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Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

Audio-TechnicaStudio headset

ATH-M50x

Released February 2014.1Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M50xRead 7 October 2026Japanese maker page. Release date (発売日) 2014-02-14 for ATH-M50x and ATH-M50x WH. The ProSoundWeb and Thomann sources agree on February 2014 Last checked 21 October 2026.

Form factor
Over-ear
Audio connections
Analog
Active noise cancelling
No
Battery life (claimed, max)
Not available

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General

Series
M-Series5Press articleprosoundweb.com/audio-technica-introduces-next-generation-m-series-headphonesRead 6 October 2026Audio-Technica has remastered its M-Series line of professional monitor headphones
Model numbers
ATH-M50x, ATH-M50xWH, ATH-M50xBB, ATH-M50xMG1Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M50xRead 7 October 2026Model numbers ATH-M50x and ATH-M50x WH. The maker writes the white model with a space. The US launch release writes ATH-M50xWH2Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M50xMGRead 6 October 2026ATH-M50xMG is a limited matte grey colour model (限定カラーモデル) with the same specification table as ATH-M50x. Japanese release date 2016-02-193Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M50xBBRead 6 October 2026ATH-M50xBB is a limited production model in metallic blue with matte black, with the same specification table as ATH-M50x. Japanese release date 2018-04-13. No JAN code is published
GTIN / EAN
4961310125431, 4961310125455, 49613101334501Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M50xRead 7 October 2026JAN codes 4961310125431 (ATH-M50x) and 4961310125455 (ATH-M50x WH)2Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M50xMGRead 6 October 2026The JAN code is published as T4961310133450. The leading T is not part of an EAN-13. The remaining 13 digits have a valid check digit
Announced
January 20149Press articlemusicradar.com/news/tech/namm-2014-audio-technica-reveals-new-m-series-headphones-591670Read 7 October 2026January 2014. Article published January 23 reproduces the maker launch release dated January 20. The month is stored because other January previews predate the release date.
Status
Available1Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M50xRead 7 October 2026Both colours are buyable in the maker's Japanese online store on the access date7Retailer pagemusiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/audio-technica-ath-m50x-closed-back-studio-monitoring-headphonesRead 6 October 2026In stock in the US store on the access date
Predecessor
Not available
Successor
Not available
Launch price (US)
$2395Press articleprosoundweb.com/audio-technica-introduces-next-generation-m-series-headphonesRead 6 October 2026U.S. MSRP: ATH-M50x $239 and ATH-M50xWH $239. Street prices were lower
Launch price (EU)
Not available
Markets
JP, US1Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M50xRead 7 October 2026Sold in the maker's Japanese online store5Press articleprosoundweb.com/audio-technica-introduces-next-generation-m-series-headphonesRead 6 October 2026U.S. MSRP published for the launch7Retailer pagemusiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/audio-technica-ath-m50x-closed-back-studio-monitoring-headphonesRead 6 October 2026US store
Colours
Black, White7Retailer pagemusiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/audio-technica-ath-m50x-closed-back-studio-monitoring-headphonesRead 6 October 2026Colour options Black and White. The maker's Japanese page names the white model WH (ホワイト)
Segment
Studio1Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M50xRead 7 October 2026Product category: Professional monitor headphones (プロフェッショナルモニターヘッドホン)

Design

Form factor
Over-ear6Retailer pagethomannmusic.com/audio_technica_ath_m50_x.htmRead 6 October 2026Circumaural. Design: Over-Ear8Reviewsoundguys.com/audio-technica-ath-m50x-592Read 7 October 2026Reviewed under Over-ear headphones
Ear cup enclosure
Closed1Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M50xRead 7 October 2026Type: closed dynamic (密閉ダイナミック型)
Wearing style
Headband8Reviewsoundguys.com/audio-technica-ath-m50x-592Read 7 October 2026Metal notched headband adjustments with hinges for folding and fit
Folding
Flat and inward1Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M50xRead 7 October 2026Folding mechanism (折りたたみ機構) and a 90 degree reversible monitor mechanism. Gallery images are captioned as folded. SoundGuys describes both movements8Reviewsoundguys.com/audio-technica-ath-m50x-592Read 7 October 2026You can flip the closed-back ear cups 90 degrees in either direction from neutral, and the arms articulate to fold it down
Swivelling ear cups
Yes1Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M50xRead 7 October 2026Ear cups turn 90 degrees front and back for one-ear monitoring (前後90度の反転モニター機構)
RGB lighting
Not available
Lighting zones
Not available

