Don't buy a gaming headset. Get these instead! - Audio Technica ATH M50xSTS

[@tentimes]

They actually sound pretty good. Would have been nice to hear some mic comparisons with other gaming headsets.

[@SirBobson]

How do you know? It's been like 15 seconds

[@beatyoubeachyt8303]

there not the best thoe m40x is better some how and cheaper

[@beatyoubeachyt8303]

@@SirBobson they are not bad most headsets for gameing are bad

[@simonrockstream]

@@SirBobson Because the M50x have been out for like 10 years my dude. And yeah, there are way better headphones in terms of audio, but the the construction and quality of the M50x are really nice.

[@chrominox]

Man, I've mixed so many songs with m50x. They're my dependable go-to headphones.

[@vinesauce]

I just got these as well, and they're great. I'm surprised it took this long to make it happen.

[@rich22221]

Pog vinny in the wild

[@kornkernel2232]

I think more audio brands should just do this, just take their existing well reputable headsets and slap a good mic on it. No need for extra frills. Most of extra features on number of gaming headsets aren't that great anyway. Many audio reviews always say anyways that a great proper headsets is all you need even for gaming, tje surround aspect is still all on how the games handles it, and there is software that simulates that very well anyways like Dolby and DTS.

[@bhume7535]

well if it isn't Vincent "Funny Calzone Man" Pizzapasta himself. Weird to see you out in the wild. Can't wait for sunday!

[@Bootleg64DD]

Oh I got my question answered

[@SpartanMJO12]

Thank you, binyot - excellent purchase!

[@Duriel181]

Rocking the ATH-M40x's for years now. With bigger fabric ear cups (the default ones are horrible). Sound great, sturdy, competitive price since I already owned a modmic. Brought me to tears after wearing gaming headsets for decades before.

[@dyermaker4731]

The M40s are so far better than the 50s it’s ridiculous. You have a great pair of cans

[@BichaelStevens]

TheDuriel you got a long road ahead. I went from M40x to HD6xx, BIGGG upgrade, and even then theres far greater things to move up to, if I ever win the lottery

[@donaldtorvalis9734]

I agree, I got into audio gear after being disappointed with the m50's and going on a hunt for any reviewer who reviewed them negatively, which brought me to the m40s.

[@slartibartfast2649]

@@dyermaker4731 explain, please?

[@Therealmvenner]

Same here. I’ve had mine for around 7 years. The pleather head strap is starting to peel and one of my hinges in cracked. They still work like a charm. One of the best investments I’ve made.

[@JesseArt]

What's nice about these ATH M40/M50/etc. sets of headphones is that there is also a ton of aftermarket support if you would like to experiment with larger earpads or pads of differing materials. Lack of a removeable cable here is a total bummer though. That's honestly kind of a deal breaker for me.

[@hypeheadphones]

yeah you can get a m40x, which sound a lot better imo, and plop a modmic on it. If you're willing to mod you can actually quite easily add a 2.5mm to 3.5mm adapter to the m50x just by taking earpad off and unscrewing some stuff (haven't done for while so don't remember exact details), so i'd assume you could do same on m40x, which lets you also use a v-moda pro [which would be cheaper over all].

[@MrGamelover23]

@@hypeheadphones or you could just have a cable adapter plugged in on the outside.

[@LaccerHS]

Yep, the removable cable made me choose an M40x instead a DT770. It's less comfy but removable cables are just a must for me for traveling, even though I'vr used a HyperX Cloud II since 2014.

[@melissa10101]

@@LaccerHS I own the cloud ii, how does it compare for quality and sound?

[@TorgmanRDP]

I was thinking the exact same thing. I have m50x right now, and would have upgraded to this if the cable was removable.

[@RomainDelmaire]

The non replaceable cable is kinda sad to see but other than that, at this price, if you need a headset with a good mic, it's really excellent.

[@Luquini]

For me is a deal breaker, was kinda interested in these until I saw that.

[@ignacio2763]

@@Luquiniagreed

[@nickv1212]

They're no doubt gonna release a version with it. I'm guilty of having owned 3, but I'm gonna skip on these and any future iterations. I'm fine with sticking a mic to the side of my M50Xs. Thinking about getting some Grados or the Meze 99 Classics now since I've become so used to the M50 sound.

[@jatoxo]

That cable looks awful too. Thick, bulky, rigid and wayyyy too short

[@Montisaquadeis]

That is honestly a step back from the older ATH-m50x's which do have a detachable and thus replaceable cable.

[@mykomystic8310]

Ive had m50x for roughly 10 years and still my daily driver, love them for music production and recording. I wish they designed an attachment for that which could go into the proprietary plug.

[@hexaitine]

4 months late but you can get non-AT brand mics that do plug directly into the proprietary plug or, alternatively, you can use an adapter for the proprietary plug and plug in whatever variant of modmic you want. Some people even swap the 2.5mm locking plug out for a 3.5mm one, it's not difficult at all if you look up a tutorial.

