Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs ATH-M60x Headphones Review

The Audio-Technica M50x is one of the best selling headphones on the market. It’s versatile, sounds great, looks cool and is fantastic value for money. But along comes the cute M60x, and people start wondering which one to buy. How different do these two headphones sound, and which one is right for you? Let’s find out in this Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs ATH-M60x Headphones Review.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs ATH-M60x Headphones Review

FIT

Audio-Technica is good at offering a comfy fit for extended periods of use. But if you’re a mixer or sound engineer who has to wear cans all frequen’ day, I think the M60x will leave you feeling less fatigued in terms of pressure on the ears. However, for best sound isolation, go for the M50x.

DESIGN

Technical

Based on the technical specifications, you might assume that these headphones are identical. Same 45mm drivers, same frequency range, etc. But in actuality, they sound quite different. More about this below.

Portability

Of course, the obvious difference between these two headphones is the size. If you’re listening to your cans on the go, don’t necessarily jump to the on-ear M60x. Yes, they’re smaller, but they don’t fold. The over-ear M50x not only folds into a handful, but it’s far more flexible and durable. Partly designed as a DJ headphone, the M50x is meant to withstand some tossing. 

SOUND

It’s the warmth and fullness of the M50x versus the clarity and separation of the M40x.

Lows

When I first listened to the M60x, I thought, “These cans don’t have the lows of the M50x.” But that’s not entirely true. The depth of the bass is almost the same. And, on tracks with a clean bass guitar, the bass feels more present on the M60x. The difference is that the lows on the M60x are cleaner and better separated. Perhaps as a result, you get the sense (especially on rock tracks) that the lows aren’t as rich on the M60x as they are on the M50x. Certainly, the M50x is a warmer sounding headphone.

Mids

If mids are important to you, then you might want to go with the M60x. With the upper mids being more forward and clear, you’re going to feel much better detail with the M60x, especially when listening to folk or bluegrass. However, the lower mids feel warmer and more present on the M50x. Therefore, for rock, I think most people will prefer the M50x. I should also mention that the M60x can sometimes get a bit harsh in the upper mid range. So, for those of you who like to crank up the volume (careful, kids), the M50x is an easier listening experience.

Highs

I had a hard time comparing the two headphones in this range. They are pretty similar here. But the M50x seemed to be a little softer, delicate and nuanced when handling strings. Pop percussion instruments also felt a little less heavy handed on the M50x. Again, the difference is small, but the M60x might be a bit more neutral, and therefore, lacking in character when compared to the M50x.

Soundstage

For a grander, more spacious soundstage, stick with the M50x.

SUMMARY

For rock and classical, you’ll probably prefer the warmth and easy touch of the M50x. For acoustic guitars, I much preferred the M60x. It wins in terms of clarity, separation and overall accuracy. But pop and EDM were a toss-up for me.  And generally, I found the M50x to be a more relaxed listening experience.

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Audio 46: Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Headphones

Audio 46: Audio-Technica ATH-M60x Headphones

Amazon: Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones, Black

Amazon: Audio-Technica ATH-M60X Closed-Back Dynamic Monitor Headphones

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SPECIFICATIONS

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