**Audio Technica M50s vs Beats by Dre Pro: A Comprehensive Review**
As an audiophile, one of the most important factors to consider when purchasing headphones is audio quality. In this review, we'll compare two popular options: Audio-Technica's M50s and Beats by Dre's Pro. While both headphones are highly sought after, they cater to different needs and preferences.
The Audio-Technica M50s have been a staple in the audio community for years, and their popularity endures due to their exceptional sound quality and build quality. As of now, the M50s can be found for around $160, which is relatively affordable considering their performance. In contrast, Beats by Dre's Pro models typically retail for upwards of $400. This significant price gap raises an interesting question: which headphones offer better value?
**Build Quality and Comfort**
One notable difference between the two headphones lies in their build quality and comfort. The M50s are known for their soft, comfortable design, making them suitable for extended listening sessions. They feature a more oval ear cup shape that allows for better sound isolation, while also providing a snug fit on the head. On the other hand, Beats by Dre's Pro models boast a rigid, aluminum construction that provides exceptional durability and sturdiness. However, this comes at the cost of adjustability and comfort. The Pro headphones have a more angular ear cup design, which can be less comfortable for some users.
**Audio Quality**
When it comes to audio quality, both headphones excel in their respective ways. The M50s are renowned for their balanced, accurate, and punchy sound signature, making them an excellent choice for studio monitoring applications. They deliver a crisp and rich bass response that complements the midrange frequencies perfectly. The Pro models, on the other hand, have a slightly more aggressive sound profile with a stronger emphasis on bass. While this can be beneficial for those who enjoy deep bass notes, it may not appeal to listeners seeking a more neutral or accurate sound.
**Design and Features**
In terms of design and features, Beats by Dre's Pro models offer some unique touches that set them apart from their competitors. One notable feature is the ability to swivel the ear cups back, which can be useful for DJs or music producers who need to easily adjust their headphones during use. Additionally, the Pro models come with two audio jacks and a removable cable, allowing users to daisy chain multiple headphones together. However, this comes at the cost of added complexity and potential durability issues.
**Conclusion**
Ultimately, the choice between Audio-Technica's M50s and Beats by Dre's Pro models depends on your priorities and budget. If sound quality is your top concern, the M50s are an excellent choice due to their balanced, accurate, and punchy sound signature. However, if you value build quality and durability above all else, the Pro models may be worth considering. While they come at a higher price point, their rugged construction and sleek design make them a stylish addition to any music setup.
**Comparison Summary**
| Feature | Audio-Technica M50s | Beats by Dre Pro |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price (USD) | $160-$200 | $400-$500 |
| Sound Quality | Balanced, accurate, punchy sound signature | Aggressive, with strong emphasis on bass |
| Build Quality | Soft, comfortable design | Rigid, aluminum construction |
| Adjustability | Oval ear cup shape for better sound isolation | Angular ear cup design |
| Features | Two audio jacks, removable cable | Swivelable ear cups, daisy chain capability |
| Comfort | More oval ear cup shape for snug fit | Less comfortable due to rigid construction |
By considering these factors and your individual needs, you can make an informed decision when choosing between Audio-Technica's M50s and Beats by Dre's Pro models.
"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enthe audio technica ath m50s are among the finest headphones under 200 and have been compared to headphones of a much higher price and still come out on top but on video they've never been compared to monster's very finest they're top of the line beats pros until now so just as a preview i have the lowest prices i can find in the description below this video but as of right now the m50s run around 160 dollars while monsters beats by dre run up around 400 so with the build the m50s are a very highly adjustable and pretty comfortable pair of headphones actually i've worn them for hours on end doing all kinds of audio stuff and they're pretty soft on the inside and overall their build quality is right where it should be the beats pros are a very rigid pair of headphones on the other hand you can see that they're made almost entirely out of aluminum so they're very very sturdy but that means that they also don't adjust as much and they do try to make up for that with this very very very soft material on the headband and in the ear cups but they still hurt my head after listening for a shorter period of time than the n50s did both pairs of headphones are adjustable they have these little notches on the side so you can adjust them to the size of your head which is nice especially if you have a huge head or a massive never mind anyway one of the weird quirks about the beach pros is that they have a rigid circular earcup which is not the natural shape of the ear the m50s actually fit better with more of an oval ear cup and another hardware difference between the two that actually goes in favor of the beats this time is that the m50s don't have a removable audio cable while the beats pros have two audio jacks and a removable cable which allows you to daisy chain multiple headphones together and listen to the same audio source that being said the cables itself are mostly the same just the monster cable is red yes red oh and the cable is a bit shorter with the beats and also just fyi the beats pros have a special feature that djs around the world will probably never use but they can swivel the ear cups back as you can see honestly it's not that hard to just brush your hand back and move the ear cup back without the hinge but hey it's it's a feature for your for your inner dj no but i've honestly never seen someone buy a pair of headphones for this feature but hey it could be you you could be that boss you boss mode boss level type bow status bows okay i'm done both pairs of headphones come with these soft carrying pouches the monster cable one being a little bit more flashy red and black and everything with the audio technica one being a little bit more subdued just a chill gray color but when it really all comes down to it people are in it for one main reason and that's audio quality that's why people spend hundreds of dollars on headphones is because they're trying to get better sound quality generally and to be perfectly honest the m50s sound