When comparing Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs JLab Epic2 Bluetooth, the Slant community recommends Audio-Technica ATH-M50x for most people. In the question“What are the best headphones?” Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is ranked 3rd while JLab Epic2 Bluetooth is ranked 47th. The most important reason people chose Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is:
The ATH-M50x are great sounding headphones with a sound that may fall in the neutral category, but with very slight boosts to the bass and highs; a slightly V-shaped sound. The bass is full and has a lot of power. The sub bass has a hint of elevation though, which can make the bass sound a bit loose on hip-hop or EDM tracks. The mids are fairly neutral with no elevation. The highs are also slightly elevated, which does not add harshness but instead gives the sound a shimmery and detailed feel. This sound signature of the M50x makes it versatile. It is neutral enough for monitoring use, yet also has just the right qualities to make it a great choice for enjoying music.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Generally neutral sounding but with an added kick to the low end
The ATH-M50x are great sounding headphones with a sound that may fall in the neutral category, but with very slight boosts to the bass and highs; a slightly V-shaped sound. The bass is full and has a lot of power. The sub bass has a hint of elevation though, which can make the bass sound a bit loose on hip-hop or EDM tracks. The mids are fairly neutral with no elevation. The highs are also slightly elevated, which does not add harshness but instead gives the sound a shimmery and detailed feel.
This sound signature of the M50x makes it versatile. It is neutral enough for monitoring use, yet also has just the right qualities to make it a great choice for enjoying music.
Pro Lively sounding bass
The bass of these headphones sound full with a slight boost. This makes the bass quite punchy without drowning the mids or highs.
Pro Good value for your money as these headphones are feature packed for the price
You get a lot from what you pay for with these headphones. Aside from the great sound, they are also well built and come with a lot of accessories.
Pro Stellar build quality
The ATH M50x is made from high quality matte plastics which are quite resistant to damage without being too heavy. The hinges move smoothly and do not have unnecessary creaks.
Pro Detachable cables
Audio-Technica finally updated the M50's built in cable to a detachable cable. The M50x even comes with three cables, a 1.2 m - 3.0 m coiled cable, a 3.0 m straight cable, and a 1.2 m straight cable. None of the cables have in-line controls though.
Pro Good passive isolation
The ear cups and pads are able to keep the sound in and block outside noise. These are suitable for a noisy office as even low volume music is enough to drown out those noisy office mates.
Pro Can collapse to a more compact size
The ear cups can be folded into the headband, reducing its footprint. Combined with the carrying pouch and detachable cables, you can easily chuck these headphones into your bag when going out.
Pro Great for tracking guitar
Pro Excellent battery life
You get 12 hours of playback off a single charge, which is better than most Bluetooth headphones.
Pro Clear, fairly balanced sound with forward mids
The highs and bass have good clarity. They do not stand out as amazing, but can easily be heard in the mix. The mids are quite forward so vocals sound great with these.
Pro Good accessory bundle
There is a carrying case as well as an assortment of ear tips and clips included. Not only does this add more value to the product, but this also gives you a lot of fit options when using these.
Pro A variety of ear tips to choose from
Aside from the standard ear tip design in different sizes, you also get a pair of triple flange tips for added noise isolation. If you have smaller ears, JLab also includes their shallow-fit tips which may give you a more secure fit.
Pro Universal remote
The in-line remote works fully for both Android and iOS devices.
Pro Great for gym or running
The ear hook design has the cable wrapping around your ears, helping the earpieces stay secure. They won't fall out easily while exercising.
Pro Very durable
The earpieces are made out of high quality, solid feeling plastic with minimal rattle. The cable has good thickness and does not feel flimsy. Its IPX5 rating minimizes the chances of liquid splashes damaging these.
Cons
Con Only passive noise cancellation
If you're looking for a headphone to keep you isolated on long plane rides, the M50x is probably not the right headphone for you. These headphones do not electronically limit exterior noises, it only blocks noise with its physical design.
Con Ear cups may be too small
The ear cups on the M50x are smaller than those on something like the 380HD or the DT 770 Pro. Your ears could end up touching the the inside of the headphones which can be uncomfortable for some.
Con Mids may be too in-your-face
The boosted mids may make the music sound unnatural if this is a sound signature that you are not used to. Vocals may be too loud, and guitars, especially with distortion effects, can be abrasive.
Con Non-standard remote function activation
Activating the functions with the remote takes some getting used to as it's different from other remotes. For example, you need to hold down the volume button for 2 seconds instead of the usual double tap to skip to the next song. This can get annoying if you're used to the standard way.