[Arvan]

I would say that i enjoy them when i actually use them. But when i don´t use them i don´t miss them
 
Its a fun sounding can for when you want some bass to them electronic tunes..But i rather choose them SRH-840 for every day music, its a more complete headphone if you ask me.
 
To answer the question, YES they are overated..Fun, but not " the best headphone in the world " as so many point out that they are.

 

[samsquanch]

I could see the M50's as being overrated, since in pretty much any thread where someone asks for sub $200 can recommendations half of the people posting just throw up, "M50's!  They're the best thing since internet porn!"  Which they can be for bass heavy music (hip hop, electronic, death metal, reggae...) but when it comes to music that requires a more gentle touch they're just not that great.  I got a pair recently because everyone was wetting themselves over them, I was looking for a decent set of headphones to replace my Sennheiser hd428's as my work headphones, got them, was super excited, went through my test songs (Pink Floyd - Money, Led Zeppelin - Since I've been loving you, Neil Young - Needle and the Damage Done, Tchaikovsky - Allegro con spirito, Piano Concerto No.1 in B flat minor, Op.23, Slayer - Reign in Blood) and was sadly disappointed in how sloppy they were, to the point of annoying me.  BUT...  When I put on some death metal (Suffocation - Pierced From Within) I really enjoyed them, the bass drops were huge (almost comical), and it sounded even dumber than normal (I really like stupidity in my death metal).  Seriously great for that genre, but they're not an all around can like people try to say they are.
 
I should be getting a pair of Koss DJ100 Pro's in in the next few days, hopefully they treat me better.  For now the fate of my M50's is being my go to for DJ nights, they do pretty well for blocking out what's coming out of the main speakers and allowing me to cue up a record.

 

[XxDobermanxX]

Quote:

I could see the M50's as being overrated, since in pretty much any thread where someone asks for sub $200 can recommendations half of the people posting just throw up, "M50's!  They're the best thing since internet porn!"  Which they can be for bass heavy music (hip hop, electronic, death metal, reggae...) but when it comes to music that requires a more gentle touch they're just not that great.  I got a pair recently because everyone was wetting themselves over them, I was looking for a decent set of headphones to replace my Sennheiser hd428's as my work headphones, got them, was super excited, went through my test songs (Pink Floyd - Money, Led Zeppelin - Since I've been loving you, Neil Young - Needle and the Damage Done, Tchaikovsky - Allegro con spirito, Piano Concerto No.1 in B flat minor, Op.23, Slayer - Reign in Blood) and was sadly disappointed in how sloppy they were, to the point of annoying me.  BUT...  When I put on some death metal (Suffocation - Pierced From Within) I really enjoyed them, the bass drops were huge (almost comical), and it sounded even dumber than normal (I really like stupidity in my death metal).  Seriously great for that genre, but they're not an all around can like people try to say they are.
 
I should be getting a pair of Koss DJ100 Pro's in in the next few days, hopefully they treat me better.  For now the fate of my M50's is being my go to for DJ nights, they do pretty well for blocking out what's coming out of the main speakers and allowing me to cue up a record.

The sennheiser HD 448 are great, many people dont know that they pwn creative aurvana live and srh 440 !!!!

 

[Fortunex]

I find the M50s are greatly overrated. I didn't like them much at all, especially not for $160+. Maybe around $100-$110 they'd be decent.

 

[XxDobermanxX]

Quote:

I find the M50s are greatly overrated. I didn't like them much at all, especially not for $160+. Maybe around $100-$110 they'd be decent.

 

[rhythmdevils]

Blindly hating something is just as useless as blindly recommending something.   It's just the opposite extreme. 

 

[kiteki]

You know, someone could always email Audio Technica, say their M50 is broken, and ask for the model number of the replacement driver, then repeat with another email for the ESW10Jpn or something, just to check.
 
Of course the acoustical space internal component synergy of the ESW10 could be much better etc.  Like Sony SA-3000 and all that.
 
If the M50 was released today, as a new headphone, I bet it would be popular, so it's probably not overrated, just a little overhyped.  It's one of those HP's with a good price/performance ratio, when you pay for the ATH PRO700MK2ANVLTD it's not 40% better, perhaps ~15% or less (vague).
 
That doesn't make the PRO700 overrated, people can pay what they want for 15 or 0.5% or limited editions.  It just makes the price/performance ratio weaker.
 
Price/performance ratio is important since most of the world isn't rich but deserve good sound quality, so the real competition and discussion should be focused on the M50 and similarly or lesser priced models, like Koss KSC75 etc.

 

[jupitreas]

The M50s enjoyed a fair bit of hype over the years so there is now a bit of a backlash against them, although IMO it is rather unwarranted. If we are to objectively look at them, their price/performance ratio, comfort, looks etc. they are still among the best choices for the price. They have some good competition nowadays but they are the reason why the competition is there.

 

[nicholars]

They are good compared the the competition at < £120 but compared to better headphones such as the HD650/HD600 or D2000 etc. they are significantly worse. I didnt find them that great when trying them in a shop but compared to the alternatives at that price they are good. The Beyer DT770 are quite good as well although a bit bright.

 

[dsan]

IMO they are good phones, but not the greatest.
Some reviews and high rank in headfi headphone chart has really boosted the interest
and it just became THE headphone that will rule them all under 150 range.
 
In same view, beats headphones became THE worst headphone to buy and iconic
mockery. Which is also one sided thinking. 

 

[nicholars]

Quote:

IMO they are good phones, but not the greatest.
Some reviews and high rank in headfi headphone chart has really boosted the interest
and it just became THE headphone that will rule them all under 150 range.
 
In same view, beats headphones became THE worst headphone to buy and iconic
mockery. Which is also one sided thinking. 

 
I think it is down to people buying them as the first pair of headphones then thinking they are the best thing ever because compared to cheap headphones they probably do sound like the best thing ever.These people will then come on head fi and write rave reviews about them, saying they are the best sound they have ever heard etc. this will start the hype machine rolling and blow everything out of proportion because people just read the reviews and don't look at where the review comes from eg. an experienced reviewer who has used 100's of different headphones or someone who has bought these as the first pair of high end headphones. Don't take this the wrong way they are good for the money but really they are way overhyped.

 

[Beagle]

The problem with the M50 is that you can spend another $50 and get a choice of a number of headphones that make the M50 sound like total crap. What is even more embarrassing is that you can spend $50 less and do the same thing.

 

[nicholars]

Quote:

The problem with the M50 is that you can spend another $50 and get a choice of a number of headphones that make the M50 sound like total crap. What is even more embarrassing is that you can spend $50 less and do the same thing.

 
Hmmm definately agree that for £50 more you can get much better headphones but not sure about the £50 less thing... WHich headphones do you think sound better for £50 less?

 

[Anathallo]

Seriously, please enlighten the masses as to what headphones you can get below $100 that sound better than the new iteration of the M50.

 

[dsan]

Quote:

Seriously, please enlighten the masses as to what headphones you can get below $100 that sound better than the new iteration of the M50.

 
Cheapest price I saw for M50 was around 150
 
Maybe there is this special magical place selling these cans below 100 but I dont think it is a normal price?
 
anyway I found Shure 440 as good as (or better) M50 and they are under 100