Quibbles aside, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones are a modestly improved version of the already spectacular model they're based on, and among the best-sounding pairs you'll find for less than $200.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones offer excellent build quality and very detailed, balanced sound with tight bass; They're also very comfortable and have slightly more cushiony earcups along with a detachable-cord design (three cords are included).

There's no integrated microphone for making cell phone calls and the bulkier design makes them less suitable for mobile use.

Fall in love all over again with Audio-Technica's award-winning headphones.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are great sounding closed-back headphones for critical listening. They have an exceptional reproduction of ...

Interchangeable cables – detachable 1.2m – 3.0m (3.9’ – 9.8’) coiled cable, detachable 3.0m (9.8’) straight cable, and detachable 1.2m (3.9’)

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

One of the reasons Audio-Technica's ATH-M50 headphones became popular was that they were sort of the anti-Beats. Or, put another way, they were the headphones for "smart" listeners who looked down on people who overpaid and got suckered into the whole Beats marketing machine.

Quibbles aside, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones are a modestly improved version of the already spectacular model they're based on, and among the best-sounding pairs you'll find for less than $200.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones offer excellent build quality and very detailed, balanced sound with tight bass; They're also very comfortable and have slightly more cushiony earcups along with a detachable-cord design (three cords are included).

There's no integrated microphone for making cell phone calls and the bulkier design makes them less suitable for mobile use.

No complaints. They sound way better than any other pair I've owned. And they feel pretty durable. They are very comfortable for using over a long period of time. And the cool thing I like is the interchangeable cables, three to choose from. Not only the headphones but the service from mighty ape was superb – I ordered the pair around 10:00 am in the morning and got to me that afternoon around 6:00. From Auckland to Christchurch that is the quickest package I have ever gotten. Thanks a lot!!

Blimey, Mighty Ape does some ripper deals on these headphones from time to time, Well pleased! Anyway, these things aside – for the longest time my go to studio monitor headphones for both movies and music plugged into an amp have been my Sony MDR-7505's. They have a very ‘authenic’ natural clear sound stage (a lot of directors use them on set), decent bass and what I'd consider precise sound delivery across the full spectrum. One problem, they're somewhat fragile but more annoyingly the ear pads disintegrate very quickly requiring frequent replacement (at least once a year!). Accumulated frustration pushed me to explore alternatives and after reading reviews I decided on a set of M50X cans and I'm well pleased I did! The build quality is excellent, being both solid materials yet very comfortable and decent quality long life leather pads. The 45mm drivers in these deliver top notch very ‘full’ sound stage. It's a warm kind of sound and hard not to love them. As far as using them with a mobile etc, I have no probs driving them to more than acceptable volumes with my iPhone, but to be fair the larger drives really do shine plugged into an amp and as such is were I'd recommend they get used most often.

I have had these headphones on my wish-list for a long while (I was waiting to buy an appropriate amp so I could drive them properly), and the sound quality is fantastic. These are defiantly not headphones for use with a phone/tablet (earphones are a better choice for them) as they require more power than they can provide, but if you have an amp or a computer with good quality on-board sound/ sound card or a USB DAC you will be pleased with these headphones. The only downside I have with them is that wearing glasses with them can be a bit uncomfortable.

Amazing audio! Makes high quality music sound like heaven, I use them to listen to music all day while I'm at work and they're comfy, have a very high build quality, and sound incredible :)