Audio-Technica Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is a wired, closed-back studio headphone that has become a reference point for people who want accurate sound without a studio budget. Audio-Technica calls it the most critically acclaimed model in its M-Series and its best-selling headphone for professional audio use. It has no microphone and no wireless feature, so it suits a desk used for listening, mixing, editing and gaming with a separate microphone. The manufacturer's page lists a price starting from 159 US dollars. This guide is based on that page and its specification table. We have not tested the headphones, and the page showed a notice that the item was unavailable at the time we read it, so check stock before you plan a purchase.

What it is built for

The M50x was designed for studio tracking and mixing, DJ monitoring and personal listening. The company says the proprietary 45 mm large-aperture drivers deliver exceptional clarity across an extended frequency range with deep, accurate bass response, and that vocals and instruments are portrayed in detail. These are descriptions rather than measurements. What the page does state in numbers is a frequency response of 15 to 28,000 Hz, a sensitivity of 99 dB, an impedance of 38 ohms and a maximum input power of 1,600 milliwatts at 1 kHz. A 38 ohm headphone with 99 dB sensitivity is easy to drive from a laptop, a phone with an adapter or an audio interface, so you do not need a dedicated amplifier to get a good volume. The drivers use rare earth neodymium magnets and copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils, a combination that keeps the moving mass low.

Closed-back design and isolation

The ATH-M50x is a closed-back headphone, with circumaural earcups that contour around the ear. Audio-Technica says this gives excellent passive isolation from ambient noise, useful in loud environments, whether you are in a studio or on the street. Closed-back designs also keep sound from leaking out, which matters if you record vocals or share a room. The trade-off is a narrower, more inside-the-head soundstage than an open-back design. If you are not sure which style suits your desk, our guide to open-back and closed-back headphones compares the two for home office and gaming use, and our article on headset drivers and soundstage explains how driver design shapes what you hear.

Comfort, build and portability

The page says the earpads and headband use professional-grade material for durability and comfort. The earcups swivel 90 degrees, which makes one-ear monitoring easy, a feature that studio and DJ users value. The headphones are collapsible and fold flat, so they pack into the included protective carrying pouch. The listed weight is 285 grams without the cable and connector, which is mid-range for full-size closed-back headphones. A replacement headband, sold separately, appears among the related products, a small sign that the design is meant to be serviced rather than thrown away.

Cables and connections

Instead of a single fixed cable, the M50x ships with three detachable cables: a coiled cable that stretches from 1.2 to 3.0 meters, a 3.0 meter straight cable and a 1.2 meter straight cable. The connector is a gold-plated stereo 3.5 mm plug with strain relief, and a 6.3 mm screw-on adapter is in the box for studio equipment. Detachable cables make sense: a short straight cable suits a laptop on the move, the long cable suits a mixing desk, and a damaged cable can be replaced instead of the whole headphone. The page says the headphones are wired only, and the plain stereo plug means they work with almost any source. There is no inline microphone, so for calls or gaming you will need a separate microphone or a headset.

Sound character in practice

Audio-Technica describes a coveted sonic signature that is clear and has deep bass. In practice, headphones with this reputation tend to suit people who like a forward, energetic presentation, and some find the bass emphasis flattering for casual listening and others find it less neutral than a pure reference. We have not measured this model, so treat our remarks as the manufacturer's positioning rather than a verdict. The best way to decide is to listen with music you know, ideally for a long stretch, since fit and pad feel affect perceived bass more than a spec sheet does.

Variants and warranty

The page lists several finish options by model code (ATH-M50x, ATH-M50xWH, ATH-M50xIB and ATH-M50xLAB) without describing each one, plus a limited-edition ENSO model with custom engraving on the earcups and headband that reflects sound waves and the brushstrokes of Japanese ink painting. A two-year limited end-user warranty applies. The page does not describe the pad materials in detail or give a detachable pad type, and it does not state dimensions.

How it fits a desk setup

For a home office or a gaming desk, the M50x can be the listening half of a two-piece setup, paired with a desktop or clip-on microphone for communication. That arrangement can sound better than many all-in-one headsets, and it lets you upgrade each part separately. If you prefer wireless, our database includes the ATH-M50xBT2, the Bluetooth version of the same concept. If you want a headset with a detachable boom microphone and a more studio-flavored sound, the beyerdynamic MMX 300 Pro is worth a look. For general guidance on choosing between wired and wireless headphones for calls and games, see our headset buying guide, and browse the full range on our headsets page.

Practical notes for a desk

Because the M50x is wired and has no microphone, it fits best at a fixed spot with a computer, an audio interface or a mixer. The long coiled cable suits a studio table, and the short straight cable suits a laptop on the road. Check the ear pads from time to time, since they sit against your skin through long sessions, and the page lists parts such as the headband as separate purchases. Allow some time to get used to the sound, too, before you make mixing decisions on it.

Our take

The ATH-M50x endures because it does the basics well: a sturdy closed-back design, easy-to-drive 45 mm drivers, flexible cables, a folding frame and an extended frequency response, all at a price that sits below many studio rivals. Its limits are clear too. It is wired, it has no microphone and the page showed it unavailable when we read it. If your priority is listening, editing or monitoring, and you are happy to use a separate microphone for communication, it remains a safe and sensible pick.