This review contains affiliate links — we earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. It doesn't change our verdicts.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Studio Headphones Review
★ 4.7 · 72,000 Amazon ratings🏆 Best Overall
Why it wins
The reference budget studio headphone — tuned honest enough to mix on, fun enough to commute with, and efficient enough to run from a phone. Twenty years of revisions refined it into the most-recommended headphone on the internet, and the consensus is earned.
Who it's for
Anyone making their first real headphone purchase, home producers, and listeners who want to hear what their music actually sounds like before chasing flavors.
How it holds up long-term
The folding hinges and earpads are the wear points; both are cheap, standard replacements — M50x units routinely live a decade on their second or third pads. The detachable cable design ended the category's classic death-by-frayed-cable.
Watch out for
Clamp is firm out of the box (it relaxes) and the stock pads get sweaty in summer. The treble is detailed to a fault for sensitive ears — audition sibilant tracks if you're treble-shy.
Pros
- ✓ Flat accurate sound signature
- ✓ Folds flat for travel
- ✓ Industry standard for audio pros
Cons
- ✗ Not wireless
- ✗ Clamping force can fatigue ears
What Reddit says
“Users generally praise the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x and ATH-M50xBT2 for their sound quality, comfort, and battery life. Some users mention minor drawbacks such as the lack of ANC on the BT2 version.”
Source thread →Bottom line
The reference budget studio headphone — tuned honest enough to mix on, fun enough to commute with, and efficient enough to run from a phone. Anyone making their first real headphone purchase, home producers, and listeners who want to hear what their music actually sounds like before chasing flavors.
Get the picks before everyone else
One short email when we publish new picks or spot a real deal. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.