Audio-Technica M50x Monitor Headphones Black Review: The Studio Legend We Put to the Test

For years, I cycled through countless headphones, searching for that elusive “perfect” sound. It’s a journey many musicians, producers, and even serious music lovers know all too well. You start with consumer-grade headphones that scoop the mids and blast the bass, making everything sound exciting but ultimately dishonest. When you try to mix a track on them, the result is a sonic mess on any other system. It’s a frustrating, expensive cycle of trial and error. The problem isn’t just about hearing your music; it’s about *understanding* it. Without an accurate, uncoloured soundstage, you’re flying blind, unable to make critical decisions that translate from your studio to the real world. That’s why the conversation so often turns to professional monitor headphones, and one name echoes through studios and forums more than any other: the Audio-Technica M50x.

Before You Buy: A Guide to Choosing Your Next Pair of Studio Headphones

A pair of studio headphones is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for critical listening, mixing, and monitoring. Unlike consumer headphones designed to flatter music with boosted frequencies, studio monitors aim for a flat, accurate frequency response. This honesty is their greatest benefit, allowing you to hear every flaw, every nuance, and every detail precisely as it was recorded. This means you can identify a muddy bassline, harsh sibilance in a vocal, or an out-of-place reverb tail, and fix it with confidence, knowing that your mix will sound great on any system, from earbuds to a high-end car stereo.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the challenges of audio production, whether they’re a budding music producer, a podcaster editing dialogue, a DJ cueing up tracks, or a musician recording takes. They need reliability, accuracy, and comfort for long sessions. On the other hand, this type of product might not be suitable for those who primarily want features like active noise cancellation for commuting, wireless Bluetooth convenience for the gym, or a heavily stylized, bass-boosted sound for casual listening. For those users, a dedicated pair of consumer ANC or wireless headphones would be a better fit, as studio headphones prioritize wired fidelity over portable features.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Sound Signature & Accuracy: The most important factor is the frequency response. Look for headphones marketed as having a “flat” or “neutral” response. While some studio headphones, like the Audio-Technica M50x Monitor Headphones Black, have a slight and pleasing emphasis on the low-end, they maintain clarity across the spectrum, which is crucial for making informed mixing decisions. Avoid anything that boasts “extra bass” or a “v-shaped” sound signature.
• Comfort & Clamping Force: You will be wearing these for hours. Look for plush earpads, an adjustable headband, and a comfortable clamping force. Circumaural (over-ear) designs are generally preferred for both comfort and sound isolation. Some users find certain models too tight, especially with glasses, so it’s a key factor to research.
• Build Quality & Durability: A studio is a work environment, and gear gets used. Robust materials, a sturdy frame, and high-quality components are non-negotiable. Features like detachable, user-replaceable cables are a massive bonus, as the cable is often the first point of failure on any wired headphone.
• Isolation & Design (Closed-Back vs. Open-Back): Closed-back headphones, like the M50x, provide excellent sound isolation. This prevents sound from leaking out (essential when recording vocals with a microphone nearby) and blocks external noise from distracting you. Open-back headphones offer a more natural, spacious soundstage but leak sound significantly, making them unsuitable for recording and use in noisy environments.

Choosing the right pair is a foundational step in improving your audio work. It’s an investment in accuracy that pays dividends on every single project you undertake.

While the Audio-Technica M50x Monitor Headphones Black is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Unboxing a Modern Classic

The Audio-Technica M50x Monitor Headphones Black arrives in a professionally designed, no-nonsense box that immediately signals its purpose. There’s no extravagant marketing fluff; just clear specifications and a view of the product. Upon opening it, we were greeted by the headphones themselves, neatly folded into their compact form, resting inside a soft leatherette carrying pouch. Alongside them, nestled in their own compartment, were the three included cables: a 1.2m-3m coiled cable, a 3m straight cable, and a shorter 1.2m straight cable for portable use. A gold-plated 6.3mm (1/4″) screw-on adapter is also included.

Picking them up, the first thing we noticed was the build quality. While constructed primarily from a high-grade plastic, they feel dense, sturdy, and anything but cheap. The hinges and swivel points feel robust, articulating with a satisfying mechanical click that inspires confidence. The headband has a metal core, providing just the right amount of clamping force without feeling like a vice. Compared to many flashier, style-focused headphones on the market, the M50x has a utilitarian, purpose-built aesthetic that we find very appealing. It’s a tool, and it looks and feels like a very, very good one. You can see the full kit and its professional presentation here.

