Audio Technica ATH-M40X VS M50(X)

[FinnR730]

I got a pair of Razer Kraken’s and have decided that I really should upgrade. After much shopping around, reading threads on LTT and other forums and Googling I have narrowed my choice down to two options: Audio Technica ATH-M40X or ATH-M50(X). I listen to a variety of music and want some good all round headphones that have good build quality, are comfortable, produce good sound across all ranges and have a good base - tight and punchy but not at all overbearing. My budget is £100 ($150) TOPS but I’d rather spend a lot less than that. Unfortunately I cannot try them out before buying so any info about sound signature or anything else would be very much appreciated. Is it worth it to get the M50(X) over the M40X? Thanks in advance for any replies.

[Yawier]

I have a pair of ATH-M50 (not X) and really like them. They are comfortable for me but I find that in the summer in Australia, my ears sweat in them. There are mods however to change the ear cups to something more breathable though. In winter (now that I'm in Norway where it is cold) not so much of an issue. Sound is great too, I am no ear but I feel I got what I paid for. And one more thing. I found that the cable is a bit heavy and long (I believe that the same cable between the M50 and M50X, just that the X is detachable, correct me if I'm mistaken) so some awkwardness when trying to walk around in public with them but that could be just me. 

 

The decision is ultimately up to you, if you buy something in this range I don't think that you'll be replacing them soon and will be happy with the purchase. 

[BoredErica]

My opinion, get M40x. If you want to spend more, get DT880. And then HD650. Don't even bother going halfway.

[FinnR730]

I have a pair of ATH-M50 (not X) and really like them. They are comfortable for me but I find that in the summer in Australia, my ears sweat in them. There are mods however to change the ear cups to something more breathable though. In winter (now that I'm in Norway where it is cold) not so much of an issue. Sound is great too, I am no ear but I feel I got what I paid for. And one more thing. I found that the cable is a bit heavy and long (I believe that the same cable between the M50 and M50X, just that the X is detachable, correct me if I'm mistaken) so some awkwardness when trying to walk around in public with them but that could be just me

 

Thanks! M50 non X is available with both staright cable and coiled cable so maybe the cable weight issue might be avoidable (X vesrion comes with different removable cables). How is the headband? Some say it is not padded enough

[dizmo]

The M40x's should sound awesome, my first set of over ears was a pair of M30's and they were superb.

They lasted me a good 8 years.

Headband I imagine would be fine. I made a few 16 hour trips with them on the full time.

[FinnR730]

My opinion, get M40x. If you want to spend more, get DT880. And then HD650. Don't even bother going halfway.

 

Thanks. It is tempting to save some cash for M40X. Will definetly be an improvement over my current headphones

[FinnR730]

The M40x's should sound awesome, my first set of over ears was a pair of M30's and they were superb.

They lasted me a good 8 years.

Headband I imagine would be fine. I made a few 16 hour trips with them on the full time.

 

Ok, Thanks. Headband looks okay IMO so I will take your word for it

[Yawier]

Thanks! M50 non X is available with both staright cable and coiled cable so maybe the cable weight issue might be avoidable (X vesrion comes with different removable cables). How is the headband? Some say it is not padded enough

For me the head band is find but my hair is pretty poofy. And as for the cable, I'm sure if you just coiled it in your bag or pocket then it will be fine. Or if you are really resourceful you could mod your own cable?

[FinnR730]

For me the head band is find but my hair is pretty poofy. And as for the cable, I'm sure if you just coiled it in your bag or pocket then it will be fine. Or if you are really resourceful you could mod your own cable?

 

I guess so once again thanks for the info

[Spaggy]

I have a pair of ATH-M50 (not X) and really like them. They are comfortable for me but I find that in the summer in Australia, my ears sweat in them. There are mods however to change the ear cups to something more breathable though. In winter (now that I'm in Norway where it is cold) not so much of an issue. Sound is great too, I am no ear but I feel I got what I paid for. And one more thing. I found that the cable is a bit heavy and long (I believe that the same cable between the M50 and M50X, just that the X is detachable, correct me if I'm mistaken) so some awkwardness when trying to walk around in public with them but that could be just me. 

 

The decision is ultimately up to you, if you buy something in this range I don't think that you'll be replacing them soon and will be happy with the purchase. 

I know this is a little late but i just found the treat. I have the exact same problem with the exact same budget! 

