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Add to SafariWhen comparing Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs JVC HA-RX900, the Slant community recommends Audio-Technica ATH-M50x for most people. In the question“What are the best over-ear headphones under $200?” Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is ranked 2nd while JVC HA-RX900 is ranked 17th. 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
Question Ranking
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 Produces good sound with a nice bass thump
These headphones produce great bass which, while not very powerful, still has some thump and goes deep. This bass quality of these headphones makes them great for listening to hip-hop, EDM, trance, and genres which put a lot of emphasis on the bass. The mids and highs may not be the best, but they do bring some life to the overall sound.
Pro Works well for gaming because these have great sound stage for a closed back pair of heapdhones
These headphones may have a closed back design, but the sound stage is very good. There is a sense of width to the sound, with nice instrument/sound source separation. This quality of sound makes these headphones a nice option for gaming use.
Pro Has great sound isolation thanks to large and closed ear cups
The HA-RX900 is able to keep the sound it produces within the cups, while at the same time effectively blocking ambient noise. This is primarily achieved through the headphone's large and closed ear cup design which cover the ears entirely. Also, the use of pleather material on the ear pads creates a good seal which prevents sound leakage.
Pro Comfortable to wear due to ample cushioning on the ear pads and head band
There is a lot of padding present on the ear pads and headband. This means that the contact points of these headphones to your head is well-cushioned and should minimize pain, even if these are worn for extended periods of time.
Pro Large ear cups comfortable for big ears
The ear cups easily accommodate big ears without pinching or cramping.
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 and highs may sound muddy
These headphones may not give you the best detail and clarity in the mids and highs. While they are definitely present, the quality is not great which can make the overall sound come off as a bit muddy for some.
Con Extended use can cause uncomfortable warmth on the ear-area
These headphones can trap heat on the area of the ears, especially when you wear these for long periods. The pleather material may be soft on the skin, but it also does not allow enough airflow to the ears. You may want to consider taking these headphones off periodically to prevent the heat buildup.
Con Difficult to use at times because of the very long and non-detachable cable
You may experience some hassle dealing with the cable used for these headphones. They are quite long which can be a good thing, but this also means that the cable can get in the way if you tend to move while using these headphones. Also, the length of the cable can make it quite difficult to organize. It also does not help that the cable is non-detachable from the headphones.
Con May become tiring to wear as these headphones are quite bulky and heavy
If you decide to wear these headphones for long periods of time, then it is possible that these can tire your neck. The HA-RX900 are quite large and heavy even when compared to other full sized headphones.
