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Audio-Technica ATH R50x Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£150Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Audio-Technica ATH R50x 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 R50x
5.2/10

Overall score

Score
5.2/ 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 94% of models
Score components

80%

5.2

Technical score

20%

?

User score

▼Worse than 94% of headphones
6.6

Value for money

Value for money
6.6/ 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 89% of models
Score components

70%

5.2

Overall score

30%

9.7

Price

▼Worse than 89%
5.2

Technical score

Technical score
5.2/ 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 87% of models
Score components

52%

5.8

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.8

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

3.8

Calls & Controls

▼Worse than 87%
?

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~ £150
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 R50x

Technical score
Technical score
5.2/ 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 87% of models
Score components:

52%

5.8

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.8

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

3.8

Calls & Controls

5.2
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 R50x 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
6.6/ 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 89% of models
Score components:

70%

5.2

Overall score

30%

9.7

Price

6.6
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
5 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 5 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 86.3% of headphones and equal to 10.8% of headphones.
Show more
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
no
This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while 15.1% is. 84.9% 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
207 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 207 g, lighter than 53% of headphones and equal to 0.1% of headphones.
Acoustic design
open-back
Clamp force
6.7
Market range: <2.5 – >6.1
This pair of headphones has a clamp force of 6.7, higher clamp force than 93.6% of headphones and equal to 2.5% of headphones.
Show more

Audio-Technica ATH R50x vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Hi-Res Audio certification
    This pair of headphones has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.1% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
  • 13 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (5 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    5 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 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
  • 20,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (40,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    40,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • 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
  • 9 newer release date
    This pair of headphones was released more recently than the average pair of headphones (2025 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    January 2025
    2025 vs 2016
  • 8 mm more spacious earcup width
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup width than the average pair of headphones (52 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    52 mm vs 44 mm
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • 8 mm more spacious earcup width
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup width than the average pair of headphones (52 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    52 mm vs 44 mm
  • Hi-Res Audio certification
    This pair of headphones has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.1% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
  • 13 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (5 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    5 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 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
  • 20,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (40,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    40,000 Hz vs 20,000 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
  • 9 newer release date
    This pair of headphones was released more recently than the average pair of headphones (2025 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    January 2025
    2025 vs 2016
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • 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.
  • 8.7 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (93.3 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    93.3 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 2.4 higher clamp force
    This pair of headphones has a higher clamp force than the average pair of headphones (6.7 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    6.7 vs 4.3
  • 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
  • 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 R50x is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • 10.7% worse value for money
    Audio-Technica ATH R50x has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.57 vs 7.3).
    6.57 vs 7.27
  • 66.7% more expensive
    Audio-Technica ATH R50x is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£150 vs £90).
    £150 vs £90
  • 2.4 higher clamp force
    This pair of headphones has a higher clamp force than the average pair of headphones (6.7 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    6.7 vs 4.3
  • 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
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • 8.7 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (93.3 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    93.3 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 17 dB lower max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a lower max SPL than the average pair of headphones (93 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    93 dB vs 110 dB
  • 9.7 dB SPL lower sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a lower sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (93.3 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    93.3 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • 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.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 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 R50x

  • Extremely lightweight design weighing only 207 grams
  • Exceptional comfort suitable for long mixing and listening sessions without fatigue
  • Breathable velour ear pads and split headband design that prevents hot spots
  • Natural, well-balanced sound signature with clear and forward mid-range presence
  • Spacious soundstage and great spatial imaging excellent for both music and gaming
  • Excellent price-to-performance ratio making them a budget-friendly reference option
  • Includes two detachable cables of different lengths (1.2m and 3.0m)
  • Easily powered by standard portable devices and scales well with better amplification

What customers don't like about Audio-Technica ATH R50x

  • Sub-bass rolls off significantly below 50Hz and can feel thin on certain tracks
  • Out-of-the-box tuning leans neutral-bright with a slightly sharp or aggressive treble edge
  • Proprietary 2.5mm twist-and-lock cable connection system is single-ended only and lacks easy balanced compatibility
  • Stock cables are stiff and tend to retain their folded packaging shape
  • Ear cups may feel a bit too small for users with larger ears
  • Open-back design results in zero noise isolation, allowing external sound to leak freely in and out

Verdict

The Audio-Technica ATH-R50x is a professional open-back reference headphone designed for critical listening, mixing, and mastering, featuring 45mm dynamic drivers and a broad frequency response of 5Hz to 40,000Hz. These headphones are exceptionally lightweight at approximately 207g and utilize breathable velour ear cushions and a 50-ohm impedance, making them easy to drive even without a dedicated amplifier. Main pros include a natural and expansive soundstage, high midrange clarity, and superior long-session comfort due to their minimal weight and balanced clamping force. Notable cons include a bass response that may lack deep sub-bass impact for some users and a treble response that can occasionally lean toward being overly bright or splashy.

Compare Audio-Technica ATH R50x with other products in the Headphones category

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