Audio-Technica ATH-R50X Open-Back Headphones

The new Audio-Technica ATH-R50x open-back headphones deliver a truly impressive listening experience that punches far above their price. If you're looking for clean, spacious, and natural sound in an open-back headphone without spending a fortune, this should be high on your list.The tuning leans neutral with just a touch of warmth, giving it a very balanced and non-fatiguing sound. Bass is tight and textured, not overwhelming but present when needed. The mids are beautifully rendered—vocals and acoustic instruments sound natural and lifelike. Treble is crisp, airy, and smooth, with just enough sparkle to bring out detail without ever sounding harsh.The soundstage is wide and open, with strong imaging and separation that make music and in-game audio feel incredibly immersive. For gaming, especially something like Escape from Tarkov, the ATH-R50x really shines. You can easily pinpoint footsteps, gunfire direction, and environmental cues, giving you a clear advantage in tactical gameplay.Build quality is solid and minimalist, with a lightweight design that’s comfortable for long listening or gaming sessions. The detachable cable adds convenience and flexibility for different setups.If you're looking for an affordable open-back headphone that delivers clarity, detail, and musicality—while also being excellent for competitive gaming—the ATH-R50x is a fantastic choice. It’s a hidden gem that deserves more attention.

Comfort wise they are very light with relatively light clamp force. The yokes have a decent range of adjustment and click into place. The cups swivel up down, side to side to apply even pressure, but they apply more pressure to the back of your ear because there is a spring that pushes it. They create a great seal and the earcups are big and deep enough for my ears to not touch anything.The build quality is great as it/s mostly metal. The cups are made of plastic but the grill and headband is metal. I replaced the stock cable with a Youkamoo HD598 cable. You can use most 2.5mm rotation lock cables afaik. The stock cable is fine as its flexible and come in two length as well as having a 1/4" adapter, but they hold memory. Even after a couple days of use, they still are wavy because they were wrapped tightly in the box.I'm using them on PC with a CX31993 dongle, I only need about 20% windows volume to get loud volume out of these. They take EQ great too, because of the 1.6w maximum power and low distortion.They sound relatively bright which I love. They have a nice lower treble energy and presents vocals amazingly. The soundstage is decently wide and imaging is fine. The sub-bass rolls off which is a nice touch personally, because I am quite bass sensitive. You could easily EQ the bass to your liking.Overall, I think these are great headphones for the price. The soundstage and comfort is leagues ahead of a lot of headphones in this price range.

Honestly these are the best things I've ever worn. They feel great, the muffs are super soft & I absolutely love the material. It's well made and yet somehow super light & even has a nice screwed-adapter so you can't just pull it out.It sits well, it fits well, and it is super open.Unfortunately, my ears were barely too big for them, so I did return. However, I so very much so wish I could've been comfortable in them. My left ear is slightly larger than my right- so it ended up putting pressure on the top of my ear and after using it for hours, that became painful. Despite hardly feeling it while in use.If your ears fit this- get them. I prefer them to Aune AR5000 in every way for example- and this is half the price.

Fantastic kit. The light weight build is exactly what I was looking for. I have had some problems with headaches from heavier headphones during long listening sessions, but these are one of the lightest sets I've ever owned. As far as listening, these have a very wide, yet realistic soundstage as to be expected from open backs. The imaging is also right in line with the price range. My only reason for going 4/5 instead of 5/5 is that I wish I could experiment with different ear cushions. Given that, the cushions on these are extremely comfortable as is.

I've been using the Audio-Technica ATH-R50x for both gaming and music, and they’re absolutely fantastic. The open-back design provides a wide, immersive soundstage—perfect for pinpointing footsteps in RPGs and shooters. Directional audio is incredibly precise, making games feel more lifelike.For music, the clarity is next-level. Every detail shines through, whether it's deep bass lines in electronic tracks or crisp vocals in acoustic songs. The balance is natural, not overly bass-heavy, which is great for critical listening.Comfort is excellent, even during long sessions, and the build feels solid. Just keep in mind that sound leaks out, so it's best for quiet environments. If you want studio-quality sound for both gaming and music, these are a top-tier choice.

i’m not an “audiophile” by any means but i do enjoy good audio beyond consumer standards and i would say that this is a great middle tier pair of headphones. extremely comfortable, and a good entry level pair for hi-fi audio. excellent for single player gaming as well!

Absolutely fantastic for the money. These are incredible in just about every way. Comfort, weight, looks and sound amazing. If your looking for a set of headphones under $200 just stop looking and get these.