Audio Technica M50x
Audio Technica M50x
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MUSIC: Very Good—8.5/10
CALLS: Poor—4.4/10
GAMING: Fair—6.3/10
TV: Good—7.8/10
PODCASTS & AUDIOBOOKS: Good—7.0/10
EXERCISE: Poor—4.2/10
AIR TRAVEL: Good—7.0/10
NOISE REDUCTION: Poor—5.3/10
BUILD QUALITY: Very Good—8.5/10
The Audio Technica M50x is a midrange priced, over-ear closed-back headphone known for its very good overall sound quality which particularly excels in music listening. The comfort is rated as good, which could be a consideration for long listening sessions. Its build quality is considered very good, but it has limited built-in controls and the mic quality is poor, not ideal for calls or meetings. Being a wired headphone without active noise cancelling, it offers poor noise isolation compared to competitors with noise cancelling, and it's not suited for exercise since it's not sweatproof. It does not support wireless operation, which affects portability and convenience, although it's foldable for easier storage and the cable is detachable. While these headphones may not offer low latency necessary for gaming, they could suffice for casual TV and video use, and they're suitable for travel and book/podcast listening. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Evaluation
Pros
- Excellent overall sound quality
- Very good build quality
- Detachable cable feature
- Good comfort level
- Foldable for better portability
Cons
- Poor microphone quality
- Poor noise isolation
- No wireless connectivity
- Lacks built-in controls
Ratings by Category
Music:4.6
The Audio Technica M50x offers a very good overall sound quality with a closed enclosure type, which helps in providing a more intimate sound experience by isolating you from external noises. Additionally, their good soundstage and imaging score suggest a clear and well-defined placement of instruments and vocals, enhancing the listening experience for music enthusiasts, though without virtual surround capability, which may be less immersive for some listeners.
TV & Video:4.3
The Audio Technica M50x is ideal for watching TV and videos because of its very good overall sound quality and a wired connection that avoids latency issues, ensuring that audio is perfectly synced with on-screen action. Additionally, they provide a good soundstage and imaging which enhances the audio experience by offering a sense of spatial awareness, useful for an immersive viewing session.
Air Travel:4.0
This score evaluates the product for use on airplanes and other similar kinds of travel. It takes into account noise reduction and portability, including case shape, case size, and weight. It also incorporates the battery life of the product, long-haul comfort, noise reduction (both active and passive), and sound quality. We generally consider wireless products to be more suitable for air travel.
Podcasts & Audiobooks:4.0
This score evaluates the product when used solely to listen to podcasts or audiobooks. It takes into account sound quality and sound signature, to be able to keep voices clear and intelligible. It also considers battery life, when available, and comfort.
Portability:3.5
The Portability score is based on an overall assessment that includes volume and maximum dimension of the product (and case, if relevant), and its weight. Special features like foldability for headphones are also taken into account.
Gaming:3.3
The Audio Technica M50x, being a wired headphone, does not suffer from latency issues which is beneficial for gaming; however, the soundstage is rated as good, not excellent, which may affect the immersive gaming experience, and they lack a microphone which is typically needed for multiplayer or interactive gaming.
Full Specs
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
| Price | $149 | ||
Brand | Audio Technica | ||
Release Date | January 1, 2007 | ||
Form Factor | Headphones | ||
Connectivity | Wired | ||
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score  | 8.5/10 | ||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | ||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | ||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | ||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | ||
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | No | ||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | ||
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | ||
Comfort score | 7.3/10 | ||
Weight | 294.8 Grams | ||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | ||
Dustproof Rating | 0 | ||
Shopping
Audio Technica M50x
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Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | October 2022
"Good sound is timeless. It doesn’t matter that a number of years have passed since the ATH-M50x came out because it still works well. Since this wired headset doesn’t rely on batteries or Bluetooth technology, it’s bound to outlast its wireless counterparts. The no-nonsense performance, fit, and comfort of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x make it worth picking up."
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