Over-Ear Headphones · owner-verdict comparison

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs DT 770 Pro: what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 55% of 663 Audio-Technica ATH-M50x owners recommend it, vs 55% of 197 for the DT 770 Pro.

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

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 →

DT 770 Pro

55%of 197 owners recommend
55% recommend · 20% neutral · 25% don't
Owners praise
  • Exceptionally comfortable for long sessions, with soft velour pads that owners say let them wear the headphones for hours (some cite 15-hour days) without fatigue
  • Built to last for years of daily use, with many owners reporting the same pair still going strong after 3, 9, even 13-15 years
  • Punchy, full bass with a balanced V-shaped signature that many describe as fuller and better-tuned than rival closed-backs
Owners complain about
  • Sharp, peaky treble (the well-known 'Beyer treble') that many find harsh, sibilant, or fatiguing, sometimes causing headaches after 10-15 minutes
  • Plastic components (headband sliders, hinges, earcup connectors) that crack or break over time, sometimes worsened by heat and humidity
  • Tight clamping fit and small earcups that some owners find uncomfortable, causing jaw soreness or head squeezing within an hour of wearing
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

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
Get the DT 770 Pro if
  • Gamers and FPS players wanting wide, precise soundstage in a closed-back set
  • Home studio mixers/producers who value detail and don't mind a bright signature
  • Long-session listeners who prioritize all-day comfort and light clamp
  • Buyers on a budget wanting durable, repairable headphones that last a decade-plus
Skip it if
  • Treble-sensitive listeners; harsh, sibilant highs cause fatigue or headaches
  • Anyone needing a detachable cable, since the fixed cable often frays or breaks

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

What DT 770 Pro owners say

i'd say go for the Beyerdynamics since their only drawback is their harsh upper register of the frequency and nothing else. For the money, you can't beat them!
chrissb34 on Reddit
dt 770 100% and hyperx quadcast microphone! Best combo ever and "cheap"
NervousNobody666 on Reddit
The long term durability of these headphones seems to really depend on the climate where you live. When I moved to Florida the humidity and/or heat really caused them to start deteriorating fast.
Lord_swarley on Reddit

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs DT 770 Pro: frequently asked questions

Is the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x or the DT 770 Pro better?

Real owners rate these about evenly: 55% of 663 Audio-Technica ATH-M50x owners recommend it, vs 55% of 197 for the DT 770 Pro.

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.

Who should get the DT 770 Pro?

Owners point the DT 770 Pro at gamers and FPS players wanting wide, precise soundstage in a closed-back set, and home studio mixers/producers who value detail and don't mind a bright signature.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is bloated bass that muddies the mids. For the DT 770 Pro, it's sharp, peaky treble (the well-known 'Beyer treble') that many find harsh, sibilant, or fatiguing, sometimes causing headaches after 10-15 minutes.