for about 3 months I had a low-end Sony headphones (sound + as was ok for the price but the insulation 0)

I was about to order the Beats Pro and had no doubt they were the best headphones I've had heard until. . . After researching online and watching several different reviews from different people, I was convinced to buy the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones.

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.

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

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.

Audio-Technica's M50 headphones are a standard feature in many studios, but you asked for more, and AT answered that call by adding an x to M. Andy Jones does the can-can…

The Audio Technica ATH-M50x is the latest revision of a legendary headphone, and with this iteration I feel their position in the pantheon of all-time great headphones is permanently secure.

This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com

The Audio Technica ATH M50xBL is the latest model of the M50 line of headphones. You may ask the question what is the difference between the XBL edition of the headphones compared to the other M50x's. The BL simply stands for blue.

The sound, the looks, and the build quality of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X all combine to make an awesome package. Oh, and they're under $200 dollars too.

Great looking; Great build quality; Excellent sound; Long cords provided

Cord is proprietary; Soundstage is lacking