Introduction:
The M-50 is branded as a monitoring headphone, but it would also work as well as a DJ headphone. The M-50 is one of those rare headphones that are able take the strengths of different headphones, and adds more good things into the mix.
Starting from the build quality and finish, the ATH M-50 is a step nicer than most in price range.M-50 has a slightly stronger clamping force, but the combination of good pads material and good ergonomics design makes the M-50 remain very comfortable to wear.
Features:
• Closed-back Dynamic
• ø45mm Neodymium driver
• CCAW voice coil ensures wide-range response
• Outstanding seal for maximum isolation
• Adjustable padded headband for comfortable fit
• Collapsible design ideal for portability and convenient storage
Specification:
Product Name: ATH-M50
Type: Closed-back Dynamic
Driver: 45mm
Output Sound: 99d/B/mW
Freq Response: 15-28,000Hz
Max Input Power: 1600mW
Impedance: 38
Weight: 284g
Plug: 3.5mm gold-plated stereo plug
Cord: 1.2M (coiled) Max 3.0M
Contents:
1. Headphone
2. Gold plated Stereo 3.5mm Connector with Strain Relief
3. Professional Screw on 6.3 mm Adapter
4. Protective pouch
[attachment=8478:14927.attach]
[attachment=8474:14923.attach]
View attachment 15857
1.Headphone
View attachment 15851
2. Gold plated Stereo 3.5mm Connector with Strain Relief
View attachment 15855
3,4. Professional Screw on 6.3 mm Adapter ,Protective pouch
Burn in Time: Some people out there believe that electronic devices will performance at their optimal best only after running from some time<I am one being them> .So, Burn time is something like providing the particular device with certain ideal condition for a given time to reach its best .
So, the same holds good for headphones here the burn in feed being music. So, the next question is what music?. Once again many fundas and suggestion here, but I have done it my way. Just created a play list with my favorite albums and artist and played it as below
“I have given them a burn in time of about 35+hrs in 3 sets of 12 hrs each with my favorite’s music at
60-70 % of volume (Approx-4.36dB).â€
One more thing is every vendor needn’t suggest a burning time for example Ath-M50 the box doesn’t suggest any burn in time
My Experience:
What should I say? I am not claiming that they are just ordinary out of box but definitely not best for the green spent.
I would say the improvement in quality just go better and better hour by hour after some 3-4 hrs the bass got full and tight. ESP. I enjoyed it to max when listing to songs like boom boom pow<Black eyed peas>, Day n night <kid kudi>
And at the end of burn time the sound just got awesome more details as we dive
Types of files used: flac, mp3 mostly @320kbps
Using Since: 2+ Months
Input tools:
Sandisk Sansa fuze+ with latest firmware with region set to anything but N.America.
IPod touch 3g with 4.3.3 firmware
PC:foobar with WASAPI enabled
Sounds from: DEMO SOUNDS
Nuforce Demo - Sound Quality Listening Guide
Music <My favorites list>
Stereolab
Liquid Tension Experiment
Ali & Toumani
The Dillinger Escape Plan
Ar Rehaman
Kathy Perry
Lady Gaga
Beyonce
Rihanna
Trance:armadamusic, also a lot of trance this list goes on
Isolation levels: They are pretty decent as mentioned above -12dB on a Normal room .But on move like on bus, cab or train it has to reach above -4db. Unfortunately I was not able to testing on a domestic airline as had no trip during this couple of months.
In generally you won’t pick external sounds from outside in normal environment. Similarly there is no sound leak once paired with your ears
Rating: Based on price factor I would give 8.5/10
Comfort levels: Leather used on pads is of high quality +foamy so, it’s really comfortable to where for long periods, At the same time the Clamping is bit tight but comfy when u get used to it. The real con is the leather generates some heat around ear on a sunny day so you might catch sweat pretty quick.
Portability as some fear is not an issue its completely foldable cups make it easy .Once again the catch can be the Coiled cable but it’s actually a boon in disguise think of maintaining a straight cable of 3M I don’t think it s pretty easy
So, points of interest:
+ Foldable cups+ leather pouch makes it portable.
+ Quality leather used making it the most comfortable to wear for long hours
+ Coiled cable<1.2M extendable to 3M>, think of managing the 3m cable every time
+ Can be used professionally/home comes with both Adapters, No need of amplifier plays good on all well know portable player
- Clamping needs getting used to
- Catches sweat easily on a sunny day
Rating: 9/10
Sound Quality:
To check SQ at different levels I used tools listed on top. There is little discussion on net saying that sansa fuze+ has better output then iPod touch but as per my observation iPod touch 3g and sansa fuze+ are on par with each other in most cases. And as far as my reports below in different segment they are purely my personal observations and feelings, all ways need not be the same for the readers.