[@Neoxon619]

That was actually Alex’s advice during an Intel Extreme Tech Upgrade video, although I’m pretty sure he said to go for used. But yeah, usually music audio gear is way better in terms of audio quality.

[@TalesOfWar]

Usually because "gamer" stuff is all about the looks and everything else is secondary. The irony is the looks tend to be tacky as shit in my opinion lol.

[@MihkelKukk]

in terms of build quality too actually! And repair-ability.

[@oakley6889]

Crinicle agrees

[@TopherBinx]

After using gaming headsets for years I just picked up a pair of Shure 840a from local guitar center, night and day difference.

[@femboygaming8931]

Yeah, in Alex's upgrade he said buy used music gear instead of gamer stuff which he's entirely right about because you could literally get a pair of vintage AKG k240's from the late 70s early 80s and as long as you can drive them they'll sound better than 95% of gaming headsets

[@codingreakktor7881]

I have the original ATH M50 for about 15 years, I replace the earpiece about 3 years ago and they are still working great. I have another earphones but time to time I come back to them, it's a really good earphone for the price.

[@copperhead100]

It would have been great to have a comparison to, say, the Beyerdynamic MMX300. Same pricepoint and is based on the Beyerdynamic DT770, which is also quite popular among professionals.

[@harrygaylordrums]

The MMX300 is an awesome product. I find AT headphone ear cups slightly too small for me.

[@bananawarlock3981]

Sound wise, I've found the Beyerdynamic MMX 300 to be superior, but the mic on these Audio Technica is better. But just barely. Overall, the MMX 300's are a better purchase, in my opinion.

[@DudeWithTheNose]

having switched from the m50x's to the dt770s a while ago (and now to the 7hz timeless), I was really disappointed with the 770s for gaming. It felt like every game sound and voice was stepping on top of each other and it was hard to distinguish individual audio cues from one another. Even placing directional audio felt really bad in games like cs, val, and apex. Maybe they just don't work with my ears, but it felt like everything got squished towards the mid range, and nothing had room to breathe

[@VeI_2.0]

Mine arrived with no audio ouput. Guess I got unlucky.

[@NyangisKhan]

@@DudeWithTheNose For FPS games you want headphones that has great soundstage. So open-back or semi-open headphones are recommended. The cheapest one would be the SHP9600 atm. And maybe the HD599 if you want to spend a bit extra. All in all closed-backs are pretty shit for FPS games. EDIT: Almost forgot about the x2hr. It's got a great soundstage and it's a real joy to listen to.

[@BrentZeimen]

Even if it was an additional cable, I would love to see Audio Technica sell the mic on these separately for people who already have and like a set of AT headphones. The mic looks a lot like some of their head-worn mics, but you'd have to do a lot of modification to make them mountable on existing headphones.

[@bradwilson542]

This is a few months later, but they do sell one. Not sure if it's the same mic, but: Audio-Technica ATGM2

[@derkaiser9881]

​@@bradwilson542People really must not have liked it. Checking just 3 months later and it's already discontinued on Audio-Technica's website. Lmao

[@Walaby50]

As a Broadcast engineer, I‘m very very happy to see these headphones come out, especially the ones with xlr and 6,3mm jack combo!

[@RCRobio]

I would have liked to hear the XLR mic compared to the usb though.

[@carlitospapa9080]

In that test, the sound of the mic is terrible

[@Walaby50]

@@carlitospapa9080 It isn't great, you are right, but I would guess that's down to the build in usb interface. I will try to get one for testing myself.

[@OneTechMind]

Really enjoyed this one, including Adam's presentation style! Hoping to see him pop up more often.

[@UnknownGaming..]

I couldn't agree more

[@corndog9482]

I love that a reputable tech channel is actually giving _sound_ advice regarding this topic. I'll find myself out now.

[@lilkidsuave]

Now it's time to sound off in the comments

[@antonhelsgaun]

I mean ath m50x is like the most mainstream 'audiophile' headphone there is

[@JJLM18]

@@antonhelsgaun i don't think it is an "audiophile" headphone tho, the audiophile community usually think those are poo poo

[@lunascomments3024]

​@@antonhelsgaun M50X treble ain't audiophile grade.

[@adminmovie]

​@@antonhelsgaun probably the most overrated overhyped headphone thanks to the audio noobs.

[@ColinReddig]

Love how Linus and Luke ragged on the M50xs on the WAN show and they get recommended BECAUSE they're used on the WAN show lmao

[@elliotfenwick6871]

They basically explained that in the music production industry headphones are considered almost as consumables. So when choosing what to buy they have to balance price and quality. They need to be “good enough” but you don’t want to spend a load of money if they are being handled roughly and being broken constantly. A lot of people see professionals using audio technicas and assume it means they are the best. But it really just means they are the cheapest headphones that have a passable audio quality for many audio focused professions so they are very widespread. So there’s nothing bad about them, but just don’t look at the fact they are everywhere as some kind of implicit recommendation. They are everywhere because they are cheap

[@gagexw]

The XLR/3.4" makes sense because your interface could have better preamps than what is built into the USB version's, both for the headphones and the mic. Especially for microphones, the preamp is very important. You could spend hundreds of dollars on a microphone, but if you buy a cheap interface with cheap preamps it's going to sound like garbage. That's probably also why the USB version is more expensive, not only does it need AD/DA converters, but also preamps for the phones and mic, while the XLR version doesn't need any of those extra components. To get the XLR version to sound amazing would be more expensive if you didn't already have an interface with quality preamps, but for what the microphone on the USB version sounds like, you could get literally any gaming headset in the $200 range and it would sound about the same to my ears.

