There is a well-liked saying within the South that goes, “If it ain’t broke, do not repair it.” Basically, why change one thing that is completely effective the way in which it’s? This saying is actually 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 positive you may agree that the product identify is a mouthful, so, for comfort, I am going to confer with them because the M50x2 headphones.
Additionally: These high headphones ship impeccable sound and all-day consolation
If you happen to’re unfamiliar with Audio-Technica, the corporate’s audio merchandise have been a go-to alternative for professionals for many years. You will 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 inside audio parts that ought to ship a greater sound than ever earlier than. I examined them to see if that each one holds true.
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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 might 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 powerful vary of ranges so that you can mess around with.
When listening to Neon by John Mayer, I may clearly hear Mayer’s harmonies and one among his most well-known guitar riffs interprets fantastically 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 function 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 kind, these headphones include a 3.5mm headphone jack for higher-quality listening, or to maintain the jam sesh going once you’re low on battery.
The M50x2 headphones haven’t got energetic noise cancelation (ANC), a characteristic that may considerably eat away at battery life. Consequently, Audio-Technica says you may squeeze out about 50 hours of playtime. I received about 10 further hours than that, which I used to be tremendous jazzed about.
Additionally: Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones: The right headphones for all-day listening
The truth is, the dearth of ANC would 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 turn out 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 fashionable, futuristic headphone design that is typical in trendy cans. Many new headphones take after Sony’s ultra-modern design selections on its flagship WH-series cans, choosing a muted, uniform look.
However the flashy logos on the scarf and ear cups of the M50x2 will make you stand out from the gang, and make sure you appear to be you already know a factor or two about music. One final observe: I hoped for a tough shell carrying case, given the headphones’ $200 worth level. As a substitute, Audio-Technica provides a polyurethane leather-based pouch to retailer your headphones, which isn’t best 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 will additionally miss out on the robust noise canceling present in headphones just like the Bose QuietComfort 45 or AirPods Max. But when noise canceling will not be in your precedence checklist, that is nearly as good as $200 will get you.
Additionally: The AirPods Professional 2 received an enormous improve, and so they’re on sale proper now
Except for that, Audio-Technica provides shoppers a simple and pleasant pair of headphones with the M50x2. They’re freed from sophisticated software program and over-the-top options, however they provide the similar 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. Finest but, you’ll be able to often discover them on Amazon at a reduced worth.
