| Audio Technica ATH-M50 Closed-Back Dynamic Monitor Headphones Details
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 ¼" adapter.
Audio-Technica’s sophisticated driver technology and superior components deliver exceptional power handling and very high SPL capabilities while maintaining clarity of sound throughout their extended range, with deep, accurate bass and outstanding high-frequency extension. The headphones feature proprietary large-aperture drivers with neodymium magnet systems for ultra-efficient signal transfer.
Audio Technica ATH-M50 Closed-Back Dynamic Monitor Headphones Features
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Exceptional audio quality for professional monitoring and mixing
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Collapsible design ideal for easy portability and convenient storage
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Proprietary 45 mm large-aperture drivers with neodymium magnet systems
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Closed-back cushioned earcup design creates an outstanding seal for maximum isolation
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Adjustable padded headband for comfort during long mixing/recording sessions
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Single-sided coiled cable terminates to gold-plated mini-plug with screw-on ¼" adapter
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Also available with straight cable as ATH-M50s
Audio Technica ATH-M50 Closed-Back Dynamic Monitor Headphones Specifications
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Type Closed-back dynamic
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Driver Diameter 45 mm
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Magnet Neodymium
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Voice Coil CCAW (Copper-clad aluminum wire)
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Frequency Response 15 - 28,000 Hz
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Maximum Input Power 1,600 mW at 1 kHz
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Sensitivity 99 dB
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Impedance 38 ohms
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Weight 284 g (10 oz) without cable and connector
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Cable 1.2 - 3.0 m (3.9' - 9.8') Coiled, OFC litz wire
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Connector Gold-plated stereo 1/8" (3.5 mm) connector with strain relief and professional screw-on 1/4" (6.3 mm) adapter
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Accessory Included Protective pouch
What People Are Saying:
"A-T has raised the bar once again, this time with the new M50 headphones, and this time they've raised it quite a bit. Already these phones are by far the favorite in our studio."
.: George Massenburg — GRAMMY-winning engineer & producer :.
“Is there anything less glamorous to talk about in the studio than headphones? Ok…apart from mic stands. Well, not any more. In fact, based on the comments of artists I’ve had try the ATH-M50 headphone, it’s the most exciting thing to come along in years. Yeah, I know…tube gear is great, and that new pre you just got is amazing. But think about this…the performance of your artist has a lot more to do with the mix they hear in the headphones than some vintage channel strip you just spent three grand on. Artists who have for years had to tolerate low-quality headphones for high-volume use simply don’t have to compromise anymore. These are fantastic-sounding headphones, period. There just isn’t anything better you can do for your artist than to give them a pair of these.”
.: Frank Filipetti — GRAMMY-winning mixer and producer :.
“I tried these phones on a few major artists and they all said, ‘WOW these are great.’ We use these phones on all our vocalists.”
.: Al Schmitt — GRAMMY-winning recording engineer and producer :.
“Although I have tried, I've never felt comfortable mixing or referencing my mixes using headphones. They have usually been too hypy, bright, bassy...and uncomfortable on my head and hot on my ears. I would try, but would only get frustrated and confused and sometimes would just not bother. Since I got my ATH-M50 headphones, I have actually enjoyed mixing and referencing with headphones. My M50 headphones are now an integral part of my process....they absolutely translate with my speakers, but most importantly, they translate to the outside world. With so many music lovers around the world listening through their headphones to iPods, and other personal portable players, it is now more important than ever to know what your work is going to sound like in the real world; with my ATH-M50 headphones, I am more confident than ever that my work will be heard the way I intended it to be heard.”
.: Ed Cherney — GRAMMY® and TEC award-winning producer/engineer :.
"The M50's seem to be winning hands-down. Everyone that's heard them won't give them back."
.: Tom Schlum — Chief Engineer | Capitol Studios :.
“I am listening to a track right now on the plane through the ATH-M50's. Pretty amazing, the bass depth, even with the ambient noise of a 737 jet engine. Bodes well for recording drums and bass in a one-room studio.”
.: Ian Moore — Singer/songwriter :.
“I've gotten used to [other industry-standard headphones]. After A-B'ing them with the ATH-M50, I found much richer bass in the A-T phones, and truer mids through highs. …Please convey my congrats to the technical staff on these fine headphones. They are a welcome addition to my studio.”
.: David Cole — Recording engineer
What We Think
"I'm not going to lie... I was quite swayed to purchase a pair of these based on the ads that Audio Technica placed when they released the ATH-M50 headphones. And why not? In the ads were glowing reviews from engineers like Al Schmitt, Ed Cherney, Frank Filipetti, and George Massenburg; three of which I had worked with in the past. Knowing their penchant for excellence in the studio, I figured that AT must have really hit on something with the ATH-M50. And having owned a pair of ATH-M40fsheadphones for years, I was confident that I would be quite pleased with the new offerings from Audio Technica. Sure enough, the ATH-M50 is a beastly pair right out of the box. Depending on your application, you may want to consider whether you want the standard pair with the coiled cable or the ATH-M50swith the straight cable. My thoughts are that if you are doing live sound or will be in a rolling chair (recording engineer) you'll probably want the standard coiled cable since you won't have the straight cable bunched up at your feet or getting coiled up in your chair's wheels. However, if you are a studio owner who needs high quality headphones for musicians in the studio or if you are a string player looking to have your own pair of headphones to take to sessions, then the ATH-M50s is the best bet for you since the cans won't be picking the distribution box up off the floor with the tension of the coiled cable.
How do they sound? Pretty danged awesome if I may say so myself. From top to bottom they are a much more exciting and dynamic headphone than the ATH-M40fs, which I find is a nice even sort-of set back sounding that isn't coming at your ears all the time. The ATH-M50 retains some of this but gives just enough "jump" to the sound to really let you feel the lows separate from the the mid-range and high frequency energy. So, when you need to know where that kick drum is, you have no trouble finding it. But I want to stress that they are not nearly as "hypey" as many other headphones are that try to give you big bottoms and sparkling highs, only to provide you with woofy-mud down low and a gaggle of ice-picks constantly jabbing your ears up high. I've done some quick comparisons for folks looking to buy a pair of headphones and when they hear my ATH-M50 headphones vs. what they were thinking about getting for about $100, they don't think twice; they ALWAYS buy the ATH-M50.
When we really look at them, it's pretty safe to say that the ATH-M50 headphones will compete against headphones costing $300 or more. Audio Technica has always provided a LOT of bang for the buck, as evidenced by their 40-series microphones (AT4050, AT4047, AT4051, AT4033, etc). These headphones are going to offer a lot to pretty much anyone involved in the creation of music, be it producers, engineers, musicians, or just serious listeners. I think that, for the studio owner, Al Schmitt's comment of “I tried these phones on a few major artists and they all said, ‘WOW these are great.’ We use these phones on all our vocalists” makes the most business sense. If the artist is inspired by the equipment that they are using, then they will perform their best and thusly associate the studio with inspiring their best work. So, I encourage you to try out a pair and see what they can do for you and your studio."
Alan Moon - Front End Audio |
