Skip to main content

Audio Technica ATH-M50x - 6 Months -- Going Strong

Gear Review

Audio Technica Experience

Comparing the M50s and WM77s for daily use

3
Headphone Sets
1
Year Age
~0
Travel Usage
Section I

The M50 Sound Signature

Absolutely! The Audio Technica M50s really do sound better with age. Some people refer to it as "burning in," but I think it's more about getting used to their sound and becoming familiar with their audio signature.

 

Limitations and Use Cases

However, there are limits to their use. The M50s block out external sound quite a bit, which isn't great at work when someone might be yelling my name across the office or cubicle, and I can't hear them. Plus, you can crank up the volume without realizing it, but others can definitely hear you since they leak sound quite a bit. They’re also not ideal when wearing glasses or while on the move, like walking or running.

Tip: While they aren't great for the office or active movement, they are perfect for a busy coffee shop, a noisy airplane ride, or when you just want to chill in bed with some tunes.
Section II

The Office Solution

On the other hand, I found the smaller Audio Technica WM77s to be perfect for work. They provide a decent soundstage without sacrificing the ability to hear others around me in the office.

  • →Audio Technica M50s — Exceptional sound quality that matures with age; ideal for isolation but leaks sound.
  • →Audio Technica WM77s — The perfect office companion; allows for ambient awareness while maintaining a solid soundstage.
Future Testing

I'm kind of questioning whether the flat cable affects audio quality, so I plan to test them with a comparable pair using a shielded cable. So far, the WM77s are my perfect office set, and they’re now over a year old.

ModelBest EnvironmentSound Isolation
M50sCoffee Shop/TravelHigh
WM77sOffice/WorkLow
Section III

Final Verdict

Audio Technica really makes some good quality products! I have three different sets, and they’re all going strong. I'm definitely a fan!

Stay tuned for my upcoming cable-shielding test results.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sony MDR-ZX100 vs ZX-110 vs ZX-310 Series Headphones

Gear Review Budget Audio Face-off: Sony ZX Series Review Comparing the ZX-100, ZX-110, and ZX-310 for your everyday carry ~3 Models ~$10–$20 Price 2.5+ Years Longevity Table of Contents ① Build Quality ② Cost Comparison ③ Sound Quality ④ Overall Value ⑤ Upgrade Path Section I Build Quality The Sony ZX series headphones primarily feature a durable plastic construction. My ZX-100 has lasted over 2½ years, enduring countless tosses into my backpack and car without any issues. However, the lower-end ZX-100 and ZX-110 models have a significant downside: poor-quality earpads.   The Earpad Problem Over time, the earpads on the ZX-100 and ZX-110 disintegrate, leaving vinyl flakes that stick to your hair and ears. The ZX-310 comes with upgraded earpads that don't suffer from this problem — a clear win in the build department. Tip: If your earpads start to flake, it is a sign of material degradation; consider replacing the cushions or upgrading to a model with more durable synthetic lea...
9 comments
Read more

Casio G-Shock - DW5600e vs DW5600ue - EL vs LED

Watch Review · G-Shock The G-Shock Square Evolution DW-5600E vs. DW-5600UE 200m Water Resistance 3 Generations Compared 1987 DW-5600C Debut Table of Contents ① Overview ② The Backlight Battle ③ Comfort Out of the Box ④ The DW-5600C (Vintage) ⑤ The Verdict Overview The Gold Standard, Quietly Updated For decades, the DW-5600E has been the "Gold Standard" for G-Shock squares. It's the watch that replaced the original screw-back models in the 90s and became the definitive tool watch for millions. But recently, Casio quietly updated this legend to the DW-5600UE. I've had both on my wrist recently, and while they look nearly identical at first glance, the differences in daily wear are surprisingly distinct. Section I The Backlight Battle: EL Nostalgia vs. LED Efficiency ...
Post a Comment
Read more

MacBook Air 2017 - A1466 - Linux - Project + Install Advice

Linux · Dev Hardware · Field Notes My "New" Linux Laptop 2017 MacBook Air — $120 on eBay, Running Linux Mint $120 Per Unit (eBay) 2× Units Acquired 6–8h Battery Life 2.96 lbs I needed a portable laptop with good battery life and decent specs to write code while outside — mostly small-to-medium Python or ASP.Net projects and a few basic ML models. My HP 2016 i7 is too bulky, the HP i3 is hideous, so I replaced my old Linux laptop with not one but a pair of MacBook Airs picked up on eBay for $120 each. Why two? Originally I got the 256GB MQD42LL/A, and when pricing a 512GB SSD upgrade it was basically the cost of a whole 512GB A1466. Why pay $80 for a drive when $120 gets an entire computer? Eventually I'll get a newer M-series MacBook to fulfill my programming needs — but for $120, this is unreal value. Even after 9 years it looks modern and...
Post a Comment
Read more