Over-Ear Headphones · owner-verdict comparison

K712 Pro vs Audio-Technica ATH-M50x: what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 50% of 80 K712 Pro owners recommend it, vs 55% of 663 for the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

K712 Pro

50%of 80 owners recommend

50% recommend · 28% neutral · 22% don't

Owners praise

Excellent for gaming, especially competitive FPS titles, thanks to a huge soundstage that makes footsteps and directional cues easy to place
Massive, precise soundstage and strong instrument separation/imaging that owners rate above rivals like the K701/Q701 and HD600
Very comfortable for long sessions, praised as light on the head and a good fit even for larger heads

Owners complain about

Bright, fatiguing treble with a dip in the mids that some owners find harsh or off-putting on longer listening sessions
Some owners find the imaging and soundstage less precise than expected, calling it unnaturally large or 'meh' compared to rivals like the DT880/990
Durability complaints, including drivers blowing out or headphones wearing out within one to two years

Full owner report →

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

55%of 663 owners recommend

55% recommend · 16% neutral · 29% don't

Owners praise

Excellent sound quality for the price
Built like a tank, lasts for years
Comfortable for long listening sessions

Owners complain about

Bloated bass that muddies the mids
Too-tight clamping force, uncomfortable for long sessions
Earpads and headband flake and peel

Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the K712 Pro if

✓Gamers wanting pinpoint footstep imaging and a huge soundstage for FPS titles
✓Classical and orchestral listeners who want spacious, airy presentation over bass slam
✓Low-volume, casual listeners who just want to enjoy music rather than critical monitoring
✓Big-headed or comfort-focused owners who wear these for hours without fatigue

Skip it if

Bass-heavy genre fans (hip-hop, metal) put off by boosted, muddled low end
Treble-sensitive listeners bothered by the fatiguing highs and mid-range dip

Get the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x if

✓Producers and DJs wanting durable closed-back monitors
✓Budget buyers wanting a build that lasts many years
✓Listeners who enjoy a bass-forward, fun sound signature
✓Anyone needing solid passive isolation for tracking

Skip it if

Mixers wanting a flat, reference-neutral response
Glasses-wearers or big heads doing long sessions with tight clamp

What K712 Pro owners say

“I keep coming back to them frequently as I love their weight, fit and sound, especially for mixing music.”
— _crackerjack73_ on Reddit

“Recommendation for the AKG 712 Pro, and perhaps tryout the k702 earcups for more detailed sound and wider soundstage.”
— Bastelkorb on Reddit

“the 712 fell way short with boosted bass that created a muddled midrange and a tepid soundstage not as pinpoint accurate and open as the other 7 series.”
— rajmahid on Reddit

What Audio-Technica ATH-M50x owners say

“I can absolutely recommend these, even today.”
— @jonas4288 on YouTube

“Just got these in too, love the detachable cable.”
— @TLD on YouTube

“the M50x isn't even good for monitoring”
— @DJScopeSOFM on YouTube

K712 Pro vs Audio-Technica ATH-M50x: frequently asked questions

Is the K712 Pro or the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x better?

Real owners rate these about evenly: 50% of 80 K712 Pro owners recommend it, vs 55% of 663 for the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x.

Who should get the K712 Pro?

Owners point the K712 Pro at gamers wanting pinpoint footstep imaging and a huge soundstage for FPS titles, and classical and orchestral listeners who want spacious, airy presentation over bass slam.

Who should get the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x?

Owners point the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x at producers and DJs wanting durable closed-back monitors, and budget buyers wanting a build that lasts many years.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the K712 Pro is bright, fatiguing treble with a dip in the mids that some owners find harsh or off-putting on longer listening sessions. For the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, it's bloated bass that muddies the mids.