Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Vs Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro (2021)

Studio monitoring headphones are great for music lovers and audio purists since they are designed to accurately output sound. While they are marketed towards professionals, they are also suitable for everyday use. The Audio-Technica ATH-M50X and the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro are two of the most popular studio monitoring headphones in the market today. If you’re currently looking for a pair of cans and you are choosing between these two, then this comparison is for you. We’ll be looking at both to find out which one is better and which one is worth the money. Below is a comparison chart for these headphones.

Navigation

• Audio-Technica ATH-M50X vs Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro Comparison Chart
• Design & Build Quality
• Comfort
• Sound Quality
• Features
• Verdict
• FAQs

Audio-Technica ATH-M50X vs Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro Comparison Chart

Design & Build Quality

The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro’s build quality is excellent.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50X is made mostly with plastic and some aluminum parts. This pair of headphones is not as sturdy as some of its competitors in the same price range, but that doesn’t mean that it is fragile. You just need to take extra care when using or storing it. What it lacks in build quality, it makes up for in portability. The M50X is collapsible and the earcups can swivel 90-degrees, which makes it easier to pack for travel. It comes with a soft carrying case to do so. The M50X is available in black, blue, gun metal, white or purple/black.

The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro, on the other hand, is designed to withstand everyday wear and tear. While they do have plastic earcups, they are very thick and durable. The headband and the earcup forks are made with metal that feel sturdy. Even though the cable is fixed, you don’t have to worry too much about damaging it since it is covered with plastic and rubber for protection. Overall, the build quality of the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro is excellent. It comes in either black or gray.

A downside to the design of the DT 770 Pro is that it is not as easy to store or pack as the M50X. It has a solid build and it does not swivel or collapse. You can still travel with it but it will take more space inside your bag. It comes with a drawstring bag for travel or for storing.

Comfort

Both are comfortable headphones.

Both headphones come with padded headbands that are comfortable for long listening sessions. The headband padding on the Audio-Technica M50X is fixed, while the DT 770 Pro headband is removable and replaceable. Both are adjustable as well.

For the ear cups, the ATH-M50X comes with leatherette padding while the DT 770 Pro has velour. The padding on the ATH-M50X is not as breathable as the velour pads on the DT 770 Pro, so it will trap heat more. If you are a sweaty person or you live in a warm area, this is a consideration. Also, the DT 770 Pro has bigger and rounder ear cups than the M50X, which makes it more comfortable for people with larger ears.

When it comes to clamping force, the Audio-Technica M50X is not as strong as the DT 770 Pro, which makes it more comfortable for people with larger heads.

Sound Quality

The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro outputs better sound than the ATH-M50X.

They both have a V-shaped sound signature, which means that they emphasize the lows and highs with the mids a bit recessed. On the ATH-M50X, the lows are a bit more emphasized without sounding too exaggerated. If you like listening to bass-heavy music, such as hip-hop, EDM and the likes, you’ll prefer the lows on the ATH-M50X. In comparison, the lows on the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro are emphasized as well, but not as much as the ATH-M50X.

As for the mids, you’ll find that they are somewhat similar. The vocals are still there, but they are not as prevalent as the lows and highs. Both are great for listening to rock, pop rock and the likes.

The highs on the ATH-M50X are emphasized as well, which can result in some harshness and sibilance, especially if you are sensitive. On a track that is mixed properly, you won’t have this issue. In contrast, the highs on the DT 770 Pro are smoother and they don’t sound harsh at all, even with badly mixed tracks.

When it comes to soundstage, they are similar. They won’t compete with open-back headphones in this area, but for closed backs, they are quite good.

Features

When it comes to portability, the ATH-M50X is better.

There are four versions of the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro—16 ohms, 32 ohms, 80 ohms and 250 ohms. The 16, 32 and 80 ohms versions are more suited for everyday casual use since they don’t require much power to drive them. The 250 ohms version, on the other hand, requires more power, and it is more suited for professional use. For home use, you can go with the 16, 32 or 80 ohms version.

In comparison, there is only one version of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X, and it has a resistance of 38 ohms, so it doesn’t take much power to drive it. Other notable features of the ATH-M50X are its collapsible design, foldable earcups and detachable cables. Due to these features, it is more portable than the DT 770 Pro.

While having detachable cables is nice, the ATH-M50X does come with a proprietary design, so you can’t use most standard cables with it. Thankfully, it does come with three extra cables—two straight cables and one coiled cable, so that’s nice. However, if you do need to get a new cable for it, you’ll need to look for one that is designed specifically for the ATH-M50X.

Verdict

The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro sounds better than the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X.

If sound quality is the most important factor for you, then the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro is the better choice. It offers a more pleasant listening experience than the ATH-M50X as it does not exaggerate the lows and highs as much. Also, it is more comfortable since it has larger ear cups. Furthermore, it has a better build quality, so it will last longer.

On the other hand, if you listen to a lot of bass-heavy tracks, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X might be more up your alley. It is also great for people that travel a lot since its design allows it to be more portable. It is not a bad choice, but there are better headphones around, like the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro.

FAQs

For its price, it is certainly one of the better studio monitor headphones for mixing. You should choose the DT 770 Pro 250 ohms version if you are planning on using it for mixing.

It doesn’t have active noise cancelling but it can passively cancel noise since it is a pair of closed back headphones that can seal your ears.

For the 16, 32 and 80 ohms versions, you don’t need an amp. However, the 250 ohms version will work best when paired with a reasonably powered amp.

Yes, there are a few adapters that you can buy that will work with the ATH-M50X. This wireless Bluetooth adapter from VOXOA is a good example.