Sennheiser HD 280 vs Audio Technica ATH-M50X [2023 Review]

These two headphones are legendary and they are highly seeked by people who are looking for headphones to use at recording studios. They both have been on the market for quite a time so they definitely deserve review and comparison.

Many recording engineers, artists, and music enthusiasts enjoy the Sennheiser HD 280 and Audio Technica ATH-M50X. They seem to have a similar design and frequency range.

Both headphones feature a closed-back construction and a frequency range that is similar. However, there are many differences between them and we will be looking for which one is more suitable for studio recording or mixing in this Sennheiser HD 280 vs Audio Technica ATH-M50X review.

If you are interested in these models, keep reading our Sennheiser HD 280 vs Audio Technica ATH-M50X review for more information below. We will be comparing the features of the Sennheiser HD280 and Audio Technica ATH-M50X.

Winner of Sennheiser HD 280 vs Audio Technica ATH-M50X: Audio Technica ATH-M50X

Audio Technica ATH-M50X is more comfortable to wear than the HD 280, and it sounds more natural and bright. With that distinctive Audio-Technica quality, M50X is more assertive in the lows and higher mids. They are more detailed, and they look better than the HD 280.

Even though the ATH-M50X is more expensive than the Sennheiser HD 280, it is well worth the money.  It is more comfortable to wear, and if you will be wearing them for long hours, you can really tell the difference.

For these and many reasons we have mentioned before in our Sennheiser HD 280 vs Audio Technica ATH-M50X review, our winner is the Audio Technica ATH-M50X.

Sennheiser HD 280 Review

Features: The Sennheiser HD 280 is a closed-back headphone that costs $100. It is designed for pros and can be used for studio recordings. It has a frequency response of 64 ohms. This is a perfectly sensitive headphone, and it is suitable for various musical needs.

If you are looking for modern headphones with portable features, you cannot find them in Sennheiser HD 280. However, this one focuses on sound quality and comfort. Also, it is made of durable materials so it can last a very long time. The headbands are of amazing quality and it does not look like it is going to wear off anytime soon.

Sennheiser HD 280 has amazing sound quality but it lacks a little in the bass department. The bass is clean but it seems like not enough for heavy genres. The mids are very clear and detailed, and that is all we care about. It is the core of any good headphone, and Sennheiser HD 280 is one of those.

You should definitely consider Sennheiser HD 280 if you are a pro musician looking for reliable headphones for recording. They also work really fine while isolating sound, so they can be used in crowded places. However, we do not really recommend them for gaming since they are not made for that purpose.

Audio Technica ATH-M50X

Features: Audio Technica ATH-M50X headphones are ideal for students and pro musicians that are planning to use them for recordings. If you are working or studying in a noisy place, these can do an amazing job with sound isolation. Along with that, these headphones can be folded and stored easily.

Audio Technica ATH-M50X has plush cushioning and closed-back construction. These low-cost studio headphones will assist people who are shooting simple videos and any beginners who are planning to record any kind of audio. These are the perfect choice for recording audio for videos or music creation.

If are planning to do casual mixing and editing, Audio Technica ATH-M50X would be a good choice due to the mild bass emphasis in the low frequencies. With these headphones, you will not need another pair for a very long time because it seems like Audio Technica mastered the art of build quality.

The design is good and not flashy, so if you are looking for colors that pop up, you cannot find them here. These headphones have been offered in a variety of colors such as dark blue with tan leather and an all-black option. There are not a lot of color choices, so you should make the most of what you have.

These are a solid pair of headphones. The entire construction is made of plastic, which is a cheap material. But it is what makes Audio Technica ATH-M50X a lightweight headphone.

Sennheiser HD 280 vs Audio Technica ATH-M50X Comparison

Sennheiser HD 280 should be on your checklist if you are looking for headphones for recording purposes. The coiled cord is not the best when it comes to portability so you will have to deal with that. However, any listener in almost any scenario can get themselves a pair of Sennheiser HD 280.

On the other hand, Audio Technica ATH-M50X headphones are a terrific choice because of their elegance, comfort, and excellent sound. These headphones are frequently on sale, making them an even better buy.

Sennheiser HD 280 vs Audio Technica ATH-M50X Sound Quality

The treble of Sennheiser HD 280 might be an extra touch for you at high volumes due to a lack of bass. You cannot really listen to this at high volumes, so be warned. If you do plan on wearing them outside, Sennheiser HD 280 does a good job of blocking out incoming noise and it does not leak the sound.

The sound of HD 270 is flat, neutral, honest, and even. The term “mixing headphone” is created especially for this pair of headphones. If you can make your mix sound great on these, it is guaranteed to sound nice anywhere else.

On the other hand, Audio Technica ATH-M50X’s sound is massive, rich, and accurate. You will be hearing things that you could not before. Bass performance is one of the main variations between these and the HD 280. These go deep and provide a satisfying thump that is pleasing to hear.

The bass of Audio Technica ATH-M50X is tight and tuned, but loud and hard-hitting at the same time. You will understand what we mean when you first try these out for sure.

Sennheiser HD 280 vs Audio Technica ATH-M50X Build Quality

Overall, the HD 280s are heavier and less suitable for wearing around too much. However, they are both long-lasting sets because of their excellent choice of materials.

Protector for coils is placed at the end of the wire that runs into the 3.5 mm jack. The M50s have that really cool metal coil protection in that sense. This has significantly increased the headphone’s overall durability. This feature is not available in the 280s.

Also, while Audio Technica ATH-M50X comes with a carrying case, there is none included in the package for Sennheiser HD 280. This makes us think that Sennheiser HD 280 can be worn out easily when compared to Audio Technica ATH-M50X.

Sennheiser HD 280 vs Audio Technica ATH-M50X Price

Sennheiser HD 280 is sold for around $80 while Audio Technica ATH-M50X is around $150. Even though the gap seems huge, the only area Sennheiser HD 280 beats Audio Technica ATH-M50X is the price department.

In almost every category, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is superior to the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro. They are more solidly constructed. They are also more comfortable and they sound absolutely better than Sennheiser HD 280.  Overall, the Audio-Technica headphones are a better value for the money you are paying.

Sennheiser HD 280 vs Audio Technica ATH-M50X Dimensions and Size

Sennheiser HD 280 vs Audio Technica ATH-M50X are both 285 grams, which is a really good weight for a headphone. HD 280’s cable length is 9 feet while Audio Technica’s is 10 feet. Clearly, if you want a longer cable, go for Audio Technica ATH-M50X but they do not have a big difference.

Also, you cannot use Sennheiser HD 280 without cables but you can use Audio Technica ATH-M50X. If portability is your thing, we highly recommend Audio Technica ATH-M50X, not only for this reason for a great many reasons we have mentioned before.

Conclusion: Sennheiser HD 280 vs Audio Technica ATH-M50X [2023 Review]

Both headphones will work well if you are going to use them for studio recording. They do an amazing job at preventing sound leaking and isolation.

However, the Sennheiser HD 280 might be a better choice if you are looking for a headphone for mixing because it has a more natural sound. For hip hop or EDM songs, we recommend Audio Technica ATH-M50X since it can provide more bass response.

Overall, both of these headphones are good choices that will not make you regret your decision. We hope you liked our Sennheiser HD 280 vs Audio Technica ATH-M50X review and it was helpful.