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The company Audio-Technica released its new over-ears some time ago ATH-M50xBT2 released, which act as direct successors to the popular M50xBT. The design language is still largely the same, but Audio-Technica has tweaked various adjustments to get even more out of the headphones. Important to know in advance: These are not devices with ANC, i.e. active noise cancellation. But for just under 200 euros you get really great headphones with strong sound and long-lasting comfort.
Why can I say that? I have the ATH-M50xBT2 in the new limited color variant allowed to test it and would like to briefly explain to you why, in my opinion, you can’t go wrong with the model – apart from the lack of ANC.
The design is clearly reminiscent of classic over-ears, the controls are located on the left earcup as physical buttons, Bluetooth connectivity is available and charging is via USB-C. The scope of delivery also includes a carrying bag and a 1.2 m long jack cable.
| Audio Technica ATH-M50xBT2 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Closed, dynamic |
| Driver dimension | 45mm |
| Frequency range | 15 – 28,000 Hz |
| sensitivity | 99dB/mW |
| impedance | 38 ohms |
| battery | 3.7V DC, lithium polymer battery |
| Battery life | Playback: max. approx. 50 hours |
| Weight | approx. 307 g |
| charging time | approx. 3.5 hours |
| Microphone type | MEMS |
| Microphone sensitivity | -38 dB (1V/Pa at 1 kHz) |
| Microphone frequency range | 85 – 15,000 Hz |
| Microphone polar pattern | Bullet |
| Included accessories | USB charging cable (30 cm, USB Type A to USB Type C), audio cable 1.2 m / 3.5 mm stereo mini jack plug, case |
| Bluetooth version | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Range | Line of sight – approx. 10 m |
| Supported Bluetooth profiles | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP |
| Supported codecs | LDAC/AAC, SBC |
I have to admit that when I first looked at the “Ice Blue” colorway I had, I had a lot of doubts that this wasn’t just a junky plastic product. The shiny turquoise looks (incorrectly) a bit cheap in combination with the material, but that’s just the first impression. The dark “Deep Sea” would probably have made me think differently here.
Nevertheless, I’m glad that I wasn’t deceived by the first impression. The wearing comfort alone is absolutely worth mentioning and even after wearing them for several hours, I didn’t get the feeling that the 307 g weight of the headphones would bother me. The lack of ANC is indeed noticeable if you are used to models with this technology, but the large ear cups and the sound of the ATH-M50xBT2 can compensate for this quite well. Only in outdoor areas that are very loud, such as city centers or train stations, does the powerful sound no longer cope with the background noise.
The Bluetooth connection works reliably and does not break down even when it is several rooms away from the playback device. LDAC / AAC and SBC are supported as codecs. The physical operation of the devices is a bit old-fashioned instead of touch operation, but you also get good feedback when tapping. Unfortunately, one or two touch gestures are missing, so you could make incorrect entries. This has never happened to me with the buttons.
You can use a free app (AT Connect App) to activate the low latency mode, experiment with equalizer settings or set up a voice assistant that can be called up at the push of a button.
The 45 mm drivers of the ATH-M50xBT2 ensure an extremely round, natural sound that also allows for very strong bass. Even at high volumes, the sound remains great and the soundstage is very dynamic. I definitely didn’t expect that from my first impression of the look.
Audio-Technica claims up to 50 hours of battery life for the ATH-M50xBT2, which is once again a significant plus compared to previous models. And in fact I can easily confirm this running time in my test, I actually even got 54 hours of running time, which was probably due to the rather mediocre volume at which I enjoy my music while blogging. Of course, this also reflects the fact that there is no ANC to additionally nibble on the battery.
The following improvements promises Audio-Technica compared to the previous model ATH-M50xBT:
1. Fast charging function: The ATH-M50xBT2 can be quickly charged via the USB-C port. After just 10 minutes of charging, it offers 3 hours of playback time.
2. Longer Battery Life: The ATH-M50xBT2’s battery has been upgraded to provide a full 50 hours of playback time after a full charge.
3. Improved call quality: The addition of dual microphones and beamforming technology improves voice pickup, resulting in better call quality.
4. New features: The ATH-M50xBT2 offers low latency mode, Google Fast Pair, multipoint pairing and access to other configurable options via the AT Connect app.
5. Support for Sony’s LDAC: The ATH-M50xBT2 supports Sony’s Bluetooth codec LDAC, which enables transfer rates of up to 990 kbit/s.
Conclusion:
Yes, there are certainly a large selection of other headphones that can be found in this price segment and also do without ANC. But it’s quite remarkable what a great sound Audio-Technica produces with its new ATH-M50xBT2.
I am more than positively surprised and can only recommend that you follow up your first visual impression with at least a longer listening experience.
transparency: Affiliate links are included in this article. By clicking on it you will go directly to the provider. If you decide to make a purchase there, we will receive a small commission. Nothing changes in price for you. Partner links have no influence on our reporting.
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