The Audio-Technica ATH-M50 headphones is a classic, and when Audio-Technica launched the ATH-M50xBT back in late 2018 it was a great treat for consumers who wanted it in wireless. Fast forward to 2021, Audio-Technica is once again updating the M50 with the new ATH-M50xBT2. The 2nd generation comes with improvements over the last generation, at a retail price of S$298.
Unboxing
Inside the box, you will find the following items:
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 over-ear headphones
- 3.5mm audio cable (1.2m)
- USB-C to USB-A cable
- Carrying pouch
- User manual
Design and build quality
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 retains the classic ATH-M50 design that has a modern industrial look to it with the silver rings in combination with the flat edged ear cups. The headband is made of PU leather and it does wrinkle when stretched. The top of the headband sports a huge Audio-Technica branding, which has been a staple on their M50s.
Even though the ATH-M50xBT2 is made mostly out of plastic, the headphones feel solid and durable. The plastic used is thick and dense, so it does not feel cheap. There is no creaking or rattling of any plastic pieces and the headband flex is also pretty great as shown below. The adjustment rails retract smoothly with defined adjustment points.
Despite being a large headphone, the ATH-M50xBT2 can be folded inwards for better portability. You can either chuck it in your bag or put it in the carrying case which Audio-Technica generously provided in the box.
Controls and connectivity
ATH-M50xBT2 employs physical buttons for controls and they are located on the left ear cup. You will find a standard 3-button volume rocker together with a round button for triggering the voice assistant. Do note that the buttons will only work in wireless mode. The controls can handle all media playback from play/pause, skipping tracks and adjusting volume.
The 3.5mm audio jack is also located on left ear cup, so if you want to use it wired for editing music or videos – it is great that Audio-Technica still provides that option.
AT Connect App
One of the improvements of the 2nd generation has is that the ATH-M50xBT2 has support for Audio-Technica’s AT Connect app. The AT Connect app offers a variety of customisation to make the the experience better.
if you’re into audio codecs, the ATH-M50xBT2 now supports LDAC but do note that you’ll need a device that supports it, and have a player that plays lossless audio tracks. iPhone can only support up to AAC.
Side Tone is a feature that lets you hear your own voice when you are using the microphone for calls. It is turned on by default and I do find it helpful to gauge my volume. If you find that distracting you can simply turn it off. Another new feature added to the ATH-M50xBT2 is low latency mode. The mode is great when gaming or consuming content to ensure zero audio-video lag.
The AT Connect app also lets you adjust the EQ of the ATH-M50xBT2. Audio-Technica offers two types of equalizer – (1) Graphic, or (2) Parametric. If you care about the minute refinements then Parametric EQ is the way to go. Alternatively, you can also opt for a list of EQ presets that Audio-Technica is conveniently crafted in the app.
The amount of change to the sound signature is noticeable but not overly drastic. I found all the micro adjustments you can do in the Paramteric EQ really does help you craft a personalised sound that you enjoy.
Battery life
The ATH-M50xBT2 can last an impressive 50 hours of use on a single charge, which is probably more than enough to last you for an entire week. Charging is done via the USB-C port found on the left ear cup, which takes about 3.5 hours to charge the headphones fully. Alternatively, you can fast charge for 10 minutes which will give you 3 hours of use.
Fit and comfort
The ATH-M50xBT2 are pretty comfortable to wear. At 307g, they are decently light so I don’t feel much weight on my head. Even though there isn’t thick cushioning on the headband, I actually do not really feel the headband pressing on the top of my head. This could be due to the headband curving downwards to the ear cups instead of being traditionally straight.
The clamping pressure is just about right – not too tight to cause discomfort, and not too loose such that it sacrifices on noise isolation. As for the ear cushions, Audio-Technica opted for using PU leather. The are soft enough but aren’t as plush as what you’ll find on Sony’s 1000XM-series. They are also reasonably sized to accommodate most ears, but I do wish they were slightly bigger for better breathability.
Perhaps I am spoiled by the comfort the ATH-G1WL provides because those are incredibly comfortable. Having said that, the ATH-M50xBT2 is no slouch. But I do believe comfort can be taken a step up if they opted for the same breathable leather and mesh mix ear cushions that the ATH-G1WL used.
Pairing, connectivity, and latency
The power button is gone as the ATH-M50xBT2 now goes into pairing mode the moment it is powered on. If you’re using an Android phone then you will be able to quickly pair up with its Goggle Fast Pair feature. ATH-M50xBT2 is equipped with Bluetooth 5.0. Even with low-latency mode turned off, I did not experience any audio-video latency/lag when watching YouTube videos from the YouTube app on my iPhone 11.
ATH-M50xBT2 also supports multi-point connection which allows you to connect the headphones to two devices at once. This is a great connectivity feature especially if you tend to use headphones on two devices such as laptop and smartphone. Audio output switches automatically to the device playing media.
Sound quality
The ATH-M50xBT2 has a largely balanced and neutral tuning to it, which was what made the original ATH-M50 an incredibly popular pair of headphones. Bass is well-controlled and precise. It is still punchy and hits with good amount amount of depth. Sub-bass is less boomy and sits back more against the bass. If you enjoy the deep thump and rumble, the ATH-M50xBT2 won’t give you that.
Midrange on the ATH-M50xBT2 is its standout. Vocals and instruments are forward and clear in the mix. You can expect good amounts of clarity and detail without much being drowned out by bass. Treble is clean sounding, delivering high frequencies instruments without sounding overly sibilant and harsh.
Sound imaging on the ATH-M50xBT2 is also another strength of this pair of headphones. Even on complex audio tracks where there are many different types of instruments in the mix, I could accurately discern the placement and direction of it. Soundstage is comfortably close and not as wide as what I thought it will be.
Microphone quality
The ATH-M50xBT2 doesn’t come with a boom microphone so it relies mainly on the dual mics and beamforming tech to for voice pickup. Voice pickup is surprisingly accurate and retains enough details. My voice sounds slightly distant and doesn’t sound as full as I would have liked but it is reliable microphone to use in a quiet room. When noise is introduced, the microphone does a decent job eliminating 60-70% of the background noise without distorting my voice.
I found the Side Tone feature to be really useful in calls as I can gauge the volume at which I’m speaking at. Also, the dedicated voice assistant button doubles as a mic mute button when the microphone is in use.
Conclusion
The ATH-M50xBT2 brings about a number of improvements to make it relevant for today’s wireless headphones scene. Quality of life enhancements such as USB-C charging, low latency mode and multipoint pairing brings about great functionality. The sound quality of the ATH-M50xBT2 is also superb if you appreciate details and clarity. But you want something with more color, the AT Connect app brings about EQ customisation for you to tune to your liking. Despite no ANC, I see the ATH-M50xBT2 as a highly versatile pair of headphones to use for both work and play.