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expired Posted by SprinkSponk • Mar 24, 2024
expired Posted by SprinkSponk • Mar 24, 2024

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

+ Free S/H

$85

$169

49% off
41 Comments 22,190 Views
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Deal Details
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

Written by Discombobulated | Staff
  • 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

Original Post

Written by SprinkSponk
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
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

Written by Discombobulated | Staff
  • 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

Original Post

Written by SprinkSponk

Community Voting

Deal Score
+22
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Top Comments

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.
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
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.

40 Comments

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Mar 28, 2024
9 Posts
Joined Jan 2019
Mar 28, 2024
LavenderPiranha2295
Mar 28, 2024
9 Posts
Quote from hsus0225 :
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.
What do you recommend for monitor headphones around (or below) this price point?
Mar 28, 2024
64 Posts
Joined Jan 2019
Mar 28, 2024
CarlC3200
Mar 28, 2024
64 Posts
Quote from Gmesh :
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.
Any suggestions for gaming and office I saw you mentioned 2 I have 20+ headsets and a lotta headphones I'm no audiophile I just enjoy new sounds
Mar 28, 2024
123 Posts
Joined Feb 2019
Mar 28, 2024
JishengC
Mar 28, 2024
123 Posts
Quote from LavenderPiranha2295 :
What do you recommend for monitor headphones around (or below) this price point?
There used to be a headphone recommendation site from /r/headphones based on general community recommendations and a very basic description of the sound signature. It hasn't been updated in years now but most of the open/closed back recommendations still stand as they don't need to be updated that often. Headphones that were good decades ago are still good today. Only new headphones/updates/brands will not be on the list. The guy who made the guide said it hasn't been updated in at least 4 years.

https://sites.google.com/view/quipa/assistants

The list is a good starting point because it gives a simple description of the bass, mids, and treble as either emphasized, neutral, or recessed. You can find a headphone in the price tier you are interested in with a sound signature that will fit your preferred music type or sound signature.
Mar 28, 2024
64 Posts
Joined Apr 2011
Mar 28, 2024
bekeleven
Mar 28, 2024
64 Posts
Quote from AlKrio :
it's weird to read how people compare these studio monitors, that were made to create music, with headphones, that were made to enjoy music, and somehow decide that one is better than the other. It's like comparing chef knife and butter knife, both are technically knives, but it's hard to say, which one is actually better without mentioning intended use case.
If you have access to EQ, what's the difference between, say, comfortable closed monitors vs comfortable closed headphones?

If anything, wouldn't the monitors be better since a flat frequency response lets you EQ more precisely?
Mar 29, 2024
2,215 Posts
Joined Jan 2005
Mar 29, 2024
truckin76
Mar 29, 2024
2,215 Posts
Quote from bekeleven :
If you have access to EQ, what's the difference between, say, comfortable closed monitors vs comfortable closed headphones?

If anything, wouldn't the monitors be better since a flat frequency response lets you EQ more precisely?
True, you dont want to blow out your ear drums pumping all that bass or shear off your fine high frequency sensors or create tinnitus with loud midrange.

Starting flat as possible and then increasing the frequencies a little step at a time is the best way to go. Remember, most music is not mastered flat either and modern mastering is usually bass heavy and compressed so the highs sound like crap.
Mar 30, 2024
254 Posts
Joined Apr 2010
Mar 30, 2024
CongaMail
Mar 30, 2024
254 Posts
Quote from herbsprovence :
I don't understand the hate on these headphones on an audio perspective.

But it is moot imo since the complaints on build quality is very warranted. The earpads are replaceable but the headband is not. I had mine for 5+ years probably and had my headband just duct taped as it flaked. It will also squish and get less comfortable as well. I would rather spend more money to get a longer lasting product. Keep in mind as well that cosmetically, you will need to deviate with replacement parts. I was unable to find good options for the M50xBL. I felt kind of burned.
I hate it mostly because of comfort. I don't necessarily have huge ears, but these do not fully go around my ears at all and the cups are fairly shallow which creates even more problems. I can't see how these can even be considered over-the-ear unless you're a tiny human with tiny ears.
Mar 31, 2024
104 Posts
Joined Dec 2005
Mar 31, 2024
panfist
Mar 31, 2024
104 Posts
Quote from Gmesh :

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.
It's funny you mention the dt770 which I find not very durable at all. I have had three and they all had problems almost right away. Why even mention two other open back headphones as alternatives to these close back?

I would love to have another alternative closed back headphone with good isolation, sound stage, and durability.

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Apr 2, 2024
477 Posts
Joined Nov 2020
Apr 2, 2024
SuperMario640
Apr 2, 2024
477 Posts
These are too tight do not buy if your head is big or you're not hardheaded
Apr 2, 2024
2,215 Posts
Joined Jan 2005
Apr 2, 2024
truckin76
Apr 2, 2024
2,215 Posts
Just got mine.

Looks new and sounds just as good as my black one which was purchased new years ago.

I made sure I used a clean link to buy it so the censoring authoritarian libtards here at SD wont get a dime from the purchase.
Apr 3, 2024
45 Posts
Joined Nov 2019
Apr 3, 2024
MellowStag5169
Apr 3, 2024
45 Posts
Quote from Gmesh :
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.
These are for music and audio production not for pure listening enjoyment.

A narrow sound stage (like the hd 600)means that if you can make them sound wide, then your tracks will sound really really wide.

It's more complicated than all that but for the money and for the purposes of audio production I'd say that this is a good deal

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