[@JasperSchwinghammer]

Leaving the preamp bs aside, this is for streaming not studio recording, the quality of the preamp is irrelevant if you are above shittier level (anything above ui12). This has a condenser mic, so it does need 48v phantom power which you obviously cannot get via trrs or trs directly out of your pc.

[@ABlindHilbily]

Still rocking my Sennheiser 599's and a blue snowball. I really don't use the microphone much but the headphones have been used daily for years.

[@maikeruu108]

I thought that Linus hated on these on the WAN show. Personally I've been using M40x's for about 6 years now (bought them instead of M50x's because of a video from Z Reviews) and those've been great.

[@kenc2894]

damn i just commented that

[@TalesOfWar]

@@Prometheus_xyz If they were sucky then why do they have so many? lol Linus really makes no sense some times.

[@Zyxlian]

@@TalesOfWar They were/are a cheap option for a close-enough to reference audio signature. You can get much better headphones, depending on what you are looking for, even for close to the same price. For me, m50x's are close to Turtle Beach as far as discomfort goes (especially if I need to wear them with my glasses), and that's a huge negative since I wear headphones for 8+ hours daily. I prefer a warmer sound signature than the m50x offers as well, so they are fatiguing to me (I don't need/want a reference sound signature).

[@maikeruu108]

@@Prometheus_xyz The M40x's also break. I had to replace both of the hinges on mine's and in the end I replaced the whole headband+hinges with the ones from M50x

[@sgthl]

I´ve used the original Audio Technica ATH-M50X for ages. I´m on my second pair since the first one broke just below the hinge after something like 8 years (it´s just what happens to plastic with time). Considering you can get them as low as 60-70 bucks (amazon prime day) it´s a no brainer to buy them. You don´t need a headset amplifier either like you do with many other hifi-type headsets, your built in sound/soundcard is enough to drive them. Just add the microphone of your choise and you´re good to go. So a regular M50X and for instance an antlion modmic = 150 bucks, making it by far the best headset you can get for that price (if you can wait for discounts like prime day). For a microphone i use a Blue Snowball microphone mounted on a svive Hydra Pro, so it´s out of my way when not in use, and it works perfectly for me.

[@Gobeman]

Still waiting for the Audeze Maxwell Review whenever you get one in stock. Been exciting to learn how good it is from your guys' perspective and with LTT Labs.

[@Lead_Foot]

I'm loving mine

[@toobskuiks116]

It's good

[@SethanderWald]

Really love the switching between mics for the gameplay segment. :) That's a lot more useful than just a short mic test recording. Side note: Was that game running on integrated graphics or something? Because it was really choppy.

[@The_Cyber_System]

The game recording might have just been a bad recording since it didn't include game audio either, but Adam was clearly hearing the game and playing just fine.

[@Useless_Relic]

Laptop was probably not plugged into the wall, most gaming laptops tend to drop quality/frames when unplugged

[@HanZie82]

Its a notebook, so yeah. Cannot be anything but integrated graphics card. (Just not in the CPU tho). But like said before, it might be the limited power of a thin notebook showing here. Also its very possible gameplay was fine, but the recording introduced the stutters/low framerate. ;-)

[@lighthawk95]

@@HanZie82 You know laptops come with dGPUs often too, right?

[@REAZNx]

Would have been nice to test the difference between the USB and the XLR version, as they always sound vastly different.

[@nemasu72]

Yes, wow, I was really hoping they would try it out with an audio interface.

[@HanZie82]

Yes but that would also higly depend on soundcard used for the analogue version. So that would be an apples to oranges comparison, and probably thus the reason they did not.

[@kaydawgy1999]

podcastage youtube channel did this comparison already

[@TheZoenGaming]

I would love to see the lab's analysis of the various Antlion Mod Mics. I've a Mod Mic 5, and most people say it sounds great.

[@ZypherGames]

"we use them on the WAN show" Every WAN show viewer: "Well I'm skipping this video then."

[@ZantoshGaming]

11:08 The reason there are two headphone types is actually for versatility. The USB one has a ADC built in and feeds the digital signal to the PC directly. This is for people who just want a plug and play such as streamers. Where as the XLR one feeds the analog signal to a XLR interface like an audio interface or mixer where you can add your DSP before sending it to wherever you want - and is for people who want more control over their audio or own DSP exteral signal processors. As a channel with 2.3M subscribers and a large team that manages your entire KZbin presence, I would have expected you guys to at least have this basic knowledge or if not, at the bare minimum, read the manufacturer's product page before reviewing the product because they clearly mention why there are two interfaces.

