Head to head · for music listening
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs Sony MDR-7506
More people recommend the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x overall (99 vs 23). None of the 22 comments that name both says outright which one to buy, so read the loves and complaints and decide by taste.
- Comments naming both
- 22
- Say they own both
- 2
- Choose the ATH-M50x
- 0
- Choose the MDR-7506
- 0
Counted across 18 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.
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | $159 | $115cheaper |
| Overall rank | #5higher | #23 |
| People who recommend it | 99more | 23 |
| Say they own it | 172more | 46 |
| Mentions | 922more | 287 |
| Type | closed-back wired | closed-back wired |
| Known for | Closed-backPortableBass | Studio classicClosed-backBargain |
| Best for | A tough, portable closed headphone for people who want bass and will use it on the move. | The under-$100 closed-back with thirty years of studio owners behind it. |
| Buy | Amazon · $159 | Amazon · $115Direct |
#5 overall
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
3 of the 22 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
“I got the M50x’s and love the sound, but they’re uncomfortable af”
A commenter under Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro | Why I Decided To Switch... (Audio University) · Dec 2021
“I've been using the M50x for awhile, and I really love them”
A commenter under Best Headphones for Music Production, Mixing, Tracking (Sanjay C) · Oct 2023
“I use the ATH-M50x headphones and simply LOVE them”
A commenter under Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro | Why I Decided To Switch... (Audio University) · Dec 2021
#23 overall
Sony MDR-7506
2 of the 22 comments naming both come from people who say they own this one.
What owners love
- The studio standard since 1991; owners keep pairs for 9-30 years
- Cheap, loud from anything, and repairable with third-party pads
- Clear, forward mids that owners use as a reference for vocals
The complaints
- Bass is thin; the most repeated complaint
- Bright, sometimes harsh upper mids
- Stock pads flake; the coiled cable is not detachable
- Plastic feel
In their words
“I love my MDR7506 but the low end is a bit lacking”
A commenter under Tested In-Depth: High-End Headphones and Amps (Adam Savage’s Tested) · Dec 2015
“I love my MDR7506 but they hurt my ears so bad”
A commenter under Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro | Why I Decided To Switch... (Audio University) · Dec 2021
“love my sony mdr7506 headphones”
A commenter under Don't Buy Studio Headphones Until You See This Tier List! (Under $500) (Andrew Chapman Creative) · Dec 2025
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- Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO vs Sony MDR-7506