Are you looking for the best amp for Audio-Technica M50x microphones? Then, you are in the right place.
The Audio-Technica M50x is arguably one of the most versatile studio headphones extensively popular with sound engineers and audio professionals.
The ATH-M50x features a robust over-the-ear design with extra-large aperture drivers and intuitive sound isolation earcups, ensuring well-balanced audio reproduction. However, many audiophiles and audio engineers have reported that the M50x doesn’t have an admirable soundstage.
With an impedance of 32ῼ, the ATH-M50 works better with AC-powered music sources like an MP3 – or CD player than battery-operated music players such as smartphones and laptops.
Suppose you want the M50x to perform at its peak when your music player is a tab or PC, then you should consider connecting the headphones to a DAC amp. A DAC helps open up the M50x natural soundstage and brings out the instrument separation capability that the headset is best known for. That’s why we decided to collect the best amplifiers to pair with ATH M50x in one list.
The 4 Best Amps for ATH M50x (Reviews)
| Image | Model | Price |
|---|---|---|
| FiiO E10K Headphone Amplifier (Top Pick) | Check Price |
 | Audioengine D1 Headphone Amplifier (Close Runner-Up) | Check Price |
 | Syba Sonic Headphone Amplifier | Check Price |
 | FiiO BTA10 Headphone Amplifier | Check Price |
FiiO E10K Headphone Amplifier (Editor’s Choice)
The incredibly user-friendly and thoroughly customizable E10K headphone amplifier by FiiO has been designed especially to boost your M50x’s output. The FiiO E10K USB DAC Hi-Res Headphone Amplifier features the PCM5102 DAC chip, enabling the unit to handle PCM files with up to 24-bit/96kHz resolution.
Another unique and exclusive feature of this FiiO DAC is its controllable and modifiable bass boost and low-pass filter, both having optimized circuitry.
The selectable low-pass filter, together with the bass boost when activated, contributes towards the upholding of a low-noise floor, facilitating personalizing the sound to suit your preferences.
A micro-USB Type-C connector lets you connect the E10K headphone/DAC amp to a laptop or desktop and charge the unit. At the same time, the E10K comes equipped with multiple ports, including a back-panel coax digital out and a 1/8” line output and an a1/8” jack at the front.
These connectivity ports make this headphone amp from FiiO supremely companionable, letting you hook up the unit with various equipment and gadgets. In addition, the E10K headphone amp also comes installed with an all-new LMH8643 amplification operational amplifier enabling the E10K to handle driving power and transitory response.
The USP of this DAC amp is its heavy-duty PCM5102 chip that aids in enhancing sound quality with no phase shift and reduces delays.
Talking about the headphone’s layout, the unit is supremely compact, durable, and lightweight enough to make it portable. Moreover, the glossy and plush brushed aluminum framework and casing accentuate its aesthetics and improves durability and resilience.
To say last but not least, the E10K comes with an ALPS volume control pot (potentiometer) that allows you to easily monitor bass boost, gain setting, and volume level.
Pros
- Smooth and glossy brushed aluminum finishing of both chassis and carapace boosts aesthetics and durability
- Built-in DAC PCM102 chip capable of handling PCM files up to 24-bit/96kHz
- Micro-USB receptacle for connecting to PC or laptop and also for powering
- A linear filter enhances audio quality as well as reduces background noise and delay while changing tracks without phase shifts
- Settable bass boost circuit and a receptive low-pass filter for maintaining a low instrumentation noise floor in all situations
- Coaxial/line/headphone output for smooth connectivity to different devices and equipment
- USB-C port for across-the-board compatibility
Cons
- You won’t feel any noticeable improvement in sound quality if you have a PC with robust onboard sonic
- You’ll need to buy a micro-USB to female-USB jack for using this amp while traveling (it doesn’t have a battery compartment)
Audioengine D1 Headphone Amplifier (Close Runner-Up)
If you’re looking for a premium DAC to connect to your state-of-the-art headphones for listening to your favorite tracks, then you don’t need to look any further. The Audioengine D1 Headphone Amplifier is an elegant and ultra-compact DAC that plugs in smoothly to your laptop or desktop USB port, thereby circumventing your workstation’s inbuilt circuitry.
The digital signal processing (DSP) of the music or audio files steer clear of your computer unit’s noisome setting results in the reproduction of beefier detailed sound.
