Audio-Technica ATH-R50x Pure Open-Back Reference Headphones

ATH-R50x Pure Open-Back Reference Headphones

For more than 60 years, Audio-Technica has pursued an ever-changing purity of sound, aiming to deliver high-quality audio for all through innovation and dedication. Audio-Technica’s transducer technologies are acclaimed worldwide for their engineering precision, audio quality, and their ability to provide an authentic representation of the original sound source.

The ATH-R50x professional open-back reference headphones are designed to provide a natural listening experience with an expansive soundstage that’s ideal for all manner of critical-listening tasks. The headphones’ drivers are modelled after those in the original ATH-R70x, now re-engineered to deliver bass that’s surprisingly powerful for an open-back model, while bringing vocals and lead instruments forward with natural clarity that preserves overall balance. Additionally, the fully open earcups provide greater comfort than closed-back models.

Open-Back Expertise 

Our Heritage

We are constantly improving our headphones. Designed for a variety of applications and users, each new model builds on past innovations and incorporates the latest technologies. Our never-ending pursuit of the purest, most natural sound is deeply rooted in our Japanese heritage. The concept of Kaizen, or “continuous improvement,” is central to Japanese culture and emphasizes making incremental enhancements to improve both processes and outcomes. At Audio-Technica, we embrace Kaizen by continuously refining every aspect of our products—from design and sound quality to user experience—ensuring that each model exceeds expectations for performance, comfort, and durability.

Pure Open-Back Design

Authentic Open-Back Sound: Unrestricted Driver Performance for Natural Audio Reproduction

Air movement is the foundation of sound, and controlling it is key in headphone design. Fully open-back sound relies solely on the performance of the driver, with each diaphragm movement directly translating into sound—without reliance on acoustic cavities or resonance for frequency enhancement. The ATH-R50x headphones are engineered to deliver pure, powerful sound directly from the transducer, offering an authentic open-air experience with minimal distortion. The broad, realistic soundstage with extended low-frequency and a clear midrange is the result of Audio-Technica transducer design with very little additional tuning or damping.

Professional Design

Designed for Demanding Audio Production

Open-back headphones provide detail and accuracy, reproducing sound with lifelike timbre and dynamic nuance for a truly immersive and natural listening experience. The ATH-R50x is a pair of professional reference headphones designed to transition easily from the studio to home and everywhere in between, giving engineers and other audio pros an excellent option for all their projects. The extended frequency range ensures detailed reproduction, while the unrestricted airflow and absence of internal resonance allows for an extremely quick transient response, providing the clarity and separation needed to handle complex contemporary mixes.

Precise and Spacious Open-Back Sound

With the variety of output formats in today’s industry, engineers need reliable reference headphones they can take to any studio or work environment, reducing dependence on unfamiliar local monitoring systems. Featuring an expansive soundstage and full-bodied punch, the ATH-R50x headphones allow engineers to hear how a track will sound for its intended audience. Perfect for mixing, mastering, or creating—in the studio or at home—the ATH-R50x is the perfect all-around production tool, delivering accurate and dependable reference across stereo, surround, and immersive formats.

Custom Comfort

Streamlined and Robust

The lightweight design of the ATH-R50x is a testament to streamlined engineering, where each component is meticulously chosen and assembled to enhance its minimalistic aesthetic. The new headband and lightweight construction combine to provide a comfortable, long-lasting tool built for extended use.

R-Series

The R-Series is our new line of open-back reference headphones, designed to provide solutions for all needs and budgets. As an all-purpose professional model, the ATH-R50x bridges the gap between our flagship ATH-R70xa and entry-level ATH-R30x models.

• Professional open-back reference headphones with extended bass and accurate midrange provide exceptional all-around performance for demanding audio production
• Fully open-back design allows unrestricted airflow to eliminate internal resonance and provide extremely quick transient response
• Proprietary 45 mm large-aperture drivers with rare earth magnets and copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils
• High-efficiency magnets and pure alloy magnetic circuit design reduce distortion and ensure accurate and extended high-frequency response
• Acoustically transparent, aluminum honeycomb-mesh housings provide a natural and spacious open-back sound
• Lightweight (207 g) design ensures long-lasting comfort
• Detachable 3.0 m (9.8') cable with 2.5 mm twist-lock connectors at the headphones and 3.5 (1/8") gold-plated stereo mini-plug
• Includes a 6.3 mm (1/4") adapter and a carrying pouch