better than the beats pros i thought i was gonna get punched in the face for saying that high five or don't hit your screen just or thumbs up on this video do you know how many people i see walking around like this like this and like this seriously really they're not even plugged in you're making these a 400 fashion accessory a 400 necklace please don't do that i admit it in this swag category these are hands down amazing looking okay i gotta i can't do this anymore these are amazing looking headphones they are hands down classy bravo these are sexy if you value that category at all yeah these are excellent headphones but in every other category it's the m50s that take the top mark and that's really where the value comes in is is when you really decide how much you're going to spend on headphones and where you're going to put your money yeah that's what you want to consider so what i'm asked which is better i generally recommend the m50s to people who value sound the most so the m50s have a very balanced very accurate very crisp punchy sound very rich bass these make excellent studio monitors for people who want to listen to music and hear things that they've never heard in the song before that were mixed in if you value this rock solid build quality and you don't mind paying a little extra for the name and you know you really don't like the looks of the m50s and you don't mind the slightly overpowering bass or the lack of mids and some of the comfort issues and you don't mind the price premium then you should probably go with the beats pros either way this has been mkbhd if you like this video give it a thumbs up that really does help me out and i appreciate it and just a quick shout out thank you guys for all the people who have subscribed to my videos over the past couple of weeks it's been quite an interesting growth pattern uh but good to see you guys new people on board either way thanks for watching this video and uh mkbhd signing out peace youthe audio technica ath m50s are among the finest headphones under 200 and have been compared to headphones of a much higher price and still come out on top but on video they've never been compared to monster's very finest they're top of the line beats pros until now so just as a preview i have the lowest prices i can find in the description below this video but as of right now the m50s run around 160 dollars while monsters beats by dre run up around 400 so with the build the m50s are a very highly adjustable and pretty comfortable pair of headphones actually i've worn them for hours on end doing all kinds of audio stuff and they're pretty soft on the inside and overall their build quality is right where it should be the beats pros are a very rigid pair of headphones on the other hand you can see that they're made almost entirely out of aluminum so they're very very sturdy but that means that they also don't adjust as much and they do try to make up for that with this very very very soft material on the headband and in the ear cups but they still hurt my head after listening for a shorter period of time than the n50s did both pairs of headphones are adjustable they have these little notches on the side so you can adjust them to the size of your head which is nice especially if you have a huge head or a massive never mind anyway one of the weird quirks about the beach pros is that they have a rigid circular earcup which is not the natural shape of the ear the m50s actually fit better with more of an oval ear cup and another hardware difference between the two that actually goes in favor of the beats this time is that the m50s don't have a removable audio cable while the beats pros have two audio jacks and a removable cable which allows you to daisy chain multiple headphones together and listen to the same audio source that being said the cables itself are mostly the same just the monster cable is red yes red oh and the cable is a bit shorter with the beats and also just fyi the beats pros have a special feature that djs around the world will probably never use but they can swivel the ear cups back as you can see honestly it's not that hard to just brush your hand back and move the ear cup back without the hinge but hey it's it's a feature for your for your inner dj no but i've honestly never seen someone buy a pair of headphones for this feature but hey it could be you you could be that boss you boss mode boss level type bow status bows okay i'm done both pairs of headphones come with these soft carrying pouches the monster cable one being a little bit more flashy red and black and everything with the audio technica one being a little bit more subdued just a chill gray color but when it really all comes down to it people are in it for one main reason and that's audio quality that's why people spend hundreds of dollars on headphones is because they're trying to get better sound quality generally and to be perfectly honest the m50s sound better than the beats pros i thought i was gonna get punched in the face for saying that high five or don't hit your screen just or thumbs up on this video do you know how many people i see walking around like this like this and like this seriously really they're not even plugged in you're making these a 400 fashion accessory a 400 necklace please don't do that i admit it in this swag category these are hands down amazing looking okay i gotta i can't do this anymore these are amazing looking headphones they are hands down classy bravo these are sexy if you value that category at all yeah these are excellent headphones but in every other category it's the m50s that take the top mark and that's really where the value comes in is is when you really decide how much you're going to spend on headphones and where you're going to put your money yeah that's what you want to consider so what i'm asked which is better i generally recommend the m50s to people who value sound the most so the m50s have a very balanced very accurate very crisp punchy sound very rich bass these make excellent studio monitors for people who want to listen to music and hear things that they've never heard in the song before that were mixed in if you value this rock solid build quality and you don't mind paying a little extra for the name and you know you really don't like the looks of the m50s and you don't mind the slightly overpowering bass or the lack of mids and some of the comfort issues and you don't mind the price premium then you should probably go with the beats pros either way this has been mkbhd if you like this video give it a thumbs up that really does help me out and i appreciate it and just a quick shout out thank you guys for all the people who have subscribed to my videos over the past couple of weeks it's been quite an interesting growth pattern uh but good to see you guys new people on board either way thanks for watching this video and uh mkbhd signing out peace you\n"
