Audio Technica M50s deserve a disclaimer (mini review)

Shlomo Scheinbaum on 27/12/2014 - 21:21

The Audio Technica M50s are often touted as the best value for money headphones on the market, I disagree, they're not good as general purpose headphones and they're certainly not "monitors". They're an excellent alternative to other over-bassy headphones like Dr Dre Beats and I understand why people like them but they can make human speech sound annoying and unrealistic, particularly the sound of Don Draper's voice for some reason.

The MDR7506's are cheaper and more versatile, only buy the M50s if overpowering bass is your #1 priority.

Electrical & Electronics Audio Technica Headphones

Comments

  • 18 on 27/12/2014 - 21:28
    +1

    I disagree, I reckon the M50X's are the best headphones and are perfect.

  • p1 ama on 27/12/2014 - 21:50
    +4

    I disagree, they're not good as general purpose headphones and they're certainly not "monitors".

    General purpose headphones and 'monitors' are two completely different classes of headphones.

    The ATH-M50s are a great pair of headphones. I own them and they're great value for money and they do what most people want them to do pretty well - that includes watching movies, listening to music, gaming…etc.

    No way are the ATH-M50s bass heavy. And how can you possibly compare them with Dre Beats? Beats headphones have a typical 'smiley face' reproduction, i.e. compressed midtones for expanded bass and treble frequencies. The ATH-M50s have a much less skewed frequency response.

    Please check your facts before posting stuff like this:

    http://graphs.headphone.com/graphCompare.php?graphType=0&graphID[]=2941&graphID[]=2581&graphID[]=2361&scale=30

    Seriously. The MDR7506s are quite bass-light headphones, the ATH-M50s are a little bass-heavy, but have good mid-tones. So I don't think buying the ATH-M50s for bass is a good idea.

    Look at the Monster Beats Solo's bass. That's overpowering bass for you.

  • Ramrunner on 28/12/2014 - 11:29
    +2

    I find the purchasing of headphones/earphones such a personal taste thing it takes me literally about 3 or 4 hours travelling to different shops trying pairs to settle on. What reviews well is generally very good, but I find myself leaning towards other 'phones often.

    For example. When I was reading reviews I was almost determined to go out and buy Bose QuietComfort noise cancelling headphones about 4 years ago for my travels and drowning out the kids, but after listening to dozens of sets ended up buying Audio Technica QuietPoint ATH-ANC7b instead. It sounded cleaner to me, and I'm convinced I can pick more individual instruments and voices up.

    Similarly I needed some bluetooth earphones recently for my morning run, had my eye on the Plantronics Backbeat 2, yet after listening to about 10 different sets ended up with Jabra Rox instead. Now, I'm not 100% happy with any of the bluetooth sets I listened to including the Rox, but they had a nicer bass (I need that when exercising - a bit of pick me up inspiring beats). They get a little muddled on murkier tracks, but best I've heard on earphones with electronic or pop tracks. Owl City Fireflies, Mr Boombastic, and even P!nk's slower track "Just Give Me a Reason" (although not one of my running songs :)) sound excellent.

    I've read heaps of reviews saying ATH-M50s are excellent. I've never listened to a pair but based on my experience with the ATH-ANC7b can certainly believe Audio Technica to be a very formidable brand.

    But my point is. Take any headphone/earphone recommendations/comments/discussions/arguments/fanboi chatterings as a starting guide only. To get the best 'phones for you, you MUST go out and listen to some different ones. It's one of those things I cannot simply buy on-line based on a review.

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