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Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO

More people recommend the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x overall (99 vs 75). None of the 26 comments that name both says outright which one to buy, so read the loves and complaints and decide by taste.

Comments naming both
26
Say they own both
4
Choose the ATH-M50x
0
Choose the DT 990 PRO
0

Preference evidence:Limited0 explicit choices among 26 comments naming both.What the levels mean

Counted across 15 review videos, harvested Sep 2026. A comment counts as a choice only when it says so in plain words (prefer X over Y, upgraded from Y to X); questions never count. Quotes are whole sentences of 12 words or fewer, linked to where they were said. How we count.

At a glance the better number on each row is highlighted
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBeyerdynamic DT 990 PRO
Typical price$159cheaper$200
Overall rank#5higher#8
People who recommend it99more75
Say they own it172more109
Mentions927more775
Typeclosed-back wiredopen-back wired
Known forClosed-backPortableBassOpen-backBass and trebleBuilt to last
Best forRecommended as a tough, portable closed headphone for people who want bass and will use it on the move.Recommended for big, spacious sound on a budget by people who like sparkle and do not mind an amp.
BuyAmazon · $159Amazon · $200Direct

#5 overall

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

6 of the 26 comments naming both come from people who say they own this one.

What owners love

  • Very durable; several owners report five-plus years of daily use
  • Punchy bass and clarity; good for casual listening as well as recording
  • Folds, detachable cable, easy to drive from a phone

The complaints

  • Narrow, cramped soundstage compared with open-backs
  • Some find it bass-heavy or overpriced for what it is
  • Ear pads and the small hinge tab wear out and need replacing

In their words

#8 overall

Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO (250 ohm)

4 of the 26 comments naming both come from people who say they own this one.

What owners love

  • Wide, open soundstage with sharp imaging; owners who came from gaming headsets call it a revelation
  • Very comfortable velour pads; owners keep them for 5-7 years
  • Built like the DT 770 and repairable: pads, headband and cable are replaceable

The complaints

  • The treble: bright to sharp, the most repeated complaint of any Beyer; some EQ it down
  • Bass is present but not deep
  • 250 ohm version wants an amp; the Pro X or 80 ohm editions are easier to drive
  • US service and repair experiences are poor

In their words

Questions people ask about this pair

Every answer is built from the counts on this page, not from our own listening.

Is the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x better than the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO?
None of the 26 comments naming both says outright which one to buy. Overall, 99 people recommend the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x and 75 the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO. Read what owners love and complain about below and decide by taste.
Which is cheaper, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x or the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO?
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is cheaper: $159 against $200 when we last checked. Prices move, so the buy buttons show the live price.
Which do more people recommend, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x or the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO?
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x: 99 people recommend it against 75. On the site-wide leaderboard the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is #5 and the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO is #8.
Do people own both the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x and the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO?
Yes. 4 of the 26 comments that name both come from people who say they own both pairs. 6 say they own the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x and 4 the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO.
What do owners complain about on the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x and the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO?
The most repeated complaint about the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x: narrow, cramped soundstage compared with open-backs. About the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO: the treble: bright to sharp, the most repeated complaint of any Beyer; some EQ it down. The full lists are on each side below.

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