There is a common saying within the South that goes, “If it ain’t broke, do not repair it.” Primarily, why change one thing that is completely tremendous the way in which it’s? This saying is definitely the mantra of Audio-Technica’s well-respected M-Collection headphones, the most recent within the line being the ATH-M50xBT2 wi-fi headphones.
I am certain you may agree that the product title is a mouthful, so, for comfort, I am going to confer with them because the M50x2 headphones.
Additionally: These prime headphones ship impeccable sound and all-day consolation
In case you’re unfamiliar with Audio-Technica, the corporate’s audio merchandise have been a go-to alternative for professionals for many years. You may see Audio-Technica headphones on the ears of podcasters, skilled musicians, and even informal listeners right here and there.
Audio-Technica’s new M50x2 headphones promise improved battery life, Bluetooth connectivity, and inner audio elements that ought to ship a greater sound than ever earlier than. I examined them to see if that each one holds true.
ZDNET RECOMMENDS
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 wi-fi headphones
Audio-Technica’s newest M-Collection headphones ship studio-quality sound with out compromising your battery with ANC.
I will not bury the lede: The M50x2 headphones sound very good. They’ve a transparent, well-balanced sound that is not too heavy on the bass, mids, or treble. And within the Audio-Technica Join app, you’ll be able to set customized EQ settings and toy round with the headphones’ sound.
Additionally: These $350 headphones allowed me to listen to issues I would by no means heard earlier than
Like different professional-grade headphones, you’ll be able to management the M50x2 by the hertz, and the Audio-Technica Join app has a formidable vary of ranges so that you can mess around with.
When listening to Neon by John Mayer, I might clearly hear Mayer’s harmonies and one in all his most well-known guitar riffs interprets superbly by way of the M50x2’s 45mm dynamic drivers.
Moreover, you’ll be able to entry a number of codecs with these headphones, solidifying their goal for stylish listeners. Your choices are AAC, SBC, LDAC, and low-latency mode for video and gaming. And must you need probably the most lossless audio type, these headphones include a 3.5mm headphone jack for higher-quality listening, or to maintain the jam sesh going while you’re low on battery.
The M50x2 headphones do not have energetic noise cancelation (ANC), a characteristic that may considerably eat away at battery life. Because of this, Audio-Technica says you may squeeze out about 50 hours of playtime. I bought about 10 additional hours than that, which I used to be tremendous jazzed about.
Additionally: Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones: The proper headphones for all-day listening
Actually, the shortage of ANC does not essentially imply you may hear each noise and sound that is occurring round you. The M50x2 headphones have a 45mm driver that sits inside vinyl ear cups, making a tightly sealed match round your ears, which makes up for having the ANC omission.
However the tight match can grow to be uncomfortable after just a few hours of wear and tear, so you may want loads of breaks earlier than the battery provides up on you.
Design-wise, I like how the M50x2 headphones embrace a conventional, retro design and deviate from the trendy, futuristic headphone design that is typical in trendy cans. Many new headphones take after Sony’s ultra-modern design decisions on its flagship WH-series cans, choosing a muted, uniform look.
However the flashy logos on the headscarf and ear cups of the M50x2 will make you stand out from the group, and make sure you appear to be you realize a factor or two about music. One final be aware: I hoped for a tough shell carrying case, given the headphones’ $200 value level. As an alternative, Audio-Technica provides a polyurethane leather-based pouch to retailer your headphones, which isn’t excellent however higher than nothing.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
For $200, you may get a pair of headphones with comparable sound high quality to different high-end professional-level headphones, such because the Sennheiser Momentum 4. You may additionally miss out on the robust noise canceling present in headphones just like the Bose QuietComfort 45 or AirPods Max. But when noise canceling is just not in your precedence checklist, that is nearly as good as $200 will get you.
Additionally: The AirPods Professional 2 bought an enormous improve, they usually’re on sale proper now
Apart from that, Audio-Technica provides shoppers an easy and satisfying pair of headphones with the M50x2. They’re freed from difficult software program and over-the-top options, however they provide the identical high-quality sound that has made them a fan favourite since 2007.
You should purchase the ATH-M50xBT2 wi-fi headphones in Black for $200, and in Deep Sea and Ice Blue for $220 on Audio-Technica’s web site. Greatest but, you’ll be able to regularly discover them on Amazon at a reduced value.
