Audio-Technica ATH-M50XBT Bluetooth Headphones

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT Bluetooth Headphones

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT is the original wireless version of the M50x studio headphone, adding Bluetooth 5.0 to the closed-back design that made the wired model a studio standard. It uses the same 45 mm large-aperture drivers with rare earth magnets and copper-clad aluminium wire voice coils, giving a frequency response of 15 Hz to 28,000 Hz. The internal lithium polymer battery provides up to approximately 40 hours of continuous use, and a detachable cable keeps the headphones working in wired mode when the battery runs down or a wired connection is preferred. This is the first-generation model: it charges by micro-USB and supports the aptX, AAC and SBC codecs.

Key features

• 45 mm drivers with rare earth magnets and CCAW voice coils
• Frequency response 15 Hz to 28,000 Hz, impedance 38 ohms
• Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX, AAC and SBC codec support
• Up to approximately 40 hours of battery life per charge
• Micro-USB charging, approximately 7 hours for a full charge
• Detachable 1.2 m cable for wired listening
• On-earcup controls, microphone and voice assistant touch access
• Collapsible design with 90 degree swivelling earcups

The M50x sound, untethered

Audio-Technica built the M50xBT around the driver platform of the wired ATH-M50x, a headphone valued for clarity, articulate bass and a wide, smooth response rather than exaggerated tuning. The closed-back circumaural design gives useful isolation from surrounding noise, which suits listening in offices, studios and while travelling, and the 45 mm drivers deliver enough low-end weight for electronic and pop production while keeping vocals and detail in focus. Sensitivity is 99 dB per milliwatt, so the headphones reach comfortable levels from phones, laptops and portable players without a separate amplifier, in either wireless or wired operation.

Bluetooth 5.0 and battery life

The Bluetooth 5.0 radio supports the A2DP, AVRCP, HFP and HSP profiles and works over a line-of-sight range of approximately 10 metres, with Qualcomm aptX and AAC codecs for higher-quality wireless audio where the source supports them, and SBC as the universal fallback. Battery life is rated at up to approximately 40 hours of continuous transmission time on a full charge, which covers a working week of listening for most people; a full recharge takes approximately 7 hours through the micro-USB port using the supplied 30 cm USB charging cable. Actual running time varies with volume, codec and conditions. Note that this original generation does not have the USB-C charging, multipoint connection or LDAC support of the later BT2 model — check the generation name when comparing.

Controls, calls and wired mode

Controls on the left earcup manage volume, music playback and calls without reaching for the phone, and a touch sensor gives quick access to the voice assistant on a connected device. The built-in electret condenser microphone is omnidirectional, with a frequency response of 80 Hz to 10,000 Hz and sensitivity of -42 dB, covering calls and online meetings. When wireless use is not suitable — on a flight, with studio equipment, or when the battery is empty — the detachable 1.2 m cable with a 3.5 mm gold-plated stereo mini-plug connects directly, and wired listening also avoids the small delay inherent in Bluetooth transmission, which matters for video editing and performance monitoring.

Comfort and portability

The earcups swivel 90 degrees for one-ear monitoring and fold into the headband for transport, and the headphone weighs approximately 310 g without the cable. Professional-grade earpad and headband material is used for longer sessions, and a protective pouch is included for storage in a bag. The closed-back fit does trade some openness for isolation, which is the right exchange for shared spaces and commuting.

Choose the ATH-M50xBT if you want the proven M50x tuning with the freedom of Bluetooth and a battery that lasts for days of listening. It remains a strong all-rounder: accurate enough for creators checking their work, comfortable for daily listening, and flexible enough to switch between wireless convenience and a plain wired connection whenever the task demands it.