compared it to my MYR15 asus earphone, and it sounded slightly better only in terms of clearness and bass. i like the design and colour. not as comfortable to wear as shure 215 (own one before for 3 years). cable feels cheap and not rugged. when put max bass setting on my xperia z3, the bass was everywhere not detail and sharp. its a cheaper version of shure 125. not worth it in my opinion. next time better go to a higher grade.
Audio-Technica ATH-IM50 Dual symphonic-driver In-ear Monitor headphones
- Added by nightmancometh
- Create date
I bought IM50 about 1 year ago after Soundmagic E10 and immediately notice that it sounds better than the already good E10. For 62 USD this is still my most expensive BNIB IEM to date. But unfortunately it is not my best IEM since I bought JVC FXT90 about 1 month ago. Overall FXT90 sound quality is slightly better than IM50. Both IM50 and FXT90 has fairly balanced sound with IM50 has slightly more bass amount and FXT90 has slightly more treble. FXT90 also has bigger soundstage and slightly more detail. I prefer FXT90 mainly because it is more comfortable and lighter. IM50 housing is fairly big and memory wire is not very friendly for spectacle wearer like me. Using silicone tip is not recommended, so I only use foamtip on IM50. With FXT90 silicone tip is sufficient to get comfortable fit.
Pros;
1. Very balanced sound, so it is good for any kind of music. Safest bet for anyone without any musical preference.
2.The best cable ever amongst my own IEM - minus the memory wire. Thick but flexible, tangle free. Chin slider included.
3. Best IEM I have own for last 1 year until FXT90 arrived.
Cons;
1. Bulky housing, memory wire, have to use foam tip for perfect fit
2. Bass amount is slightly higher than FXT90 but on some tracks I can detect some bass bloat. FXT90 has moderate amount of bass but it sounds tighter.
3. Anyone reading this mini review would probably know that there is Audio-technica IM70, a more expensive and probably better sounding big brother to IM50. So if you have 90 USD or more to spend please take a look at IM70. Not to mention that BNIB FXT90 is costing about 90+USD. Or for even more value you can buy China OEM FXT90 from Aliexpress like me for just 33 USD
So what we have here is a good upper entry level IEM which has above average sound quality, over ear and bulky design which is not suitable for everyone and there are few other IEM which has better SQ for less. Other similarly good IEM for about 50+ USD BNIB is Audio-technica own CKX5 /CKX5is. I have Audio-technica CKX7 but somehowe I found that I prefer CKX5 more - so does our mighty ljokerl. But for a dual dynamic driver IEM, this is a good start until you can trade up to FXT90, IM70, Vsonic gr07, Dunu Titan etc.
Pros;
1. Very balanced sound, so it is good for any kind of music. Safest bet for anyone without any musical preference.
2.The best cable ever amongst my own IEM - minus the memory wire. Thick but flexible, tangle free. Chin slider included.
3. Best IEM I have own for last 1 year until FXT90 arrived.
Cons;
1. Bulky housing, memory wire, have to use foam tip for perfect fit
2. Bass amount is slightly higher than FXT90 but on some tracks I can detect some bass bloat. FXT90 has moderate amount of bass but it sounds tighter.
3. Anyone reading this mini review would probably know that there is Audio-technica IM70, a more expensive and probably better sounding big brother to IM50. So if you have 90 USD or more to spend please take a look at IM70. Not to mention that BNIB FXT90 is costing about 90+USD. Or for even more value you can buy China OEM FXT90 from Aliexpress like me for just 33 USD
So what we have here is a good upper entry level IEM which has above average sound quality, over ear and bulky design which is not suitable for everyone and there are few other IEM which has better SQ for less. Other similarly good IEM for about 50+ USD BNIB is Audio-technica own CKX5 /CKX5is. I have Audio-technica CKX7 but somehowe I found that I prefer CKX5 more - so does our mighty ljokerl
. But for a dual dynamic driver IEM, this is a good start until you can trade up to FXT90, IM70, Vsonic gr07, Dunu Titan etc.
I can only just about use these for an hour with Silicon Tips.
Tips...
- Silicon only last up to an hour, they make your ears scream in pain when you take them out.
