Audio-Technica: An old favourite gets a modern twist

Headphones from the Japanese audio legend Audio-Technica are mostly in the professional and audiophile territory, known for their neutral and accurate sound. The company’s ATH-M50xBT2 over-ears headphones however are a bridge between studio and personal listening. Geared up to be used in both wireless and wired modes without losing quality, these headphones are a gradual evolution of the company’s popular M50 and now with the addition of more contemporary features.

Of course there are a few downers to these headphones, but overall you will hear even the music you’re familiar with in a completely different way than you ever did before.

Tough and foldable

The design of the ATH-M50xBT2 headphones, evolved from previous versions, throws up several important points. The all-plastic hard body lightens what would otherwise have been a very heavy headset. The build is very strong and solid but it still manages to notch up quite a bit of weight. There are large prominent hinges that allow the arms to bend and the ear-cups to flip over and fold right in until the footprint of the headset is much smaller and fits into the little pouch included in the box.

Despite the flexibility, the headphones are quite a clamping force for most people. For those with small heads, it slips forward instead. User's comfort level depends on the size and shape of the wearer’s head.

There’s thick plush cushioning under the headband and on the ear-cups which adds to comfort. On the other hand, this very characteristic extends the discernible warming up that takes place after about half hour of listening, making it difficult to wear the ATH-M50xBT2 for a long period in some places and situations. One can clearly feel the warmth slowly building up around the ear-cups and although it’s very slight, it’s enough to be sensitive it. This is actually the biggest drawback of the ATH-M50xBT2 headphones. Listening in wired mode and getting Bluetooth out of the picture does away with the warming up issue.

Google Fast Pair connects the headphones to your Android phone.The headphones also work with the iPhone. You can download the the Audio Technica Connect app to give you more controls than the few buttons located on the ear-cup. This includes an equaliser, an option to change codecs, latency mode etc. You can also adjust the volume, check battery level and see how many steps you’ve walked — a strange addition for headphones that are not really configured specially for walks or runs though you could use them. They would be a little weighty at 308 gms, too warm, and a waste since you won’t be able to focus wholeheartedly on the music.

The app won’t show you any noise cancellation controls because that’s one thing the ATH-M50xBT2 headphones don’t do. Nor do they charge you for it. There is protection from noise because your ears are inside large cushioned cans, but this is by default or passively. It’s enough to warrant a Side Tone option which can be used to highlight surround sounds. Active noise cancellation would probably degrade the sound quality - and that’s something Audio-Technica will not compromise on.

Excellent sound

The ATH-M50xBT2 are not tuned for the mass consumer who is looking for a one-person party and plenty of thumping, pounding bass. Usable by those who work with music production and podcasting and other professionals, these are tuned for accurate sound — and they are almost there. Each instrument and voice can be heard distinctly, each interaction of the musician with a guitar or violin is noticeable, bringing the music to life.

Music tracks that you are familiar with and have heard hundreds of times will sound different because of the details that you will notice. Large 45mm drivers are used on these headphones. Other specs include 38-ohm impedance and a sensitivity of 99dB/W/m. The frequency response is said to be from 15Hz to 28kHz. The headphones support SBC, AAC and LDAC - which you can enable from the app. The standard used is Bluetooth 5.0, not 5.2 sadly, but it does wonders for the battery life and connect.

The equaliser in the app includes five presets and you can set your custom levels. Those who want some bass can turn it up all the way, but it will still not sound the same as some other headphones that are bass forward. Because of this, the M50xBT2 are not so great for electronic music, downtempo, house etc but definitely are for jazz, blues, classical, and music that doesn’t just reply on thump.

Long battery life

Battery life on the M50xBT2 is over 50 hours in wireless mode. One can switch to cabled if one runs out of battery. The device doesn’t support fast charging and it is generally recommended to charge with a slow charger or the laptop or PC. A 10 minute charge gives three whole hours of play.

 The MRP for the ATH-M50xBT2 is ₹30,800 but it’s being sold for ₹19,990. You don’t get active noise cancellation, but the passive isolation is strong enough to be quite usable. The audio quality is not only excellent and clear but you get the best of both worlds with further improved wired sound and convenient wireless audio.