Audio-Technica’s M50 headphones are a standard feature
in many studios, but you asked for more, and AT answered that call by adding an
x to M. Andy Jones does the can-can…
Last month we reviewed the entry-level set of headphones in Audio-Technica’s
new range –the ATH-M20x, which scored a very good 8/10 and our Value Award. To be
honest, though, it’s the ATH-M50x that we’ve been looking forward to more as
this is a re-imagining of one of the most popular studio headphones, the ATH-M50.
And when I say re-imagining, what I mean is that AT hasn’t totally redesigned
them from the ground up –why do that with such a successful product? – but
instead kept the best bits and added what you’ve asked for.
Audio-Technica’s
M50 headphones are a standard feature in many studios.
Detachable cables were a big ask and you get three of them:
a 3m straight, 1.2m straight and a 1.2m coiled, my personal favourite for
studio use. (I’m one of these people who clumsily gets cables tangled together
in any situation, so having one that coils in on itself, keeping away from all
other studio devices, cups of tea – OK, cans ofbeer – and other cables is a
godsend.)
Next up are 90-degree swivelling earcups for one-cup
monitoring or DJ’ing, plus what AT describes as ‘circumaural design contours…
for excellent sound isolation’. So whilethese aren’t active noise-cancelling headphones,
they certainly do a good job of excluding a lot of it. As I type this Ican just
make out my tap-tapping onthe keyboard and the annoying,yapping dog next door
has become less of a future dog murder victim. The’phones themselves have 45mm large-aperture
drivers that deliver a15Hz to 28,000Hz range and – this is where AT has been
wise – ‘the same coveted sonic signature.’
Detachable cables
were a big ask and you get three of them: a 3m straight, 1.2m straight and a
1.2m coiled, my personal favourite for studio use.
Add x to excellent
Let’s check this signature out. First up, acouple of mixes
I’m working on – kind of ambient house stuff with lots of deep basses, heavy
kicks, pads and strings.These tracks were mixed on Unity AudioRocks and the
M50xs tell me I did apretty good job with a great set of monitors. The
arrangement sounds lush, deep and very wide. Initially on one of the bass parts
I hear a very slighttingling, almost a buzz, so at first I think it’s a very
slight fault in the ’phones. However, what they’ve actually picked up is some
very slight distortion on one of the bass parts. On closer inspection in Logic
I see that this part is just very slightly hitting the red, so I notch it down…
buzz off. Impressive stuff.
On to some different tracks and a quick blast of
Modeselektor – some of the best-produced music, in my opinion– and I’m hearing
detail I’ve not heard through my Bose headphones(especially down at the bass
end, which is strong but not overwhelming). Again,the stereo spread is
astonishing and I’m starting to realise why these ’phones have such a good rep
with mix engineers as I’m hearing new life in music I thought I knew well. I’d
mix on these any day.
Some more delicate, more acoustic music is in order and I
turn to Talk Talk’s I Believe In You, the same track I played through my Rocks
when auditioning them. Not only did it make my arm hairs raise but my leg hairs,
too, at the time– yes, the very reason I plumped for the Rocks. So do I get the
same reaction using these? Oh yes…
90-degree
swivelling earcups.
On to some of my old 80s favourites and Uncertain Smile from
The The is next, and these ’phones are so honest that they pick up hiss in the
intro I’ve not heard before as noticeably. OK, so sometimes things can be a bit
too clever by half…
If ever you want a set of headphones to use late at night
listening to your best music, these will have you in tears in seconds. But,
more importantly, for producers they will enable you to produce such music in
the first place.They’re accurate, practical, sound excellent and will have you
fixing bits of your mix that you thought didn’t need fixing. I also had them on
the entire time while writing this review and the Cantus review and experienced
no discomfort whatsoever. Superb.
Verdict
Excellent sound quality, Exceptionally honest, Great value,
Great for mixing your music and for listening to everyone else’s.
The colour of the limited edition brown/blue ones may not be
to everyone’s taste.
They take what some see as an industry standard up a notch.
These are among the best headphones you can get for your studio.
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Specifications
·
Type: closed-back dynamic ·
Driver diameter: 45mm ·
Frequency response: 15–28,000Hz ·
Max input power: 1,600mW ·
Impedance: 38 ohms ·
Weight: 284g ·
Cables: 1.2m & 3m straight, 1.2m coiled
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