Overview

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 takes the legendary M50x studio sound and cuts the cord without cutting corners. With LDAC support, 50-hour battery life, and the same detailed, punchy tuning that made the originals icons, these are a no-brainer for anyone upgrading from wired. At $199, it brings studio-grade audio to wireless without compromise.

Design & Build

The design is virtually unchanged from the wired M50x, which is a good thing - the robust plastic-and-metal build feels built to survive a tour bag. The ear pads are thick memory foam with pleather covering, offering good isolation but causing some warmth after two hours. The headband has minimal padding but distributes weight well. Swiveling ear cups make one-ear monitoring easy.

Performance

The sound signature is mildly V-shaped with slightly boosted bass and treble, delivering crisp detail retrieval and punchy lows without muddying the mids. LDAC over Bluetooth preserves nearly all the detail of wired playback, with a near-zero latency difference in our blind A/B test. The 45mm drivers handle complex metal mixes without congestion, and soundstage width is above average for closed-back designs.

The sound signature is mildly V-shaped with slightly boosted bass and treble, delivering crisp detail retrieval and punchy lows without muddying the mids. LDAC over Bluetooth preserves nearly all the detail of wired playback, with a near-zero latency difference in our blind A/B test. The 45mm drivers handle complex metal mixes without congestion, and soundstage width is above average for closed-back designs.

Features

Battery life is exceptional at 50 hours, and a 10-minute quick charge gives 3 hours of playback. The built-in microphone array is clear enough for calls but not podcast-quality. Audio-Technica’s companion app offers a five-band EQ and low-latency mode for gaming. The included 3.5mm cable lets you go wired when the battery dies, and USB-C audio works directly for hi-res playback.

Pros

• Legendary M50x sound quality now wireless with LDAC
• Outstanding 50-hour battery life with quick charge
• Foldable, swiveling design for easy portability
• Detachable 3.5mm cable and USB-C audio support
• Robust build quality that can take abuse

Cons

• Clamping force is high, causing fatigue on long listening sessions
• Stock earpads get warm after extended wear
• No active noise cancellation
• App is basic and lacks advanced EQ presets

Verdict

The ATH-M50xBT2 is the wireless upgrade studio fans have been waiting for. It keeps the sound quality and durability of the original while adding modern conveniences, though the lack of ANC and tight clamping force limit all-day comfort.

Category Context

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 ($199) competes in the wireless headphone segment against the Sony WH-1000XM5 ($348, top-tier ANC, LDAC, 30-hour battery, but non-foldable) and the Sennheiser Momentum 4 ($349, excellent sound quality, 60-hour battery, ANC, but higher price). The M50xBT2’s advantages are the legendary M50x sound quality now available wirelessly via LDAC, the exceptional 50-hour battery life that outlasts most ANC competitors, the foldable and swiveling design for genuine portability, and the ability to go wired via detachable 3.5mm cable or USB-C audio when battery runs out. The tradeoffs are the complete lack of active noise cancellation which limits use in noisy environments, the high clamping force that causes fatigue on long listening sessions, and the stock earpads that become warm after extended wear. For listeners who prioritize audio quality and battery life over ANC and want studio-grade sound in a wireless package, the M50xBT2 is the best choice under $250. The Sony WH-1000XM5 remains the better pick for frequent travelers who need ANC.

Sources

• Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 Product Page
• Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 Specifications
• RTINGS - Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 Review