NOVEMBER 2017
AUDIO -T ECHNIC A
ATH-M50x REVIEW / AUDIO-TECHNICA / ATH-M50X OVER-EAR HEADPHONES
AUDIO-TECHNICA
ATH-M50x
OVER-EAR HEADPHONES
Distributed by: Audio-Technica $279 AUD RRP
I have a problem. I can’t stop collecting headphones. My Fiancé thinks it’s “hoarding,” but I still hold on to the idea that I am a merely a “collector.” Admittedly, I’ve started to lose count of the number of headphones I own, but it’s somewhere north of twenty-five pairs. This madness all began when I was starting out mixing bands in the live audio industry. I required a pair of headphones that I could trust, so I did what many would do in that situation: I did some research online. This led me down a deep rabbit hole for many hours. After digging through reviews, opinions, and recommendations, I emerged from the hole with a victor: Audio-Technica’s ATH M50. It is undeniable that the ATH-M50 has set the benchmark for value in the headphone domain. It is one of the most recommended headphones to newcomers in the audiophile world, and it’s also a staple in the diet of both recording and live audio engineers worldwide. I eventually sold my ATH-M50 headphones a few years ago. In September this year, however, Audio-Technica announced a new Limited Edition Red ATH-M50x. I didn’t even think twice and purchased a pair immediately.
“It is undeniable that the ATH-M50 has set the benchmark for value in the headphone domain�
“a simple, no-nonsense aesthetic, which is reliable and bombproof”
Build
Inside the headphone
The ATH-M50x is made almost entirely of
There are no sonic differences between the
solid plastic, with swivelling hinges and a
Limited Edition Red M50x and the usual M50x.
completely collapsible folding design. It’s a simple, no-nonsense aesthetic, which is reliable and bombproof.
The ATH-M50x also shares the same 45mm large-aperture drivers as its predecessor (the ATH M50), with the same sized enclosure. As
A good example of this reliability is that I keep
a result, these headphones all share the same
a pair of these inside my tool bag (a Pelican
sound signature.
case) that is constantly thrown in and out of trucks, tossed around backstage, and is often handled by many people with less careful hands than mine – yet, the ATH-M50x still looks brand new.
These drivers contain copper-clad aluminium wire (CCAW) voice coils, a similar technology found in the ATH-DSR series. The drivers are 38 ohms, with a sensitivity of 99 dB giving them a nice compromise between being very
It’s a closed-back headphone, with isolating
easy to drive and being compatible with a
earcups that are almost entirely sealed. A solid
wide range of professional audio consoles,
metal ring flanks the Audio-Technica logo on
which tend to have varying levels of output
the cup. This ring is a silver colour on the usual
impedance.
black or white models, but with the Limited Edition Red model, the ring is a bright gold.
The earcups are contoured, which AudioTechnica claim help with sound isolation, and
This gold trim isn’t only localised to the
minimising the amount of noise-bleed from
earcups. However, you’ll also find it on the
the headphone. I can attest to this. When I’m
headphone jack section, the L/R indicators,
out and about, I often see people wearing
the cable itself, and blazoned across the
these headphones and almost never hear any
headband, boldly advertising the Audio-
annoying noise blaring from them.
Technica brand. The red, black and gold colour scheme gives a unique, fresh vibe – a nice differentiation from the usual professional, no-nonsense aesthetic of the M50x. I love it.
Using the headphone The ATH-M50x weighs only a mere 285 grams
The clamp is very firm, and even radical head
(without cable). For reference, the Beyer-
movement will keep these cans firmly hugged
Dynamic DT770 Pro is 317 grams, and the
to your ears.
Sennheiser HD600 is 260 grams.
Being a soft ‘pleather’, the pads will last a
When it comes to monitoring headphones,
decent amount of time. However, it’s worth
I love to take them out on gigs to put
noting that they are replaceable and Audio-
them through their paces. Using a pair of
Technica sells on their website for $20 (which
headphones on a gig is a great way to test
is similar in price to the Sennheiser HD-25
out a good subset of features that may or may
pads, which are $21).
not get too much attention merely wearing them around the house.