[@shadowpandapc]

I still rock my Beyerdynamics MX300 mk1, still amazing headphones with an brilliant mic. had them years and they will last many more, investing in good gear that isn't just "gamer brand" is definitely worth it

[@tobylegion6913]

mx3000 custom mk2 user here. Mic could still be better, but professional audio manufucturer is really the way to go. Beyerdynamic, AKG, Audiotechnica, Sennheiser - one of those, within a reasonable price range and you easily get at least 5 times the quality of a similar priced "gaming" headset.

[@shadowpandapc]

@@tobylegion6913 the mic on the mmx is fantastic I've recorded voice over stuff with it before I mean it's not a professional studio mic obviously But yes definitely, real audio companies will always make better products

[@ExitiumD]

@@tobylegion6913 is the mx300 2nd gen good for both music and gaming? or would u say only music or gaming?

[@Spooofer]

Ive been using my pair of m50x since 2014 and apart from buying new earpads for them, they have held up for almost 9 years now. Highly recommended.

[@Akegata42]

I did a modmic mod on my M50 that I picked up second hand in the beginning of the pandemic. Have used them daily for both work and gaming, works great! Also I paid like €70 for the whole setup, so that was nice.

[@montecrysto33]

I have a jack/Bluetooth Audio Technica with internal mic, has worked like a charm for two years now, 100% recommend AT

[@ChronoWolf]

These are an instabuy for me. Been using ATH M50x headphones for years with a separate mic and it was always an inconvenience (even if it was a stellar mic: Rode NTG-3). The mic quality is decent (based on Adam’s brief test) but the fact that these have an XLR option, enabling me to EQ and fine-tune the input on my hardware mixer: phenomenal!

[@inputoutput-hd7jl]

have you considered the pc38x?

[@Lebon19]

Same! I had multiple pairs of M50x throughout the years. I love mine right now and switching to USB is a big deal. I don't care for XLR but the fact that I can finally have a great pair of headphones to listen to digital music to without the analog conversion, it's great! Also, I always had issues where I would literally hear my PC crunching numbers through my headphones. I hope this issue is gone with this. Will keep my old pair because it's portable and I can always leave that one at work. Oh and be sure to buy extension cables if 2m is not enough (I know it isn't for me because of my setup).

[@ChronoWolf]

My mixer accepts XLR for mic input, and I don't believe those offer an XLR option, which is why I hadn't considered it previously. Unless I use an adapter.

[@inputoutput-hd7jl]

There's nothing wrong with an adapter

[@antonhelsgaun]

​@@inputoutput-hd7jlor the mmx300

[@pauldekker5581]

I have the ath-m50x. Great sound quality for only 140 euros. They also never break and if they do you can literally replace every part from their website. They do sound a lot better with a proprietary headphone amp/dac.

[@PettyVagrant]

You can get the Audio-Technica BPHS1 for £150 that is practically the same thing as the XLR one and has a detachable cable. Surprised they weren't mentioned here given they've been around for ages.

[@IsoMacintosh]

"practically the same thing" That is bit misleading, both seem to be good headsets but they are very different: BPHS1 reviews typically say it has not the best audio quality with one reviewer comparing it to m30 if i remember correctly, this headset sounds like regular m50x so should be better. BPHS1 has a dynamic microphone while this one has condenser, these are vastly different microphone types with different advantages and disadvantages.

[@PettyVagrant]

@@IsoMacintosh Yeah that's a fairer assessment than my off-hand comment. Cheers for the insight.

[@gorsharon6]

Rocking m50x with a cable with a mic attachment from Amazon. Works flawlessly. Changed the pads twice already, and duct taped the top to keep it together... They're from 2014 😮

[@Ghost19_]

Took them this long to realized that their signature ATH-M series could still easily rival the latest with just a little touch of a mic update. Been rocking the M40x for years and I might have a good reason to get an M50 finally.

[@caliaquatics3076]

I've had a pair for over 10 years, they get better over time as you break in the drivers more and more too.

[@therealpoody7485]

For anyone reading these comments, do not buy this headset if you value comfort. The pads are way too thin and touch your ears.

[@KrakkenXXX]

then buy new pads. problem solved

[@Mohan-c8v]

I will buy😁, that is not a deal breaker

[@therealpoody7485]

@@Mohan-c8v I hope you enjoy. I highly recommend the Logitech PRO X 2 Lightspeed.

[@justsomegirlwithoutamustach]

Appreciate it 🙏

[@stephenpawking]

So buy bigger pads?

[@thisisabsolutelystup]

Removable cable is an absolute must have for any significant headphone purchase. Please release a V2 Audio Technica!

[@Girvo747]

I have the ATH-M40X with a third-party microphone that replaces the boxed headphone-to-3.5mm wire, it's been great! These seem fantastic replacements, though I'm not sure when I'd actually upgrade, considering how good the M40X's still sound; and positionality/competitive shooters, they're great. I'm Ascendant in Valorant, and it's not my audio setup that holds me back

[@ChurroWaffles]

I've had the ATH M50xs for years. I use an SM7B for a mic and couldn't be happier.