Drivers and sound

Driver type
Dynamic1Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M50xRead 7 October 2026Type: closed dynamic
Driver size
45mm1Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M50xRead 7 October 2026Driver: 45 mm, CCAW voice coil
Drivers per side
111Reviewifixit.com/Teardown/Audio-Technica+ATH-M50x+Teardown/135646Read 7 October 2026Complete speaker disassembly in steps 2 and 3 removes one speaker. Step 4 repeats those steps for the other earpiece. No extra sound transducer is listed.
Diaphragm material
Not available
Magnet
Neodymium6Retailer pagethomannmusic.com/audio_technica_ath_m50_x.htmRead 6 October 202645 mm driver with neodymium magnet system and CCAW voice coils
Frequency response (wired or passive)
Min15 HzMax28 kHz1Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M50xRead 7 October 2026
Wireless audio transmission band
Not available
Impedance (passive when specified)
38Ω1Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M50xRead 7 October 2026
Sensitivity (passive when specified)
99dB1Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M50xRead 7 October 2026Output sound pressure level: 99 dB/mW
Sensitivity reference
Per 1 mW1Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M50xRead 7 October 2026Published as 99 dB/mW
THD (claimed)
Not available
Max input power
1,600mW1Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M50xRead 7 October 2026Maximum input: 1,600 mW10Maker spec sheet (PDF)docs.audio-technica.com/eu/DOC_ATH-M20x_30x_40x_50x.pdfRead 7 October 2026PDF page 7: 1600 mW at 1 kHz. The existing value is unchanged.
Max digital audio sample rate
Not available
Max digital audio bit depth
Not available
DAC
Not available
Personalised sound
Not available
Onboard EQ
Not available
Custom EQ bands
Not available
EQ presets
Not available
Volume limit
Not available

Spatial audio

Spatial audio support
Immerse Virtual Studio1Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M50xRead 7 October 2026Supports the Immerse Virtual Studio VST plug-in for compatible DAW software. Host processing simulates studio monitor sound fields. It is not onboard processing or a bundled paid licence.
Spatial audio licence included
Not available
Head tracking
Not available

Noise cancelling

Active noise cancelling
No8Reviewsoundguys.com/audio-technica-ath-m50x-592Read 7 October 2026Passive isolation only, without active noise cancelling
ANC type
Not available
ANC microphones
Not available
Adaptive ANC
Not available
ANC levels
Not available
ANC attenuation (claimed)
Not available
Transparency mode
Not available
Adjustable transparency
Not available
Conversation detection
Not available
Wind noise reduction
Not available

Measured

Frequency response notes
Follows the SoundGuys house curve fairly closely. Less bass below 100 Hz with a roll-off below 40 Hz. A slight dip at 300 to 400 Hz, about 3 dB less at 3 kHz and a notch at 6 kHz.8Reviewsoundguys.com/audio-technica-ath-m50x-592Read 7 October 2026SoundGuys measurement against its house curve. Review updated 2024-08-06
Bass amount
0dB13Measurementrtings.com/headphones/reviews/audio-technica/ath-m50xRead 10 October 2026Test bench 2.3. Public featured result Bass Amount: Balanced (0 dB), relative to the RTINGS target curve, as shown in whole dB. Detailed numeric results are behind the RTINGS paywall and were not used
Treble amount
0dB13Measurementrtings.com/headphones/reviews/audio-technica/ath-m50xRead 10 October 2026Test bench 2.3. Public featured result Treble Amount: Balanced (0 dB), relative to the RTINGS target curve, as shown in whole dB. Detailed treble sub-band results are behind the RTINGS paywall and were not used
Deviation from target
Not available
Consistency between fittings
Not available
Harmonic distortion
Not available
Sound leakage
Not available
Measured noise isolation
Not available
Noise isolation (measured, best)
Not available
Passive isolation (measured)
Not available
Mic quality notes
Not available
Mic low-frequency extension
Not available
Mic high-frequency extension
Not available
Mic speech-to-noise ratio
Not available
Measured latency
Not available
Bluetooth latency (measured, worst)
Not available
2.4 GHz latency (measured, worst)
Not available
Measured battery life
Not available
Battery life (measured, max)
Not available
Clamping force
Not available
Weight (measured)
Not available

Microphone

Microphone
None8Reviewsoundguys.com/audio-technica-ath-m50x-592Read 7 October 2026No microphone. The review points to the ATH-M50xBT2 for its included mic system and to other headsets if a mic is needed
Microphone element
Not available
Microphone pickup pattern
Not available
Voice microphones
Not available
Total microphones
Not available
Mic frequency response
Not available
Mic sensitivity
Not available
Mic signal-to-noise
Not available
Mic sample rate
Not available
Mic noise reduction
Not available
Flip to mute
Not available
Mute button
Not available
Mute indicator
Not available
Sidetone
Not available
Adjustable sidetone
Not available
Foam microphone windscreen
Not available

