This is a review of Audio-Technica ATH-IM50 in-ear headphones. Audio-Technica ATH-IM50 Dual Symphonic In-Ear Monitor Headphones (Black) - AccessoryJack
I was excited when Audio Technica announced their new line of multi-driver headphones, ATH-IM01/IM02/IM03/IM04, and already had a chance to review IM02 and IM03 models. In addition to these Balanced Armature multi-driver units, they also released two additional ones, ATH-IM50/IM70, with dual dynamic drivers. Unfortunately, a decision was made not to release it in US. When you go on Amazon, you can find dozens of sellers from Japan offering these models, but prices vary all over the place and I'm not sure how reliable some of these sellers are. Searching the internet for the best deal, especially when it comes to popular headphones, is no longer an easy task because of a lot of shady sellers with questionable quality products. If you want to have a peace of mind when purchasing ATH-IM50, try to deal with an authorized Audio-Technica distributor, such as Buy Audio Technica Headphones, Sennheiser, Shure, Sony, Marshall, JAYS, Urbanears, Penpower Tablet at AccessoryJack - AccessoryJack where I got my IM50 from, which also happens to have one of the best prices including shipping. Now, let's take a closer look to find out more about ATH-IM50.
Doesn't matter if you are dealing with headphones under $70 or over $400, Audio-Technica always presents their product like a flagship model. The illustration of headphones on the cover of the box is detailed, they always provide English and Japanese text, go into great details of product description, list of accessories, and a detailed picture of all the internal components (my favorite part!!!). Besides included headphones, you also get a signature AT silicone eartips (S/M/L), a pair of medium size premium Comply eartips, and a very nice drawstring pouch. I know they list detachable cable as an accessory - but its just a SUPER BONUS!!! This is probably the ONLY pair of high quality headphones you can get for $67 (shipped to US) and WITH detachable cables. The closest one is SE215, but it cost $100 and doesn't have the same balanced sound signature (more about it later). The detachable cables have the same build quality as those included with IM0x series. It has a very sturdy 2-pin snap on connector, a memory wire which goes behind your ear, a chin slider down to y-splitter, and gold plated 90 degree 3.5mm connector. This headphone cable has heavy duty shielding, while still being flexible and relatively tangle free. Audio Technica also sells replacement cable with in-line mic/remote so you can always update your setup to pick up phone calls. Also, since the cable attachment is the weakest point where it usually breaks in headphones, you no longer have to worry about it since cable is replaceable.
The shells of earpieces are smaller than IM03, more on par with a size of dual-driver IM02, and the nozzle a little bit longer in comparison to IM0x BA multi-driver series. They still have a great ergonomic fitment, and with a right selection of eartips you can get amazing sound results and a decent passive noise isolation which can be enhanced even further with included Comply foam tips. I do like original AT eartips, but for a better fitment in my ears (due to an extended nozzle design) I actually found Sony hybrid eartips to be more comfortable. Behind the ear wire fitment is very secure, thanks to flex wire, and sliding chin strap up helps to keep wires together. Also, the microphonics effect was down to minimum. Now, with all these details out of the way, they move on to a sound quality test!
If you have a craving for extra bass and still want to keep your mids balanced to get a perfect rendering of vocals - this pair of headphones is for YOU!!! I don't want to use "basshead" label, but IM50 can really satisfy that craving! The bass delivery is big and powerful with a fast punchy mid-bass and deep rumbling sub-bass, all that while under control without overpowering the rest of the frequency spectrum. The bass sounds clear and well separated. With such low frequency delivery you would expect a typical v-shaped sound with recessed mids. But NO! You will be in for a big surprise how well mids are balanced to deliver smooth vocals with a great clarity and details. Vocals/upper mids sound full bodied, a little bit warm, without any harsh high frequency peaks, and perfectly suited for extended listening period. Treble is also extended and detailed. Soundstage has an average width/depth, and you feel like you are very close to the performance stage. Also, these headphones paired up really nicely with all of my sources, either driven from laptop or smartphone or from dedicated DAPs like X5 and AP100.
Overall, I believe these headphones just went up to the top of my highly recommended list! So many times I have been asked to recommend a set of headphones with a great bass, with a detailed sound quality, without sacrifice of recessed mids to deliver beautiful vocals, and with a great build quality and secure fitment for everyday use or during exercising - all that without costing arm'n'leg. Now I have a perfect answer with one solution that can meet all these requirements and still cost less than $70, not to mention the removable cable that will extend longevity of use. Especially if you are looking for an excellent pair of in-ear headphones to use during your exercising or other demanding activities - the powerful rhythm of ATH-IM50 bass will drive your energy up!
Here are the pictures.