[@shriniwasrocks]

finally. I am surprised it wasn't done earlier. So many people using modmic with these. looks like its implemented nicely too. Doesn't look flimsy.

[@simptrix007]

I used M50x coupled with modmic for like 5 years. Removable cable and easily sourced earpads made them last forever. It simply didnt want to die on me so I gave them away to friend when I switched to wireless headsets. Going wireless for comfort with mouse and headset was the right move for me after waiting for years for technology to mature.

[@ElisonNilsonCoelho]

What wireless headset did you went? How is the sound quality compared to the m50x?

[@ednec8909]

I don't know why people forget about the PC38X.

[@Root174]

I've been using the M40x for over six years now. They still sound great, better than anything I have used before. A lot more detail too. I also appreciate the versatility. I can easily detach the main cable and then use the headphone on something else with the coiled cable. I have replaced the ear pads twice (3x if I count the 3rd party ones) and I've added a headband cover. I wouldn't recommend 3rd party pads, unless you're ok with the headphone (possibly) sounding different. The only problem my M40x has is that it has become quite creaky, so whenever I move, parts of the headphone move and I can hear it creak. Other than that, it is fine. Maybe I'll replace it with an M50x someday, but for now, I want to continue using it.

[@plumokin5535]

Omg mine are so creaky too! Is there a good way to fix that?

[@Root174]

@@plumokin5535 I'm afraid not, unless you happen to know someone who can fix headphones.

[@TBelen91]

Adam is such a great host, always enjoy a vid he's on

[@matthewjbauer1990]

I've been using the ATH M50x 8+ years. I can say I am a fan. I feel no need to upgrade.

[@nsweru8818]

Can confirm, the Nova Pro's feature set is so good. Having a PC and Phone connected simultaneously, swappable batteries, really great EQ software, the retractable mic, and the ANC (while not the best ANC) are really great in terms of added features. The audio could be better sure but it is still really good and more than good enough for non-audiophiles (the game audio is great too, their spatial sound is very good)

[@AquaLady153]

spatial sound sucks in fps tho

[@Artyomthewalrus]

No replaceable cables is a real no-go for me. I managed to break all 3 cables that came with my m50xs.

[@nloadergd9193]

225 usd.... hell nah il stick with my 50 buck logitech tyler1 headphone

[@nsmqac0118]

Bought M50x some 5-6 years ago... THE best purchase in my life. Especially when combined with a headphone amp (Fiio 12 in my case).

[@Schmidteren]

Porta Pro. If you need with an awesome mic, Porta Pro Communication.

[@headphonesuser1234]

This 100%

[@hexcrown2416]

I've got the m40x a long time ago, and eventually also got a pair for m50x's love em both, can't go wrong w/ Audio Technica

[@kiri101]

I would love to see you guys analyse the Superlux HD 681, I've had two pairs over the last 10 years - the first for €12.86, but still available for under €30 - and they are amazing! A little high in treble but otherwise very neutral, with great directionality for gaming and 50mm drivers for great bass.

[@Notacet]

M50x sound profile is just great for my ears. Using it for 6 years in a professional music studio for everything (in addition to good speakers of course). Great isolation for vocal recording, a bit boosted and bass and treble for a very nice subtle amount of ”consumer v-shape”

[@TheyWantMeGone69]

So it's not flat? You know any headphones with a flat signature?

[@Notacet]

@@TheyWantMeGone69 yes! I also have audiotechnica R70X. One of the best headphones I’ve ever used. Not suitable for heavy traveling, or low output devices. But the sound signature is amazingly flat!

[@TheyWantMeGone69]

@@Notacet Thanks good to know. I like hearing the creator's intent. It's just that on audiotechnica's website they explain the different sound signatures and they classify the M50x as flat.

[@Notacet]

@@TheyWantMeGone69 well M50X is flat compared to a lot of consumer headphones, but not so flat if we talk about high end studio headphones. So it’s a matter of context. I think a mild sound profile is often a good thing, even if you want to hear the creators intent.

[@TheyWantMeGone69]

@@Notacet I see. I actually have the Sennhieser 599s but I think they are more balanced than flat. They sound good though.

[@khertler]

Arent these the headsets they hate on during WAN shows??

[@silvydb]

Yes, linus even says himself they are not good.

[@allansh828]

those are overrated trash

[@adili9427]

I was thinking the same lmao

[@BichaelStevens]

Which wan show?

[@kaneki1056]

i mean linus and luke came to these from audiophile grade sennhiesers so they're obviously not as good as those. this is something for people who are just entering the audio scene on a not-so-high budget

[@PavelFomenkov]

The lack of a removable cable is not a problem for me at all. I've had the same set of original M50s for 10 years now, and after 10 years the cable is still like new. I replaced the pads and all the rest, but the cable itself is built like a tank.

[@ZReviews]

Or ya know, don't.

[@RathOX]

this!

