WTB ATH-M50 New

[chris p]

I know some of my fellow Turtlerockers run music stores, so.....

I can get a pair of Audio Technica ATH-M50 off ebay for $330 delivered. Anyone want to match or better that?

or suggest any similar quality of cans for roughly the same price point?

[Milo]

Hi, Chris;
M-50s are only $349 retail, so the ebay price is not all that hot. We can do you a lot better than that, let me talk to one of the guys "upstairs" and I'll get back to you

[Kurt]

You could land some from the USA for under $150..

I know some of my fellow Turtlerockers run music stores, so.....

I can get a pair of Audio Technica ATH-M50 off ebay for $330 delivered. Anyone want to match or better that?

or suggest any similar quality of cans for roughly the same price point?

[Milo]

Headphones from the US would have no Australian warranty. We could give you $210 including GST

[jkhuri44]

speaking of M50's...anyone in Sydney that can rewire them for me?? only one side is working, and im not the electronics type!

[Milo]

Me

[jkhuri44]

Pm'd, thanks

Sorry for the hijack...

someone get this man some M50 action!!!!

[reddirt]

Sorry to be the stick in the mud Chris but on the evidence of the pair I have, if you haven't already, I reckon you really should hear them first. They have a very big (but reasonably flat and extended) low end and a super benign mid range which for mine just does not tell the story. Those points certainly make them impressive at first listen but coupled with the fact they get a little sweaty i really don't think they are what they are cracked up to be.
I bought mine from the States about 18 mnths ago for around $130 Aus because I have enjoyed the original versions of their M40fs for many years and based on the raves thought they would be even better - I wouldn't buy again even at that price.
Mine may be just performing poorly and YMMV but I thought you may like to hear a different POV before purchase.
Cheers, Ross


Ross Muir
Reddirt Recordings
Alice Springs

[chribble]

Ross, what are you comparing to? I'm using beyer 250's and senn hd280s which both have their strengths.

Considering hd280s can be had for about $150 are they comparable?

[chris p]

Ross

Thanks for the contrary view - always good to hear different (and real world) opinions.

I'm going to try out the AT's nonetheless. If they don't work out so well, I'm happy to move on to other brands. In my audio world (mobile recording) there's always room for a good set of cans, so its not a disaster even if they don't turn out to be my final choice.

Chribble, I did check out some of the Senny's over the weekend. It will be interesting to compare ....

[Milo]

Choice of headphones is more personal preference than any other piece of gear. Horses for courses.
We even had a client last year who was so dissatisfied with his $28,000 (yes!) Sennheisers, he gave them to his 13-year-old son.

[jkhuri44]

28, 000 dollar sennies?!? FEK!!!? which model are they?!?

[Milo]

Can't remember, but I googled it at the time to have a look to make sure it was true, and you get your own little valve preamp with it. Doesn't that make it value for money?

[reddirt]

Chribble, I'm comparing to what I know is a reasonably accurate representation and I can't say that about them. I use 280s in my day job and they are similarly tightly enclosed yet are different again; not what I'd personally choose for accuracy but they do the job for tracking.
Headphones are a jungle ; the most valued (by me) cans I owned died a short while ago - 30 yr old HD420s. No fundamental bass to speak of but good bass harmonics and a great reveal in mids and highs without being spikey if you know what I mean.
Happy listening Chris.
Cheers, Ross

Ross Muir
Reddirt Recordings
Alice Springs

[chris p]

Ross - HD420s, yes! Mine died on me recently too (can't complain, they gave great service) which is why I'm looking at getting something new.

They have a very big (but reasonably flat and extended) low end and a super benign mid range

I've just plugged the ATM50s in for a first listen (thanks to Milo for a good deal on these!) and I can see what you mean, that's a good description. A good test for me is listening to "Walk on the Wild Side" for the fret buzz - these ATM50's revealed that very nicely. Similarly the glass breaking in Dire Straits "Private Investigations". Wing's "Letting Go" from Venus and Mars sounds silky, and Jamil's album also has its bass back (which I've been missing in my (ahem) Digitor? temporary fill ins).

Time will tell whether or not they tell me the story - I take you you think that the mods are perhaps too kind on the source material. The sweatiness angle is par for the course for sealed headphones, I have tried and like some open designs as well but my oh my do they spill when on a singer's head.

I have yet to do an extended listening test and that will be important - when does fatigue set in - but yes, impressive at first listen.