New Headphones from Audio Technica

[Baithak]

At the recent AES, Michael Grace of Grace Design put me on to these great closed end headphones from Audio Technica ATH-M50 and I have to tell you that these are best closed headphones that I have had the pleasure of using. I am currently a HD 280 user but have always found them to be a bit more laid back and flimsy (broken two head bands already).

The AT sounded very balanced (flat), with lots of lows and excellent isolation plus very, very comfortable. I have a feeling many of us are going to do a lot of our on site monitoring via these soon. At 140 US street, the price is hard to beat as well.

Baithak

[Jimbo]

Thanks for the post.

I've been interested in these since they (recently) came out.

[Sounds Great]

Yes, look at the similar thread list below.

I am really amazed with these phones. I am hearing some of my favorite records in a whole new way. Actually they aren't the most comfortable cans i.m.o, and the 1/2 coiled cord is pretty dumb, but the sound! Worth ten times the price of admission.

[Pohaku]

Originally Posted by Sounds Great

Yes, look at the similar thread list below.

I am really amazed with these phones. I am hearing some of my favorite records in a whole new way. Actually they aren't the most comfortable cans i.m.o, and the 1/2 coiled cord is pretty dumb, but the sound! Worth ten times the price of admission.

Rob,

How do you like them compared to the upscale AT phones you got a year or two ago? I remember you posting about them at the time. Jeez, just what I need, yet another set of phones for my kids to trash.

Hmmm, I just noticed that they are pretty reasonable on e-bay. Another $100 niche product.

[ttauri]

While this thread's bumped, I'll +1 that these sound really fantastic to me. Used them a bit at a live gig with a percussionist going on congas and timbales right next to me, and the isolation was really great too.

Liking that the earpads and headband are more robust than the m40s, too (that thin, filmy fabric shredded up pretty quick for me).

Peece,
T. Tauri

[Jimbo]

I'd like to hear from anyone who has compared these to the Beyer 770 Pro cans.

[Sounds Great]

Originally Posted by Pohaku

Rob,

How do you like them compared to the upscale AT phones you got a year or two ago? I remember you posting about them at the time. Jeez, just what I need, yet another set of phones for my kids to trash.

Hmmm, I just noticed that they are pretty reasonable on e-bay. Another $100 niche product.

Yes, I had the high end (import) AT's, both closed and open models. While simply stunning for their accuracy and high end detail, these (relatively) cheap M50s have it all over them for their musicality. And bass. These things are as close to sitting in front of some big ass speakers I've ever felt from a pair of headphones. Really low powerful bass without being in any way bassy. Feel free to come on over and check them out sometime. I'll play Abraxas on SACD for you.

[Jungle Jazz]

I, too, would be interested in hearing how these ATH-M50s compare to DT770s (or Sony 7506s). I've been looking for some good cans for the talent to use while tracking jazz, and I want something that sounds fairly natural and realistic. I find that jazz musicians are especially prone to altering their playing depending on what they are hearing. If the headphones are too far from reality, it can really mess things up, even if it's just a psychological response. Although, about $100/per is most I can justify if I'm going to get several sets, and these AT cans could be the perfect solution all around.

[Neruk]

Have you noticed if they leak at all? Would they be good for tracking vocals?

[Seti808]

I love them!

They feel good and don't hurt after awhile

but how will they hold up?

Does it seem that the ear piece rubber will deteriorate like
the older brother the ATHM40fs?

Wish they had a longer non coiled cable!

[Neruk]

Originally Posted by Neruk

Have you noticed if they leak at all? Would they be good for tracking vocals?

Anyone? My headphones broke and i need a new pair ASAP!

[Baithak]

Originally Posted by Neruk

Anyone? My headphones broke and i need a new pair ASAP!

Neruk: i am on the road and don't have access to my pair just now. Tomorrow I should be able to post my impression on this if someone else doesn't chime in before that. Based on the isolation that these phones provide, my guess is that leakage should be fairly low but I just want to be sure before I say that.

One thing I am sure of is that these are the first pair of phones that I have heard that are as musical as the HD 600/650s with the added advantage of being closed.

Baithak

[Sounds Great]

Originally Posted by Baithak

Neruk: i am on the road and don't have access to my pair just now. Tomorrow I should be able to post my impression on this if someone else doesn't chime in before that. Based on the isolation that these phones provide, my guess is that leakage should be fairly low but I just want to be sure before I say that.

One thing I am sure of is that these are the first pair of phones that I have heard that are as musical as the HD 600/650s with the added advantage of being closed.

Baithak

Way more musical than the HD650's to me, but I didn't really care for those.

As far as leakage for the M50's, they are fairly sealed so they should be fine. The M40's (which I also still have a couple pairs of), though not not as hi-fi, are cheaper and always did a great job for tracking phones for me.

[Neruk]

Baithak did you get a chance to check? Im about ready to pull the trigger on these headphones, but Id like to know for sure how they are for tracking vocs..

Thanks

[Baithak]

Hey Neruk:

I did check them out yesterday. Leakage is very low at reasonable listening levels but not completely quiet either. I have not been able to test this in a tracking situation with a mic etc. so I am sorry I can't give you a definitive answer. I did cross check the leakage between HD 280s that I had on hand and the M50s and there is not much to choose between the two on this front.

If you track at reasonable volumes, I don't think there will be a problem.

Good luck,
Baithak

[Jimbo]

The impedance on these cans is pretty low (38 ohms).

Has anybody had any problems using these with headphone amps that require professional, high-impedance headphones?

Thanks.

[Ty Ford]

Originally Posted by Jungle Jazz

I, too, would be interested in hearing how these ATH-M50s compare to DT770s (or Sony 7506s). I've been looking for some good cans for the talent to use while tracking jazz, and I want something that sounds fairly natural and realistic. I find that jazz musicians are especially prone to altering their playing depending on what they are hearing. If the headphones are too far from reality, it can really mess things up, even if it's just a psychological response. Although, about $100/per is most I can justify if I'm going to get several sets, and these AT cans could be the perfect solution all around.

Relative to MDR 7506

The ATH-M50; don't have the low end bump, high end lift. The AT are flatter, smoother, larger over the ears slighty than the MDR7506. Fold up the same way, are comfortable/

Regards,

Ty Ford

[Sounds Great]

Originally Posted by Ty Ford

Relative to MDR 7506

The ATH-M50; don't have the low end bump, high end lift. The AT are flatter, smoother, larger over the ears slighty than the MDR7506. Fold up the same way, are comfortable/

Regards,

Ty Ford

I think they may have a bump in the sub-sonic range. I don't know how else to explain the way they really make you feel the low end.