Over-Ear Headphones · owner-verdict comparison

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs HiFiMan HE400se: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the HiFiMan HE400se: 80% of 127 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 →

HiFiMan HE400se

80%of 127 owners recommend
80% recommend · 9% neutral · 11% don't
Owners praise
  • Outstanding sound for the price / bargain planar
  • Wonderful, fast planar bass
  • Responds beautifully to EQ
Owners complain about
  • Uncomfortable headband with a pressure hotspot
  • Hard to drive / needs a proper amp
  • Treble peaks / harshness that need EQ
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 HiFiMan HE400se if
  • ✓Budget listeners getting into planar magnetic headphones
  • ✓Users who EQ their headphones for best results
  • ✓Fans of warm, musical, non-clinical sound
  • ✓Value seekers pairing them with a proper amp
Skip it if
  • Phone-only listeners without a decent amp
  • People sensitive to headband pressure or hotspots

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 HiFiMan HE400se owners say

“The treble is still tamed, but the bass doesn't seem to roll off. Punchy and fun.”
— @onepieceatatime on YouTube
“they are amazing, the replacement grills smooth out all the peaks and dips”
— @ZdraveBass on YouTube
“Hifiman are known to last about two months. It's only a question of time before they fail and customer service is bad from what I saw.”
— @westsenkovec on YouTube

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs HiFiMan HE400se: frequently asked questions

Is the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x or the HiFiMan HE400se better?

Real owners lean toward the HiFiMan HE400se: 80% of 127 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 HiFiMan HE400se?

Owners point the HiFiMan HE400se at budget listeners getting into planar magnetic headphones, and users who EQ their headphones for best results.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is bloated bass that muddies the mids. For the HiFiMan HE400se, it's uncomfortable headband with a pressure hotspot.