[phallan]

Hey! I've had my M50's for a while now - I use them to listen to music as I go to and from places by bus and train, plugging them into my iPhone 5 or my iPod Classic 120Gb. - and I was wondering what would be a step-up from these amazing cans in as many aspects as possible. Obviously it would be dumb to think there's a pair of cans better in every single way.
 
So, what would be a step-up from the Audio Technica M50 in audio quality, build quality, portability, sound isolation, noise cancelling etc.
 
Sincerely
Sebastian

 

[MalVeauX]

Quote:

Hey! I've had my M50's for a while now - I use them to listen to music as I go to and from places by bus and train, plugging them into my iPhone 5 or my iPod Classic 120Gb. - and I was wondering what would be a step-up from these amazing cans in as many aspects as possible. Obviously it would be dumb to think there's a pair of cans better in every single way.
 
So, what would be a step-up from the Audio Technica M50 in audio quality, build quality, portability, sound isolation, noise cancelling etc.
 
Sincerely
Sebastian

 
Heya,
 
Mr Speakers Mad Dog with Alpha Pads.
 
Very best,

 

[kcazbarach]

I thought the akg k167 were a huge step up to the ath m50 especially in terms of bass (much more depth, and I was using the akg k167 through my laptop soundcard vs my athm50s  connected to the pa2v2-l9 (line out)- to my iphone 4s.
 
Only "negative" in comparison was that the akg k167's didn't feel as strong and it was entirely plastic (high end though). I preferred the sound quality alot of the akg k167s.
 
of course, the akg drivers needed to be burned in a bit IMO. the 2nd day using them was so much better than the first (2nd day i had burned them in overnight to a playlist)
 
I think they're better for portable use compared to the straight cable (which is really long) of the ath m50s. (it's coiled for the k167s).
 
It's $50 more, but the improvement was really noticable.
 

 

[phallan]

I had the K167's before the M50s and I didn't like them at all. 
 
I bought the m50 to compare them and I ended up sending the k167's back even though they were both burned in properly to make the sound better.
 
To me, it seems they're too heavy to drive with phone/ipod alone. As they didn't put out anywhere near the volume I'd prefer. Where toe M50's did.

 

[kcazbarach]

Quote:

I had the K167's before the M50s and I didn't like them at all. 
 
I bought the m50 to compare them and I ended up sending the k167's back even though they were both burned in properly to make the sound better.
 
To me, it seems they're too heavy to drive with phone/ipod alone. As they didn't put out anywhere near the volume I'd prefer. Where toe M50's did.

 


I actually noticed that too, I had hard time using them with my pa2v2 (just came out really distorted couldn't tell if it was an impedance issue or the akg just bringing out the ****ty qualities of may laptop soundcard, but it sounded better without the mixamp so i was confused), that's when i ended up investing in an E17.
 
but when they were driven correctly, I did think they were noticably better. for portable use, I guess a portable amp might be necessary.

 

[phallan]

Exactly, and getting a portable amp would make it not so portable on the bus/train
 
Seb

 

[Hoagie]

a small amp like an E11 is not going to make any significant difference with an Ipod classic from a portablity standpoint.  It will however improve the sound by a great amount if you use a line out.  I would take this step to get the most out of the M50 before buying another headphone.   

 

[Mcklemme]

I agree with Hoagie. I use the M50 with an iPod Classic and the Fiio 11. It's a cheap and very good upgrade.

 

[Mcklemme]

The Fiio is very portable, good build quality with a nice volume knob. I always use it with the M50. 
 
Still, like you, I wonder what the upgrade from the M50 would be when they are worn down. 

 

[DrewHulva]

Buy a JDS labs cmoy

It pairs VERY well with the M50. I live in downtown Chicago and have no problem carrying my classic and the cmoy banded together in a jacket pocket.

I would recommend a line out as well. Not worth it in my opinion without one.