[@RathOX]

PC38X / audeze maxwell imo for "gaming" headsets are the only good ones

[@sidesaladaudio]

We need you to review these so we can get another classic Zeos rant episode

[@sombamrara8420]

Zeo the man

[@nosbig98]

I just bought a pair of AT-M20xBT phones to replace a set of failed Sennheiser HD202. I am liking the AT sound profile.

[@inSeyven]

Yeah... but... 200 USD.

[@voiddoctor]

Compared to their mainstream competition like the Corsair Virtuoso, they are almost untouchable at this price!

[@audioman612]

It's worth mentioning that of course Audio-Technica can make a good mic. They are one of the biggest names in microphones with many decades worth of history in the space. With regards to comments about them being widely recommended for a reason and then mentioning them being over-hyped, I think it should be pointed out that the "audiophile" market was never the primary or largest market of the M50/M50x. It's the pro market, especially as durable studio headphones for use while tracking live (where sound quality matters, but only to a point). I'm an audiophile who used to work in pro audio (I now work in consumer audio). They are wildly different spaces with far less crossover than many may realize.

[@MrGurfz]

M50x is a really good headphone for what it is trying to do. One issue with them is that they have a really narrow soundstage which isn't the best for gaming. It can almost sound mono at some times. A similar headphone is the Beyerdynamic MMX 300 at around the same price. It has a much more comfortable fit and wider soundstage and sharper imaging which is overall going to be better for most games. (Also you can buy spare parts and they are easy to work on.)

[@DenniTheDude]

I remember years back when I bought a M50X and liked it a lot for music, but turns out I actually hated them for everything else. I assume these in the video are better, but I remember the ones I had being unusable for gaming. I remember directional audio being awful to the point where I would get shot in CSGO and not be able to tell where from. It was even hard to listen to youtube videos of people talking too. Very strange. I also remember preferring crappy in ear headphones I got with my HTC Desire over the M50X.... lol, at least I could tell where sounds came from.

[@kornkernel2232]

Yeah, for wider sounds stage, others out there especially open backs are far better. Though some fix that narrow sound stage with third party pads, which widens the audio but will pf course alter the sound. So preference vary if you like the end result or not.

[@antiguy1994]

Idk but about that the closed back makes them great for gaming in terms of the punchy bass and impact of things like gun fire. When I used my m40x for rainbow six siege the game sound amazing and realistic compared to open back Sennheiser. I think it's really about what you are looking for.

[@randwilliams5552]

Been using the MX50's since 2015. Dragged them to 4 states over the course of eight years, regularly stuffing them into a backpack. After eight years of service, I had to finally replace them (small plastic peice that keeps the tension finally broke, meaning I had to jam a peice of plastic in there to keep it tight against my head). Used them for everything from audio mixing to gaming and love them to death. Not having removable cables is a deal-breaker unfortunately. The best part of them was I could very easily fold these up and throw them in a backpack without having to worry about stress points. I doubt the STS would have held up as well as my OG pair. I know the cables are expensive (30-40$ for a replacement I think), but even if they had only included the one, it would have been worth it.

[@Delstrom2]

ATH m40x: love them, daily driver for almost a decade. ATH m50x: Ew, why?

[@rola8597]

what's the big difference between them?

[@Delstrom2]

The m50x is bought more often because of the "more money must mean better" mentality, but they're designed specifically to help musicians test out the higher notes/frequencies of a song in the studio. As such they have a harsh high end for everyday use. In contrast, the m40x was designed for a neutral sound, which works equally well in the studio as it does out and about. Granted, either are definitely better than the earbuds that came with your first phone, and most people don't care enough to worry about it, but at half the price (I bought mine at $80) it's a no brainer for me.

[@Delstrom2]

TLDR the m40x is half the price and has a neutral sound, while the m50x was designed for a particular niche of a professional workflow.

[@kristiyanivanov7414]

​@@Delstrom2 thanks

[@grixmaw]

Would love to see a review or unboxing of the Audeze Maxwell. Slightly more, but far better sound quality from what other reviewers are saying.

[@herbstwerk]

M50X? Good headphones? If you're a masochist maybe.

[@thegreatdeconstruction]

I'm an old head and always loved Audia Technica for monitoring, especially for the price. Def getting these

[@lunascomments3024]

don't. Get audeze Maxwell

[@Kaziklu]

Looked up the price as LTT are Audiosnobs... Sorry 300 for headphones is just not something I need for gaming. I know some people will like it.. and that is who the review is for obviously... but... I really wish LTT said upfront that these are for Audiophiles... I mean they said they are used on the WAN show and Linus is lets face it (and I think he'd own it) a Audiosnob so high end and expensive is something he'd insist on.

[@touma-san91]

Except lot of people have pointed out, they hate these headphones on WAN show

[@herbstwerk]

They're 200-ish, not 3. At 300 they'd be almost on par with Audeze Maxwell, and there's no way in hell that AT, specially the M50X, can win that fight in any metric other than weight.

[@Kaziklu]

@@herbstwerk Canadian....

