One of the vital famend manufacturers within the audio trade, Audio Technica have pioneered manufacturing headphones that will not be solely match for skilled use but in addition convey high-end audio to the common people. The BT lineup of professional-grade ATH-M model of headphones brings an ideal stability of professional-grade audio and ease of connectivity. The most recent headphone from that lineup to point out up on the Digit Take a look at Centre is the Audio Technica ATH-M50xBT2.
We reviewed the Audio Technica ATH-M50xBT again in 2019, with the newest machine from the lineup examined by us being the Audio Technica ATH-M20xBT. Each these headphones stood out from the remainder of the headphones that we had examined. The primary motive is their positioning available in the market. Nevertheless, between the ATH-M20xBT and the ATH-M50xBT2, we get plenty of new additions, which could be an element that drives customers in the direction of and away from these headphones.
I examined all of the adjustments between the ATH-M50xBT and the ATH-M50xBT2 and likewise in contrast them to the ATH-M20xBT to see how a lot of a distinction roughly ₹10,000 brings in. Right here’s what I came upon –
Audio Technica ATH-M50xBT2 assessment – Construct and Design
The general design of the ATH-M50xBT2 is just about the identical as its predecessor. The economic design of those headphones is my and my lead reviewer, Dhriti’s favorite. For those who have been to put the outdated M50xBT and the M50xBT2 aspect by aspect, then mentioning the distinction can be actually arduous.
The largest adjustments are when it comes to the controls of the headphones. Within the ATH-M50xBT, you had a toggle change for energy, whereas on the ATH-M50xBT2, it has been changed with an everyday button. The model has added a devoted voice assistant button to the management cluster. The micro-USB charging port has been swapped out for a extra handy and higher USB-C port. And the branding on the scarf was printed on within the earlier variation of the headphones, and within the ATH-M50xBT2, it’s embossed.
The burden of the 2 gadgets stays the identical, however I seen a slight distinction within the clamping pressure of the 2 headphones. The newer ATH-M50xBT2 had a extra comfortable match on my head. My head dimension is barely on the bigger aspect, so discovering a pair of headphones that sits nicely on my head with out crushing my cranium is a little bit of a process for me all the time. However with these, I acquired the proper match that I desired. I each day drive the ATH-M50xBT, and once I switched out to the ATH-M50xBT2, I barely seen any distinction aside from the clamping pressure.
After I wore it for lengthy hours, like via a complete work day, taking calls, I skilled slight discomfort round my temple as the upper clamping pressure meant that the stem of my eyeglasses dug in. As we now have talked about quite a few occasions earlier than, the match is totally subjective, and what works or may not work for me is completely completely different from what you’d get. So, attempt it out for your self.
As for the supplies used, they proceed the pattern of the stable high quality that Audio Technica maintains throughout its product traces. The plastic used is strong, and barely grabbed any scuffs or scratches whereas I used to be utilizing the headphones. The headscarf has a metallic band layered over a plastic one, which makes it indestructible in each day use.
The cushioning is gentle and comfy, as normal. Whereas on the subject of cushioning, over the three years that the ATH-M50xBT has been right here within the Digit Take a look at Centre, the leatherette materials used on the headbands and the earcups has frayed. So, that is one thing you need to take into accout. However the earcup pads are simply replaceable and can be found on e-commerce platforms, so that you should not have to fret about it that a lot.
The swivel mechanism on the headphones is strong as normal and ensures that the headphones might be worn the best way you wish to, and also you get an amazing seal round your ears always. Due to the swivel, these headphones can
The USB-C and three.5mm ports are sturdy, and the cables sit in place with out transferring a lot.
To summarise my ideas in regards to the construct and design in a sentence – It carries the legacy nicely and won’t disappoint in the long term.
Audio Technica ATH-M50xBT2 assessment – Options
Just like the ATH-M20xBT and others within the ATH-M BT lineup of headphones, the ATH-M50xBT2 can be not heavy on options. You get Google Quick Pair help, which works like a allure on Android gadgets. So, if you’re somebody working in a studio setting and wish to rapidly take your workaround to point out it to others whereas sustaining the monitoring high quality you might have within the studio, then these headphones are for you!
The controls are intuitive and simple to make use of. The button presses have a pleasant tactile really feel to them, and each press is registered with none lag, whatever the machine I used to be related to. While you plug within the 3.5 mm cable provided with the headphones, they routinely flip off and change to AUX mode, which is one thing I’ve cherished on headphones!
There’s multi-point connection help. The help for voice assistants has been added to the ATH-M50xBT2, which was lacking on the cheaper ATH-M20xBT. Between my Apple iPhone 12 Mini and the take a look at cellphone which I used to be utilizing, the Google Pixel 6A, the voice assistant set off and the voice command pickup have been flawless for probably the most half. There have been some instances once I wanted to repeat the instructions, however that had extra to do with the microphone fitted on these headphones than the rest.
As for the app, additionally it is one thing further that you recover from the M20xBT with the ATH-M50xBT. The app is nicely performed, with the design and movement being simple to navigate. The included pentaband EQ ought to be adequate for most individuals to tune the sound signature of those headphones to their liking. You may also toggle the sidetone, L/R stability, and low latency mode (avid gamers, rejoice!) from the app. And, that is about it. Extra consumer-centric and massy headphones are likely to have a extra feature-rich app. However, these headphones would not have sufficient options solely to be added to the app. No matter is there although, is nicely applied.
