Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
Quick take: The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x costs $40 less; only the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 supports multipoint (two devices at once).
Which one to buy
The $40 extra for the BT2 removes the cable, and owners say almost nothing else is lost. It's the same 45mm studio-monitor design, not a consumer bass tuning. Wired M50x owners talk about a punchy mid-bass bump, while BT2 owners describe tight bass and honest mids. The BT2 adds a 50-hour battery that owners say they often exceed, LDAC for Android, multipoint, and an app EQ. It also keeps detachable cables, including one with a mic, so it still works wired.
The drawbacks are small but real. The BT2 weighs 307g against 285g, and that adds to an already firm clamp. Its app EQ doesn't work over AAC, so iPhone users get the stock tuning anyway. Multipoint handoff needs a manual pause. Both have pleather pads that wear out and get replaced as routine, and neither has ANC. For studio work, the wired M50x's three cables and lack of a battery to age make it the simpler tool. For a commute or a desk without an interface, the BT2's battery and LDAC are worth the $40.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
If it'll mostly be plugged into an interface or DJ setup, and you'd rather have nothing to charge and a slightly lighter headphone.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
Best if you want the same studio sound on the go without a cord, especially with an Android phone that can use LDAC and the EQ.
| Spec | Audio-Technica ATH-M50x | Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$159 | ~$199 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Wired & Studio | Over-Ear Headphones |
| Noise Cancelling | None | None |
| Battery (single charge) | — | 50 hrs |
| Battery (with case) | — | — |
| Quick Charge | — | 10 min = 3 hr |
| Codecs | — | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth | — | 5.0 |
| Multipoint | No | Yes |
| Driver Size | 45 mm | 45 mm |
| Weight | 285 g | 307 g |
| Water Resistance | — | — |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Transparency Mode | No | No |
| Spatial Audio | No | No |
| App EQ | No | Yes |
Pros & cons
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
- ✓Runs happily from a phone dongle at 38 ohms
- ✓Legendary durability — years of backpack abuse, still working
- ✓Folds flat with three detachable cables included
- ✓Punchy tuning flatters hip-hop and electronic
- ✓Cheap replacement pads make it effectively immortal
- ✓Decade-plus default first studio headphone for a reason
- ✗Coiled cable is heavy enough to tug your head
- ✗Pleather pads run hot and flake by year two
- ✗Clamp is firm on larger heads
- ✗Mid-bass bump and forward treble aren't mixing-flat
- ✗Trails the DT 770 for long-session comfort
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
- ✓Flat-leaning, detail-rich M50x tuning that beats consumer rivals on accuracy
- ✓50 hr battery with 10 min = 3 hr rapid charge over USB-C
- ✓LDAC hi-res codec alongside AAC and SBC
- ✓Proven long-term durability with folding, swiveling metal-reinforced build
- ✓Detachable cables including a mic cable for wired listening
- ✓A-T Connect app adds EQ and a low-latency mode for video
- ✓Multipoint pairing across two devices
- ✗No ANC or transparency mode at a price where both are standard
- ✗Multipoint switching requires manually pausing the first device
- ✗Heavier 307g build with a firm studio-style clamp
- ✗Call mics struggle to reject background noise outdoors
- ✗Flat tuning can feel bass-light to listeners raised on Sony/JBL
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2: common questions
Can the M50xBT2 still be used wired in a studio?▾
Yes. It comes with detachable cables, so it can be plugged in, and owners count the wired option as a fallback for when the battery ages. For dedicated tracking, though, the plain M50x does the same job for $40 less.
Do the M50x and the M50xBT2 sound the same?▾
They're close. Both use 45mm drivers with a monitor-style tuning rather than a bass-heavy consumer one. The BT2's app EQ lets Android users adjust it, but it doesn't apply over AAC, so iPhone users hear the stock sound.