[@keithpennel1529]

I love these charts that you guys are using now, so good

[@augustoalvarez6766]

Used to have an M50x. They are pretty good. Certainly leagues better than the average gaming headset even at twice the price. Nowadays I use IEMs. The Shouer S12s. Now the M50x sound like trash. And my head is also thankful, because man the M50x's are NOT comfortable headphones.

[@mirceamunteanu4791]

I did not know this model was available , I just bought the M50xBT2, I use them wired for laptop, Bluetooth with my phone. Buyer remorse a bit . My old black M50x hinge broke down after a ton of use, I also have a pair of white one in good shape too. Love the sound and build quality of Audio Technica over all. Microphone on the M50xBT2 is good too, the streaming versions mic is way better.

[@derrickwilliams2903]

$230?!?! Oof.

[@L4NC3_L0T]

THIS is the reason I've been using the "Audio-Technica ATH-AG1X" headset for the last ~5 years. Mostly because I was looking for headset like the M50s and the "ATH-AG1X" where the ones Audio-Technica had at the time (They're kind of the more expensive cousin of the ones you tested) I just got lucky to get them for 50% off at the time as the original ~300€ would have been a bit much ^^ (I DO use a Soundblaster Katana 2 vor sound though so a USB option with no surround emulation/dolby atmos/whatever is not really an alternative)

[@BrandonsYouTube]

For anyone interested in them, they have a Bluetooth version, no mic included but the cable is NOT proprietary (and detachable). I use them as my gaming headset with a Blue Yeti and this is in my opinion the best combo you can get for not a ton of money and no investment into any XLR stuff.

[@mikaell.chuaungo3637]

Don't they know Audio-Technica BPHS1 exists? It was AT's first foray into broadcast territory. Its actually the standard equipment in most American sports events. Perfect for streamers too. And it is awesome. Been around for 4-5 years.

[@zakiasakura6481]

Really satisfied with their headphones. Currently using M30x for my desktop and M50x BT2 for on the go.

[@gigasflare]

I'm an audiophile myself and been using ATH M50x DG limited edition cable version for 8 years now and it still sounds amazing like brand new, well u only have to change the leather earpad and headband since it'll flake. i pair it with my Fiio Q1 Mark2 DAC & it sound like thousand dollar headphone. Total cost USD220 for both headphone and DAC.

[@Drewsterman777]

Honestly, just get the M50x or the 560S headphone and buy a separate mic like the Ant Lion Mod Mic. They even have a wireless version for added convenience. I have the 560S with the Mod Mic Uni attached. Open back headphones provide better directional audio due to a wider soundstage which provides more depth to how far away an audio source sounds. Tygr 300r, DT 990 Pro, 560S are all open backs and touted as great for FPS gaming. DT 770 Pro is probably one of the best closed back budget headphones you can get. Get the 80 ohm version and you won't need an amp and it should work great on PS5 and Xbox.

[@SanderEvers]

No removable cable would be a definite no buy for me. It's the FIRST thing that goes bad on a wired headphone, making it basically ewaste when (not if) the cable goes bad. Even wired headphones, I always buy with detachable cables. I currently have the Logitech Pro X as my gaming headphones. These are wired with 3.5mm (detachable) and have a detachable (and upgradable) mic, they come with multiple audio cables. (one for pc usage, one for smartphone usage, and a mic/audio splitter) it also comes with a USB "soundcard" with virtual 7.1 sound and two sets of earpads. And honestly, they sound really good. Not quite as good as my hifi headphones, and they are tuned toward games (not really for music). For gaming on PC / Steam deck or Switch they are great though.

[@alphenhousplaysgames4565]

the best thing about this is good sound stays good forever. if something can top this(obv there's a ton), they're already out. so this can be endgame for anyone happy with it. because unlike the graphics card, it won't ever be insufficient.

[@bhume7535]

The Sennheiser pc37x is like $99 now on Drop. I've been using them for years. I think thats a killer deal.

[@Skyflairl2p]

The Mic surprises me, I'm an audiophile and musician with 14 years of experience and thousands of dollars worth equipment. I have always DESPISED headset microphones, they sound tinny, noisy and you can almost always hear someone breathing directly into it due to placement. Which gets even worse with noise and echo reduction used in most applications and are almost mandatory on shit tier equipment like gaming headsets. But these sound passable, good even considering the size. I've tried the ATH40x and 50x respectively, they are decent entry-level audio gear which is more than capable for everyday use, seeing this headset variant with an actually good sounding mic I can wholeheartedly recommend them to all my friends looking for a non-standalone headphone/cardioid mic setup.

[@alderoth01]

These are great for people just getting gear together for streaming. I eventually bought a set of Neumann headphones, but those are SUPER expensive without a mic. These are good for starting out.