Now you have an unmatched and exclusive listening experience when you set up the D1 with your stereo rig, active and self-powered speakers, and headphones. This headphone amplifier from Audioengine also features an optical digital connector making this unit compatible with any audio source having an optical digital out. Such devices include a game console, classic CD/DVD player, set-top box, hi-fi network music streamer, and much more.
The D1 headphone DAC amp effectively processes digital audio signals at practically any bit depth up to 24 bits and any sample rate up t o192kHz. As a result, this Audioengine amp enjoys extensive popularity for high-quality sound owing to its low distortion and excellent signal-to-noise ratio.
A performance-driven DAC, the D1 comes with a headphone receptacle that allows you to pair this amp with a wide variety of headsets, including studio headphones like the M50x.
More often than not, pocket-friendly, quality headsets, despite being capable of reproducing hi-fi sound, are unable to do so, especially if they’re playing music from your smartphone or laptop. Now you may be tempted to believe that this incompatibility is an issue arising out of your pair of headphones.
Pros
- High-quality 24-bit DAC/headphone amp companionable with battery-powered and AC-powered music players
- Premium headphone amp bypasses headset’s output or PC’s soundboard for transmitting an audio signal via its optical or USB port-ins
- Compatible with Linux, Windows, and Mac, featuring plug-and-play -to-USB ports
- Also companionable with headphones, stereo/AV receivers, powered speakers, TVs, and DVD/CD players having optical USB ports
- 3-year limited (transferable) warranty
Cons
- There’s plenty of digital buzz now, and then that’s deafening (irrespective of volume setting)
- Markings on the volume (output) knob would’ve made this amp a bit more useful
- No ‘frequency’ or ‘balance’ controls (that would’ve made this headphone amp extra versatile)
Syba Sonic Headphone Amplifier (Best on a Budget)
The Syba Sonic Headphone Amplifier is a very user- as well as budget-friendly DAC that lets you enjoy electrifying full-bodied sound on your headphones connected to a tab or laptop.
The Sonic headphone amp excels as a DAC or a digital-to-analog convertor, eventually enabling you to get around your headphone output or (digital) music player’s soundcard or audio card. In addition, the DAC’s bypass mechanism ultimately allows the amp to transmit a digital (audio) signal via the USB port, thus letting you enjoy your music to the hilt.
This DAC by Syba Sonic comes with an integrated stereo headphone amp with 2-stage EQ and two (analog, digital) outputs. This DAC amp is highly effective in sampling frequency (number of samples per second or sampling rate) up to 24-bit/96kHz. The net effect of the sampling rate or sampling frequency regarding DAC technology is the delivery of top-quality stereophonic sound.
This Syba Sonic headphone amp is embedded with a Cmedia CM6533 Chipset that serves as a USB 2.0 audio chip and a two-channel ADC/DAC and S/PDIF transition. It is the implanted chipset that renders this DAC superlatively suitable for pairing with microphones, high output speakers, headphones, laptops, desktops, and so on.
The Sonic Headphone DAC has outputs for analog stereo RCA, optical digital and coaxial connectivity, as well as premium1/8” and ¼” headphone jacks.
Last but not least, this amp comes at a pretty affordable price. In our opinion, it’s the best low-priced amp for M50x.
Pros
- DAC sampling rate up to 24-bit/96KHz enables more effective studio monitoring and offers ‘pure’ sound for perfect music mixing
- A powerful noise reduction chip (CM6533) screens out unwanted noise, which enhances high-fidelity sound quality
- Simple plug-and-play: No need to install software or driver (excepting S/PDIF
- Internal DAC and ADC support from 16/24 bit resolution and 8᷆-96kHz sampling frequency
Cons
- Re-plugging your headphones more often cause the amp to reset, so there’s a waiting time before it replays
- The mini USB cable included in the pack is not of good quality (hence you may have to buy a new one)
FiiO BTA10 Headphone Amplifier
You’ll find many good reasons to opt for the FiiO BTA 10 Headphone Amplifier to pair with your over-the-ear headphones. But if you own the Audio-Technica ATH M50x headset, then the best reason to buy the BTA10 is that this DAC has been designed exclusively for M50x.
A high-quality Bluetooth adapter, the BTA 10 lets you go wireless with your ATH M50x thanks to supporting SBC/AAC/aptX/apt LL audio codecs.
And remember that just because you enjoy music wirelessly does not imply that the sound quality will degrade. On the contrary, you benefit from the compatibility with top-quality audio codecs, offering you a unique listening experience without messy wires. Dial in to top-notch music on your M50x and comfortably take calls through Bluetooth within a 10m radius of your headphones.
