Building on a Legacy of Affordable Studio Monitors

The ATH-M50x is one of the most trusted studio monitors in its price bracket, serving both pros and enthusiasts who want serious sound without studio-only price tags. It builds on the legacy of the M50 with enhancements that make it more flexible and comfortable, while keeping the core audio performance that made the original famous.

At its heart are 45 mm large-aperture drivers paired with rare-earth magnets and copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils. These components give the headphones plenty of power, especially in the lows, and help maintain clarity under load. The response is wide – 5 Hz to 28 kHz – so you get rumbling sub-bass, clear highs, and everything in between.

Detachable Cables for Studio or Travel

One of the ways the M50x improves over the original M50 is with its detachable cables. In the box you get three options; a coiled cable and two straight cables of different lengths, so you can pick the one that best fits your setup, whether that’s a studio desk or a portable player. It’s a simple change that makes the headphones far easier to maintain and transport.

The closed-back, over-ear design sits fully around the ears and provides good passive noise isolation. The earcups swivel and the whole frame folds up for easy packing, making them as practical on the go as they are in the studio.

Sound-wise, the M50x is known for its strong, punchy bass balanced with clear mids and highs. That tuning makes it useful not just for tracking and mixing but also for casual listening, podcasts, or gaming where you still want detail without sacrificing low-end impact.

A Reliable Studio Standard That Doubles for Everyday Listening

Build quality is one of the M50x’s biggest strengths. The headband and earcups feel sturdy, the hinges resist wear, and the earpads offer enough cushioning for long sessions. Despite being rugged, they’re still reasonably light, and the foldable frame slips easily into a bag or case.

These are passive headphones. There’s no active noise cancelling or built-in electronics, but the closed-back design still blocks out a good amount of ambient noise. That helps you focus whether you’re mixing tracks, practicing an instrument, or just listening on a commute without battery anxiety or software to manage.

The ATH-M50x remains a go-to choice for people who want dependable, studio-quality sound at an accessible price. They combine strong build, flexible cabling, punchy yet balanced audio, and simple passive isolation into a package that works as well for home listening as for professional monitoring.