Over-Ear Headphones · owner-verdict comparison

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X: 71% of 234 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

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 →

Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X

71%of 234 owners recommend
71% recommend · 14% neutral · 15% don't
Owners praise
  • Pinpoint imaging for gaming
  • Great all-rounder for music and gaming
  • Detailed, fairly neutral sound
Owners complain about
  • Strong clamp needs breaking in
  • Flimsy headband peels and cracks
  • Bass-light for bass heads
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 Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X if
  • Competitive gamers needing precise footstep imaging
  • Home producers mixing on a budget
  • Listeners wanting a neutral, detailed sound signature
  • Buyers who want great sound without a dedicated amp
Skip it if
  • Bass heads wanting deep, boomy low end
  • Anyone sensitive to strong headphone clamp force

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 Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X owners say

I bought the 900 proX as my first high end headphone for mostly gaming and music. They caused me to spend another 2k on speakers and a schiit stack because id never heard such beatiful sounds. Worth it
@Lperry on YouTube
900 sounds more natural, intimate and less fatiguing but it doesn't stage the same way.
Bret Halford on Head-Fi
That joint is a huge weak point in my opinion.
@drewmorg. on YouTube

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X: frequently asked questions

Is the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x or the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X better?

Real owners lean toward the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X: 71% of 234 owners recommend it, vs 55% of 663 for the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x.

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 Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X?

Owners point the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X at competitive gamers needing precise footstep imaging, and home producers mixing on a budget.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is bloated bass that muddies the mids. For the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X, it's strong clamp needs breaking in.