As far as PC is considered I used Foobar with WASAPI enabled I have also tried with some VST plug-in but not giving my opinion about that in this review
View attachment 15856
Soundstage: As I perceived is not very large but decent enough the demo sounds are used to check this and it came out with flying colors there, but when it came to more complex music the alignment of directionality is not what I exactly expected. But to say imaging has been good for the price paid. And to keep reader out the fuss I don’t think any of its Competition in the same segment (Closed-back Dynamic).Will get any better than this pair of cans. Being a closed can this is where it compromises a bit.
Rating: 7.5/10
Bass: No doubt it’s the King I am enjoying this every minute I use it. It has very Tight and punchy bass
It is something that comes very close to a full size Speakers. Enjoy the bass with a punch into your head.
The low bass is specially mastered. It’s definite that your head will dwindle in joy when hearing music from some of those like Armada Trance collections
Rating: 10/10
Mid Range: Is on balance with the bass but not exactly at its best, I did feel recessed in few songs (very few occasion’s) .But on the whole it maintains to be well Balanced. You will fall for its Astounding production of the mids when hearing the likes of Ali & Toumani...
Rating: 8.5/10
Treble: Once again it becomes a monster here. Everything comes to top notch. You will hear your every high pitch sound in detail even on full volume you won’t feel the fatigue be it that high metal, drums or whatever from likes of Option Paralysis, The Dillinger Escape plan and so on... I Bet u won’t get heated up
Rating: 9/10
On the whole this device is a Master piece and it has been ruling the Segment (within the price point) from quite some time now and no doubt it well deserves the Crown
My Conclusion:
If Music can take you high then M50 the best dope available at an unbelievably reasonable price.
From my point, I generally have very bad tendency to fall asleep when I listen to good quality music with this pair I am going to sleep within just 5 min.
Isolation at its best, Bass king, Treble is rocking, Extremely Comfy & Best in Class
So what are you waiting for ? don’t try for an excuse you will find none
On Whole my Rating would be 9/10
(To, be frankly I am nobody to speak about It. with 150+ positive reviews on the net it sings volumes
For itself)
Author: Somasekhar reddy. Karri
The M-50 is branded as a monitoring headphone, but it would also work as well as a DJ headphone. The M-50 is one of those rare headphones that are able take the strengths of different headphones, and adds more good things into the mix.
Starting from the build quality and finish, the ATH M-50 is a step nicer than most in price range.M-50 has a slightly stronger clamping force, but the combination of good pads material and good ergonomics design makes the M-50 remain very comfortable to wear.
Features:
• Closed-back Dynamic
• ø45mm Neodymium driver
• CCAW voice coil ensures wide-range response
• Outstanding seal for maximum isolation
• Adjustable padded headband for comfortable fit
• Collapsible design ideal for portability and convenient storage
Specification:
Product Name: ATH-M50
Type: Closed-back Dynamic
Driver: 45mm
Output Sound: 99d/B/mW
Freq Response: 15-28,000Hz
Max Input Power: 1600mW
Impedance: 38
Weight: 284g
Plug: 3.5mm gold-plated stereo plug
Cord: 1.2M (coiled) Max 3.0M
Contents:
1. Headphone
2. Gold plated Stereo 3.5mm Connector with Strain Relief
3. Professional Screw on 6.3 mm Adapter
4. Protective pouch
[attachment=8478:14927.attach]
[attachment=8474:14923.attach]
View attachment 15857
1.Headphone
View attachment 15851
2. Gold plated Stereo 3.5mm Connector with Strain Relief
View attachment 15855
3,4. Professional Screw on 6.3 mm Adapter ,Protective pouch
Burn in Time: Some people out there believe that electronic devices will performance at their optimal best only after running from some time<I am one being them> .So, Burn time is something like providing the particular device with certain ideal condition for a given time to reach its best .
So, the same holds good for headphones here the burn in feed being music. So, the next question is what music?. Once again many fundas and suggestion here, but I have done it my way. Just created a play list with my favorite albums and artist and played it as below
“I have given them a burn in time of about 35+hrs in 3 sets of 12 hrs each with my favorite’s music at
60-70 % of volume (Approx-4.36dB).â€
One more thing is every vendor needn’t suggest a burning time for example Ath-M50 the box doesn’t suggest any burn in time
My Experience:
What should I say? I am not claiming that they are just ordinary out of box but definitely not best for the green spent.
