Audio-Technica ATH-M50x: Here's What Reviewers and Owners Actually Say

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is a wired, closed-back, over-ear headphone that first went on sale in January 2014 as the detachable-cable update to the original ATH-M50. More than a decade later it is still one of the most-rated headphones on Amazon (4.7 out of 5 from roughly 33,900 ratings when we checked on October 19, 2026), and reviewers keep coming back to it. The short version of what they say: tough, comfortable for a few hours, versatile enough for both casual listening and home recording — but it blocks little outside noise, uses a proprietary twist-lock cable, and reviewers disagree on whether its bass is too much or too little.

Why reviewers keep recommending it

The most consistent theme across sources is durability. TechRadar's reviewer said they had used their pair for a couple of years and the only damage was a few nicks in the faux-leather pads, and pointed out that the swiveling, folding hinges actually absorb impact if the headphones get dropped. AppleInsider reported a similar experience — two years of use with little visible wear — and said that, together with the sound, justified the roughly $50 premium over the cheaper ATH-M40x, a pair they had broken in the past. SoundGuys called the build "well made" and said it felt more confident in the M50x's construction than in the budget ATH-M20x.

The second theme is flexibility. The ear cups rotate 90 degrees, which makes one-ear monitoring easy for DJs and musicians, and the whole headphone folds down for a bag. Audio-Technica ships three detachable cables in the box — a 1.2 m straight cable for portable use, a 3 m straight cable, and a 1.2–3 m coiled cable — plus a 1/4-inch adapter and a soft pouch. SoundGuys also notes the M50x doesn't need a separate headphone amplifier: it gets plenty loud plugged straight into a laptop, phone adapter or audio interface.

How does it actually sound? (Reviewers disagree on the bass)

This is where the sources split, and it's worth understanding why. TechRadar described the sound as lively and engaging with "an extra hit of bass" and a boost in the upper mids, calling it great fun for electronic music — but explicitly not neutral, and said you probably wouldn't want to mix an album on it. What Hi-Fi? also heard a lean toward the low end, describing a warm, controlled rumble, smooth treble and well-defined mids, while wishing for more dynamic punch and clarity; its listed downside was that it "sounds a little thick."

SoundGuys, measuring against its own house target curve, came to nearly the opposite conclusion on bass: it found the low end subdued, rolling off below about 40 Hz, and listed "not enough low-end" as a con. It still said the M50x tracks its target closely enough to be pleasant for both casual and analytical listening, and that you can do rough mixes on it as long as you A/B against a second pair. AppleInsider landed in between, saying first-time studio-headphone buyers may be surprised by the lack of overwhelming bass, but that bass, mids and highs are balanced for good all-around listening.

Our read: if you are coming from bass-heavy consumer headphones, expect a cleaner, flatter presentation; if you are coming from true reference monitors, expect a bit of warmth. Nobody calls it a precision mastering tool, and nobody calls it bad.

The trade-offs to know before buying

Isolation. Being closed-back helps keep your sound in (useful when recording vocals or guitar next to a microphone), but it doesn't keep much of the outside world out. SoundGuys measured roughly 10 dB of reduction at 700 Hz and about 33 dB at 4 kHz, with essentially no isolation in the bass range — so engine drone, HVAC rumble and bus noise will still reach you. If you need quiet on a plane or in an open office, a noise-cancelling pair like the Sony WH-1000XM6 is a different category of product.

The cable lock. The detachable cables use a twist-to-lock connector, which stops them yanking out but means a generic 3.5 mm cable won't fit. SoundGuys put the cost of a replacement at about $20; TechRadar noted replacements (and ear pads) are easy to find online thanks to how popular the model is.

Comfort. SoundGuys found the pads stiff at first but said they break in, and that the headphone is comfortable for a couple of hours; it flagged heat build-up from the vinyl pads and pressure for people wearing glasses. AppleInsider, by contrast, called it comfortable for long sessions. Expect the experience to vary with head size and climate.

Buying considerations

Price. Amazon listed the black ATH-M50x at $159 on October 19, 2026; SoundGuys lists the MSRP as $159 and AppleInsider quoted $169 retail in 2023, so prices move around and limited-edition colorways often cost more. Who it's for: home-studio musicians, podcasters and streamers who want closed-back monitoring headphones that won't bleed into the mic (if you're building that setup, our Shure MV7+ vs Rode PodMic USB comparison covers the microphone side), plus listeners who simply want a durable wired pair with no battery to wear out. Who should skip it: commuters and frequent flyers who need noise cancelling, anyone who wants wireless or a built-in mic for calls, and buyers looking for a strictly flat reference sound for mastering.

Alternatives reviewers mention. SoundGuys points to the ATH-M50xBT2 (same look and similar tuning, adds Bluetooth, a mic and a standard 3.5 mm jack, with roughly 65 hours of battery) if you want both wired and wireless; the cheaper ATH-M40x (40 mm drivers instead of 45 mm, two cables instead of three, a similar frequency response) if budget is tight; and the AKG K371 if you wear glasses or want a slightly more neutral sound.

Frequently asked

Is the ATH-M50x wireless? No. The ATH-M50x is wired-only; the separate ATH-M50xBT2 is the Bluetooth version. Does it have a microphone? No, and none of the included cables have in-line controls or a mic. Can I use it for gaming? SoundGuys says it works well for gaming listening, but you'll need a separate microphone for voice chat. Do I need an amp or DAC? According to SoundGuys, no — it gets loud enough from most devices. Can I replace the ear pads? Yes; Audio-Technica and third-party sellers offer replacement pads, which reviewers note is part of why these headphones last so long.

Related reviews

• Sony WH-1000XM6 — if you need noise cancelling for travel or the office rather than a wired monitor, this is our roundup of Sony's flagship ANC headphones.
• Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) — the premium wireless ANC face-off, for readers deciding between wired studio and wireless flagship.
• Soundcore Space One — a much cheaper wireless over-ear option with ANC, if wired isn't a must.
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 vs HyperX Cloud III S Wireless — gaming headsets with built-in mics, for anyone who wants voice chat without a separate microphone.

Sources

• SoundGuys — Audio-Technica ATH-M50x review, Jasper Lastoria (updated Aug 6, 2024)
• TechRadar — Audio-Technica ATH-M50X review, Andrew Williams (May 4, 2018)
• What Hi-Fi? — Audio Technica ATH-M50x review (2014)
• AppleInsider — ATH-M50x review: Still great in 2023, Thomas Sibilly (Feb 15, 2023)
• RTINGS — Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones review
• Amazon product page — rating, review count and price (checked October 19, 2026)