Audio-Technica R50x Review

Are you on the hunt for headphones that perfectly balance comfort, precision, and sound quality? Look no further than the Audio-Technica R50x open-back headphones. Audio-Techina adds the R50x to their new lineup of open-back mixing headphones, which also included the new R70xa. Designed for audiophiles and mixing professionals alike, these headphones deliver an exceptional auditory experience wrapped in a lightweight and comfortable frame. Let’s dive deep into the features, sound performance, and overall user experience of the R50x, ensuring you have all the information you need to decide if they’re the right fit for your audio needs.

What You Get

  • R50x open-back headphones
  • Detachable cable (3.0 m (9.8′) / 3.5 mm (1/8″) gold-plated stereo mini-plug)
  • Detachable cable (1.2 m (3.9′) / 3.5 mm (1/8″) gold-plated stereo mini-plug)
  • 6.3 mm (1/4″) stereo adapter
  • Pouch

R50x headband

Look & Feel

The R series headphones from Audio-Technica have one thing in common. Their builds are extremely lightweight and use very thin materials. With the R50x you get one of the lightest over-ear headphones around, with an almost weightless feel. While the basic frame of the headphones is light, it should be noted that the R50x doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy. Everything about Audio-Technica’s build for the R50x seems well-supported. It’s flexible and easy to adjust, with great padding that brings that extra firmness to the fit. These are some of the mt comfortable mixing headphones I’ve worn, with multiple hours going by without any sense of fatigue.

R50x above

Design

Audio-Technica gives the R50x a 45mm dynamic driver. It prioritizes unrestricted airflow throughout the transducer, with a fast transient response that is uncompromised by distortion.

Frequency Response 5 to 40,000 Hz
Maximum Input Power 1,600 mW
Sensitivity 93.3 dB/mW
Impedance 50 ohms

R50x side

Soundstage

While you’re not going to hear the widest dimensional soundstage and imaging with the R50x, it’s still impeccably accurate. Its precision is an immense highlight of the R50x, with its soundstage and spatial imaging able to showcase instruments and effects with strict positions. Everything in the mix appears incredibly grounded and realistic, like a flat plain of sound that is being performed directly in front of you. Certain elements can feel a bit narrow in scale, but the channel separation helps establish clear layers that fold over each other with great articulation. You might not feel totally immersed by this soundstage, but the presentation is more than reliable for a studio headphone. Its display is linear, but the sound still has a depth that presents the instruments naturally across the mix. It does its job of making all the elements easy to localize, while also providing a large headspace for casual immersion.

Low End

Those looking for clear and balanced bass notes will find the R50x to be a great utility. On a pure enjoyment level, the R50x has enough transparency to offer a basic level of bass extension, but it rarely punches down hard. What you do get though, is high articulation from individual bass notes. This response makes them easy to asses when mixing, and it provides a clean path for the sound signature to breathe without stuffing the frequency response with too much resonance. It takes away some lift from the sub-bass, and altogether it never feels like the lows have a lot of weight to them. At times, the bass detail creates a sense of subtle vibration, like the notes are pooling around your jaw. This is the most texture you’ll get from the bass, as the rest of the timbre is mostly neutral.

Mids

One of the best aspects of the R50x is its midrange response. It shows the most character in the sound signature, mostly due to its quick transient response. Individual notes from instruments have a finesse to them that establishes articulation and clarity within the mids that feel lush. Everything has a natural energy to it, sustaining detailed sound elements with plenty of roominess. Vocals appear lifelike, establishing a forward prominence that feels balanced with the organic tone of the midrange frequencies. With the amount of space given to them, the mids feature the most scale out of any other range of frequency. There’s a real weight to notes, and when the music starts to crescendo, the effects is pretty immense for a headphone of this caliber.

Highs

The highs on the R50x have a presence to them, but the detail is very subtle. Certain high-end frequency elements have a nice ring to them, containing light sparkle and height. There’s almost no brightness to these elements, which is good for general enjoyment, but it can cause the highs to lack energy. This won’t be a dealbreaker for a lot of listeners though, even those looking for a mixing headphone. The frequency content is very evenly dispersed throughout the response, and it gives the highs enough form to judge on a technical level.

Summary

The Audio-Technica R50x open-back headphones stand out in the crowded market of audio equipment, offering a blend of comfort and professionalism that’s hard to beat. With their remarkable clarity and well-balanced sound signature, these headphones are ideal for both mixing and casual listening. While they may not deliver the most immersive soundstage or bass-heavy experience, the R50x shines in its midrange performance and detailed articulation. If you’re searching for reliable headphones that prioritize precision without compromising comfort, the R50x is certainly worth considering.

Pros Cons
  • Accurate imaging
  • Clear bass notes
  • Detailed mids
  • Balanced highs
  • Lightweight design
  • Comfortable padding
  • Price
  • None

The Audio-Technica R50x is available at Audio46.

Compare the ranking of various headphones, earbuds and in-ear monitors using our tools.

Discuss this, and much more, over on our forum.

---
MAJORHIFI may receive commissions from retail offers.
Previous articleFinal Audio S4000 Vs E5000 Comparison Review
Next articleMoondrop Kadenz vs. Meze Alba Comparison Review
Alex Schiffer
Alex S. is a sound designer and voice-over artist who has worked in film, commercials, and podcasts. He loves horror movies and emo music.