Updated October 2026 · prices checked Oct 10, 2026.
The Short Answer
38Ω and 99 dB sensitivity: loud from a phone or laptop, folds flat, ships with three detachable cables.
Velour pads for long sessions, replaceable parts, and the gaming and monitoring favourite of the two. Pick the 80Ω version unless you own an amp.
The ATH-M50x is the portable, plug-into-anything choice, with a V-shaped tuning and elevated mid-bass. The DT 770 Pro has deeper bass extension, a wider-sounding stage, more durable construction, and gets the most out of a desktop amp.
For studio monitoring and gaming: DT 770 Pro. For portable and general use: ATH-M50x. For long-term value: DT 770 Pro.
Beyerdynamic now also sells the DT 770 Pro X (~$200), a 48Ω closed-back that runs easily from phones and interfaces. It is worth a look if you want the Beyerdynamic build without the amp question.
Specs Comparison
| Audio-Technica ATH-M50x | Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Impedance | 38Ω | 32Ω, 80Ω or 250Ω |
| Sensitivity | 99 dB/mW | 96 dB/mW (80Ω) |
| Frequency response | 15–28,000 Hz | 5–35,000 Hz |
| Weight | 285 g | 270 g |
| Cable | Detachable (3 cables included) | Coiled, non-detachable (Pro) |
| Ear pads | Pleather | Velour |
| Street price (Oct 2026) | ~$150–160 | ~$160–180 |
Sound Signature: The Key Differences
These descriptions summarise published frequency-response measurements and the long-running owner consensus on r/headphones and Head-Fi. They are not personal listening notes.
ATH-M50x
The ATH-M50x has the V-shaped tuning that became the default “exciting closed-back” sound for a decade. Mid-bass is elevated, so bass guitar and kick drums have punch. The midrange sits slightly back, and the treble is forward but rarely sibilant.
That character flatters pop, hip-hop, R&B and electronic music. For mixing, the mid-bass bump gives a misleading picture: bass will seem heavier on the ATH-M50x than it is on reference speakers.
DT 770 Pro
The DT 770 Pro is also V-shaped, but differently. Its bass reaches deeper with less mid-bass bloom, so it reads as more physical and less warm. Treble is brighter, with Beyerdynamic’s familiar lift in the upper treble, though it is tamer than on the DT 990 Pro.
Owners consistently describe the DT 770 Pro’s stage as wider than the ATH-M50x’s, despite both being closed-back. That is the main reason gamers lean towards it.
Comfort and Long-Session Use
- ATH-M50x: The cups fold flat and swivel. Clamp force is moderate. The pleather pads trap heat, and owners commonly report warm ears after 2–3 hours.
- DT 770 Pro: Velour pads breathe better. The clamp is firm at first and loosens with use. Most owners rate it the more comfortable of the two for 4+ hour sessions.
Build Quality and Durability
The DT 770 Pro’s coiled cable is fixed on the standard Pro model, which is a minor portability limitation. Everything else is designed to be serviced: replaceable velour pads, a replaceable headband cushion and a spring-steel headband. Studios run these for years.
The ATH-M50x’s detachable cable is convenient. Its pleather pads are the weak point: flaking after a few years of daily use is one of the most common owner complaints. Third-party replacement pads exist but vary in quality.
Do You Need an Amp?
- ATH-M50x: No. It gets loud from a phone dongle or laptop jack. See best amp for the ATH-M50x if you want a cleaner desktop source anyway.
- DT 770 Pro 80Ω: Optional. It works from most sources, with less headroom from weak ones.
- DT 770 Pro 250Ω: Yes. Our DT 770 Pro 80Ω vs 250Ω page has the voltage math, and the DT 770 Pro amp pairing guide ranks current amps for it.
For either headphone, a budget desktop DAC/amp covers everything:
Current entry desktop DAC/amp from FiiO with ample headroom for both headphones, including the 250Ω DT 770 Pro.
Use Case Recommendations
| Use Case | Better Pick |
|---|---|
| Studio monitoring / mixing | DT 770 Pro |
| Gaming | DT 770 Pro |
| Portable use (commuting, travel) | ATH-M50x |
| Phone/laptop use without amp | ATH-M50x (38Ω) |
| Long listening sessions (4 hr+) | DT 770 Pro (velour pads) |
| Hip-hop and electronic music | Either, personal preference |
| Classical and acoustic | DT 770 Pro (wider stage) |
| DJ monitoring | ATH-M50x (swivel cups) |
| Long-term durability | DT 770 Pro |
Who Should Not Buy Each
- Skip the ATH-M50x if you mostly sit at a desk for long sessions in a warm room. The pleather pads are the problem, not the sound.
- Skip the DT 770 Pro if you need a headphone that folds into a bag or a cable you can swap. Also skip the 250Ω version if you will not buy an amp.
Which Should You Buy?
Buy the ATH-M50x if:
- You need a portable headphone that works from any source
- You want three cables in the box (coiled, long straight, short straight)
- You commute or travel with it regularly
- You like a mid-bass-forward sound
- You want swivelling cups for single-ear DJ monitoring
Buy the DT 770 Pro if:
- You use it at a desk, with or without an amp (80Ω)
- Build quality and long-term durability matter
- You game and want the wider-sounding stage
- You want velour pads that stay cooler
- You do studio monitoring or casual mixing
For desk use, the DT 770 Pro is the better long-term buy. If portability matters and you don’t want to think about amplification, get the ATH-M50x. For more closed-back options, see our best closed-back headphones under $200 .