The combination of having a completely foldable design and a removable cable make
When mixing bands, it’s commonplace to take
this a very portable and bag-friendly pair
headphones on and off repeatedly. The M50x
of headphones. Despite being an over-ear
is very easy to whip on at a moment’s notice.
headphone, they do leave only a very small
The large and clear L/R indicators are also
footprint when being transported.
easy to see, even in a dimly lit venue. And even when wearing them for a few hours, comfort is reasonable for a release a headphone at this price point. More extended listening sessions may require a short break to let your ears breathe a little.
Sound The M50 is a famous headphone for its
The mids are the real talking point of these
mark, and plenty of detail above the 10 kHz
(mostly) flat sound signature, with slightly
cans though, especially in the vocal range.
point. When headphones are tuned towards
elevated mid-bass.
This is neatly demonstrated when listening
acoustic/vocal tracks and aren’t too keen in
to Girl from the North Country by Bob Dylan.
the bass department, this song can be a little
The mastering choices in this track are
painful to listen to at volume.
Across studios and venues worldwide, the M50 sound signature is being trusted as a quick reference to compare against, and many audio engineers swear by its trusty signature.
apparent when using the ATH-M50x. The guitar is clearly panned aggressively to the right channel, and the vocals are dead centre.
This elevated mid-bass is apparent when
The graininess and detail of Bob Dylan’s voice
listening to Tea Leaf Dancers by Flying Lotus.
shine straight through, and there is just the
The second the track starts, the rhythmic
slightest hint of reverb being used across
kick starts thumping, and the pressure felt
the vocal.
on the ears is satisfying. The bass indeed isn’t overpowering, despite the track heavily pushing everything from 100hz downwards. The bass is reflected accurately, with an exact precision that some may find a little “clinical” or “dry”, but I would personally call it “accurate.” In my opinion, having slightly elevated bass levels is crucial in a mixing headphone – as headphone bass can be difficult to listen to when working in a loud environment (such as a noisy venue).
The ATH-M50x makes it easy to listen carefully to music, picking apart details and instruments throughout the mix. When doing so, it becomes a little clearer as to why this headphone is used so widely in recording studios. A great way to test for sibilant or painful highs is with Everybody Knows by SBTRKT. The track contains plenty of energy and thump but is also peppered with short stabs and samples that ring between the 6-8 kHz
However, with the full-range capability of the ATH-M50x, the details and samples are presented in a clean and clear manner, and aren’t stabbing mercilessly into my ears. The song can be listened to at reasonable volume, without any pain or sharpness. Isolation on these headphones is above average for a closed-back headphone. The solid clamping force as well as the tighthugging pads, and other features combine to ensure that sound is kept well within the headphone, without much leakage into the outside world. In turn, this also means that many noises from the outside won’t leak back in. Be aware though, that these are not active noisecancelling headphones.
“details and samples are presented in a clean and clear manner”
“a trendy, street-smart portable fashion accessory” SPECIFICATIONS
Type / / Closed-back dynamic Driver Diameter / / 45 mm Magnet / / Neodymium Voice Coil / / CCAW (Copper-clad aluminium wire) Frequency Response / / 15 – 28,000 Hz Maximum Input Power / / 1,600 mW at 1 kHz Sensitivity / / 99 dB Impedance / / 38 ohms Weight / / 285 g (10 oz), without cable and connector Interchangeable cables / / detachable 1.2 m – 3.0 m (3.9’ – 9.8’) coiled cable, detachable 3.0 m (9.8’) straight cable and detachable 1.2 m (3.9’) straight cable Accessories Included / / Protective carrying pouch, 6.3 mm (1/4”) screw-on adapter
Conclusion Audio-Technica’s ATH-M50x is well known for having a relatively flat sound signature, but with an ever-so-slightly elevated low end. For many years, these have been the budget king of entry-level headphones for audiophiles, and the obvious choice for audio engineers worldwide. The changes that the ATH-M50x Limited Edition Red bring to the table may only be aesthetic, but these simple changes have changed a clinical-looking headphone into a trendy, street-smart portable fashion accessory. It doesn’t cost any extra either, so really, the choice is yours.
WORDS/IMAGES: Matthew ‘Jensy’ Jens