Audio-Technica has been around for longer than we can remember and their products have been setting the standards for what good audio products should sound like. Keeping up with the times, one of the company’s most iconic models, the M50 which were originally launched in 2007, have now received the wireless feature and will be going on sale as the M50xBT. Let’s take a closer look at what do these new wireless headphones have to offer.
Audio Technica M50xBT; The legacy continues
The original M50, were first launched in 2007 as a proper wired headphones with non removable cable and immediately won praise for being the perfect choice for people looking to upgrade to high fidelity headphones. The first M50 were originally designed for professional use and that is partly responsible for the M50 delivering the incredible sound signature that they’re known for. Continuing this legacy, ATH launched the M50x in 2014, which were identical to the M50 in their performance, but this time came with a removable cable. From removable cable, to no cable at all, we have the M50xBT, which retains the looks and design of the original M50, but ATH also promises that they’ll also retain the cherished sound signature of the M50 lineage.
The headphones have been designed by the same engineers who designed the original M50. According to ATH, the M50xBT “harnesses the legendary ATH-M50x studio sound for an exhilarating wireless listening experience, with exceptional clarity and deep, accurate bass response.” These all new wireless headphones come with Bluetooth 5.0 wireless technology with support for AAC and ApX codecs and large-aperture 45 mm drivers, which ensures that “the ATH-M50xBT brings the coveted sonic signature of M50x to a wireless, on-the-go design”.
The M50xBT have been clearly built with focus on wireless performance, with the company even claiming that you should use them in the wireless mode preferably, instead of using the included cable that connects using a analog 3.5mm jack. The sound drivers inside the ear cups have been specially tuned to match the sonic signature of earlier M50 models and there’s also a built-in digital to analog converter (DAC) to ensure that regardless of the connected source, you get a consistent sound experience.
The company promises upto 40 hours of music playback on a single charge and that’s really impressive. Not just that, the 90-degree swivelling ear cups and a collapsible design make the headphones super easy to pack away. Keeping up with the modern times, the headphones also come with built-in support for smart assistants, and a two-second tap on the left ear cup provides quick access to speak to Siri or Google Assistant.
Audio Technica M50xBT: Wireless Perfection?
The only gripe that one might have with the M50xBT is that they don’t come with active noise cancellation. That being said, the M50x headphones have usually offered some solid passive noise isolation, owing to its closed back design. Another thing that might tick off some buyers is the fact that the M50xBT come with a micro-USB charging port, even when the focus has been slowly shifting towards adopting the newer USB Type-C standard.
The M50xBT is available to buy right away and have been priced competitively at $199 (approx. INR 14,000). In the United States, they’re available to buy via Amazon and Best Buy. In Europe and other markets, they are available to buy online via different stores. Check this link to know more about the availability of the M50xBT.