[@michaelmonstar4276]

As for audio-quality: I don't know them, but if they're balanced, and especially CAPABLE enough, an equalizer can do wonders. - And in my opinion, there's almost no driver, be it within cans or boxes, that is perfect stock. You generally ALWAYS need an equalizer to calibrate any form of speakers. For box-speakers, of course the room and such gets into the equation, but even directly on your ears, different ears and different pads and so on are going to change the sound. - Myself I have a pair of well-praised Fostex-headphones, but when I hear them stock, I find them to have a significant dip in the mid-range and rather shrill higher-mids to highs. So I tweaked those areas, the general mid-range up significantly, and that shrill area dampened down a little, plus tweaked some of the lower end's details and boosted the very bright highs a bit as well, and it suddenly sounded a hundred times better, much more balanced and detailed. The thing is, I wouldn't pay its price-tag for its stock sound, which just sounded woofy and tinny with no mids. But because its drivers are so capable of getting manipulated, it makes it good. - And capability is key, because not every set can be "fixed", as not all drivers are as capable. - Of some you can't boost certain frequencies enough, of some you can't get rid of certain characteristics like boominess or dullness, no matter how powerful the equalizer. Then they're just not versatile and rather bad. - It's about getting them balanced enough, and if they can do that, you're set.

[@thethingthatshouldnotbe3035]

Beyerdynamic MMX 300 is also a relly solid choice. Its basically a DT770 Pro with a good quality mic. I have a seperate mic, so I have no need for a headset, but I‘ve had the DT770 Pro for I believe 7-8 years now and never looked back.

[@Sintrania]

As someone who have use M50x for over 10years and a lot of other headphone. It has a very good frequency response for monitoring and work, but for listening to music and gaming I would say the sound isn’t that enjoyable. The top end is a bit harsh and the bass is a bit lacking. But this headphone get massively better if you know a bit about EQ. My fav is a lot of bass and lower the top end and the mids, making it a bit dark tone which making it an enjoyable headphone for electronic and pop music. Especially J-pop is a must try. Also it’s suggest to upgrade the pad for better comfort.

[@alvin5122]

I got a pair of M50xs second hand for $50 since my HE400SE was so bulky to bring around. It was a steal 🤩

[@cadenchurchill4296]

I use Bose QC 35 II headphones in matte black (so pretty!) for listening to music and gaming. Absolutely love them and the noise cancellation is quite nice for quieter games like Last of Us.

[@tommih597]

I could see this working well for podcast and professional applications as well with the quality of the mic and xlr connectivity

[@jvmunhoz98]

I've gotten a Steelseries Arctis Pro Wireless recently, and it's 100% worth the price.

[@buca117]

Or, and hear me out here, you could get the regular M50x's and buy an aftermarket cable with a mic on it. Did that with my M40x's and it worked great.

[@gallorumrex]

There is a massive difference if one uses Atmos for headphones or not. I have the M50xs and the USB version of this headset. Atmos works great with both of these! Also, the mic picks up everything! I use Nvidia Broadcast to wipe out most background noises from the room. I 100% agree with you on the cables! Skip the Mod Mic set up with regular M50xs, yes it works, BUT the USB one is a fire hazard (Google modmic usb overheating), and both have their wires break at the point of going into the mic structure. At least here that's what happened at about the year mark.

[@OrlanCEO]

I'm confused... Are you recommending it or not?

[@MrDdog678]

for people who dislike the pleather feel, theres 3rd party velour earpads you can get as well! (velour is like the material that beyerdynamics uses on their headphones!)

[@todorsamardzhiev144]

People are way too quick to dismiss gaming headphones, but the reality is, it depends. I have both ATH M50x and HyperX Cloud Alpha. The HyperX is more durable, more comfortable. Meetings and games sound crispier. I also prefer them for casual music listening, especially rock and metal. They are also 40% cheaper or so. A hobbyist music producer would definitely pick the M50x. But for the remaining 99.99% of people, the HyperX is just a better buy.

[@mypersonaldata846]

very true. they sounds amazing but for gaming nahhh

[@jomeyqmalone]

The M50x headphones are durable, which makes them good for rough monitoring use, but even on WAN show they complain about the sound quality a lot

[@FoshizMe]

Something like this with the 1/4” and XLR connectors would definitely have utility in live sound production. The engineer at front of house often has both headphones to listen to the mix without crowd noise and a mic to communicate with the musicians over the stage monitors or IEMs.

[@shun0825]

the sound of the mic is really clear i love it

[@lukeperryglover]

Oh man. That seems awesome (I have always used mid/lower end of mid range headsets). Then again I rarely use a headset anyway, but this is still tempting.

[@benstanfill363]

I game in my office so I use some Phillips open back headphones and an at2020 USB mic plugged straight into my ps5. The combo works great.

[@srobak]

I have the M30X from back in the day and have been musing them with a live stage mic that goes over your ears (think phil collins or madonna back in the day) - this will be a great opportunity to change/upgrade while retaining the same sound. Nice!

[@ejpete]

Its very cool to see this, I made my own version of this with the ATH M70x headphones and the Sennheiser e908D mic. Kind of wish I knew this was coming out cuz I think this would have been a better option lol.

[@mikem12406]

The M50x was the first "decent" pair of headphones I owned.They have a very "fun" sound but I found them to be uncomfortable after a few hours. It's nice to see proper headphone manufacturers making headsets these days.