There is no such thing as a ANC on the headphones, which at ₹20,000 is one thing that many would count on a pair of headphones to have. However these will not be like different headphones. These stand out in. What makes them stand out is the dearth of options. However, what they lose out right here, they make up in different elements like construct high quality, consolation, and efficiency, which we are going to discuss subsequent.
Audio Technica ATH-M50xBT2 assessment – Efficiency
By way of efficiency, it’s enterprise as normal for the ATH-M50xBT2. The sound signature isn’t fully flat, as it’s the case with many different studio-grade headphones on the market. There’s colouration within the mids and highs, which could disappoint the purists who would ideally desire a flat sound. However for the viewers that these headphones are focused at, the sound signature is well-rounded.
The bass has been neutered, so bass heads might want to tune the sound signature within the app. Within the mids and the highs, there’s a vital enhance, which might be seen within the graph under. In consequence, the sound is brilliant and excellent for mixing tracks the place you’re going to get a good concept of the vocals and devices, particularly metallic devices. However an excessive amount of of a lift can be one thing that will not be good. It introduces sibilance, which is the over-amplification of ‘S’ and ‘T’ sounds, and causes fatigue when you’re listening to the headphones for longer intervals of time.
As you may see within the graph under, the ATH-M50xBT had considerably extra enhance within the highs than these headphones, which prompted them to have sibilance within the audio. The enhance within the highs was added to neuter the bass that was boosted, but it surely ended up introducing sibilance. And, those who’re prone to it, can be vulnerable to getting complications and experiencing fatigue when listening to those headphones.
Now, in a 1:1 comparability with their cheaper cousins, the sound signature of each the ATH-M50xBT and the ATH-M50xBT2 is rather more gradual. This additionally goes to point out the distinction within the focusing on of the headphones and the distinction in price of the headphones. The higher tuning on the costlier headphones calls for R&D, which drives up the price. And, the folks spending near ₹20,000 would almost definitely be professionals actively engaged on essential audio initiatives, for which they would wish a extra balanced sound. With the ATH-M20xBT, which comes at round half the price of the ATH-M50xBT2, the audience would comprise of starters within the audio area and informal listeners who would desire a extra mainstream and colored sound.
With the amount cranked as much as the max, there was barely any distortion that I skilled. Sufficient in regards to the sound signature. Let’s transfer on to the microphone efficiency of the headphones.
The ATH-M50xBT2 include two microphones fitted on the left earcup. This microphone association appeared bizarre to me to start with, and once I began utilizing the headphones, the lacklustre efficiency of the mic got here via. Whereas it held its personal in quiet environments, as quickly as there was background noise, like folks speaking about 5-6 ft away from the place I used to be, the pickup high quality of the microphones took a plunge. So, should you have been planning to take calls on these headphones throughout your commute, then be able to reply all of the ‘Huh?’ and ‘What did you say?’ that comes your method.
As talked about earlier, there is no such thing as a ANC on the headphones. So, to chop out background noise you’ll be counting on the passive isolation and match of the headphones. These headphones match me nicely so the passive isolation was ample usually in workplace. There was minimal sound leakage as nicely, till I hit the 70 per cent quantity mark. Over that, my colleagues might hear each track that I used to be listening to.
The Bluetooth connectivity on these headphones is stable. I had two picket partitions between me and the supply and the connection was robust! As for the CODEC help, these headphones help each LDAC and AAC, which might attraction to people who find themselves planning to connect with these headphones primarily utilizing Bluetooth.
Audio Technica ATH-M50xBT2 assessment – Battery Life
The claimed battery life of those headphones is about 50 hours on a single cost. After I examined the battery life of those headphones, the headphones got here near the claimed determine. The ATH-M50xBT2 lasted for 46 hours and 58 minutes at 50 per cent quantity which is fairly spectacular. However take into accout that these headphones would not have ANC on them, which typically tends to convey the battery life down of most different headphones considerably.
When you could cost these headphones, you may join the included USB-C cable. If the claims made by Audio Technica are something to by, then these headphones will rise up to three hours of use on a 10-minute speedy cost.
Audio Technica ATH-M50xBT2 assessment – Verdict
Now, the principle query – Is the Audio Technica ATH-M50xBT2 a worthy successor to their predecessor the ATH-M50xBT? And, are they price spending the additional ₹10,000 over the ATH-M20xBT? The brief reply is YES and sure!
The ATH-M50xBT2 convey a number of upgrades over the ATH-M50xBT making for a well-rounded pair of headphones which some would possibly even decide over a few of the mainstream choices on the market. The sound signature is well-rounded and suited to each common listening and studio work. The battery life is spectacular. There’s added help for low-latency mode, Google Quick Pair, a devoted app which you should utilize for customisation and voice assistant. There is no such thing as a ANC or contact/capacitive controls which many headphones within the mainstream have. However, if you’re going for these, you’ll have to quit on these options in favour of nice sound!
As for the additional cash that you’d be shelling out over the ATH-M20xBT, it is determined by your wants. If in case you have the funds, then the upgrades that you get on ATH-M50xBT2 over the ATH-M20xBT is unquestionably well worth the cash. However, don’t push your monetary boundaries if you’re somebody on a decent funds. The ATH-M20xBT are a superb start line as nicely.
In case you are trying to make use of these each day, then I’d say go for the mainstream choices from manufacturers like Sony and Sennheiser. They’ve all of the creature consolation that you’d come to count on from a pair of headphones priced at ₹20,000. As for different choices just like the ATH-M50xBT2, the one that stands out is the V-MODA – Crossfade 2 Wi-fi Codex Version. On the time of writing, it was retailing for the very same worth because the ATH-M50xBT2.
