The M50 line of headphones are Audio-Technica’s most popular headphones for good reason. And with streaming and communication (due to work from home) becoming more common these days, having a good set of microphone is important. So it becomes natural for Audio-Technica to combine its best selling headphone and their popular 20 series microphone to form the ATH-M50XSTS-USB, a headset that can provide the best audio and microphone quality. The ATH-M50XSTS-USB retails for S$318.
Unboxing
In the box, you will find the following items:
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50XSTS-USB Streaming Headset
- User guide
- Mesh earpads
- Leatherette earpads
- USB-C to USB-A adapter dongle
Build quality and design
If you are familiar with the M50 then you’d know how the ATH-M50XSTS-USB is going to look. It has the timeless modern design in a matte black plastic shell with silver rings on the ear cups. The headband is made of PU leather and is well padded, with the top of it splattered with a huge Audio-Technica branding.
The ATH-M50XSTS-USB is a wired headset so the 2-metre USB wire is attached permanently to the ear cup, though it would have been nice to have a removable wire. At the price point of S$318, it would have been nice to see a softer braided cable on the ATH-M50XSTS-USB instead.
As for build quality, the ATH-M50XSTS-USB feels well constructed. The plastic on the headset does not feel cheap, and I do not hear any rattling or creaking of the plastic when wearing/removing the headset. The ear cups on the ATH-M50XSTS-USB can be folded in as well. Lastly, the adjustment rails on the headset are smooth when expanding and retracting.
As for controls, Audio-Technica has kept it simple by deploying a simple switch on the right ear cup for you to adjust the volume of microphone sidetone (volume of your own voice when using the microphone). The boom arm of the microphone can be flipped up if you are not using it.
Comfort and fit
Perhaps Audio-Technica has read my review of their ATH-M50xBT2 and decided to provide mesh earpads used on the ATH-G1W in their packaging. In total, you can choose between (1) mesh, or (2) leatherette.
Mesh earpads will offer better comfort, while the leatherette earpads will offer better sound isolation. Whether I am gaming or using the ATH-M50XSTS-USB for calls, I prefer the mesh earpads as it is more breathable and helps to keep my ears cool when wearing it for prolonged periods.
The ATH-M50XSTS-USB weighs in at 330g, which is a tad heavier than I’m used too but it is still a comfortable wear for regular lengths of use. The clamping pressure just right and the ear cups are also roomy. The ample cushion of the headband also helps to alleviate some of the weight felt at the top. Having said that, I do start to feel heat and weight building up after prolonged use.
Sound quality
The sound coming from the ATH-M50XSTS-USB is what you’d expect from the ever popular M50 headphones from Audio-Technica. Overall sound signature is largely balanced, with no over emphasis on any of the frequency.
Bass is accurate and punchy, but don’t expect deep sub-bass extension if you enjoy having rumble and thump on bass heavy tracks. Mids are delivered with excellent detail and clarity with forward vocals and instruments. Treble is transparent and bright, providing that extra bit of shine and energy to the overall mix without sounding sibilant.
Imaging is very good on the ATH-M50XSTS-USB, where instruments and vocals are precisely placed within the stereo soundstage. Complex audio tracks pose no trouble for the headset as I could accurately discern the placement and direction of the different parts of the music. This also helped with gaming as well, allowing more accuracy in discerning audio cues.
Microphone quality
The star of the ATH-M50XSTS-USB is its microphone as it uses a cardioid condenser capsule adopted from Audio-Technica’s popular 20 Series microphone. The microphone is also mounted on a flexible boom arm, allowing you to position it with ease.
The microphone comes with practical features such as flipping the boom arm up to quickly mute, and also having a sidetone circuitry to let you hear your own voice in the headset. There is a volume switch to control how loud the sidetone is. Sidetone is useful for testing your microphone and having a more natural open environment conversation.
When it comes to quality of the recording, the ATH-M50XSTS-USB shines. My voice sounds clear and forward, and it really does sound like it was recorded on a separate microphone than the typical quality you get from gaming headsets. You can expect good depth to your voice giving a nice warm tone, while handling pops of sounds (coming from pronouncing your B, P, T, etc) well so that they do not sound overly pronounced.
The microphone ensures speech is picked up and output at a consistent volume – so if you get too excited and start screaming in the mic, your friends won’t be hearing your voice clipping. Lastly, the sound isolation of my voice is superb. Even with a loud TV playing in the background, the microphones barely picks up any of the noise, and does a great job keeping my voice forward in focus.
I found that the microphone best performs when you place it lower, facing your chin, rather than directly facing your mouth. Having the ATH-M50XSTS-USB microphone lower produces a cleaner sound and avoids capturing your breath if you happen to sigh.
Conclusion
Audio-Technica has nailed down all the foundations of a good streaming microphone. If you prioritise sound and microphone quality in a pair of headset, then the ATH-M50XSTS-USB is one of the few options in the market that can offer that. It’s no doubt that a proper separate microphone can produce better performance, but if you simply want a headset that is reliable all-round then the ATH-M50XSTS-USB does just that. I won’t be surprised if Audio-Technica releases a gaming version of this, with it being wireless and lighter.