Please Note: These are the TOP 10 questions I have been asked about these headphones, and I am answering them all here and openly and I am not sponsored or endorsed by Audio Technica Australia and all thoughts contained in here are my own as always.
1) Can I use these for gaming?
There's no inbuilt microphone on the ATH-M50x though you can add the AT-GM2 boom microphone to the M50x which will allow you to have the ability to use the M50x for gaming however Audio Technica has thought a head on this one and a couple of years ago they released the ATH-G1 and ATH-G1WL and these are moulded based on the legendary ATH-M50x and that makes these a extremely good gaming headset and I don't think they can be beat.
2) Are they as rugged as people say?
Look don't tell no one from WorkSafe Victoria and we'll be peaches and cream but I was unloading and moving stuff in a moving van and I had one ear cup on my ear and one off my ear while I was using the M50xBT as my Bluetooth airpods were dead and we were using a open line to communicate between vans and stuff and the numskull of a driver decided to accelerate forward a little and they went flying to the back of the van and they didn't break or mark or scratch and that was a bonus so yes I believe they are.
3) Are they really a industry studio staple?
Yes in 2010 when I was coming up in the music industry and doing my training we were all getting told about the M50s which are now known as the M50x and we were told these would be the one good pair that would last out our career and I don't disagree with that I actually wish I listened to Stewart earlier in life and brought them sooner to be honest with you.
4) What do you use the most M50x or M50xBT?
While I own both I definitely use the wired version more than the BT version now days as I find myself often reaching for headphones when I am heading out that have ANC - Active Nosie Cancelling which the ATH-M50xBT don't have.
5) Can I use these with pro gear?
These are a very low OHMS - 32 Ohms I believe and regardless of weather that gear is rocking a 3.5mm jack or quarter inch jack you won't have any issues having these headphones work, just bear in mind - 1.2metre straight cable is all that is included with the ATH-M50xBT and that doesn't have a quarter inch jack included in the packet however your local JB will have a generic adaptor usually or even Jaycar or StoreDJ could hook ya up with one for well under a tenner.
6) I need portable production cans!
Well this is what I like about the M50x these are definitely portable and light weight and that's definitely a massive selling point for these headphones and I think that is kind of why they are strongly recommended as a good travelling producers pair of cans. They fold flat, fold up and can be easily stowed any way you desire to be honest with you and that's a massive thing.
7) Are they worth the price?
I am going to be honest yes for me they are well and truly worth the price I think they are extremely good value to be honest with you I really am a big fan of Audio Technica in general but more so a massive fan of the M series of headphones of Audio Technica, I own multiple pairs of the M50x and I also own a pair of M40x. I think with the included cables and the quality of the cables and the quality of the headphones and the included accessories I think they are well and truly worth the price.
8) Would you rather work with M60x or the M50x when mixing and in field?
I can't answer that to be honest with you I don't have a pair of the M60x in my kit yet I haven't used the M50x in the field to be honest with you, at one point I only had a blue and red pair of the M50x while a black pair went walk about and working in the field they would draw attention and I was using a DJI ronin and GH5 I opted to monitor M40x as I had a black pair which would more low profile and was suited to purpose for that event!
9) Do you use them with a hard case at all?
When travelling with the ATH-M50x or ATH-M50xBT I don't feel the need to use them with a hard case and that's just a fact of life I find the bag they are included with to be perfectly fine I don't feel like during a traditional commute in my bag that these would get damaged at all and that's just the facts.
10) What cable do you use the most and why?
For me it depends on the application but as I generally need the freedom to move around when I am using the M50x I will generally use the coil cable but all the cables with the Audio Technica M50x's are well made and solid cables it's going to come down to your use purpose as to what cable you choose with the M50x's, if I am using a DAP (Digital Audio Player) I am generally rocking the 1.2meter, if I am watching YouTube or sitting at the non studio desk I will have the 3 meter straight cable and at the production desk I will have the coiled cable, for DJing and producing it's rare for me not to have the coiled cable in use that just fits the best purpose for me.
BONUS QUESTION:
11) Are they worth it in 2021?
I don't care what any one says the ATH-M50x have made me a better producer and better mix engineer from start to finish and that's just a fact of life beyond a reason doubt and I love that they have made me better as it's all about perfecting the craft and the skills and that's just the facts of the music industry, but back to the question I don't believe there are better monitoring and production cans out there in the $200 - $250.00 price bracket in Australia and that's just the facts, I don't believe these are showing their they are showing that they have withstood the test of time and are a perfect match for most people and that's just a fact of life, these are definitely worth it in 2021 and should be your primary cans for producing and monitoring.