Open-backed music to my ears

The Audio-Technica ATH-R50x look and sound great, and they benefit from their open-ear design in ways that have made them my go-to headphones for Mac gaming, music, and more.

You don’t necessarily have to be an audiophile to be familiar with the name Audio-Technica. The Japanese company has been making audio gear since 1962, so it’s not new to the headphone game.

In fact, it’s not new to most aspects of audio. Visit the company’s website today, and you’ll see headphones, turntables, microphones, and more on offer.

In short, Audio-Technica knows what it’s doing. And some of its headphones are among the most trusted among audio professionals and enthusiasts.

So when the company offered to send me a pair of its newer headphones to test, I wasn’t going to turn them down. A brand-new pair of the then recently released ATH-R50x headphones soon landed on more doorsteps.

That was a few months ago now, but I wanted to spend some real time with them before I formed any opinions. Because, unlike most headphones I’ve tested, the ATH-R50x are open-backed and sold as “reference” headphones.

“Reference” headphones are designed to take the audio from a source and pipe it into your ears unfettered. Or, as close to that as they can, at least.

Music professionals like DJs and musicians, understandably, are the target audience for such headphones. I’m neither, but I do use a MacBook Pro — the go-to computer for such people.

All of this made the ATH-R50x particularly interesting. Add the fact that they’re wired, when I usually go for wireless, and I was thoroughly out of my comfort zone.

But after a few months, I’m sold.

The Audio-Technica ATH-R50x headphones are almost permanently plugged into my Anker Prime Thunderbolt 5 dock. The only time they’re unplugged is when I go mobile, then they get plugged straight into my MacBook Pro, just how the audio gods intended.

Audio-Technica ATH-R50x headphones review: Design

If you’ve seen a pair of Audio-Technica’s recent headphones, the ATH-R50x will look familiar. To me, they look exactly how a pair of pro-level headphones should.

That means plenty of metal on show, while the plastic that is present feels solid. But despite the quality feel, these headphones weigh just 207 grams (7.3 ounces).

One of the key features of the ATH-R50x is their open-backed design. That means that they feel airy and comfortable, even in warmer temperatures.

That design also means that these headphones aren’t going to isolate you from the outside world. That works both ways — you’ll hear your surroundings, and others will hear what you’re listening to.

Audio-Technica ATH-R50x review: There’s plenty of padding for comfort

Whether or not that suits you will depend greatly on your needs. These aren’t headphones for a noisy office environment, for example.

In terms of comfort, the adjustable headband has two soft pads that cushion it against your head. The ear pads feature a velour finish that looks and feels great.

Those ear pads can be replaced if they wear out or you prefer something more sturdy. But in my testing, they’re a pleasure to use, and I see no reason to swap them out.

Moving down to the cabling, the ATH-R50x have a single 3.5mm connection to the left ear cup. That means you can easily swap between the included 1.2-meter and 3-meter cables. There’s a twist-lock system to keep those cables in place, too. A 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter is also included.

Rounding things out, Audio-Technica includes a handy bag for keeping everything in. It doesn’t offer much protection, but it’s better than what Apple ships the AirPods Max with.

Audio-Technica ATH-R50x headphones review: Specs

When it comes to reviewing a pair of headphones like Audio-Technica’s ATH-R50x, there aren’t many features to speak of. They aren’t that kind of product.

There is no active noise cancellation (ANC), so no transparency mode, either. They aren’t wireless, so there’s no battery life to consider.

Instead, what you do get is a pair of headphones built with clarity and accurate reproduction instead.

The ATH-R50x achieve that thanks in part to that open-backed design. It allows the audio room to breathe, avoiding the closed-in feeling that closed-back headphones often have.

Hand holding black over ear headphones in front of a vivid swirling background of colorful liquid paint and bubbles in pink, purple, blue, green, and yellow

Audio-Technica ATH-R50x review: A detatchable cable handles connectivity

Audio-Technica also uses 45mm drivers with a frequency response of 5 to 40,000 Hz. The ATH-R50x are also rated for a maximum power output of 1,600 mW with an impedance of just 50 ohms.

All of that means that you can use these headphones with just about anything, so long as it has a 3.5mm or 6.3mm port.

Using the Audio-Technica ATH-R50x headphones

I’ve been using these headphones for a considerable time in order to write this review. In that time, they’ve become my go-to option when wireless connectivity isn’t required.

In that time, I’ve mainly used the headphones connected to a Mac, listening to music, watching videos, and playing games. I’ve also used them connected to other devices like the Steam Deck, too.

It’s always difficult to describe how a pair of headphones sounds. But I’m a big fan of the way the ATH-R50x sound, especially when playing music.

The open-backed design, coupled with a balanced sound, makes for a great listening experience. A wide soundstage means you can almost place each sound in 3D space.

That feeling of openness is particularly profound when playing games. Playing games like Arc Raiders leaves you feeling like you know exactly where those footsteps are — like you’re in the room with them.

Fans of bass won’t be left disappointed here, either, so long as they want clarity of reproduction. There’s no Beats-like heaviness to the audio here, and the ATH-R50x are all the better for it.

Comfort-wise, I’ve no complaints. These headphones are the anti-AirPods Max, and I was able to wear them for hours without issue. It’s like they aren’t there.

Cute round plush toy wearing large black headphones on a colorful desk mat, in front of a computer monitor, speakers, game controller, smartphone, and partial mechanical keyboard

Audio-Technica ATH-R50x review: The most comfortable headphones I’ve ever worn

Unfortunately, that means it’s easy to forget that you’re tethered to your sound source. Especially if you’re used to wireless earbuds and headphones.

Thankfully, the ATH-R50x have survived the odd tumble as a result of my forgetfulness.

To sum up, the Audio-Technica ATH-R50x are a great pair of headphones. They’ve proven more than capable across all of my testing.

Whether you’re looking for reference-grade headphones for music creation or a comfortable pair for podcasting, they’re a solid option.

But they can also hold their own when it’s playtime, too. There’s really no reason to wear a stuffy, heavy gaming headset when you can plug these in instead.

At around $169, they aren’t cheap. But if you want great sound in a package that’s comfortable to wear, these are the headphones to buy.