By One of the big debates in the audiophile world is what makes for a true high-end audio product. Some argue that any true high-end audio component needs to start with being expensive. I protest that this is bullshit. Few audiophiles started in the hobby with their own pair of Wilson WATT Puppy speakers or a stack of Mark Levinson electronics as their first system. We all started from more humble beginnings.
The Audio-Technica-ATH M50xBT2 wireless over-the-ear headphones (buy at Amazon) offers an entry point to upgraded sound at a price that nearly anybody can afford at a mere $219.These studio-styled and inspired headphones come from one of the most tried and tested consumer electronics companies when it comes to value. The Audio-Technica-ATH M50xBT2 comes packing that pro audio look and some audiophile-grade sound. That’s a pretty good jumping-off point for a low-cost audiophile product.
What Makes the Audio-Technica-ATH M50xBT2 Wireless Headphones Special?
- The Audio-Technica-ATH M50xBT2 headphones sound pretty neutral right out of the box. Most affordable headphones targeted towards more mainstream buyers tend to have that “smiley-face EQ” sound – meaning a lot of bass as well as a lot of treble. The Audio-Technica-ATH M50xBT2 headphones are much more open and balanced-sounding than I expected, and that was a big perk. These affordable headphones are more resolved and accurate than I had anticipated.
- Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2 headphones come packing 45-mm drivers. That’s big if you aren’t keeping track of wireless headphone designs. A bigger driver gives you better bass, as well as arguably a more open, accurate sound, as the driver is capable of doing more when it is a little bit bigger.
- The battery life of the Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2 is reportedly 50 hours. All of today’s headphones in this category are packing good battery life, but 50 hours might be a record. Put it this way: you can travel around the world with the Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2 headphones and not need to recharge them. In my testing, I couldn’t put a dent into the battery life of the Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2 headphones.
- The Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2 are good headphones for phone calls. Perhaps that’s not the most audiophile feature of all time but, out in the real world, you might be able to take a call when on your daily walk or at the gym. The two-mic system does a good job capturing your voice, but I am old-school, so I normally walk around Marina del Rey with my phone stuck to my ear. I need to evolve, I think.
- The Audio-Technica app, much like other headphone apps, offers more features. Change audio codecs – no problem. Wanna play with some EQ to customize your sound, that’s doable, too. Do I want another app on my phone? Absolutely no, but the Audio-Technica app packs some key features. By no means must you use the app to use the headphones. You can simply pair them up in Settings/Bluetooth on your iPhone (assuming that everybody uses an iPhone) and you are good to go.
- The Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2 headphones are light. Not all headphones in this space can make this claim, but you won’t experience a ton of fatigue from wearing the Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2 headphones, and that is a good thing.
- The ear cups are supple and comfortable. You gotta like wearing your headphones, and not everybody has the same fit, so this is a personal matter but, for me, the Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2s fit great and were super-comfortable.
Why Should You Care About the Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2 Headphones?
For the audiophile who might not be trustworthy with, say, a $999 pair of Mark Levinson 5909 headphones (buy at Crutchfield), but wants something to kick around with, the Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2 is a Goldilocks product. These are low-cost, somewhat disposable headphones that can take a licking and keep on ticking, as Timex used to say decades ago.
For Dads and Grads – this is a perfect gift and the same would go for the holidays. For the gaming or DJ-minded aspiring young audiophile, the Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2 might just be the answer to where to start their audiophile journey.
Some Things You Might Not Like About Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2 Headphones
- The Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2s are very plastic. When you double your budget, you get much nicer, more durable materials. At $219, you are getting Chinese-made plastic headphones. The plastic issue that I dealt with was the buttons, which just felt a little cheap to the touch but worked perfectly well. Note: the headphones are quite comfortable, so I am speaking more about durability than fit or sound.
- These headphones come in one color: black. The look is what the look is, and there are no Apple or Bowers & Wilkins-looking colorful or luxurious finishes. There was a “Lab Edition” of the headphones that are a little more colorful, but they were sold out when I did more research on them.
Listening to the Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2 Wireless Headphones
A gorgeous recording that is somewhat old at this point but still sounds fantastic is David Byrne’s Rei Momo. “I Don’t Want to be Part of Your World” is a layered yet spacious jam that is filled with spicy beats and flavorful musical accompaniment to a familiar voice for anyone who remembers The Talking Heads. The layering was evident and present on the Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2 wireless headphones The bass wasn’t super-low but it was engaging and present. The vibrancy of the horns was likely my favorite part of the Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2 Wireless, with this classic, fantastically-recorded track.
I liked the much bigger, glossier presentation of “Mama, I’m Coming Home” by Ozzy Osbourne while listening to the Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2 headphones. The grandeur of this Stadium Rock track had The Prince of Darkness well-centered sonically. I liked the burning guitar sound of Zakk Wylde on the song. The big vocal overdubs were fantastically over-the-top and sounded gluttonously wonderful on the Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2 headphones.
Little sonic details resolve themselves well on the Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2, the way you would expect on more pricey cans. On “It’s Too Late” by Carole King, you can hear little vibe fills that are mixed way back in the track that get lost on the radio, but not on the Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2 headphones. The early 1970s yacht rock guitar solo was tonally quite compelling, but the secondary sax and piano solos also sounded spacious and open on the Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2 headphones.
Will the Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2 Headphones Hold Their Value?
No. The Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2s will not retain much value over time, nor should they be expected to do so. For starters, they are just not designed to last forever as much as they are designed to get you a lot of performance with not a lot of frills. Moreover, the starting price of $219 doesn’t leave a lot of room for retained value. The good news is that it won’t take too long before you in invest in a component like the Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2 headphones to get your value paid back to you – and then some.
What is the Competition for the Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2 Headphones?
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 wireless headphones ($369 – buy at Crutchfield) are a good comparable with the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2s. There is a good bit of audiophile credibility and an absence of that boomy or high-frequency sizzle sound that you will find on lesser expensive headphones. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones are also a little bit no-frills, but are a little bit fancier than the Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2s, which you pay for in the difference in asking price. Read the full Sennheiser Momentum 4 over-the-ear wireless headphone review here.
The Sony WH-1000XM5s ($248 – buy at Crutchfield) are another good comparable for the Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2 headphones. They are more fashion-forward and have world-class ANC noise cancellation. The sleeker look is appealing. Both the Sony WH-1000XM5s and the Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2s are lightweight and comfortable. Read the full Sony WH-1000XM5review here.
The Bowers & Willins Px7 S3s ($479 – buy at Crutchfield) give you an even more high-end brand credibility and a much more fashion-forward package, with upgraded sonics for version 3. This all comes at double the cost, which also comes with its benefits. Read the full review of the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 headphones here.
Final Thoughts on the Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2 Headphones
There are so many ways that a pair of Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2s can do good. These headphones are a great, low-cost way to get started in the hobby and that alone is worth the price of admission. The Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2s are great gifts for people who might want a lightweight pair of headphones that can take a beating at the TSA checkpoint or at the gym, and none of us are going to shed a tear if they take a little bit of a beating.
Sonically, the Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2s punch well above their weight, which is rare at this price category but a welcome surprise. I doubt that I will want to send these headphones back, as I am sure that I can find someone to gift these to who will just love the great sound, DJ style and overall comfortable fit.
