Audio-Technica ATH-M50 Professional Studio Monitor Headphones

by Audio-Technica

Product Details

• Item Weight: 10.1 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000P62ND6
• Item model number: ATH-M50
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Get exceptionally accurate response and long-wearing listening comfort with Audio-Technica's ATH-M50 professional studio monitor headphones.

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Includes 1/4-inch adapter and carrying pouch.

Designed for professional monitoring and mixing, these studiophones feature a collapsible design for space-saving portability. Circumaural ear pieces swivel 180 degrees for easy one-ear monitoring, and luxuriously padded ear cushions create an outstanding seal, for maximum isolation.

The adjustable headband is also padded, for ultimate comfort during long mixing sessions. A coiled cable at the left earpiece terminates to a gold-plated mini-plug.

Audio-Technica’s driver technology and solid components deliver great power handling. Very high SPL capabilities join clarity of sound, with deep, accurate bass, and outstanding high-frequency extension. The headphones feature proprietary, 45 mm large-aperture drivers with neodymium magnet systems for ultra-efficient signal transfer.

Included are a screw-on 1/4-inch adapter and a handy carrying pouch to protect the folded-up phones.

ATH-M50 Specifications

Type:	Closed-back dynamic
Driver Diameter:	45 mm
Magnet:	Neodymium
Voice Coil:	CCAW (Copper-clad aluminum wire)
Frequency Response:	15 - 28,000 Hz
Maximum Input Power:	1,600 mW at 1 kHz
Sensitivity:	99 dB
Impedance:	38 ohms
Weight:	284 g (10 oz) without cable and connector
Cable:	1.2 - 3.0 m (3.9' - 9.8') Coiled, OFC litz wire
Connectorr:	Gold-plated stereo 1/8" (3.5 mm) connector with strain relief and professional screw-on 1/4" (6.3 mm) adapter

What's in the Box

ATH-M50 Headphones, 1/4-Inch Adapter, Protective Pouch

Product Description

With the ATH-M50 professional studio monitor headphones, Audio-Technica has achieved an exceptionally accurate response and long-wearing listening comfort. Designed especially for professional monitoring and mixing, these studiophones feature an efficient collapsible design for space-saving portability and storage. Circumaural ear pieces swivel 180� for easy one-ear monitoring and luxuriously padded ear cushions create an outstanding seal for maximum isolation. The adjustable headband is generously padded for ultimate comfort during long mixing sessions. A coiled cable at the left earpiece terminates to a gold-plated mini plug with included screw-on adapter.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars M50's low price have kept the audiophiles looking elsewhere ..., November 6, 2008

By 

Prem S. Lekhi "saisunil" (Forest Hills, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Audio-Technica ATH-M50 Professional Studio Monitor Headphones (Electronics)

I must admit that I am am one of those audiophiles who has been passionately reviewing headphones, cables, amps etc. to get me as close as possible to the music event recorded on the CD. I have three other headphones with exotic headphone cables - the cables alone cost more than the MSRP of ATH-M50 (just wanted to give a point of reference regarding their good value).

I definitely prefer Open vs closed headphone for the illusion that they are able to create.

But there are times when I want to isloate the external sounds or do not want to disturb others - that is where this closed headphone shines.

So what is so special about these phones and how do they compare with the more expensive audiophile phones.

- ATH-M50s are extremely balanced: the top, mids and the bottom is produced in an extremely balanced way.
- They are easy to listen to for a long period of time.
- They are comfortable.
- They are accurate and
- they are easy on the pocket.

Compared to other audiophile headphones (Senn 600/650 and AKG701)
- They are not as open sounding (these are closed headphones afterall)
- They are not as transparent, they are slightly grainy
- They are better than some more expensive audiophile phones

Also they come with 1/8" and 1/4" inch headphone jack/adaptor - so you can enjoy them straight out of the ipod or connect them to your audiophile headphone amp or your professional gear.

They are perfect for what it does!
Highly recommended - even to hard core audiophiles.

45 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ATH-M50 review: the best closed cans I've used, June 2, 2008

By 

J. hanson (California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Audio-Technica ATH-M50 Professional Studio Monitor Headphones (Electronics)

My low-end studio equipment reflects my limited recording budget, but I spend plenty of time researching and auditioning every purchase I make. I want good sound. Maybe half of my gear orders go back, but not these headphones. The ATH-M50s are easily the best closed cans I've ever used.

My trusty Senn 280s have served me well for several years, and I prefer them to the Sony 7506s and ATH-M40s that I've also auditioned in my studio. After reading a series of rave reviews (in Tape Op, Recording, etc.), I initially ordered the M50s just for comparison's sake.

I was fairly sure I'd send them back after a listen. I never did. Simply put, the M50s are the first closed cans that I feel I can trust for rough (only rough) mixing, and surprisingly, the first closed cans that make me want to listen just for enjoyment. They clearly live up the street from my old Senns, which I now use solely for tracking.

PROs
* detailed yet coherent sound that mirrors higher-end monitor speakers
* particularly impressive bass response (deep, tight) and soundstage (great imaging)
* very comfy fit, with special fake leather that seems durable and somewhat breathable

CONs
* rather short coiled cord, requiring an extension for some applications
* slightly looser fit than the Senn 280s (good or bad, depending on head size)

Speakers of any type are hard to recommend since tastes, physiology, and other equipment vary so much, but you may want to audition these if you need a pair for higher-end listening tasks. They work beautifully for me, and the price seems very reasonable for this level of quality. Couldn't be more satisfied.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very nice., April 1, 2008

By 

Mark J. Greiner (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Audio-Technica ATH-M50 Professional Studio Monitor Headphones (Electronics)

I don't have much to add to the rave review for these headphone--very comfortable, solid build, great sound--but I did want to add one thing. Because of the low impedance of these headphones, they can crank out some wicked volume. I hooked these up to my iPod and they are the loudest of anything that I've hooked up to it, including a number of higher-end buds. I can't imagine anyone being disapointed by these headphone, and I suspect that most will be thrilled.