- Foam Comply Tips, wash them well and they'll last you forever, keep them clean.
So, the IM50:
Why'd I buy them?
Well... I've not used Earphones since pushing on about 2010, and I really needed something good for just laying in bed on lazy days with, if I had more money it'd have been the SE215, but I think the IM50 are gonna make me just as happy.
So... Bed Headphoners,Earphoners.
Do some research, you'll see that warmth is there thing, warm sound, rich tonality, and why? It's relaxing, not everyone enjoys it, but yes... it's very calming.
Most Bedphone listeners don't really care for the Lemon Zest Bubble Tea+ Spring Guava, no. They like general Butter Coffee, or Cocoa, it's rich!
OK, Soundstage:
Feel free the make fun of my graph I made in Paint, but this is this only way I could describe the soundstage to myself.
The points discussed here were odd to me, a Soundstage that really left me wondering why the Earphones felt so congested at times.
Highs:
I actually heavily recommend a bit of tuning if you wanna bring out the Highs.
At first, the Bass, & sometimes overwhelming Lows swamped up the Highs.
But what's left to be said about them after an EQ?
M50 - Once properly fixed, the Highs are like the M50. Cut, copied, & pasted back into another device.
So what do I think?
Tune the M50 a slight bit, enhance it, you've got a percussion headphone, the same is left to be said here. A bit more masked, but sitting faintly in the back are the same Highs I knew awkwardly well.
Mids:
- Mids are flowing.
- Forward.
- Relaxed.
There's not much to say, the Lows are too thick to let the Mids shine with detail, but... with most Headphones/Earphones, Acoustics did OK for these.
They weren't super detailed, but they're definitely piercing, enough so that they can escape the lows at %30 Volume, & %50 Volume.
Lows:
Now for a already Warmer Sounding headphone, I expected this.
Lows were REALLY thick, the foam tips cut down on that some, but they could get congested very easily.
Unfortunately instruments were a bit difficult to find, but Bass detail was done very well.
Final Thoughts:
With everything said, people would surely assume that I've taken a strong disliking to these, which in false.
I think they're solid for the price point.
If you get the IM50, here are some recommended Albums, & Test Tracks(My Taste):
[album]Tara Terra - Daughter[Female Fronted Indie Pop/Soft Rock - ]
[album]Seth Corbin - Why Is Social Anxiety Ruining My Life And Why Am I Drinking So Much Beer[Folk Punk w/A Pop Side - ]
[track]Tiny Moving Parts - Clouds Above My Head[Emotive Punk w/A Taking Back Sunday Style Vibe]
[discography]Vulfpeck - Discography[Great for testing Monitor Value of these, Genre:Jazz Influenced/Funk/Sinatra/& etc... - https://vulf.bandcamp.com/]
[discography]Morning Effort - Discography[Great Lo-Fi Music for testing Highs, Genre:Emo/Bedroom Pop - http://morningeffort.bandcamp.com/]
[track]Hot Tears - Follow You[Indie Rock/Warm Music - Compliments the Genre Highlights these Earphones work better for - ]
Lastly, I ask that if you end up getting the IM50, be safe! And enjoy.
Last but not least, don't be immature about my Soundstage Description that I had trouble figuring out.
I needed to use it to explain the points of where I get lost sound, a missing point, or certain areas of the soundstage the separate and seem unnatural.
So, if you don't like how I tracked myself, or you think you're cool, and an internet gangster, don't comment, thanks!
Paulus XII
Informative, thanks ; )
The Audio-Technica ATH-IM50/70 series has gained popularity and favourable reviews from members of Head-Fi, as it should. The Japanese designed 8.8mm "dual symphonic driver" proves to be more than capable for its asking price, and once again reinforces the notion that Japanese audio engineers know what they are doing. The following is an analytical review based on my experience with the ATH-IM50s.