Deep Dive: Deconstructing the M50x’s Performance

After our initial impressions, we spent over 80 hours putting the Audio-Technica M50x Monitor Headphones Black through its paces in a real-world studio environment. We used them for tracking vocals, mixing a multi-track rock song, editing podcast dialogue, and for general critical listening across a wide range of genres. This is where the M50x truly revealed why it has earned its legendary status.

Sonic Performance: The Heart of the Matter

The soul of any studio headphone is its sound, and the M50x delivers a performance that is both analytical and immensely enjoyable. At its core are the proprietary 45mm large-aperture dynamic drivers, which utilize rare earth magnets and copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils. This isn’t just marketing jargon; it translates to a fast, responsive, and incredibly detailed sound. The frequency range is specified as 15Hz to 28,000Hz, and our listening tests confirmed this impressive extension at both ends of the spectrum.

The mids are clear and present, allowing vocals, guitars, and synths to sit distinctly in the mix without becoming muddy or crowded. The highs are crisp and detailed without ever becoming harsh or sibilant, which is a common failing in lesser headphones. This makes it easy to pick out the subtle decay of a reverb tail or the delicate “air” in an acoustic recording. However, the most talked-about aspect of the M50x’s sound is its low end. Some purists argue it’s not perfectly “flat,” and we would agree. There is a gentle, articulate lift in the bass and sub-bass frequencies. But crucially, this is not the bloated, undefined bass of a consumer headphone. Instead, it’s tight, punchy, and controlled. For mixing, we found this to be an advantage, as it allows you to easily define the kick drum and bass guitar relationship and ensure the low-end isn’t muddy. This was confirmed by one user with a background in music technology who noted, “These are solid build a bit bass heavy which allows you to ensure your low end is tight and defined.” For us, this balance of professional accuracy and engaging musicality is a feature that really sets it apart from sterile-sounding competitors.

Build Quality and Long-Term Durability

A studio headphone is an investment, and it needs to withstand years of heavy use. The M50x is engineered from the ground up for this purpose. The primarily plastic construction is a point of contention for some, but in our extensive use, we found it to be a rugged, high-impact material that resists scuffs and feels incredibly solid. The critical stress points—the headband adjustment sliders and the 90-degree rotating earcups—are reinforced and show no signs of weakness. This robust build is echoed in many long-term user reports. One professional who has used them daily for over eight years mentioned that only after such prolonged, heavy use was the headband beginning to show wear. That’s a testament to their longevity.

The detachable cable system is perhaps the single greatest contributor to its long-term viability. A frayed or broken cable is the death knell for most headphones, but with the M50x, it’s a simple, inexpensive replacement. The proprietary twist-and-lock mechanism ensures the cable connection is secure and won’t be accidentally yanked out during a critical take. We did note one user who had an issue with a faulty cable out of the box, and another who struggled to insert it before realising it was a twist-lock. While unfortunate, these appear to be isolated incidents, and our experience with the locking mechanism was flawless. The foldable design, allowing the earcups to tuck into the headband, makes them surprisingly portable and easy to store, a feature that travelling musicians and DJs will greatly appreciate. The fact that you get this level of durability and professional features at its price point makes the Audio-Technica M50x Monitor Headphones Black an incredible value proposition.

Comfort, Fit, and Isolation

Comfort is subjective, but for a tool you might wear for eight hours straight, it’s paramount. The M50x exerts a firm, secure clamping force. Initially, it felt quite snug, but this is by design; it ensures a proper seal around the ears for optimal bass response and sound isolation. After a brief break-in period, we found the pressure to be perfectly balanced—secure enough to stay put when you move your head, but not so tight as to cause fatigue. One user who wears glasses specifically highlighted their comfort, stating they could wear them all day “without any discomfort at all,” which is high praise and something our own glasses-wearing team members confirmed.

The circumaural earpads completely enclose the ear, providing excellent passive sound isolation. In our studio, they effectively blocked out the hum of computer fans and conversations in the room, allowing for deep focus on the mix. This isolation also prevents sound from leaking out, a critical feature for vocalists who need to hear their backing track without it bleeding into the microphone. The one common critique we share with some users is the depth of the stock earpads. For those with larger ears, they can feel a bit shallow, with the ear touching the driver grille. As one user noted, “the ear cups however is a bit on the shallow side… however there are a great selection of additional ear pads you can buy which makes this headset absolutely perfect.” This is a well-known and popular modification in the M50x community, and while it’s an extra expense, it can elevate an already comfortable headphone into the realm of all-day luxury.

