The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones have long been a staple for aspiring and semi-professional DJs, offering a compelling balance of performance and affordability-typically around $130. The headphones are now being re-examined as the company releases a limited-edition variant, the ATH-M50xENSO.A recent, month-long evaluation put the original model to the test across music listening, gaming, and approximately 20-30 hours of DJing, assessing its durability and suitability for demanding use.
Audio-Technica’s ATH-M50x headphones have long been a popular entry point for DJs, ranging from amateur and home enthusiasts to semi-professional use. Priced competitively around $130, the company positions them as versatile for “studio, gaming, and everyday use,” placing them well below its higher-end monitoring models – some of which reach upwards of $3,000 – and distinct from professional DJ headphones typically priced at $300 and above, like the Pioneer HDJ-X10 and similar options.
That positioning, however, may be precisely what makes them appealing to a broad range of users.
With the recent announcement of the limited-edition Audio-Technica ATH-M50xENSO, and despite the original model being several years old, we had the opportunity to put them to the test. Over a month, I used these headphones for music listening, gaming, and, most importantly, approximately 20-30 hours of DJing.
The ATH-M50x meets my three core requirements for headphones intended for mixing without issue. First, they are lightweight (285 grams per unit without cables; in my experience, they shouldn’t exceed 300g). Second, they are flexible and durable – the replaceable earcups are holding up well despite use, and the earcups fold 90 degrees, though not perfectly evenly, which is ideal for single-ear monitoring while DJing. Third, the included cables are robust. The headphones ship with three quality cables: a standard 1.2-meter cable, a 3-meter alternative, and a coiled cable varying between those two lengths, all with a secure locking mechanism. The inclusion of a three-meter cable might seem unusual for most DJs given typical setup distances, but it could be useful for musicians or studio producers needing extra reach.
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However, before diving into sound quality, and likely justified by the price point, the exterior materials (basic plastic) don’t leave a particularly premium impression, despite performing well during my testing period. I anticipate the earcups and headband will show wear and tear within a few months. A personal comfort issue – and one others may not experience – is that the headband tends to slide forward, especially on a well-populated head. If you’re someone who frequently nods or shakes their head to the music, I recommend trying them on in a store to ensure they don’t slip down over your eyes, disrupt a mix, or fall onto your equipment.
That said, and likely reflecting the price, the external materials don’t feel particularly high-end to the eye or touch, regardless of their performance during this testing period. I expect the earcups and headband will show signs of wear within a few months. Despite lacking active noise cancellation or other advanced features, they remain comfortable. Having used headphones with active noise cancellation, such as the JBL Tour One M3 or my older Sony WH-1000XM3, I found both the weight and fit to be very comfortable, without excessive pressure from the headband or earcups. However, they can get somewhat warm after the first two hours of use.
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Finally, the sound quality is quite good for the price. You’ll find better results from Audio-Technica itself – like the luxury of the open-back ATH-ADX7000 and its counterparts – and from competitors, but likely not at this price point. They’re a good choice as “first studio headphones” and are also recommended for DJs, provided it’s not your daily or weekly profession in a club. Why? Because the clarity is above average, they offer good separation (important for navigating mixes), and while they have a slightly colored sound with clean, but not overpowering bass (unlike the legendary Sennheiser HD 25) and somewhat uneven treble, they don’t completely kill the mid-range and vocals. The frequency response is 15-28,000 Hz, which is somewhat limited.
For all these reasons, you now know if they’re right for you. The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x remain a very good option for DJs (you shouldn’t settle for less) or for small-scale/amateur production. Comfortable, clear, practical, well-built, and offering a lot for the money.