Connectivity

Audio connections
Analog8Reviewsoundguys.com/audio-technica-ath-m50x-592Read 7 October 2026Strictly wired, terminates in a 3.5 mm headphone jack with an optional 1/4-inch adapter
Analog source plugs
3.5 mm TRS, 6.35 mm1Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M50xRead 7 October 2026Plug: 6.3 mm standard and 3.5 mm mini, gold-plated stereo 2-way plug. Stereo is read as a 3-pole TRS plug
Cable connector on headset
Proprietary1Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M50xRead 7 October 2026Detachable cables with a bayonet lock mechanism (着脱コード(バヨネット式ロック機構)). Read as a maker-specific twist-lock connector8Reviewsoundguys.com/audio-technica-ath-m50x-592Read 7 October 2026The removable cables use a proprietary connection with a twist lock
Longest included cable
3m1Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M50xRead 7 October 2026Cables: 1.2 m coiled (about 3 m extended), 3.0 m straight and 1.2 m straight. The 3.0 m straight cable is stored as the longest
Headset USB plug or port
Not available
Audio over USB-C cable
Not available
Passive wired listening
Yes8Reviewsoundguys.com/audio-technica-ath-m50x-592Read 7 October 2026This wired headset does not rely on batteries or Bluetooth
Wireless receiver
None8Reviewsoundguys.com/audio-technica-ath-m50x-592Read 7 October 2026Strictly wired, no Bluetooth or other wireless connection
Wireless receiver connector
Not available
Wireless range (claimed)
Not available
Bluetooth
Not available
Bluetooth codecs
Not available
LE Audio
Not available
Auracast
Not available
Bluetooth multipoint
Not available
Multipoint devices
Not available
Paired devices remembered
Not available
Mixes 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth audio
Not available
Fast pairing
Not available
Base station
Not available

Latency

We could not find any of these 2 fields. Show them
Low latency mode
Not available
Claimed latency
Not available

Compatibility

We could not find any of these 3 fields. Show them
Compatible platforms
Not available
Connection per platform
Not available
Official licence
Not available

Battery and charging

Battery capacity
Not available
Swappable battery
Not available
Batteries included
Not available
Claimed battery life
Not available
Battery life (claimed, max)
Not available
Battery life with ANC (claimed)
Not available
Battery life without ANC (claimed)
Not available
Charging port
None8Reviewsoundguys.com/audio-technica-ath-m50x-592Read 7 October 2026Does not rely on batteries
Full charge time
Not available
Quick charge time
Not available
Quick charge playback
Not available
Use while charging
Not available
Charging dock or stand
Not available

Controls

Controls
Not available
Volume control
None8Reviewsoundguys.com/audio-technica-ath-m50x-592Read 7 October 2026The playback controls of the ATH-M50xBT2 are not found on the ATH-M50x or any of its cables
Game and chat mix
Not available
Remappable controls
Not available
Wear detection
Not available
Voice assistant
Not available

Comfort and build

Headband type
Padded1Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M50xRead 7 October 2026New ear pad and head pad (ヘッドパッド) materials for durability
Headband material
Synthetic leather-covered padding14Reviewdjbooth.net/pro-audio/audio-technica-ath-m50xRead 21 October 2026Review: the ATH-M50x headband has soft padding underneath, covered by synthetic leather material
Frame material
Plastic and metal8Reviewsoundguys.com/audio-technica-ath-m50x-592Read 7 October 2026Mainly plastic body with metal notched headband adjustments. This describes the mixed structural construction, not the ear pad covering.
Ear cup material
Plastic8Reviewsoundguys.com/audio-technica-ath-m50x-592Read 7 October 2026Mainly plastic body with metal only in the notched headband adjustments. Matches the DJ Booth review14Reviewdjbooth.net/pro-audio/audio-technica-ath-m50xRead 21 October 2026Review of July 2014: the ear cups are plastic-framed, and the headphones are almost all plastic including the hinge and swivel points. Only the headband extenders are metal
Ear pad material
Faux leather6Retailer pagethomannmusic.com/audio_technica_ath_m50_x.htmRead 6 October 2026Earpads made of faux leather
Replaceable ear pads
Yes1Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M50xRead 7 October 2026Sold separately: replacement ear pads HP-M50x
Ear pad attachment
Stretch-over11Reviewifixit.com/Teardown/Audio-Technica+ATH-M50x+Teardown/135646Read 7 October 2026Step 1 removes the cushion compression fitting from its track. The pad perimeter stretches over the cup edge into a groove. This is not a clip or twist-lock pad mount.12Reviewmixonline.com/technology/audio-technica-ath-m-series-headphone-ear-pads-reviewRead 7 October 2026Replacement-pad installation slides the lip into the small groove on the perimeter of the cup and stretches the pad during mounting. This independently explains the original-pad compression fitting described in iFixit step 1.
Ear pad opening
Width60Height65mm(2.4 × 2.6 in)8Reviewsoundguys.com/audio-technica-ath-m50x-592Read 7 October 2026Spec table: Ear pad internal opening 65 x 60 mm. Text: about 6.5 cm x 6 cm of space around the ears. The page does not name the axes. Read as height 65 and width 60, since an ear is taller than wide. Depth is not stated
Ear tips included
Not available
Dust and water rating
Not available
User-replaceable parts
Ear pads (HP-M50x), Headband (HP-HBM50x), Coiled cable 1.2 m, Straight cable 3.0 m, Straight cable 1.2 m1Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M50xRead 7 October 2026Sold separately: replacement ear pads HP-M50x, replacement headband HP-HBM50x and all three detachable cables

