Iron triangle ATH-M50s headset evaluation

The Iron Triangle ATH-M50s [hereafter referred to as M50] was released in 2012. It is a headset for the studio monitoring market. It is said that a large number of recording studios including the famous German tiger fish [Stockfisch] also use the iron triangle monitor. Headphones. In 2014, the Iron Triangle updated the M50x on NAMM. The current price of ATH-M50 is around 800-900 yuan, while the price of M50x is about 1200 yuan. Today's evaluation is ATH-M50 black.

ATH-M50 as a thousand-level monitor headphones, and the most famous iron triangle AD series AD1000, AD2000, W series W1000, W3000, etc., the popularity is much worse; and the iron triangle in the consumer market, beautiful shape In comparison, the M50 is also a lot of low-key. If everyone's impression of the iron triangle is still the style of the AD1000 or W1000, W5000 [apparently not the listening style?], then the M50's different positioning, some unpopular status, and more or less outgoing M50 In the "background" of the studio, the Iron Triangle is willing to update the attitude of this product on the NAMM [well-known musical equipment exhibition], so that the M50 has a bit of mystery, we are also willing to feel this headset.

The iron triangle ATH-M50 adopts a foldable storage design. Although the head is not small, the unit can be folded inward and upward into a relatively small size. The iron triangle is black, white and red when the M50 is introduced. The M50x is also added. The blue special model makes the potential users of the M50 not only the professional market that was originally positioned. We have found that many users regard the M50 as a portable and foldable headset, and go to the AKG Q with similar price. Series and other headphones contrast. In the appearance of bold changes to cater to users is the iron triangle is good at, even if the M50 is positioned in the professional monitoring market.

The iron triangle M50 adopts a closed design, using a 45mm diameter speaker unit. The body material is made of plastic material. The head frame is made of a relatively wide steel plate. The ear pad is relatively thick and slightly hard. The pressure inward is relatively large when worn. The sealing performance is therefore better. Although the weight of the earphone is only 280 grams, the weight and the relatively large inward pressure concentrated on the head frame make the wearing comfort not good enough. Of course, the stability of the wearing is excellent.

The iron triangle will use the closed design of the ATH-M50, a headset for monitoring applications, which must be more valued by the closed design [relative to open]. We have encountered similar closed-end in many AKG products. design, such as AKG K271MKII "love Technology AKG K271MKII headset assessment report" [author: Zhao is], closed headphones sound transient, low-frequency control, the overall relatively straightforward in theory seems sound style The need for studio monitoring; while closed sound is not enough for music appreciation, perhaps low frequency performance is not good enough, etc. The problem is more or less ubiquitous. Closed design can also bring the performance of different sound styles in detail, Some of our closed-ended headphones, in addition to the above mentioned K271MKII, also include AKG K172HD, Denon D5000, Denon D2000 and Extreme HFI-780. But unfortunately, these headphones can not be tested in AB today. But there may still be a reference value, as discussed below.

We have been smashing the ATH-M50 headset for more than 300 hours, and we have been using it for a long time. We believe that there is no problem with downtime. Through the use of the M50, we found that the headphone amplifier is very Necessary, so use the combination of the Music State Monitor 06 MX+HP11 amp as the main reference. In addition, it is also equipped with different levels of players, such as HM-901, Aune M1, FIIO X5, etc., also used with HP11 headphones Amplifier. Contrast headphones are not specifically targeted, try to use the headset resources in our hands, mainly compared to Philips SHP9000, AKG K240Studio, AKG K702, Sennheiser HD580 and so on.

Overall impression: Although the ATH-M50 is 38 ohms impedance and 99dB sensitivity, it can be launched with a portable device, even a mobile phone such as the iPhone. It seems to have been with the FIIO X5 and HM-901 players. I feel that there is a model, the overall dynamic performance is already very good. The sound style of the M50 is quite straightforward, the overall sound is relatively balanced, but more emphasis on the performance of the intermediate frequency, the intermediate frequency is slightly prominent. The low frequency details have obvious closed earphone features, under The lack of potential, but the medium and low frequency thickness is better. But this straightforward sound is obviously more cautious, even more rigid than the HD580, the middle and high frequency above feels more hard. But when you use HP11, you will find that its promotion is huge The description of the sound below will specifically explain whether or not to use the amp.

High-frequency performance: ATH-M50's high-frequency style is neutral and straightforward. Compared with high-end headphones [such as K702, HD650, Denon D5000, etc.] its resolution is slightly weaker, but it seems to be slightly better than K240 Studio. Significantly different. M50's high frequency density is good, medium and high frequency dynamics are also good, sensitive to different sound styles of the sound source. In the neutral sound source, such as Aune M1 is very straight, and on the 06 MX is warm and meticulous. Portable players, even mobile phones, are full of dynamic performance and sound thickness is good, but the sound performance is very rigid, the sound field is not wide enough, just change a pair of headphones, such as SE-A1000 or K702, will feel more comfortable than the M50 sound.

