Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
Both are closed back and both isolate well enough to track with. The M50x folds, is easier to carry, and has a lifted low end that people enjoy. The DT 770 Pro is more comfortable over long sessions, has a more extended treble and comes in several impedance versions, one of which needs a real headphone amplifier. Neither is flat, so neither should be your only mixing reference.
At a glance
| Audio-Technica ATH-M50x studio headphones | Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro, 80 ohm | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Closed back, folding | Closed back, fixed |
| Impedance | 38 ohm | Sold in 32, 80 and 250 ohm versions |
| Voicing | Lifted low end | Extended treble, lifted low end |
| Comfort over hours | Good, clamps firmly | Very good, velour pads |
| Isolation | Good | Good |
| Cable | Detachable | Fixed on most versions |
Choose the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x studio headphones if…
Choose the M50x if the headphones travel with you or you want a single pair that works from a phone as well as an interface. At 38 ohms they are easy to drive from anything, they fold flat, and the detachable cable means the most common failure point is repairable. The bass lift is the thing to remember when mixing: what sounds balanced on these will often be light on bass elsewhere.
Check Audio-Technica ATH-M50x studio headphones on Amazon
Choose the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro, 80 ohm if…
Choose the DT 770 Pro if you wear headphones for hours. Velour pads and a lighter clamp make a real difference by hour three, and the treble extension reveals detail the M50x smooths over. Pick the impedance deliberately: the 80 ohm version suits an interface headphone output, the 250 ohm version genuinely needs an amplifier, and the 32 ohm version suits a laptop or phone.
Check Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro, 80 ohm on Amazon
Related
- Open back vs closed back headphones
- Monitors vs headphones for mixing
- How to mix on headphones
- Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO review: the closed back tracking standard, and which impedance to buy
Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these products side by side. Confirm current specifications and prices before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Should you mix on closed back headphones?
You can, with care, and many people have to. Closed backs have a more uneven response and a smaller sense of space than open backs, which makes judging reverb and stereo width harder. Learn what your pair does by referencing mixes you know well on them, and check the result on speakers or in a car before calling it finished.
What does impedance actually change?
Higher impedance headphones need more voltage to reach the same volume, so a 250 ohm pair from a laptop output will be quiet and thin. Driven properly they can sound better controlled. The practical rule is to match the version to the source: interface headphone outputs handle 80 ohm comfortably, phones want 32.
Why use closed backs at all?
For tracking. A closed back keeps the click track and the backing out of the microphone, which is the entire reason they exist. An open back is more comfortable and usually more accurate, and it leaks enough to be recorded. If you record vocals or acoustic instruments, you need at least one closed pair.
How long do the pads last?
Two or three years of regular use before they flatten or crack, and both models have replacement pads available cheaply. Worn pads change the sound as well as the comfort, because the distance from driver to ear changes, so replacing them is a genuine maintenance item rather than a cosmetic one.
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