Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs HD 490 PRO Open-Back Professional Headphone
Side-by-side comparison based on Reddit community data
#5 in Gaming Headsets
Audio-Technica
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
75/100Good
75% positive0% neutral25% negative
Pros
- +Valid choice
- +Can be used with padded cushions
- +Solves small ear issues
- +Spacious pads
- +Excellent durability/longevity
Cons
- -Build quality and user serviceability is on the worse end
- -Will develop issues even with the most careful use + storage
- -Looks deceptively fragile
- -Wings look like potential failure points
โI love my R70X Refine... I find myself going back to the R70x frequently because it's so smooth and so damned comfortable. They play VERY well with OTL amplifiers... It's easily one of the best valuesโ

#8 in Gaming Headsets
Sennheiser
HD 490 PRO Open-Back Professional Headphone
$429.00
100/100Excellent
100% positive0% neutral0% negative
Pros
- +Comfortable
- +Light
- +Soft and pleasant pads
- +Precise noise placement
- +Not hard to drive
Cons
- -Poor vocals
- -Poor treble
- -Cable on the 490's is terrible
- -Not a substantial upgrade (over r70x for mixing)
โKeep it on low gain for HD 490... this setup is pretty dang amazing. Legit endgame setup for a lot of people. ... Also the cable on the 490's is terrible in my opinion.โ
Specifications Comparison
| Spec | Audio-Technica ATH-M50x | HD 490 PRO Open-Back Professional Headphone |
|---|---|---|
| Driver | 45mm | โ |
| Frequency Response | 15Hzโ28kHz | โ |
| Impedance | 38ฮฉ | โ |
| Type | Closed-back | โ |
| Weight | 285g | โ |
| Connectivity | 3.5mm (with 6.35mm adapter) | โ |
| Noise Cancelling | No (passive isolation) | โ |
| Price | โ | $429.00 |
| Reddit Sentiment | 75% positive | 100% positive |
| Reddit Mentions | 4 | 1 |