Software

We could not find any of these 3 fields. Show them
Companion app
Not available
App platforms
Not available
User firmware updates
Not available

Dimensions and weight

Headset weight
285g(10.1 oz)1Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M50xRead 7 October 2026Mass without cable (質量(コード除く)): 285 g. Thomann lists 287 g and SoundGuys 283 g. The maker value is stored
Headset dimensions
Not available

Certifications

Hi-Res Audio
Not available
Communication certifications
Not available
FCC ID
Not available
Other certifications
RoHS (2011/65/EU)10Maker spec sheet (PDF)docs.audio-technica.com/eu/DOC_ATH-M20x_30x_40x_50x.pdfRead 7 October 2026Self-declaration on PDF page 9 lists RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU and EN50581:2012. This is manufacturer conformity, not independent certification.

In the box

In the box
Pouch, Detachable coiled cable 1.2 m, Detachable straight cable 3.0 m, Detachable straight cable 1.2 m, 6.3 mm adapter1Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M50xRead 7 October 2026Accessories: pouch, detachable coiled cable 1.2 m, detachable straight cables 3.0 m and 1.2 m. The 6.3 mm adapter is from Thomann6Retailer pagethomannmusic.com/audio_technica_ath_m50_x.htmRead 6 October 2026Includes 6.3 mm adaptor and bag. The page also lists Peak SPL 99 dB and Max. SPL 97 dB, which were not used
Cables included
TypeLength (m)Count
Coiled OFC litz cable, detachable, extends to about 3 m1.21
Straight OFC litz cable, detachable31
Straight OFC litz cable, detachable1.21
Source1Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M50xRead 7 October 2026OFC litz cables: 1.2 m coiled cable (about 3 m extended), 3.0 m straight cable and 1.2 m straight cable, all detachable
Carrying case
Soft1Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M50xRead 7 October 2026Accessories: pouch (ポーチ)8Reviewsoundguys.com/audio-technica-ath-m50x-592Read 7 October 2026Included vinyl cinched bag. More of a carrying pouch than a protective case

Warranty

Manufacturer warranty (source market)
1year4Owner's manualaudio-technica.co.jp/pdf/support/ATH-M20x-50x_UM.pdfRead 7 October 2026Japanese warranty certificate on PDF page 1: one year from purchase. This is Japan coverage, not a global warranty claim.

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Variants

Each variant lists only what differs from the specs above.

Model numberGTINLaunch price (US)Colours
ATH-M50x4961310125431$239Black
ATH-M50xWH4961310125455$239White
ATH-M50xBBNot availableNot availableNot available
ATH-M50xMG4961310133450Not availableNot available

Sources

We read 14 sources for this headset. The numbers match the markers in the sheet.

  1. Read 7 October 2026Backs 29 fields
  2. Read 6 October 2026Backs 3 fields
  3. Read 6 October 2026Backs 2 fields
  4. Read 7 October 2026Backs 2 fields
  5. Read 6 October 2026Backs 5 fields
  6. Read 6 October 2026Backs 5 fields
  7. Read 6 October 2026Backs 4 fields
  8. Read 7 October 2026Backs 16 fields
  9. Read 7 October 2026Backs 1 field
  10. Read 7 October 2026Backs 3 fields
  11. Read 7 October 2026Backs 2 fields
  12. Read 7 October 2026Backs 1 field
  13. Read 10 October 2026Backs 2 fields
  14. Read 21 October 2026Backs 2 fields

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