Torn Between a DJ and a DTM Headphone? The ATH-M50x Does Both — An Honest Review
1. Introduction
"I want to start DJing — and also make my own tracks with a DAW!"
When you think that, the first wall you hit is: "Which headphones should I even buy?"
Search online and you'll read "DJ headphones need strong bass" and "DTM needs flat monitor headphones," and you despair: "Wait, do I have to buy two?" Gear already costs enough — you can't drop tens of thousands on headphones.
Here's the bottom line: with the Audio-Technica "ATH-M50x," one pair gives you a solid setup for both DJing and production.
I actually use these in both settings, and they're a reliable "partner" you can keep for years. Here's why the ATH-M50x works as a one-does-both headphone — the real merits from a daily user, plus the small downside, told honestly.
2. Why the ATH-M50x is great for "DJing"
DJ headphones need three things: "isolation that beats loud rooms," "toughness," and "clear, readable bass." The ATH-M50x nails all three.
🎧 You can clearly hear the next track even in loud rooms — isolation
A DJ booth is surrounded by loud speakers. Because the ATH-M50x is a closed-back design that wraps around your ears, it blocks out ambient noise well.
Undisturbed by outside sound, you can focus 100% on what's in the headphones (cueing the next track). That's a real strength.
🔄 Comfortable one-ear monitoring and a tough 90-degree swivel
While DJing, you often do "one-ear monitoring" — one ear on the floor, the other on the headphone. The ATH-M50x housings rotate 90 degrees with a click, so they fit snugly whether around your neck or pinched on your shoulder. And the build is rugged enough to take rough handling on the job.
🥁 Kick and bass stay separated, so your mixes don't drift
With headphones where the low end gets boomy and blurry, matching a track's tempo (the beat) gets hard.
On the ATH-M50x, the "outline of the kick" comes through clearly and independently. That makes it easier to catch the downbeat (beat 1), so beat-matching gets far easier.
3. Why the ATH-M50x is great for "DTM (music production)"
Production, on the other hand, wants the opposite of DJ use: "flatness that doesn't color the sound" and "high resolution." The ATH-M50x delivers here too.
🎛️ The flat sound that pros around the world use as a reference
The ATH-M50x is used as an "industry standard" in studios worldwide.
Because no particular low or high frequency is emphasized, it helps you avoid the most common beginner mistake: "the track I made on my headphones sounded totally different on a friend's earbuds or in the car."
🔍 You can even see fine noise and left-right placement (imaging)
Because the resolution is very high, you can tell where instruments sit left to right (panning) and how far a reverb tail stretches. You can also hear small lip noises (little clicks) from a vocal take, which makes high-quality mixing and mastering possible.
4. Great value: the "three included cables" for different scenes are very handy
What impressed me most after buying the ATH-M50x is that three detachable cables come in the box from the start. Many other monitor headphones ship with just one cable, or a fixed (non-replaceable) cable, so this is a huge plus.
🔌 [By use] Here's how to use the three cables
- 1.2m coiled cable (stretches to 3.0m): best for DJing. It won't snag at your feet even when you move around, and the give keeps it out of the way.
- 3.0m straight cable: best for the DTM desk. There's plenty of length to route from behind your audio interface, and it won't pull tight when you sit back from the gear.
- 1.2m straight cable: best for everyday use. No excess cable getting in the way with a phone, laptop, or listening on the go.
And if a cable ever fails, you don't have to replace the whole headphone. Just buy a replacement cable on Amazon and you're back in action — a long-lasting, wallet-friendly design.
5. Customizable on Amazon: change the color to your taste and grow attached
The ATH-M50x is a worldwide staple, so tons of people use it. That means Amazon has a wide range of third-party replacement parts (earpads and headband covers).
I've actually bought parts in a color I like on Amazon and customized the color around the ears.
🆔 Popular means easy to mix up… but customizing makes it "instantly yours"
The ATH-M50x is a staple model loved by DJs and creators worldwide. So at a club DJ booth or a shared studio, "everyone has the same pair" happens all the time. In a dark venue you can even lose track of whose headphone is whose.
But if you change the color around the ears with parts from Amazon, you can spot your own headphone at a glance. Preventing loss and mix-ups is a practical, meaningful benefit for anyone working on-site.
✨ Your own design lifts your mood
The standard sleek black looks great too, but changing it to a color you like makes it "your one-and-only partner," and it noticeably lifts your mood when you sit down at the DJ booth or DTM desk.
Even when the pads get worn after years of use, swapping the parts restores a like-new look and quality — which makes the value even better over time.
6. The "one downside" I felt in real use, and how to fix it
Since I only write what's true, I'll honestly share the "one thing" I felt while using it.
⚠️ On long sessions, the clamping force feels a bit strong
To improve isolation in the DJ booth, the ATH-M50x is built with a fairly firm fit (clamping force). So during 5–6 hour non-stop DTM sessions, the area around your ears can get a little sore, or warm in summer.
- An easy fix: right after buying, rest the headphones over a tissue box or a thick book while you're not using them, and the clamping force eases to a nice level. Also, swapping to the Amazon replacement earpads mentioned above (mesh or velour) dramatically improves breathability and softness.
7. Verdict: for a DJ + DTM headphone, it's an easy recommendation
The Audio-Technica "ATH-M50x" is a reliable monitor headphone that balances DJing and DTM well.
If you tried to buy separate headphones for DJ and DTM use, it'd cost at least ¥30,000–50,000. With the ATH-M50x you get an environment used in pro settings for an investment in the ¥20,000s.
Considering you can put the money you saved toward buying tracks or DTM plugins, it's a strong choice on value too.
If you're stuck choosing gear, this is the first one I'd tell you to try. Grab this partner and enjoy making music!