I made a threat on the oneplus one forum : https://forums.oneplus.net/threads/headphones-i-need-help-this-is-important-for-me.297401/

I now limited my choices to only audio technica, but i dont know witch one.

Witch one did you choose and are you happy with them? 

[TheGeeker]

The m40x has a better mid range and lower price as well as being smaller. The M50x is better for bass. I went with the m40x and I am very happy. They take a few days to stretch out.

[FinnR730]

I know this is a little late but i just found the treat. I have the exact same problem with the exact same budget! 

I made a threat on the oneplus one forum : https://forums.oneplus.net/threads/headphones-i-need-help-this-is-important-for-me.297401/

I now limited my choices to only audio technica, but i dont know witch one.

Witch one did you choose and are you happy with them? 

 

I actually got the Ath-M30X on a sale and I am very pleased with them, from what I Know the M40X has a VERY balanced sound signature whilst the M50X has a little more base emphasis, whether this base emphasis reduces the sound detail is a matter of opinion

[SSL]

I actually got the Ath-M30X on a sale and I am very pleased with them, from what I Know the M40X has a VERY balanced sound signature whilst the M50X has a little more base emphasis, whether this base emphasis reduces the sound detail is a matter of opinion

 

lol why would it be a matter of opinion.

[FinnR730]

lol why would it be a matter of opinion.

 

The M50X has more base emphasis than the M40X and this is done by fine tuning the drivers, Audio Terchnica could have chosen not to give extra base emphasis but they did it cause having a little base emphasis is popular. The vast majority of headphones have some form of emphasis, (whether it is enhanced mid range or high end or again, base mephasis), however this means that other parts of the sound are recessed, for example if there is base emphasis the high end may be slightly less detailed and vice versa. I personally like to have a little base emphasis and don't feel the rest of the sound is compromised, but then some users may say "NO! It reduces the detail of the mid range and I prefer to hear the mid range so I don't like this base emphasis".

So there you have it, the sound detail can be down to opinion, although I would agree that this is not always the case, sometimes it is just a fact that X is more detailed in every way than Y but that is usually when comparing very different headphones.

[SSL]

The M50X has more base emphasis than the M40X and this is done by fine tuning the drivers, Audio Terchnica could have chosen not to give extra base emphasis but they did it cause having a little base emphasis is popular. The vast majority of headphones have some form of emphasis, (whether it is enhanced mid range or high end or again, base mephasis), however this means that other parts of the sound are recessed, for example if there is base emphasis the high end may be slightly less detailed and vice versa. I personally like to have a little base emphasis and don't feel the rest of the sound is compromised, but then some users may say "NO! It reduces the detail of the mid range and I prefer to hear the mid range so I don't like this base emphasis".

So there you have it, the sound detail can be down to opinion, although I would agree that this is not always the case, sometimes it is just a fact that X is more detailed in every way than Y but that is usually when comparing very different headphones.

 

The last line is what I was getting at; detail is detail. Good news is that the notion that boosted bass reduced detail is not always true; generally the problem occurs when the bass boost intrudes over 200Hz into the mid range - i.e. the Beats sound signature.This may be exacerbated by poor treble response but isn't necessarily directly related. Enhanced mid range is basically not done as it makes the headphone sound honky or tinny.

[FinnR730]

The last line is what I was getting at; detail is detail. Good news is that the notion that boosted bass reduced detail is not always true; generally the problem occurs when the bass boost intrudes over 200Hz into the mid range - i.e. the Beats sound signature.This may be exacerbated by poor treble response but isn't necessarily directly related. Enhanced mid range is basically not done as it makes the headphone sound honky or tinny.

 

I agree for sure. Like I mentioned I like a little base emphasis but it is soo frequently overdone by headphone manufactures, *cough* BEATS *cough*, I own (but never use) a pair of Razer Krakens and I remember first trying them on some Electronica thinking "this is great the base is really boomin" and then trying some pop music and thinking "what a piece of..." Anyways, it is a matter of fine tuning it's unfortunate that so many manufactures get it wrong.

[xtroria]

I agree for sure. Like I mentioned I like a little base emphasis but it is soo frequently overdone by headphone manufactures, *cough* BEATS *cough*, I own (but never use) a pair of Razer Krakens and I remember first trying them on some Electronica thinking "this is great the base is really boomin" and then trying some pop music and thinking "what a piece of..." Anyways, it is a matter of fine tuning it's unfortunate that so many manufactures get it wrong.

A lot of people notice good audio gear not by using the better headphone all the time, but by going back to headphones that are worse.