Many of you may be wondering whether the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X or the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pros are the better pair of studio headphones. The short answer is: it depends. Which pair is best for you really comes down to what exactly you're looking for from your new pair of headphones.
In this guide, I compared the ATH-M50X vs DT 770 Pro studio headphones to help you decide which option is best for you.
ATH-M50X vs DT 770 Pro: Which Headphones are Better?
For music production and/or mixing and mastering purposes, we believe the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pros are the better option. However, which pair is better really comes down to your specific needs and what you're looking for from your headphones, so continue reading to dive deeper into what each of these headphones has to offer.
In this guide, we'll go over the strengths and weaknesses of each pair of headphones so you can make the most informed purchase decision possible.
After you’re done reading, don’t forget to check out our Bedroom Producer Essentials guide where you'll learn about all the necessary gear you need to get started on your music production journey.
With all that said, let's get into our comparison of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X vs Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro.
Price: $169.00
Type: Closed Back
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50Xs are a crowd favorite among music producers and DJs. Audio-Technica has a legendary reputation for manufacturing high quality audio products, and the ATH-M50Xs are no exception. For the price point of under $200, the build quality of these headphones is incredibly solid and the sound quality is also top notch.
These are closed back headphones, meaning there is more sound isolation and less audio leakage compared to open back headphones. In general, closed back headphones provide a more sealed-off, isolated audio experience, so these might be preferred if you want to hear every last detail of your mix. They're also typically better for recording, since you definitely don't want any audio leakage from your headphones picked up on the microphone. The DT 770s are also closed back headphones.
The ATH-M50Xs have leather ear pads which are decently comfortable, however not comparable comfort-wise to the soft plush ear pads on the DT 770s. The leather ear pads also tend to deteriorate after a few years of consistent use, although you can easily buy replacement ear pads for pretty cheap.
Regarding the overall sound quality of these headphones, the ATH-M50Xs provide more of a boost in the low end (bass) frequencies, which might not be ideal for you if you're looking to get the clearest, most accurate read on your mix. However, the mid and high (treble) frequencies are quite accurate, so you can rely on the ATH-M50Xs for mixing/mastering in those frequency ranges.
All-in-all, the ATH-M50Xs are well-built and portable headphones that offer amazing accuracy in the mid and high frequencies. However, the boost they provide in the low end may muddy up your mix and obstruct your ability to make the best mixing decisions, so keep that in mind when deciding which headphones to go with.
Price: $149.00
Type: Closed Back
The Beyerdynamic DT 770s are some of the most popular mixing headphones on the market, and it's easy to see why. The accurate and flat sound quality combined with the superior comfort of the plush ear pads make these an amazing value at $149.
Similar to the ATH-M50Xs, these are closed back headphones, meaning they provide more sound isolation and less audio leakage compared to open back headphones. The DT 770s are slightly flatter than the ATH-M50Xs, meaning they provide a slightly more accurate and clear representation of how your mix really sounds, which many people prefer when mixing and mastering. Comparatively, the ATH-M50Xs have a bit of an unnatural boost in the low end frequencies, which can make your mix sound more muddy.
The comfort of the DT 770s is one of the biggest selling points, as the plush ear pads make long mixing sessions more tolerable on your ears. However, if you live in a warmer climate, they do get a little hot on your head if you wear them for hours at a time.
The DT 770s are offered at 3 different OHM levels: 32 OHM, 80 OHM, and 250 OHM. The 32 OHM headphones require the least amount of power from the device you're plugging them into, while the 250 OHM headphones require the most power. Not all audio interfaces have the power necessary to drive the 250 OHM version, so if you want to be safe, the 80 OHM version is your best bet if you're using a normal USB-connected audio interface.
All-in-all, the DT 770s are arguably the best mixing/mastering headphones in this price range, and are a great choice if you want the clearest, most accurate read on your mix in order to make the most informed mixing and mastering decisions.
Final Thoughts
Both of these headphones are among the best options on the market, and at the end of the day, both will provide you with a solid professional audio experience. However, if you want the most accurate representation of how your mix sounds, I'd recommend the Beyerdynamic DT 770s over the Audio-Technica ATH-M50Xs. If you're still unsure, we have a full guide comparing various studio headphone options, so go check that out if you still need some guidance.
I hope this comparison has helped you understand the similarities and differences between these 2 headphones! If you have any lingering questions, feel free to leave them down below in the comments.
Enjoyed this guide? Make sure to check out our Bedroom Producer Essentials Guide or some of our reviews/buyer's guides.
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