Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs Turtle Beach Elite Pro Tournament

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.

The Elite Pro delivers full, forward, powerful and detailed sound that should work well with any game or movie. Bass is powerful yet is also fast, so it does not muddy up the overall sound signature. The mids are slightly forward so in-game dialogue is very easy to hear and understand. The highs are very detailed yet do not get harsh, so you should be able to easily pick-up minute sound effects like footsteps and the rustling of leaves, which can give you a competitive edge when gaming.

You won’t have any issue wearing the Elite Pro for extended periods. The headband and ear pads feature thick memory foam which feel very soft, and drastically reduce pressure on the head. Also, there are ear cup settings that help to minimize the tension under certain parts of the ear pads, allowing them to compress more to accommodate those who wear glasses when gaming.

The Elite Pro won’t break easily, as the headset is built quite well. The headband adjustment and joints are made of metal, while the rest of the headset is made of high quality plastic which is lightweight yet does not flex or creak.