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

Table of Contents

• ①The M50 Sound Signature
• ②The Office Solution
• ③Final Verdict

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.

Model	Best Environment	Sound Isolation
M50s	Coffee Shop/Travel	High
WM77s	Office/Work	Low

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.