In addition to the new R70xa that was introduced to the R-series, Audio-Technica also released the R50x, another open-back reference headphone to add to the lineup. These headphones hold the same design as the higher models, but come in at a fraction of the cost: only $159. Today, we take a deep dive into all the details to analyze the sound quality, physical design, and style of this headphone.
What Comes In The Box
- ATH-R50x Headphones
- Detachable cable (3.0 m (9.8′) / 3.5 mm (1/8″) gold-plated stereo mini-plug)
- Detachable cable (1.2 m (3.9′) / 3.5 mm (1/8″) gold-plated stereo mini-plug)
- 6.3 mm (1/4″) stereo adapter
- Pouch
Aesthetics and Functionality
This headphone takes on the look of many others in the R-series. The open-back design shows off an intricately designed driver. The featherlight design is perfect for long listening sessions, as they are super comfortable to wear over the ear and feel like nothing on the top of your head. The clamping force ensures a secure fit, but isn’t too tight to cause any pressure headaches or discomfort. Being that they are super lightweight, it is easy to have them on for long periods of time.
The R50x is also great in terms of its setup. It has a special cable that locks into one side, then it goes out to a 3.5mm termination. It has a 6.35mm adapter, as well as two different cable lengths. These are also incredibly easy to drive, so you don’t necessarily need an amplifier to start working with them. I used the FiiO BTR17 DAC/Amp and the FiiO M23 digital audio player with these, and they were a perfect match for the two devices in terms of adding just enough color while keeping the sound natural and neutral.
Tech Specs
- Type: Open-back reference
- Driver Diameter: 45 mm
- Frequency Response: 5 to 40,000 Hz
- Max Input Power: 1,600 mW
- Sensitivity: 93.3 dB/mW
- Impedance: 50 Ω
- Weight: Approx. 207 g (7.3 oz), without cable
- Connector: 3.5 mm (1/8″) stereo headphone jack
Listening Review
Soundstage
The soundstage for the R50x is incredibly wide. You get a nice image of the frequency response across the stereo field, expanding outward with a good amount of depth to hold all the layers. The imaging accuracy is also quite good, and I can easily place instruments and sounds in the field with ease. The sound reproduction is very natural, making these an excellent choice for people looking for a good reference headphone, as Audio-Technica suggests. You get a finely balanced signature that is relatively flat, perfect for engineers looking for a headphone for mixing or mastering their recordings.
Low Frequencies
The low frequencies are very present, hitting with a lot of natural sound and power. You lose a bit of the punch or drive you might get from other dynamic headphones, but it still goes a long way in terms of natural sound reproduction. The bass is there and you get a good foundation that is good for reference headphones. If you’re looking for a heavy bass in these headphones, you won’t find it; instead, you get sound that drives just enough to be present and keep a track grounded.
Midrange Frequencies
The R50x is a fantastic headphone for midrange clarity. The natural sound reproduction reaches a new level, impressing in vocals and acoustic guitars. You get pretty decent separation, which helps in reference headphones for when you want to monitor the different elements of tracks. The layers of these tracks are well heard, expanding outward to be placed in the stereo field.
High Frequencies
The high frequencies get a nice feature in the R50x, coming in with a lot of clarity and airiness that keeps the sound as light as the headphone itself. The sound is colorful and has excellent clarity, all the while not steering into the shrill or piercing side of things. The sound rings out and dissipates naturally, allowing high instruments to get that authentic sound that so many engineers will come to appreciate. Rooms are heard as much as instruments, so large orchestras can be envisioned in the large halls they were recorded in.
Summary
Audio-Technica’s ATH-R50x is an excellent example of how good headphones don’t need a gigantic price tag. These headphones retail for $159, and they are an excellent choice for engineers and mixers looking for a good reference headphone for their musical projects. While they may seem a bit too flimsy for some folks, or perhaps lacking in some color, the R50x is definitely a top contender for people looking for a studio headphone at a fraction of the cost. At this price point, the functionality and sound quality deliver in full.
The ATH-R50x is available at Audio46 today.
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