The smart and ergonomic profile of BTA 10 seamlessly syncs with the ATH-M50x’s size and contour as if the two were made for each other. In addition, three readily inline knob controls let you take calls and hang up and enjoy uninterrupted music sessions.
Red-and-blue dual-color status indicator LED lights to show whether your BTA 10 is running low on gas, charging, is in Bluetooth pairing mode, or powered on.
Pros
- Integrated with Qualcomm QC3005 Bluetooth chip and supporting state-of-the-art Bluetooth 5.0 protocol for exemplary performance
- Backward compatible with previous Bluetooth version(s)
- Built-in CVC noise cancellation technology (from Qualcomm) for automatic adjustment of microphone gain and active background noise reduction
- En-suite lithium-ion battery guarantees 8 hours of nonstop comfortable listening
Cons
- Poor quality mic
- The charging port positioned up against the headband hinge makes charging inconvenient.
Do I Need a Headphone Amp for ATH M50x?
If you’ve been enjoying your music on the ATH M50x using your desktop, laptop, HDTV, or smartphone as a music player, then you’re aware of the headset’s audio output quality. However, if you browse the net to get a fair idea about the audiophiles’ views about the M50x, you’ll come across widely divergent opinions.
Additionally, you’ll come across numerous sites and forums where music enthusiasts and fans keep debating on whether you require a DAC/amp to get the most out of M50x.
So if you go through those online reviews to decide whether you should be choosing a quality DAC amp, you could end up feeling overwhelmed. Therefore we’ve stitched together this guide to help you decide if you need an amp for your M50x. The ATH M50x is a closed-back over-the-ear monitor headphone pair perfectly placed for music mixing, DJ monitoring, and studio tracks.
So if you’re thinking of purchasing the M50x primarily for casual or personal listening, then you should be looking elsewhere. And as succinctly as possible, over 90% of audiophiles (read audio professionals) choose M50x largely for studio monitoring. If you’re a music devotee who graduated to M50x after spending years listening to tinny-sounding run-off-the-mill earphones, then you’ll find this Audio-Technica a refreshing change.
Most of the audiophiles who’ve used the M50x for some time agree that this headset sounds much better than many high-end headphone models. Yes, there’s no disputing that the ATH-M50x is far better than most audiophile-grade headsets out there in terms of clarity and detail. So there’s always the temptation to get carried away by unwarranted hard-sell that the M50x is perfect for gaming and everyday listening.
At the cost of reiteration, the M50x is a monitoring headset that has been designed mainly for studio recordings and evaluating the same. Thus, if you purchase the M50x exclusively for the purpose it has been designed, it’ll be a good buy. But, on the other hand, if you’re buying this headphone pair just for everyday or casual listening, then you’ll be disheartened.
The ATH-M50x’s soundstage is practically non-existent, meaning that bass is muddy, treble is fatiguing and bumpy, and midrange is buried. Nevertheless, if you’re enjoying music on your M50x via your laptop, tab, or smartphone, you’ll need a quality DAC or amp for retaining that experience, especially at high volumes. However, you’ll not require an external DAC for hi-fi stereophonic sound, provided your music source has a built-in DAC chipset.
Also, ensure that you’re using high-quality source files (such as WAV/FLAC or 320kbps MP3, etc.) for top-quality sound reproduction. If you’re not satisfied with the sound quality reproduced by your M50x or unable to attain the desired volume level, then the best remedy is buying a headphone amp. Most music players starting from a CD/DVD player, MP3 player to your smartphone, are battery-powered and portable gadgets.
Battery-powered devices tend to be less powerful than their AC-powered and operated siblings. So you’ll not be able to make the most of your M50x’s features for listening to your favorite songs at your preferred volume level without affecting sound quality. And the best way to get around this problem is to place a DAC amp between the M50x and your music source.
So, The Best Headphone Amp for ATH M50x Is…
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x comes across as a top-notch monitor headphone pair ideal for using as a studio recording and analyzing headset. Of course, you can use the M50x for enjoying music personally in the comfort of your living room.
However, if you wish to listen to the excellent quality of music on M50x via a battery-powered gadget, then you’d benefit from using any of the DAC amps reviewed above. Our winner is the FiiO E10K amp. In our opinion, it’s the best amp/DAC to use with ATH M50x headphones.