Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs Sony MDR-7506
Quick take: The Sony MDR-7506 costs $61 less.
| Spec | Audio-Technica ATH-M50x | Sony MDR-7506 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $159 | $98 |
| Rating | 4.7★ (27,200) | 4.7★ (26,000) |
| Type | Wired & Studio | Wired & Studio |
| Noise Cancelling | None | None |
| Battery (single charge) | — | — |
| Battery (with case) | — | — |
| Quick Charge | — | — |
| Codecs | — | — |
| Bluetooth | — | — |
| Multipoint | No | No |
| Driver Size | 45 mm | 40 mm |
| Weight | 285 g | 230 g |
| Water Resistance | — | — |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Transparency Mode | No | No |
| Spatial Audio | No | No |
| App EQ | No | No |
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
Sony MDR-7506
- ✓Broadcast-booth standard since 1991 for good reason
- ✓Any camera or phone drives it, no amp
- ✓Detail-forward sound exposes hum, sibilance, and edit points
- ✓Featherweight 230g folding frame for all-day wear
- ✓Under $100 for a genuine industry tool
- ✓Folds compact into any camera bag
- ✗Stock pads famously disintegrate into black flakes yearly
- ✗3-meter coiled cable is permanently attached
- ✗Bright treble fatigues casual listeners quickly
- ✗Zero updates in decades — no detachable-cable revision
- ✗Aftermarket pads are effectively part of the price