I was excited when Audio Technica announced their new line of multi-driver headphones, ATH-IM01/IM02/IM03/IM04, and already had a chance to review IM02 and IM03 models. In addition to these Balanced Armature multi-driver units, they also released two additional ones, ATH-IM50/IM70, with dual dynamic drivers. Unfortunately, a decision was made not to release it in US. When you go on Amazon, you can find dozens of sellers from Japan offering these models, but prices vary all over the place and I'm not sure how reliable some of these sellers are. Searching the internet for the best deal, especially when it comes to popular headphones, is no longer an easy task because of a lot of shady sellers with questionable quality products. If you want to have a peace of mind when purchasing ATH-IM50, try to deal with an authorized Audio-Technica distributor, such as Buy Audio Technica Headphones, Sennheiser, Shure, Sony, Marshall, JAYS, Urbanears, Penpower Tablet at AccessoryJack - AccessoryJack where I got my IM50 from, which also happens to have one of the best prices including shipping. Now, let's take a closer look to find out more about ATH-IM50.
Doesn't matter if you are dealing with headphones under $70 or over $400, Audio-Technica always presents their product like a flagship model. The illustration of headphones on the cover of the box is detailed, they always provide English and Japanese text, go into great details of product description, list of accessories, and a detailed picture of all the internal components (my favorite part!!!). Besides included headphones, you also get a signature AT silicone eartips (S/M/L), a pair of medium size premium Comply eartips, and a very nice drawstring pouch. I know they list detachable cable as an accessory - but its just a SUPER BONUS!!! This is probably the ONLY pair of high quality headphones you can get for $67 (shipped to US) and WITH detachable cables. The closest one is SE215, but it cost $100 and doesn't have the same balanced sound signature (more about it later). The detachable cables have the same build quality as those included with IM0x series. It has a very sturdy 2-pin snap on connector, a memory wire which goes behind your ear, a chin slider down to y-splitter, and gold plated 90 degree 3.5mm connector. This headphone cable has heavy duty shielding, while still being flexible and relatively tangle free. Audio Technica also sells replacement cable with in-line mic/remote so you can always update your setup to pick up phone calls. Also, since the cable attachment is the weakest point where it usually breaks in headphones, you no longer have to worry about it since cable is replaceable.
The shells of earpieces are smaller than IM03, more on par with a size of dual-driver IM02, and the nozzle a little bit longer in comparison to IM0x BA multi-driver series. They still have a great ergonomic fitment, and with a right selection of eartips you can get amazing sound results and a decent passive noise isolation which can be enhanced even further with included Comply foam tips. I do like original AT eartips, but for a better fitment in my ears (due to an extended nozzle design) I actually found Sony hybrid eartips to be more comfortable. Behind the ear wire fitment is very secure, thanks to flex wire, and sliding chin strap up helps to keep wires together. Also, the microphonics effect was down to minimum. Now, with all these details out of the way, they move on to a sound quality test!
If you have a craving for extra bass and still want to keep your mids balanced to get a perfect rendering of vocals - this pair of headphones is for YOU!!! I don't want to use "basshead" label, but IM50 can really satisfy that craving! The bass delivery is big and powerful with a fast punchy mid-bass and deep rumbling sub-bass, all that while under control without overpowering the rest of the frequency spectrum. The bass sounds clear and well separated. With such low frequency delivery you would expect a typical v-shaped sound with recessed mids. But NO! You will be in for a big surprise how well mids are balanced to deliver smooth vocals with a great clarity and details. Vocals/upper mids sound full bodied, a little bit warm, without any harsh high frequency peaks, and perfectly suited for extended listening period. Treble is also extended and detailed. Soundstage has an average width/depth, and you feel like you are very close to the performance stage. Also, these headphones paired up really nicely with all of my sources, either driven from laptop or smartphone or from dedicated DAPs like X5 and AP100.
Overall, I believe these headphones just went up to the top of my highly recommended list! So many times I have been asked to recommend a set of headphones with a great bass, with a detailed sound quality, without sacrifice of recessed mids to deliver beautiful vocals, and with a great build quality and secure fitment for everyday use or during exercising - all that without costing arm'n'leg. Now I have a perfect answer with one solution that can meet all these requirements and still cost less than $70, not to mention the removable cable that will extend longevity of use. Especially if you are looking for an excellent pair of in-ear headphones to use during your exercising or other demanding activities - the powerful rhythm of ATH-IM50 bass will drive your energy up!
Here are the pictures.
At first I was a bit surprised that cable cinch wasn't included, but once I tried these on, I found it wasn't even necessary since the soft nature of the cable shaped naturally around my ear. It also makes it easy when you need to wrap the cable for storage. For anybody who has IM01-04 and IM50-70, you know very well that between memory wire loop and heavy duty cable you need a large headphone case for storage, especially if you want to keep the shape of memory wire. Here, you can use any compact small headphone case. The 3.5mm plug has TRRS gold plated connector, and the housing of the plug is straight with a small diamond cut ring area toward the end (enhances the grip when you pull the connector out) and also a strain relief.
