Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs Onkyo W800BT

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.

The bass of these headphones sound full with a slight boost. This makes the bass quite punchy without drowning the mids or highs.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Instead of being bloated and overpowering, the bass is punchy and fast so while these will not be able to produce a lot of rumble. Thump should be satisfying for most users. The highs are nice and airy with a lot of detail yet never become harsh, so these are not fatiguing to listen to. The mids sound very natural and jump out just enough to make vocals and guitars very easy to hear and appreciate.

These should work best for more vocal and instrument focused genres like jazz, rock, classical and the like. Bass heavy tracks will still sound good with these, though these headphones will not be able to give the deep bass that bass lovers will be after.

The carrying case has an internal battery, and with a full charge, can supply the headphones with 5 full charges on the go.

The soundstage that these produce gives the music an open feel with good instrument separation. This quality will help give the listener an immersive music listening experience.