Gallery:
(ATH-IM50 with Comply memory foam tips. Notice the beautiful piano finish of the durable housing)
(ATH-IM50 right unit, nude)
(aware of the large housing dimensions, I did not have an issue with the fit at all)
The ATH-IM50/70 is best known for its amazingly engaging and fun, but fairly natural/balanced sound signature. Nonetheless, many fail to realize that the ATH-IM50 is more than just an IEM, like the rest of the IM series; it is a reboot of the famous A-T house sound signature. Audio-Technica isn't solely known for beautifully crafted headphones, rather their expertise in balancing technicality with human nature is what connects the end user with their products. While the IM50 is nothing astonishing, it certainly holds its position as one of the best dynamic in-ear monitors on the market under $100.
When I first heard the IM50, I was immediately struck in the feels by its smooth mid-range. My favourite female vocals were reproduced in such a way that I wish I was living forever in that moment. I just could not believe the sound quality came from the price I paid; it is like a dream come true. It gave me a special feeling, something along the lines of "we're never too young, we're never too old." Moving past the vocals, the bass sounds very full-bodied and powerful, and just like a sub-woofer's rumble, it satisfies without bleeding into the mids at all. Despite it being fun and exciting, it is not a basshead IEM as some people claim to be; the CKSXX Solid Bass series are instead audio-technica's solution to bass-heavy models. I believe the IM50's bass is the perfect solution to the "missing 6 dB effect" phenomenon in headphones.
Detail retrieval and resolution feels almost on par with the Sony MDR-EX600; from memory, it sounded even a bit livelier than the EX600s. The IM50s are actually quite true to its source; the transparent imaging will bring forth the quality of the source you are feeding it, though it is still very forgiving compared to BA IEMs. On another note, the IM50 is incredibly easy to drive, and very sensitive to the source's impedance; static hiss is a very prominent issue, as I've experienced it with both my 2009 MacBook Pro and Acer Aspire Ethos 8951G. The plus side to this trait is that you won't have any trouble with volume levels from any mobile/portable devices. No amp is required to unleash its full potentials, as it is extremely efficient.
The housing of the ATH-IM50/70s is designed in such a way that it directly affects the performance of the 8.8mm dynamic drivers, where the shape contributes to the delivery of sound. This design allows the soundstage and 3D imaging to achieve a sense of independence, without the dispersive out-of-head feeling. Albeit protrusive, the housing provides excellent isolation due to its sealed design. While the fit won't work for everyone, once you are able to achieve a good fit, they disappear and rest perfectly in your ears' concha.
The proprietary IM series connector and cables once again show the professional aspects of audio-technica: they don't skimp on the materials, even on lower tier products. On the other hand, the IM50 is prone to annoying cable microphonics, despite the great cable workmanship and connector stress relief. I find it truly disappointing how the IM50 is so close to perfection for its price, yet hindered by many of the aforementioned issues, which should be addressed accordingly in the next generation of the IM series.
I have read that removing the cloth filters on the nozzles improves treble extension of the IM50s. I strongly recommend against this as I believe IM50's treble perfectly matches its sound signature, and the treble performance doesn't need improvement, in my opinion. While some people may find the treble too dark or absent, removing those filters will damage internal components as dusts, residue and ear wax will get inside the housing. I propose an alternative solution to those seeking more treble from the IM50s, which is through equalization. I have found the perfect EQ settings through hours of testing, in order to make the treble more prominent without distorting the rest of the sound signature, they are: @4K + 3dB, @8K + 6dB, and @16K + 5dB.
In summary (I don't want to make this review TL;DR), the IM50s could be your perfect beginner/entry dynamic IEMs, if its availability is manageable. I've heard them for a total of 100 hours, and I stand behind everything I pointed out in this review. The IM50s are great for commuting, somewhat suitable for creating/mixing tracks, but most importantly, amazing to just drown yourself in your music collection. They are a pair of extremely versatile IEMs. If you know that you are really into that Japanese flavour sound, with the beautiful vocals and intimate soundstage, please give the IM50/70s some serious consideration, as I believe they won't disappoint in that regard.
Gallery:
(ATH-IM50 with Comply memory foam tips. Notice the beautiful piano finish of the durable housing)
(ATH-IM50 right unit, nude)
(aware of the large housing dimensions, I did not have an issue with the fit at all)
The ATH-IM50/70 is best known for its amazingly engaging and fun, but fairly natural/balanced sound signature. Nonetheless, many fail to realize that the ATH-IM50 is more than just an IEM, like the rest of the IM series; it is a reboot of the famous A-T house sound signature. Audio-Technica isn't solely known for beautifully crafted headphones, rather their expertise in balancing technicality with human nature is what connects the end user with their products. While the IM50 is nothing astonishing, it certainly holds its position as one of the best dynamic in-ear monitors on the market under $100.