I would say the improvement in quality just go better and better hour by hour after some 3-4 hrs the bass got full and tight. ESP. I enjoyed it to max when listing to songs like boom boom pow<Black eyed peas>, Day n night <kid kudi>
And at the end of burn time the sound just got awesome more details as we dive
Types of files used: flac, mp3 mostly @320kbps
Using Since: 2+ Months
Input tools:
Sandisk Sansa fuze+ with latest firmware with region set to anything but N.America.
IPod touch 3g with 4.3.3 firmware
PC:foobar with WASAPI enabled
Sounds from: DEMO SOUNDS
Nuforce Demo - Sound Quality Listening Guide
Music <My favorites list>
Stereolab
Liquid Tension Experiment
Ali & Toumani
The Dillinger Escape Plan
Ar Rehaman
Kathy Perry
Lady Gaga
Beyonce
Rihanna
Trance:armadamusic, also a lot of trance this list goes on
Isolation levels: They are pretty decent as mentioned above -12dB on a Normal room .But on move like on bus, cab or train it has to reach above -4db. Unfortunately I was not able to testing on a domestic airline as had no trip during this couple of months.
In generally you won’t pick external sounds from outside in normal environment. Similarly there is no sound leak once paired with your ears
Rating: Based on price factor I would give 8.5/10
Comfort levels: Leather used on pads is of high quality +foamy so, it’s really comfortable to where for long periods, At the same time the Clamping is bit tight but comfy when u get used to it. The real con is the leather generates some heat around ear on a sunny day so you might catch sweat pretty quick.
Portability as some fear is not an issue its completely foldable cups make it easy .Once again the catch can be the Coiled cable but it’s actually a boon in disguise think of maintaining a straight cable of 3M I don’t think it s pretty easy
So, points of interest:
+ Foldable cups+ leather pouch makes it portable.
+ Quality leather used making it the most comfortable to wear for long hours
+ Coiled cable<1.2M extendable to 3M>, think of managing the 3m cable every time
+ Can be used professionally/home comes with both Adapters, No need of amplifier plays good on all well know portable player
- Clamping needs getting used to
- Catches sweat easily on a sunny day
Rating: 9/10
Sound Quality:
To check SQ at different levels I used tools listed on top. There is little discussion on net saying that sansa fuze+ has better output then iPod touch but as per my observation iPod touch 3g and sansa fuze+ are on par with each other in most cases. And as far as my reports below in different segment they are purely my personal observations and feelings, all ways need not be the same for the readers.
As far as PC is considered I used Foobar with WASAPI enabled I have also tried with some VST plug-in but not giving my opinion about that in this review
View attachment 15856
Soundstage: As I perceived is not very large but decent enough the demo sounds are used to check this and it came out with flying colors there, but when it came to more complex music the alignment of directionality is not what I exactly expected. But to say imaging has been good for the price paid. And to keep reader out the fuss I don’t think any of its Competition in the same segment (Closed-back Dynamic).Will get any better than this pair of cans. Being a closed can this is where it compromises a bit.
Rating: 7.5/10
Bass: No doubt it’s the King I am enjoying this every minute I use it. It has very Tight and punchy bass
It is something that comes very close to a full size Speakers. Enjoy the bass with a punch into your head.
The low bass is specially mastered. It’s definite that your head will dwindle in joy when hearing music from some of those like Armada Trance collections
Rating: 10/10
Mid Range: Is on balance with the bass but not exactly at its best, I did feel recessed in few songs (very few occasion’s) .But on the whole it maintains to be well Balanced. You will fall for its Astounding production of the mids when hearing the likes of Ali & Toumani...
Rating: 8.5/10
Treble: Once again it becomes a monster here. Everything comes to top notch. You will hear your every high pitch sound in detail even on full volume you won’t feel the fatigue be it that high metal, drums or whatever from likes of Option Paralysis, The Dillinger Escape plan and so on... I Bet u won’t get heated up
Rating: 9/10
On the whole this device is a Master piece and it has been ruling the Segment (within the price point) from quite some time now and no doubt it well deserves the Crown
My Conclusion:
If Music can take you high then M50 the best dope available at an unbelievably reasonable price.
From my point, I generally have very bad tendency to fall asleep when I listen to good quality music with this pair I am going to sleep within just 5 min.
Isolation at its best, Bass king, Treble is rocking, Extremely Comfy & Best in Class
So what are you waiting for ? don’t try for an excuse you will find none
On Whole my Rating would be 9/10
(To, be frankly I am nobody to speak about It. with 150+ positive reviews on the net it sings volumes
For itself)
Author: Somasekhar reddy. Karri
. Though the M50 works very well straight out a good PMP like Fuze etc , Ive noticed that it does benefit from better source like a good desktop DAC .Especially in soundstage,micro detailing and control of bass 
.
