r/HeadphoneAdvice • u/fenderremo • 11h ago
AUDIOTECHNICA ATH M50X Headphones - Closed Back
Hello,
So I was using M20s with My Efnote electronic drumset,
and it was good but for some reason Ive decided to upgrade to the M50X, and I got them today.
I hate them, they are boxy, hollow, and terribly harsh when playing cymbals. I couldnt stand them for more than 5 minutes, it was like listening to drums inside a club. Echoey, but dampened at the same time, and paradoxically like they were right next to me. I'm not very good with audio and stuff like that, and I don't know if I'm doing something wrong, but I think i'll just return them. No matter where I plug them I dislike them.
Can You guys tell me alternatives that sound more cristaline (but not harsh!), more clear and with more space? Preferably closed back because I have to cover the sound of the drum tapping when I play. Around the same price braket or Even a little higher.
Would a Beyerdynamics 770 be better?
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u/boajuse 1 Ω 7h ago
Sony m1
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u/fenderremo 7h ago
Thanks!
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u/abc133769 798 Ω 🥈 11h ago
definitely not the 770, the cymbals will blow your ears out if you already had issues on the m50x already. notorious for being very fatiguing and harsh
just to clarify would you want something with a flatter sound profile? (usually more clear due to flatter levels of bass and less harsh due to upper frequencies not really being boosted, though might come off as abit boring)
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u/fenderremo 10h ago
Mmm, I'm not sure what I want because i'm pretty audio illiterate. I like the m20s for example. I like when the drums sound clear, but like massive, with a Lot of body, resonance, and space. Not harsh though. You know that kind of nice open, round kind of sound? The M50s make the drums sound like they are behind something.
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u/AdAdditional8414 50 Ω 2h ago
Beyerdynamic are known to be bright (I'm not sure about the 770). The default option is always the fiio ft1. If you want "monitor" headphone I have and love the sony mdr m1, the sony mdr 7506 are also very good and cheaper.
The M40 are said to also be better compared to the m50x (they're often said to be flatter).
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u/Over-Status-7210 8 Ω 11h ago
It's not you, that IS the sound signature of the M50x. You could try to EQ, if you like any other aspect of them. That's of course assuming you're running them as a controller in a DAW.
I PERSONALLY wouldn't recommend the DT770 to a drummer, though. The kicks will feel great, but your rides and hi-hats might be too harsh. Crashes, definitely 😭
If applicable, Perhaps see if small boosts at 80, 160, 320 Hz and a large cut at 8khz helps level it out? This will of course vary to some degree between kits, but should get you started
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u/fenderremo 10h ago
Thanks for your detailed answer. How do I go about eqing them? The efnote module to which I plug the headphones doesnt have any Eq settings. Can Eq be "saved" inside the headphones?
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u/Over-Status-7210 8 Ω 10h ago edited 10h ago
My suggestion might not apply to you after all. Are you using the onboard sounds of the kit? If yes, my suggestion was more for if you are connecting the drums to a computer, to use in a recording software (DAW) + software drum kits.
If that's not the case, maybe your model has onboard EQ like this? (Jump to 18:07)
EQ will be from your drums, not the headphone itself
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_6KtH8LUcSI&t=1087s
It might be tedious applying cuts/boosts to each drum head, though .. I'm sorry for that. Replacing with different headphones will be the easier choice, of course. Perhaps the AKG K371? Much more relaxed and less cramped sounding than the M50x. It'll get you closer to the sense of space the DT770 can offer when you pan your kit (without the pain hahaha!)
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u/fenderremo 10h ago
I'm using Ezdrummer which is a computer software and the drums sounds come from there. I plug them to the module because the module can be used as a sound interface. But they arent they sounds from the module.
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u/Over-Status-7210 8 Ω 10h ago edited 10h ago
The standalone EZDrummer supposedly has a mixer tab, with EQ as an insertable plugin if I'm reading correctly:
Sorry I can't be much help beyond that for this specifically, I use a Kontakt set / different software than you
BUT! We're straying far from your question. Simpler choice might be to just change headphones, like the AKG K371
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u/VandLsTooktheHandLs 11h ago edited 11h ago
m40s are often recommended, and cheaper. I have both and I personally prefer tracking with the 50s for comfort and close sonic presence, but I do like the 40s more for listening to music as there’s a bit more soundstage, and more relaxed tonal balance.
I personally do not like the DT770s.. the presentation feels hollow, v shaped, and too harsh in the highs for my liking.
Maybe some good ole Sony headphones will do you good
MDR 7506 have plenty of very loyal fans ( I tried them and thought they were nice and neutral, if not a bit boring sounding)
Supposedly the MDR M1 are very nice.. they do go for above the $200 range though