The m50x are some of the most bass heavy over the ear headphones i’ve ever used. ... I’ve never in my life heard someone describe those AT’s as bass light.
Mention
Headphones
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones
Best Studio Monitor Headphones
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are the benchmark closed-back studio monitor headphones — trusted by professional audio engineers, podcasters, and music producers worldwide for their reference-accurate sound and bulletproof build quality. Available on Amazon.ca (ASIN B00HVLUR86) at around $199 CAD.
19 mentions · 8 threadslast mention Jun 2026ClearPick Score
8.3 / 10
Good
Score informed by 19 owner mentions across 8 Reddit threads · see every quote ↓
6 positive8 mixed5 negative
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Best Studio Monitor Headphones
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones
~$199 CAD est. on Amazon.ca
View on Amazon.ca →Opens Amazon.ca · Affiliate link✅ Ships to Canada
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Every mention, sourced
Real comments from Reddit, linked to the original thread. Nothing paraphrased.
M50X aren’t a mixing headphone by any stretch. They’re a pretty standard *tracking* headphone though.
Complaint
I use the ATHM50x for mixing very often and sometimes exclusively. Like any other monitoring system, you have to learn them and get used to them and how things translate.
Praise
At one point years and years ago they *were* one of the better performing and more popular closed backs, and an easy recommendation for people who didn't want to spend tons of money but get something that sounds good. Now it's 2020, and there's a massive amount of competition. At this point in time, the M50X isn't considering as good of a performer *relative to the market*.
Mention
M50x are a package deal of suckitude. Uncomfortable, sounds awful, and bad hinge design. Would sooner recommend AKG K371 or K361 if you want a solid closed back headphone.
Complaint
I mixed in them for 10 years and the day I got hd650’s was the single best studio improvement I’ve ever made. The m50’s are way too hyped in exciting frequencies and they flatter everything too much. It’s a fun listening experience but it makes them slow and difficult to mix on
Comparison
The M50x isn't bad, but it is not the best - wonky in the high mids, wonky in the bass. At best, it'd be a "funner" side grade, not an upgrade.
Comparison
As someone who has owned the original M50 for well over a decade, my take is that they have excessively grainy, unpleasant highs and woolly, undefined bass, paired with particularly uncomfortable pads and a headband coated in some of the worst pleather imaginable (it will literally disintegrate and a proper replacement headband costs about $70).
Complaint
I know that this is an unpopular opinion here but I prefer M50x by a mile. I couldn't listen to rock or jazz on DT770-80 because every time a cymbal crashed my ears bled a little.
Comparison
I owned one and it's the most overhyped thing for studio. Sounds bad (the sound it makes is not even neutral, or anywhere true to life for that matter, it significantly bends voices), uncomfortable (it is tight and hot for my small head, I genuinely have no idea how ppl can wear it for hours long podcasts), and the pads flake like crazy.
Complaint
I think the M50x is the best budget headphone I ever have. Love listening my bassy music with it.
Praise
The ATH-M50x are really good monitors, I've had my pair for about 10 years now, been DJing and producing with them and they're great. But if you're looking for a pair that's mostly going to be used for listening to music you're probably going to be better served with something else.
Praise
I think the M50x have like a 10dB boost in the bass or something, maybe not as crazy but certainly one of the bassiest headphones around. They also have a bit of a high lift, making them pretty d**n scooped. I hate them, personally.
Complaint
M50s are popular in studios because they’re affordable and decent for recording. Not because they’re good for mixing
Mention
They are very high quality set of headphones *objectively speaking*. These are used in the studios a lot. Professionals (whose livelihood depend on sound, and not random internet warriors) chose them.
Praise
I just listened to these side by side yesterday actually. I like the m50x less than the d770 pro. The m50x just sounds harsh any time there's a particularly strong sound in the highs.
Comparison
They are the perfect utilitarian headphones. They are cheap, understated, can take abuse and will last for a long time. They also have the driest, most sterile, flavorless and unfun sound ever so if things sound good on them they will sound good on most other stuff (IMO).
Mention
The new default recommendation for good sounding, closed-back headphones in the same price range of the m50x is the Fiio FT1. The m50x hasn't really been a default recommendation for a while.
Comparison
Bought my pair back in 2021, they still sound great sans are super comfy. I recommend you get the perforated ear cups as the ones it comes with are less comfy. Good investment
Praise
✅ What Works
- The ATH-M50x produces reference-accurate sound that professional audio engineers, podcast producers, music producers, and studio mixers have relied on for over a decade. The frequency response is honest enough to expose problems in a mix that consumer headphones would mask.
- Three detachable cables cover every use case: the short straight cable for studio use at close proximity, the long 3m cable for distance from gear, and the coiled cable for general listening without tangles.
- Closed-back design provides passive isolation that's critical for recording sessions — prevents bleed-through from monitor headphones into microphone recordings, something open-back alternatives can't offer.
- Build quality exceeds the price point significantly — the reinforced pivot system, replaceable earpads, and replaceable cables make these a decade-long investment. Replacement parts are widely available and inexpensive.
⚠️ Worth Knowing
- These are wired-only headphones — there is no Bluetooth or wireless version of the M50x (the M50xBT2 is the wireless variant, a different product). In 2026, wired-only is a meaningful limitation for many buyers.
- The earcups use protein leather that traps heat during extended sessions — 2-3 hour listening sessions cause noticeable warmth around the ears, which can be uncomfortable in warm environments.
- There is no in-line microphone on any of the three included cables — these are listening headphones, not communication headphones. Making calls requires a separate solution.
- The bass response has a slight lift compared to true flat reference — professional engineers note this and EQ accordingly. Buyers expecting perfectly flat studio monitoring should be aware of this characteristic.
ClearPick Verdict
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is the benchmark closed-back studio headphone — the standard by which all others in the category are measured. Sound accuracy, build quality, and detachable cable versatility at $199 CAD represent exceptional value for podcasters, music producers, and home studio users. The wired-only format and heat buildup during long sessions are genuine limitations in 2026. Anyone working with audio who can accept a cable will find these the most honest and durable headphones available at the price.
