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Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBB-CR LE Professional Monitor Headphones (Refurbished)

$84.50
$169.00
+ Free S/H
+24 Deal Score
18,380 Views
Outlet.Audio-Technica has Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBB-CR Limited Edition Professional Monitor Headphones in Blue/Black (Certified Refurbished) on sale for $84.50. Shipping is free.

Thanks to community member SprinkSponk for finding this deal

Note, product is a certified refurbished unit.

About the Product
  • Closed Back Dynamic
  • 45mm Drivers
  • 15-28,000Hz Frequency Response
  • 99 dB Sensitivity
  • 38 ohms Impedance
  • Neodymium Connector
  • Gold-Plate Stereo 1/8" (3.5mm) Connector w/ Strain Relief
  • Copper Clad Aluminum Wire Voice Coil
  • Foldable/Collapsible
Includes
  • Audio-Technica ATH-M50XBB-CR Limited Edition Professional Monitor Headphones in Blue/Black (Certified Refurbished)
  • Audio-Technical Protective Carrying Pouch
  • 6.3mm (1/4") Screw-On Adapter
Warranty
  • Includes a 1-year limited end user warranty w/ purchase [Details]

Editor's Notes & Price Research

Written by
  • As the most critically acclaimed model in the M-Series line, the ATH-M50 is praised by top audio engineers and pro audio reviewers year after year
  • This product is a certified refurbished unit; inspected and tested by quality control team and fitted w/ any replacement parts as needed.
  • Some refurbished products may have small blemishes, but nothing that will in any way affect the product's performance
  • Product is only available in the blue/black colorway
  • Offer valid while pricing/supplies last
Additional Notes
  • Please see original post for additional details & give the WIKI and additional forum comments a read for helpful discussion - Discombobulated
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Original Post

Written by
Edited March 23, 2024 at 07:43 PM by
Professional studio headphones in limited edition blue and black colour scheme.
Certified Refurbished.
1 year limited warrenty

https://outlet.audio-technica.com/ath-m50xbb-cr
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Created 03-23-2024 at 07:31 PM by SprinkSponk
in Headphones, Headsets & Earbuds (6)
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Score +24
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$84.50
$169.00
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Please don't buy these in 2024. I feel like the people who recommend them are those who have never really tried anything else.

The soundstage in these are probably the worst part, it sounds like you are listening to music in a hallway. It's just thrown at you from the front. There's not a lot of "life" in them and they sound very reference, but in a bad way.

The leather on the headband and earpads will flake after about 2-3 years. The earpads are easily replaceable but the headband is not. The earpads also have a very strange shape and (at least for me) didn't sit right.

Positives: They are fairly natural sounding. Cable is also removable. Plastic parts of the build are pretty solid.

I had these for about 6 years and I don't regret it, but there are just better options.

If you can pay more, I'd go with a Sennheiser HD560s. If you can't, I'd do a Phillips SPH9500. If you need closed, DT770. There are also others in this price range as well.

Remember audio is subjective and this is just my opinion.
Ā·
the longevity on the pads and leather is horrible, I've owned multiple ath m50x's, while the soundstage is great, audio wise they are solid, but as far as the quality on the fabric / leather it's abysmal. Falls apart, patchy, looks ugly after a while
Ā·
These are barely over-the-ear at all. I used to swear by these early on when I didn't know any better. But looking back these are awful headphones.
Ā·

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Joined Jun 2009
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Anonymo
03-24-2024 at 03:51 PM.

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03-24-2024 at 03:51 PM.
I have the black ones. Sound is good and natural, but I'm sure these aren't the best, maybe not even for the price anymore. They do sound better with an amp and DAC, but they are also not very comfortable for long periods of time, especially once the ear muffs start getting some wear. They get hot on the ear, and then you feel the tightness of the headband after a while as well. Plus, with these, you are limited to just wired, unless you buy the adapter. They do look cool in the blue, but I will try to get the BOSE second edition to try those instead.
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Last edited by Anonymo March 24, 2024 at 03:54 PM.
Joined May 2013
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> bubble2 603 Posts
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ChiragC
03-24-2024 at 04:01 PM.
03-24-2024 at 04:01 PM.
the longevity on the pads and leather is horrible, I've owned multiple ath m50x's, while the soundstage is great, audio wise they are solid, but as far as the quality on the fabric / leather it's abysmal. Falls apart, patchy, looks ugly after a while
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Joined Apr 2010
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CongaMail
03-24-2024 at 05:41 PM.

