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
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.
- Sturdy and comfortable build.
- Detachable audio cable.
- Prone to leakage at higher volumes.
- Poor noise isolation performance.
- No buttons or audio control options.
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.
- Sturdy and comfortable build.
- Prone to leakage at higher volumes.
- No buttons or audio control options.
Disappointing frequency response consistency.
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.
- Sturdy and comfortable build.
- Prone to leakage at higher volumes.
- Poor noise isolation performance.
Disappointing frequency response consistency.
These headphones can only be used wired, so they're not suitable for wireless gaming.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are alright 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.
- Sturdy and comfortable build.
- Detachable audio cable.
- Poor noise isolation performance.
Disappointing frequency response consistency.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x have decent 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. Still, the rest of the frequency response is generally balanced, meaning vocals and instruments are clear and natural-sounding. Plus, there's low enough harmonic distortion that even trained listeners won't notice any timbral coloration. The L/R drivers aren't very well matched, though, so instruments may be skewed in position in the stereo image. Keep in mind that driver matching varies from unit to unit, so your experience may be different.
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.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x lack a built-in microphone.
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.
Performance Usages
Changelog
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Updated Mar 12, 2026:
This review has been updated to Test Bench 2.1, which removes the Group Delay test and rebalances scoring for the Harmonic Distortion test and Audio Reproduction Accuracy performance usage. For more details, consult our full changelog.
- Updated Mar 12, 2026: This review has been updated to Test Bench 2.1, which removes the Group Delay test, and rebalances scoring for the Harmonic Distortion test and Audio Reproduction Accuracy performance usage. For more details, consult our full changelog.
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Updated Sep 22, 2025:
We've rectified an issue that affected the Bass, Mid, and Treble Compliance scoring, as well as Peaks and Dips with these headphones.
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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.
Check Price
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.
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.
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.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are better headphones than the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro 2016 for most uses. The Audio-Technica are better built and noticeably more comfortable with spare cables included in the box. The Sennheiser also get very hot and aren't particularly breathable. Overall, the Audio-Technica offer better value, even at their higher price point.
The Sennheiser HD 560S are better headphones if you want a better PRTF performance, which can be indicative of a more immersive sound. The Sennheiser are open-back headphones that are more comfortable and have significantly better-matched L/R drivers. However, the Audio-Technica are closed-back headphones that are better built and more versatile if you need headphones that don't leak sound and provide some passive isolation.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
Test Results
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