When I first heard the IM50, I was immediately struck in the feels by its smooth mid-range. My favourite female vocals were reproduced in such a way that I wish I was living forever in that moment. I just could not believe the sound quality came from the price I paid; it is like a dream come true. It gave me a special feeling, something along the lines of "we're never too young, we're never too old." Moving past the vocals, the bass sounds very full-bodied and powerful, and just like a sub-woofer's rumble, it satisfies without bleeding into the mids at all. Despite it being fun and exciting, it is not a basshead IEM as some people claim to be; the CKSXX Solid Bass series are instead audio-technica's solution to bass-heavy models. I believe the IM50's bass is the perfect solution to the "missing 6 dB effect" phenomenon in headphones.
Detail retrieval and resolution feels almost on par with the Sony MDR-EX600; from memory, it sounded even a bit livelier than the EX600s. The IM50s are actually quite true to its source; the transparent imaging will bring forth the quality of the source you are feeding it, though it is still very forgiving compared to BA IEMs. On another note, the IM50 is incredibly easy to drive, and very sensitive to the source's impedance; static hiss is a very prominent issue, as I've experienced it with both my 2009 MacBook Pro and Acer Aspire Ethos 8951G. The plus side to this trait is that you won't have any trouble with volume levels from any mobile/portable devices. No amp is required to unleash its full potentials, as it is extremely efficient.
The housing of the ATH-IM50/70s is designed in such a way that it directly affects the performance of the 8.8mm dynamic drivers, where the shape contributes to the delivery of sound. This design allows the soundstage and 3D imaging to achieve a sense of independence, without the dispersive out-of-head feeling. Albeit protrusive, the housing provides excellent isolation due to its sealed design. While the fit won't work for everyone, once you are able to achieve a good fit, they disappear and rest perfectly in your ears' concha.
The proprietary IM series connector and cables once again show the professional aspects of audio-technica: they don't skimp on the materials, even on lower tier products. On the other hand, the IM50 is prone to annoying cable microphonics, despite the great cable workmanship and connector stress relief. I find it truly disappointing how the IM50 is so close to perfection for its price, yet hindered by many of the aforementioned issues, which should be addressed accordingly in the next generation of the IM series.
I have read that removing the cloth filters on the nozzles improves treble extension of the IM50s. I strongly recommend against this as I believe IM50's treble perfectly matches its sound signature, and the treble performance doesn't need improvement, in my opinion. While some people may find the treble too dark or absent, removing those filters will damage internal components as dusts, residue and ear wax will get inside the housing. I propose an alternative solution to those seeking more treble from the IM50s, which is through equalization. I have found the perfect EQ settings through hours of testing, in order to make the treble more prominent without distorting the rest of the sound signature, they are: @4K + 3dB, @8K + 6dB, and @16K + 5dB.
In summary (I don't want to make this review TL;DR), the IM50s could be your perfect beginner/entry dynamic IEMs, if its availability is manageable. I've heard them for a total of 100 hours, and I stand behind everything I pointed out in this review. The IM50s are great for commuting, somewhat suitable for creating/mixing tracks, but most importantly, amazing to just drown yourself in your music collection. They are a pair of extremely versatile IEMs. If you know that you are really into that Japanese flavour sound, with the beautiful vocals and intimate soundstage, please give the IM50/70s some serious consideration, as I believe they won't disappoint in that regard.
Criss969
Great review! I received my IM50's and one filter was on it's way out of the nozzle so I just removed the other to keep it even. I tried to get it to fit back but it just wouldn't. I'm worried about getting dust in there.
On another note.. these things SOUND GREAT! You will NOT find a better set of IEMs at this price.
On another note.. these things SOUND GREAT! You will NOT find a better set of IEMs at this price.
momos
hey man have u tried the the IM01? how is it compare to this?
