to vote for this product.

    PreviewBack to editorFormat guide
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    1. Update: We’ve updated the Sound Profile box with a link to a downloadable folder of EQ settings that will help you match these headphones’ frequency response to different target curves available in our Graph Tool.

    2. 2
      1
      0
      1
      0

      Two years have passed since I got a pair of ath-m50x because of your review and despite finding the audio quality ok, they are in other terms by far the worst headphones I’ve ever owned. First of all they took a lot of getting used to, because they push on the ear and caused pain, which have never been an issue with other headphones. Second: two years in, I now know they are also a terrible build quality: the plastic on the faux leather on the muffs is peeling off and the rubber on the wire have hardened. In short, no longer using your reviews as a reference guide.

      Hey, I’m sorry to hear your ATH-M50x aren’t what you expected based on our review. It sounds like they don’t fit you properly if they’re pushing on your ears and causing pain; this suggests to me that the ear cups aren’t large enough to fit around your ears without pressing against them. Out of the box, headphones shouldn’t cause you pain. If they do, that means they simply don’t fit you. Headphones are designed as one-size-fits-all tools, but in practice, everyone has different-sized heads and ears, as well as head shapes and hairstyles.

      On build quality, we assess how headphones perform during the testing period, and unfortunately, we don’t have the capacity to conduct long-term durability tests. That said, we will look into a retest to reassess the build quality of the M50x. Depending on usage, your environment’s humidity and temperature fluctuations, interactions with your skin’s natural oils, sweat, and things like moisturizer and hair products, all of these weaken plastics like the faux leather over time. All faux leather tends to be more susceptible to this, and it helps to give your cans a wipe down on the plastic sometimes with a damp, not dripping wet, cloth and a little bit of gentle soap (while being very mindful not to get water in the drivers), just to get rid of some of oils that react with plastic.

      And, honestly, yes, the M50x are covered in quite a bit of plastic that makes contact with your skin, which makes the accessories more susceptible to deterioration. It sounds like the pieces that are wearing out are the parts that are expected to wear out over time, and two years is on the cusp of when I might expect that (again, it’s those variables like humidity and skin chemistry). But, these headphones are designed so that the parts are replaceable; it’s a bit like changing oil on a car as part of maintenance. While that may be disappointing and frustrating, one of the upsides of the M50x is that you can easily replace parts like the earpads and the cable. Because they’re so popular, there are many aftermarket accessories. Normally, I’d suggest trying a different style of earpads, considering you find the audio quality to be okay, but since you find them so uncomfortable, I won’t make that suggestion unless you find a set of earpads that leave more space so they fit around your ears.

      Regardless of whether you continue using our site, I appreciate your feedback.

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      Two years have passed since I got a pair of ath-m50x because of your review and despite finding the audio quality ok, they are in other terms by far the worst headphones I’ve ever owned. First of all they took a lot of getting used to, because they push on the ear and caused pain, which have never been an issue with other headphones. Second: two years in, I now know they are also a terrible build quality: the plastic on the faux leather on the muffs is peeling off and the rubber on the wire have hardened. In short, no longer using your reviews as a reference guide.

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      Rtings starts to feel untrustworthy. I bought the m50x because the review seemed really good on this pair of headphones. Now after some time the grade on these are 6.5 on sound. Thats so lame, because cheaper and worse headphones have better grades, it seems that rtings now grades headphones based on niche public opinions that are not objective at all. Cheap headphones are going to have a big grade because they are “worth the money” and “just fine”. That’s a 8 in my book. Mid tier headphones are going to get below or just seven, even tho they are industry standard because aren’t enough and not balanced, rtings ruined the rating on the Beyerdynamic dt 770 pro, again really good headphones just like the m50x. High tier headphones,even tho people are crying of joy when listening to them, yeah ok fine 8.4 okeish sound. Rtings what are you doing with these reviews you are including ‘feel’ that is really really subjective, just give us the response frequency and let us figure it out. Why wont you get the reviews from producers not crappy second hand writers.

      Hi P4P4D13 and thanks for your feedback. We’re sorry that you feel our opinions are lacking objectivity, and that our scores don’t line up with established headphone tiers. I should clarify a few things about how the most recent test bench affected scoring though, as I can understand that changes to our methodology can cause confusion.

      We previously employed a Neutral Sound score that heavily weighted compliance to our target curve. This has since been revamped as Audio Reproduction Accuracy as part of Test Bench 2.0, which deliberately de-emphasizes target compliance in favor of a more objective, comprehensive suite of sound-based measurements. They are, in fact, quite different usages. In the case of the M50x, the fact that their ARA score is now lower than their Neutral Sound score doesn’t imply that we now think they’re worse or lower-tier. Comparing them to other headphones on previous test benches also won’t yield an accurate comparison. We’re working hard on updating more headphones to 2.0 so you can directly see how these headphones compare to each other in the metrics that matter to you.

      Based on the modifications we made to scoring with 2.0, I’d argue that our measurements are more objective than ever. If you don’t think our target curve is representative of your preference, our multi-curve tool lets your pick another objectively validated curve that’s closer to your preference. The M50x actually comply very well with our target curve but their ARA score is hampered by poorly-matched drivers and a phase shift in the group delay that’s also present in data from other reviewers. I’d be curious to hear examples of where this subjective ‘feel’ is present though, as we’re always looking to improve the quality of our writing.

      Finally, it’s worth noting that many in our audio team come from sound engineering and recording engineering backgrounds. We’ve used staple headphones, like the M50x and DT 770 PRO, for decades in some cases. We devote time and consideration to our work because we believe the systems of evaluation we put in place are the best representation of the scientific method. There are plenty of other reviewers online that will evaluate headphones subjectively, based on their own personal experience. Their reviews are still valuable, but ultimately our approach is a very different one.

    5. Update: The Bass Profile: Target Compliance was updated to mention the FIIO FT1.

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      Rtings starts to feel untrustworthy. I bought the m50x because the review seemed really good on this pair of headphones. Now after some time the grade on these are 6.5 on sound. Thats so lame, because cheaper and worse headphones have better grades, it seems that rtings now grades headphones based on niche public opinions that are not objective at all. Cheap headphones are going to have a big grade because they are “worth the money” and “just fine”. That’s a 8 in my book. Mid tier headphones are going to get below or just seven, even tho they are industry standard because aren’t enough and not balanced, rtings ruined the rating on the Beyerdynamic dt 770 pro, again really good headphones just like the m50x. High tier headphones,even tho people are crying of joy when listening to them, yeah ok fine 8.4 okeish sound. Rtings what are you doing with these reviews you are including ‘feel’ that is really really subjective, just give us the response frequency and let us figure it out. Why wont you get the reviews from producers not crappy second hand writers.

    7. Update: This review has been updated to Test Bench 2.0, which adds the following tests: Stereo Mismatch, Group Delay, Cumulative Spectral Decay, PRTF, Harmonic Distortion, and Electrical Aspects. We’ve added new performance usages and updated the text throughout the Sound tests and side-by-sides.

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