After I heard about 20 years with a (or more precisely, a total of 3 or 4) Koss PortaPro (bass-driven cheap headphones with good value for money), I realized slowly its weaknesses in mids and highs. Even a Sennheiser CX 300 at an old iPod Nano brought more compelling midrange and treble to light than the Koss PortaPro. This was the reason to look for better audio device. After reading many forums and reviews on Amazon I ended up at the Audio Technica ATH-m50x, the appear of me with his emphasis on the bass as a greater follower of my Koss PortaPro. Well, he is also. It soon became apparent that iPod Nano - are not appropriate and an onboard sound card to operate the ATH-m50x properly - either with or without headphone amplifier. The two abovementioned FiiO devices were needed, with which I am quite happy. The MP3 collection medium quality had to be replaced by Lossless files or at least the highest quality MP3s, which took some time to complete.
But now at last the ATH-m50x.
Appearances:
The criticized by some reviewers high pressure provides for me is not a problem, because it stands out noticeably subsides after a few days and will not be uncomfortable. I wear glasses and do not feel the headset nevertheless unpleasant. Only strong movements lead to the creaking of the earpads. Headbanging with up setter glasses so you should leave rather stay. ;-) Warm ears can be closed due to the construction can not be avoided, for it protects very well against noise from the outside. The ATH-m50x looks just like plastic, but it includes a guide rail made of metal that works well. Overall, he is very sturdy and the bowls can be folded on the go. Remarkable are the three supplied cable (short and long straight cable and a spiral cable). The oval ear pads are large enough with an inner diameter of about 6x5 cm even for rather large ears.
The Sound:
The ATH-m50x is certainly not neutral and really for audiophiles it is therefore not suitable. Bass and treble are lifted noticeably (classical "bathtub"). The centers (and also some of the bass), in contrast, is reset. In my copy of the ATH-m50x the peak at 10kHz is quite pronounced, which is otherwise rather reputed predecessor ATH-M50 with its other ear pads. Some performers (eg when love Alizee with her slight S-error) may thus already have a tendency to hiss and so become a problem, the "S". Although the centers are reset, they dissolve in this price range on relatively well. The highs are clear, the bass come crisp, but could be a bit more differentiated. The headset is tuned fairly aggressively in sum, can super push and thus make proper fun! The "bathtub" unfortunately reduces basically quite good midrange clarity. After the initial euphoria had passed, I therefore soon began tinkering on the equalizer. On computer WinAmp had to be replaced by the player AIMP, which offered more possibilities with a 18-band equalizer. The peak at 10kHz would eventually be reduced, as well as the bass. But the biggest shortcoming ATH-m50x is its virtually complete lack of stage. This manifests itself not only in classical and jazz noticeable, but in part also in other musical genres. Atmospheric rock operas such as "I'd Do Anything For Love" by Meat Loaf or "Wind Of Change" by the Scorpions get away with it practically impossible to bear. Overall, the ATH-m50x nevertheless well suited for pop, rock, blues and most electronic music. With its aggressive tuning it is hardly for really long listening sessions.
Overall I give the ATH-m50x yet least 4 stars, because there is no better closed headphones in this price range in my opinion. Other basstonte headphones in particular the families of Monster and Beats - the way to much more expensive Beats by Dr. Dre - it beats them all. Of this I was able to convince through broad Preview in recent months. I myself am ultimately a higher price class landed at Focal Spirit Classic, the sound plays in a different league and you can just listen to just fascinated for hours! The ATH-m50x I use only the go.
Differences ATH-m50x vs. ATH-M50:
Although the manufacturer claims, the inner workings of the two headphones is the same, it is reported in some Internet forums, the 10 kHz peak was the ATH-m50x less pronounced than the ATH-M50. I think this is also urgently needed, because I feel the peak even when ATH-m50x sometimes uncomfortable (for orientation: I'm not a senior student with tinnitus, which does not tolerate high frequencies more!). The slight tonal difference in the heights of the two models is justified by the improved ear pads of the ATH-m50x. This will also better seal and last longer. Another major difference from the ATH-M50 is the removable, replaceable cable and two other included cable. Personally, I would therefore draw as despite the currently partly large price difference rather back to the m50x to M50.