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03-24-2024 at 05:41 PM.
These are barely over-the-ear at all. I used to swear by these early on when I didn't know any better. But looking back these are awful headphones.
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Joined Jan 2024
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Maxi5
03-24-2024 at 06:42 PM.
03-24-2024 at 06:42 PM.
Quote from ChiragC :
the longevity on the pads and leather is horrible, I've owned multiple ath m50x's, while the soundstage is great, audio wise they are solid, but as far as the quality on the fabric / leather it's abysmal. Falls apart, patchy, looks ugly after a while
You can replace them can't you?
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Joined Feb 2021
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> bubble2 35 Posts
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FuschiaCatfish203
03-24-2024 at 06:50 PM.
03-24-2024 at 06:50 PM.
Quote from Maxi5 :
You can replace them can't you?
You can upgrade them too =) Plenty of options available
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Joined Nov 2009
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> bubble2 51 Posts
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indignantfool
03-24-2024 at 07:32 PM.
03-24-2024 at 07:32 PM.
Quote :
You can replace them can't you?
You can... I replaced the pads on my with a velvety/velour feeling pads, and they're great, no sweating and still isolate out outside noise about the same.
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Joined Feb 2017
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dovageris
03-24-2024 at 08:18 PM.

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03-24-2024 at 08:18 PM.
I own this too and like many have commented the pleather and fabric they use is awful and peels off after 2-3 years of regular use. Yes the earcups are replaceable no problem. The big issue is with the headband. It flakes off pleather horribly and there is absolutely no easy way to replace it as it is directly attached to the foam and to the plastic headband. Even if you are lucky to pull it apart without causing any damage, no one makes replacement headband cushions for it.

I ended up getting a generic fabric zip sleeve from Amazon to cover the headband and it works ok: https://a.co/d/gQ58ptU

Other than that, these headphones provide excellent audio and internal build quality.
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Joined Nov 2019
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AmusedMoon6137
03-24-2024 at 08:29 PM.
03-24-2024 at 08:29 PM.
I've owned multiple pairs of these for years, solid audio performance that lasts. But as others said, you will eventually have to replace the flaking earcups and get a sleeve for the flaking headband. I've always loved that the cord disconnects on this brand, so you don't accidentally snag and break them
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Joined Nov 2022
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BeigeSparrow757
03-25-2024 at 04:53 AM.
03-25-2024 at 04:53 AM.
if i select for gaming, how will be this sound quality ?
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Joined Feb 2014
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mephi5to
03-25-2024 at 08:19 AM.
03-25-2024 at 08:19 AM.
Quote from CongaMail :
These are barely over-the-ear at all. I used to swear by these early on when I didn't know any better. But looking back these are awful headphones.
what you got now? what are you comparing them to? what's your recomendation?
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Joined Nov 2015
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Gmesh
03-25-2024 at 09:39 AM.
03-25-2024 at 09:39 AM.
Please don't buy these in 2024. I feel like the people who recommend them are those who have never really tried anything else.

The soundstage in these are probably the worst part, it sounds like you are listening to music in a hallway. It's just thrown at you from the front. There's not a lot of "life" in them and they sound very reference, but in a bad way.

The leather on the headband and earpads will flake after about 2-3 years. The earpads are easily replaceable but the headband is not. The earpads also have a very strange shape and (at least for me) didn't sit right.

Positives: They are fairly natural sounding. Cable is also removable. Plastic parts of the build are pretty solid.

I had these for about 6 years and I don't regret it, but there are just better options.

If you can pay more, I'd go with a Sennheiser HD560s. If you can't, I'd do a Phillips SPH9500. If you need closed, DT770. There are also others in this price range as well.

Remember audio is subjective and this is just my opinion.
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Joined Dec 2007
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> bubble2 149 Posts
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hsus0225
03-26-2024 at 12:07 PM.
03-26-2024 at 12:07 PM.
Quote from BeigeSparrow757 :
if i select for gaming, how will be this sound quality ?
They're very neutral and originally intended as entry level reference monitors. As far as gaming is concerned, you won't get big, boomy bass for that movie theater immersion experience, but you will hear EVERYTHING very clearly. This works particularly well for e-sports shooters due to how distinctly you'll be able to pick out important sound cues and identify their source position in the midst of the audio chaos of everything else happening.

I bought two pairs 9 years ago when there was a sale, and when these were still considered highly regarded budget reference headphones for value. On average I've used the first pair 15-20 hours per week since then, and am still using them. After 7000+ hours of usage they still sound just like the second pair which I keep around as a backup and have less than 100 hours on.

The pleather parts will start disintegrating within 2 years, so you'll need to get a wrap for the headband and replace the ear pads if you want to continue using the headphones comfortably -- but the functional components will otherwise last a long time.

There are a lot of good and/or better options these days for reference headphones around this price point but these are still functional and very competitive when on sale.
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IndigoTent3072
03-26-2024 at 11:54 PM.
03-26-2024 at 11:54 PM.
Quote from Anonymo :
I have the black ones. Sound is good and natural, but I'm sure these aren't the best, maybe not even for the price anymore. They do sound better with an amp and DAC, but they are also not very comfortable for long periods of time, especially once the ear muffs start getting some wear. They get hot on the ear, and then you feel the tightness of the headband after a while as well. Plus, with these, you are limited to just wired, unless you buy the adapter. They do look cool in the blue, but I will try to get the BOSE second edition to try those instead.
Consider the Sennheiser HD 599. They sometimes go on sale for $100. Great sound, plenty of clean bass, and very comfortable.
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