What Other Users Are Saying

The online consensus for the Audio-Technica M50x Monitor Headphones Black is overwhelmingly positive, cementing its status as a beloved workhorse. Many users come from professional backgrounds, like one with a degree in commercial music who shared that in a university shootout against headphones costing upwards of £600, “the Audio Technica headphones were the overall favourite by a long way.” This speaks volumes about their performance-to-price ratio. Durability is another frequently praised aspect, with multiple reviewers noting they’ve owned their pair for three, five, or even eight-plus years of daily use with only minor wear and tear like replacing the earpads.

However, the feedback isn’t universally perfect, which provides a realistic picture. A handful of users have experienced technical faults, such as one whose left speaker died after about two and a half years of daily use. While disappointing, this seems to be an exception rather than the rule. The most common negative point relates to comfort and materials, specifically the stock earpads. Some find them too shallow, while a few have received units where the faux leather on the pads and headband was peeling or deteriorated upon arrival, suggesting potential quality control or storage issues in isolated cases. Another user found the supplied cable felt cheap and didn’t connect snugly, leading to audio cutouts. These negative experiences, though in the minority, are important to consider and highlight the importance of purchasing from a reputable source. You can read through thousands of user experiences to get the full picture.

How Does the M50x Stack Up Against the Competition?

The M50x doesn’t exist in a vacuum. The market for studio headphones is fierce, with several key competitors offering different strengths. We compared it against three popular alternatives to see where it stands.

1. Audio-Technica M30x Professional Monitor Headphones

As the M50x’s younger sibling, the M30x offers a similar design philosophy at a more budget-friendly price point. It’s tuned for highly detailed audio, featuring 40mm drivers compared to the M50x’s 45mm. In our comparison, the M30x sounds very good for its class but lacks the low-end extension and overall sonic authority of the M50x. Its build is also lighter, and it crucially lacks the detachable cable, which is a significant advantage for the M50x in terms of long-term durability. For someone on a very tight budget just starting out, the M30x is a worthy contender, but for those who can stretch their budget, the M50x represents a substantial upgrade in both sound and build quality.

2. Yamaha HPH-100 Wired Over-Ear Headphones

The Yamaha HPH-100 is aimed more at musicians practicing electronic instruments, like digital pianos or drums, rather than critical studio mixing. They provide a comfortable fit and a sound signature that is pleasing for listening, with what Yamaha describes as “quality sound and deep bass.” However, when put head-to-head with the M50x for mixing, the HPH-100’s sound is less detailed and not as neutral. The build quality, while adequate for home practice, does not feel as robust or road-ready as the M50x. These are a great choice for a musician needing a comfortable practice headphone, but for serious recording and mixing, the M50x’s accuracy and superior build make it the clear professional choice.

3. Shure SRH440A Professional Studio Headphones

The Shure SRH440A is a direct competitor to the M50x, often praised for its very neutral, flat frequency response, which may appeal to mixing purists. Its sound signature is arguably more “analytical” than the M50x, with less emphasis on the low frequencies. The design has been updated for improved comfort and a more modern look. However, the M50x often wins out on its more robust-feeling build and its slightly more engaging, powerful sound that many producers and artists find inspiring to work with. The choice between these two often comes down to preference: if you demand the flattest possible response, the Shure may be your pick. If you prefer a monitor with impeccable detail that also has a touch more low-end punch and a proven track record of durability, the M50x remains the champion.

Final Verdict: Is the Audio-Technica M50x Still the King?

After extensive testing and careful consideration, our answer is a resounding yes. The Audio-Technica M50x Monitor Headphones Black earns its legendary reputation not by being the absolute best in any single category, but by being exceptionally good in all the areas that matter. It delivers detailed, accurate, and powerful sound that works brilliantly for tracking, mixing, and critical listening. Its build quality is tough enough to survive the rigours of a professional studio for years, and its design is comfortable and practical.

While it may not have the flattest response on the market, and the stock earpads could be deeper, these are minor critiques of an otherwise outstanding package. It strikes a near-perfect balance between analytical precision and musical enjoyment, making it a tool that not only reveals flaws but also inspires creativity. For budding producers, seasoned engineers, DJs, and serious music enthusiasts looking for a headphone that delivers professional-grade performance without an astronomical price tag, the M50x remains our top recommendation. It is, quite simply, the industry standard for a reason.

If you’re ready to invest in a pair of headphones that will elevate your audio work and stand the test of time, you can check the latest price and secure your own Audio-Technica M50x here.