JSS

Audio-Technica ATH-M50 Headphones

I began using the ATH-M50 headphones two years ago while mixing monitors at the CMA Awards. Prior to this I had been using the Sony MD-7506s. What a difference!
The very first thing I noticed when I put the M-50s on was how extremely comfortable they are. They fit snug to the head. With the amount of padding around the earpieces the snug fit never becomes uncomfortable.
A unique feature of the M-50s is that each earpiece can swivel independently. While one earpiece remains snug to your head, the other side can be swung off the opposite ear, never loosing isolation or sacrificing what you are monitoring. This immediately became one of my favorite features of the M-50s. While mixing monitors I often need to monitor an ear mix and a wedge mix simultaneously. The M-50s allow me to do this easily and more listen more accurately. If you are a DJ, no more having to hold one side of your headphones against your head with your shoulder.
As for sound quality, bigger bottom end! When mixing on the MD-7506 you really have to understand their characteristics and mix ‘around’ them. Where the 7506s have accentuated high end and really no low end to speak of, the ATH-M50 allow you to trust a little more what you’re hearing.; a definite plus while mixing.
If you spend a lot of time editing on Pro Tools, Nuendo, or any software based audio editing system and can’t always have a set of near fields with you, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50 professional headphones are a must.
If the ATH-M50s are a bit more than you would like to spend, check out the rest of the line of AT headphones and you will find a pair within your budget.

Jason Spence
Audio Engineer/Owner of JSS
(615) 534-1190
www.JSS.net