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Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Audio-Technica ATH M50x Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£130Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Audio-Technica ATH M50x Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Audio-Technica ATH M50x
5.5/10

Overall score

Score
5.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 88% of models
Score components

80%

5.5

Technical score

20%

?

User score

▼Worse than 88% of headphones
6.8

Value for money

Value for money
6.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 84% of models
Score components

70%

5.5

Overall score

30%

9.8

Price

▼Worse than 84%
5.5

Technical score

Technical score
5.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 75% of models
Score components

52%

6.4

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.1

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

5.1

Calls & Controls

▼Worse than 75%
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

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Where to buy
    N/A~ £130
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Audio-Technica ATH M50x

Technical score
Technical score
5.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 75% of models
Score components:

52%

6.4

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.1

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

5.1

Calls & Controls

5.5
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 99% of models
Popularity:
Audio-Technica ATH M50x has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than that of 73.4% of products in this category.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
6.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 84% of models
Score components:

70%

5.5

Overall score

30%

9.8

Price

6.8
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
45 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 45 mm, larger driver size than 83.7% of headphones and equal to 2.4% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
15 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 15 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 58.3% of headphones and equal to 5.8% of headphones.
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Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
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Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
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Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Audio-Technica
Form factor
over-ear
Weight
285 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 285 g, heavier than 75.8% of headphones and equal to 0.7% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
4.1
Market range: <2.5 – >6.1
This pair of headphones has a clamp force of 4.1, lower clamp force than 50.5% of headphones and equal to 0.5% of headphones.
Show more

Audio-Technica ATH M50x vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • 5 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (45 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    45 mm vs 40 mm
  • 8,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (28,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    28,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 0.2 % lower distortion
    This pair of headphones has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.1 % vs 0.3 %
  • Sidetone support
    This pair of headphones supports sidetone, the average pair of headphones does not. 25.3% of headphones support sidetone.
  • 3 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (15 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    15 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 16x higher input power handling
    This pair of headphones has a higher max input power than the average pair of headphones (1,600 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    1,600 mW vs 100 mW
  • 5 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (45 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    45 mm vs 40 mm
  • 8,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (28,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    28,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 0.2 % lower distortion
    This pair of headphones has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.1 % vs 0.3 %
  • 3 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (15 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    15 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 16x higher input power handling
    This pair of headphones has a higher max input power than the average pair of headphones (1,600 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    1,600 mW vs 100 mW
  • Sidetone support
    This pair of headphones supports sidetone, the average pair of headphones does not. 25.3% of headphones support sidetone.
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 30.7% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (285 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    285 g vs 218 g
  • 9 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (51 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    51 mm vs 60 mm
  • 3 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (99 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    99 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • 5.87x less popular
    Audio-Technica ATH M50x is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • 6 mm tighter earcup width
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (38 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    38 mm vs 44 mm
  • 5.87x less popular
    Audio-Technica ATH M50x is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • 7.1% worse value for money
    Audio-Technica ATH M50x has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.79 vs 7.3).
    6.79 vs 7.27
  • 30.7% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (285 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    285 g vs 218 g
  • 9 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (51 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    51 mm vs 60 mm
  • Tangle-prone cable
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • 6 mm tighter earcup width
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (38 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    38 mm vs 44 mm
  • 3 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (99 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    99 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 0.9 dB looser channel balance
    This pair of headphones has a higher channel balance tolerance than the average pair of headphones (1.4 dB vs 0.5 dB). The average headphones have channel balance tolerance of 0.5 dB.
    1.4 dB vs 0.5 dB
  • 11 dB lower max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a lower max SPL than the average pair of headphones (99 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    99 dB vs 110 dB
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Audio-Technica ATH M50x

  • Exceptional clarity and accurate, detailed sound signature
  • Deep, punchy, and well-controlled bass response
  • Robust, sturdy build quality that withstands heavy daily use
  • Highly versatile with three detachable cables included in the box
  • Collapsible, folding design with 90-degree swiveling earcups for high portability
  • Excellent value for money at its price point for both casual listeners and creators
  • Strong passive noise isolation due to a tight over-ear seal

What customers don't like about Audio-Technica ATH M50x

  • Narrow and shallow soundstage typical of a closed-back design
  • High clamping force out of the box can cause discomfort during long sessions
  • Earcups use synthetic leather padding that can trap heat and make ears warm
  • Treble can occasionally become harsh or sibilant at higher volumes
  • Slightly sculpted, V-shaped or W-shaped tuning may lack absolute neutrality required for professional reference mixing
  • Stock earpads may feel tight or small for users with larger ears
  • Mostly plastic exterior construction can feel less premium to some users

Verdict

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is a professional closed-back dynamic headphone featuring 45mm large-aperture drivers with rare earth neodymium magnets and copper-clad aluminium wire (CCAW) voice coils. It delivers a wide frequency response of 15Hz to 28,000Hz, a sensitivity of 99dB, and a 38-ohm impedance that makes it easy to drive with most devices. Main characteristics include a robust collapsible design with 90° swiveling earcups for one-ear monitoring and three interchangeable detachable cables. Its primary pros are exceptional sonic clarity, accurate deep bass response, and durable professional-grade build quality suitable for studio tracking, mixing, and DJ use. However, notable cons include a potentially tight clamping force that may cause discomfort during long sessions, synthetic leather pads that tend to flake over time, and a relatively narrow soundstage compared to open-back models.

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