Audio Technica M50X

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by Poleepkwa, Mar 10, 2016.

  1. Poleepkwa

    Poleepkwa Friend

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    I currently use Sennheiser HD650 at work, but am looking for a closed can for a reasonable price. say about 250 euros to use with my Xonar Muses.

    I have tried the Focal Spirits ( all of them Spirit One, Ones S, Pro and Classic) and liked the sound very much. Could not wear them very long though, as I wear glasses and the comfort and durability was questionable. All 3 of mine developed cracks, which was replace under warranty.
    Same goes for the NAD HP50, seemed to lack punch under 100Hz, possible sealing problems. with my glasses and funny shaped on the head.
    V-Moda M100 good fun, but to much bass for classical music.
    Fidelio L2 was pretty good, but seemed bit to cold and metallic sounding. Nice open sound and tight bass though.
    Oppo 3 I have not tried, but their value proposition is very poor in Europe compared to the States, (about 573.94 dollars).

    I have not tried the ATH-M50X though and was looking at it as a next candidate. Price seems reasonable and value pretty high. Some pretty good ears like them too , (Tyll, Bob, Lachlan, etc.)
    I am not looking for something like the HD650, but something that has good dynamics and tight punchy sounds.
    Anyone here has some thoughts how these compare to those I have heard?
     
  2. MarcoGV

    MarcoGV Acquaintance

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    You ask for good dynamics and punchy sound. This leads me to the Sennheiser Amperior. Both Tyll and Lachlan, whom you mention as reviewers you respect, like the Amperior a lot. (Both also like the similar Beyerdynamic DT-1350, which I have never used.) Note, however, that the Amperior is an on-ear headphone, while the ATH-M50x is over-ear. I owned both and prefer the Amperior to the ATH-M50x. I no longer own the ATH-M50x. I still have the Amperior and use it as my nighttime headphone and my travel headphone. The Amperior almost certainly uses the same driver as the Momentum on Ear (which I also own), but it isolates much better and is more efficient. I use it directly from a Kaito KA-1102 multi-band radio, and the lowest volume setting of the KA-1102 is perfect for my nighttime listening. I realize that some contributors to this site do not like the concept of PRAT, but in case it makes sense to you, the Amperior has the highest PRAT factor of any headphones I know. I hope these personal comments help you. Good luck!
     
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2016
  3. Poleepkwa

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    Indeed! I have had HD25 aluminum for a while too. I liked the sound and the isolation, but that clamp is too much for the office, especially with glasses. I probably should have kept them though...
     
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2016
  4. Darsus

    Darsus Insatiable bowels - Member

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    M50X are pretty clampy, and even tho I liked them much more than (early) M50, I wouldn't say they are very punchy, their bass sounds kinda compressed, from what I can recall.

    People praise DT250 250ohm, but I couldn't find them here, so I can't say anything from personal expirience.

    Btw, when it comes to glasses, have you thought of flexible frame? I'm using it and have no problems (thus far with this headphones) using it.
     
  5. Poleepkwa

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    Darsus. I have now started to look for some glasses more suited to headphone listening. Flexible frames seems like a good tip.
     
  6. MarcoGV

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    Darsus and Eugene, I have a set of DT250-250. It has good synergy with my (1987 vintage) NAD 3130 amplifier, which has a high output impedance. (Too high even for 250 Ohm headphones, but still it sounds good to me!) My headphone amplifiers are not high-end ones: O2, Audioquest Dragonfly (which I use as a DAC only except when I travel), and Bravo V2 (which I rarely use). The O2 is powerful enough to drive the DT250-250, but I prefer my modded T50RP with it. This is likely to be a matter of taste and convenience. Since in my office I can use open headphones and the O2 and Bravo V2 are at the office, I use the Amperiors much more than the DT250-250, and I do not have enough experience with the DT250-250 to make a conclusive recommendation.
     
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2016
  7. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

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    DT 250 250 is crap. Do not buy it. Horrific channel imbalances and bass hiss on almost every unit with no isolation. If Beyer could actually make the headphone, it would be a nice, less resolving, closed and crappier HD 6XX but instead it's total, fetid crap.

    Try the HD 25 for a punchy closed, portable can. It has a little too much punch and not very good treble extension but clean mids and is built like a tank. You should be able to try it yourself in store in most guitar/music/audio stores. It's way better than the M50x which doesn't isolate well at all (can't be used for instrumental tracking). Maybe the HD 26 would be more comfortable for long term listening but is more expensive.
     
  8. Darsus

    Darsus Insatiable bowels - Member

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    @Psalmanazar Ahh, yes, forgot to mention awful quality control, one of the main reasons why I picked HD 580 over DT 250 250.
     
  9. Dr. Higgs

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    Never heard one personally, but the NVX XPT100 or Brainwavz HM5 seemed well regarded on Changstar for their neutrality & low cost. I've felt the HM5 pads on other phone before and they're extremely comfy.

    I can vouch for the Amperior as well, it won't come close to your HD650 in terms of SQ but it'll get the job done for portable use and is built like a tank. The downside is that it might be tough to find a new/refurbished pair of Amperiors in Europe as they've been discontinued for a while now.
     
  10. MarcoGV

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    For the record, my DT250-250 works very well: no channel imbalance or other problems. In fact, both of the Beyerdynamics I use regularly (DT250-250, DT880 Pro) work well, and I really like the sound and comfort of my DT880 Pro. (I know, it is a sample of one! :)) My (now discontinued) DTX300p broke, and it was replaced at no charge. The replacement is still in the box; I have better headphones of that kind, including of course the Amperior.
     
  11. Poleepkwa

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    I got these from Thomann as a demo. They went back. They where ok, but more of a sides step to the M-100's than anything else. Probably better to keep the M-100 for mobile use where it makes a lot of sense and look for something else for office use.
     
  12. MikeD

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    I use an old Denon D2000 for when I need a bit of isolation at work - it's not much isolation but the sound quality, I would say, is a fair bit beyond the M50x and some other suggestions. You could get a used one for 200 euros I would think. I also quite like the Beyer DT150 - which I believe is the same driver as the DT250 so perhaps prey to some of the same QC issues. Still, I've 2 of 'em with no problems. Saying that, If you weren't keen on the Dt250 it mightn't be your thing either!
     
  13. Abhishek Chowdhary

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    M50/x is anything but dynamic and tight. Bass extends low but is loose.
     
  14. MarcoGV

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    Eugene, what are "these" in your post above? (Just curious.)
     
  15. Poleepkwa

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    The ATH-M50X. Also sold the M-100....
     

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