After replacing the HP11, it is found that the high frequency of the M50 should not be easily controlled. Set the HP11 to the position of Gain[2-4]Feedback[1-3]. The high frequency of the M50 is stretched out and the resolution is With a certain degree of improvement, although the extension of the very high frequency is still general, but the sound is much more moist, the image is also obviously three-dimensional. In the performance of the string is no longer a hard-pressed portable player on the hard state. With the HP11, even the M1 neutral style, the M50 high-frequency level will be significantly improved. Compared with the AKG two closed headphones [K172HDK271MKII], the M50 does not pursue high-frequency transient fast response and extremely high frequency extension. , but more emphasis on sound density, medium and high frequency thickness and dynamic. M50 sound is fuller, solid, powerful, with warm sound source and amp, more able to express the sound thickness and detail.

IF performance: It is said that the German tiger fish [Stockfisch] is using the iron triangle M50 this headset, of course, we only see from the "roadside" news. However, when you first heard the M50, I am afraid it attracts you the most. It is indeed a relatively solid intermediate frequency. This is really consistent with the style of the tiger fish vocal recording... In order not to cause unnecessary brain filling, here is the first stop.

Although the M50 sound style is neutral and relatively balanced, the intermediate frequency is more prominent. Even the high frequency is more emphasis on the sound density and the thickness of the middle and high frequency parts. This also allows many users to feel the M50 when they are paired with an iPod or a mobile phone. When the vocal sound is restored, the sound style is slightly richer. But if it is only with a mobile phone or a portable player, the intermediate frequency is somewhat full and the details are insufficient, the sound is very awkward, and the support of the low frequency is slightly excessive. If it is really It’s nice, the more relaxed sound source is better. For example, the HM-901 is better than the Aune M1 and FIIO X5, but this is not enough.

After adding the HP11 amp, the M50's intermediate frequency is slightly restrained. The mid-frequency high-frequency part of the sound is better supported, the sound is also younger and more detailed, and the high-frequency connection is more balanced. The resolving power is obviously improved, and the image is obviously three-dimensional. The original vocal has a rough feeling, and it will be obviously delicate under the cooperation of the amp. Compared with the SHP9000 or HD580, the M50 also needs amp support, but its The sound is still more "preferred" than the two headphones. The sound is not necessarily the extension of the open headphones, but the thickness of the sound, the more forward image may be the taste of many users. It is with AKG K240S The light style of headphones such as K702 is quite different. It is even more tense than H580. I am afraid that some are like HD650 [headphones are not around, they are borrowed], but the sound seems more direct, more straightforward and medium-high than HD650. The frequency is better, the mid-low frequency may not be as tight as the HD650.

In the large-scale music performance, the M50 has enough good dynamics, and the momentum is full, but in the mid-range low frequency, it seems that there are some common problems with closed headphones. The lack of stretching makes some symphonies perform somewhat rigidly and have enough thickness. However, the details are not good, and the "taste" of the sound does have some gaps. The more detailed details may be one of the reasons why we say that the "listening" style is not good enough. Of course, this is not absolute, only some types of concerts are compared. sensitive.

Low-frequency performance: On the portable player or mobile phone, the M50's low-frequency power is also quite sufficient. This reminds us of the shadow of the 780 or Denon D2000. But it is certain that the M50 is not the ultimate HFI-780. The advantage of closed type is still reflected in the thickness of the middle and low frequency parts. The sound has a good explosive force, but the transient of the low frequency dive and the deeper part of the dive is not an ordinary HM-901 or even 06 MX can perform well. The amp is a must, otherwise it will affect the sound level of the intermediate frequency under the big dynamic.

Under the HP11, the M50 still shows a good connection between the mid-low frequency and the intermediate frequency. The sound is full and solid. I am afraid that except for the HD650, few headphones will do this kind of sound. Its mid-low frequency sound and medium frequency performance. The style is the same, the sound is slightly thicker, the transient performance is faster, the sound is more solid, and the low-frequency part is not as light as AKG, but it is very general in low-frequency dive, this is with open headphones, even if it is SHP9000, A1000 is also slightly weaker [low frequency dive depth]. Overall, M50 low frequency is still a relatively thick style, thickness, dynamic enough, but obviously not stretched, the dive is slightly insufficient, the resolution is not its Advantage.

to sum up

As a fully enclosed headset, the ATH-M50 is positioned in the monitor recording application. The overall straightforward sound style also conforms to the positioning of the product. Compared with the extremely light style of the iron triangle AD or W series, The M50 is completely different from them. In the closed-head headphones, in the straightforward style, the M50 is a dynamic earphone that is more focused on sound thickness, pays attention to full-range sound and strong enough sound. This may result in the use of ordinary sound sources. M50 pushes enough loud illusion, and on the mobile phone, even the level MX, HM-901 player, the M50 sound is especially rude, the high frequency is obviously not refined, which is quite different from the style of the iron triangle. But with a strong enough amp, the details of the M50 will be greatly improved, which is consistent with the results of our previous testing of high-end closed headphones - seemingly good, but not so. With 2000 yuan or higher headphones Compared with the M50 details, there is still a gap. Compared with similar price headphones, if you match the appropriate sound source, the M50's dynamic performance, sound thickness, full and solid sound style, overall balanced performance and better dynamics.