Short answer: the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. It ranks #135 of 429 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $159; the Sennheiser HD 480 Pro ranks #200, rated 3.6/5, and costs $399, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The case for the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x: This closed back has a very smooth response, with a deviation of 2.0 dB and the largest peak only 1.2 dB near 4.3 kHz, so it avoids harshness. Watch for: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 1.7 dB low and a 3.5 dB dip near 6.8 kHz softens cymbals and sibilance, while the top octave runs about 2 dB hot, a slightly uneven treble.
Why pick the Sennheiser HD 480 Pro: The median of 5 hobbyist measurements gives it a solid Harman preference score of 72 with a 2.08 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. The catch: Presence sits about 3.8 dB low with a 7 dB dip near 4.1 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite.
Buy the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Sennheiser HD 480 Pro and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audio-Technica ATH-M50x | Sennheiser HD 480 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $159.00 | $399.00 |
| Ranked | #135 of 429 in Over-Ear Headphones | #200 of 429 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 78 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 72 (median of 5 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.01 dB standard deviation | 2.08 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.75 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.00 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.9 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+2.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 45mm dynamic | 1 x 38mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 38 ohms | 130 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 99 dB/mW | 107 dB/Vrms |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (285 g) | 0.6 lbs (272 g) |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 3Hz - 28.7kHz |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Audio-Technica ATH-M50x:
- Shure SRH440 vs Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
- Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro vs Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
- Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro vs Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
- Philips SHP9500 vs Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
- Audio-Technica ATH-M40x vs Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
Prices on this page were last checked October 13, 2026 at 3:17 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Headphones In Full
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x: $159.00 Amazon $159.00 eBay
Same family: the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x (lower-end model, ranked lower, rated 3.3/5), the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x (lower-end model, ranked higher, rated 3.9/5) and the Audio-Technica ATH-M70x (higher-end model, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5).
Pros: This closed back has a very smooth response, with a deviation of 2.0 dB and the largest peak only 1.2 dB near 4.3 kHz, so it avoids harshness. Sub-bass is on target and bass from 60 to 200 Hz is about 3 dB above, which gives clean, punchy bass, and the preference score is 78. At 38 ohms and 99 dB/mW it is easy to drive from a phone, it weighs 285 g and it isolates from noise.
Cons: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 1.7 dB low and a 3.5 dB dip near 6.8 kHz softens cymbals and sibilance, while the top octave runs about 2 dB hot, a slightly uneven treble. The warm, bass lifted balance is not neutral enough for critical listening. It is a closed back, so bass has less airiness than the open backs in this class.
Full Audio-Technica ATH-M50x review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.01 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 45mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 78 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 38 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 99 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.75 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (285 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -3.1 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +0.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 156 Hz | -5.2 dB | 0.73 |
| Peak | 326 Hz | +5.3 dB | 1.59 |
| Peak | 7,077 Hz | +2.8 dB | 2.22 |
| Peak | 3,483 Hz | +2.1 dB | 5.82 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -4.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 45 Hz | -1.1 dB | 1.90 |
| Peak | 66 Hz | +1.4 dB | 3.59 |
| Peak | 787 Hz | -0.5 dB | 1.79 |
| Peak | 1,640 Hz | +0.9 dB | 3.41 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sennheiser HD 480 Pro: $399.00 Amazon $399.00 eBay
Pros: The median of 5 hobbyist measurements gives it a solid Harman preference score of 72 with a 2.08 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. Bass sits close to target and holds down to 20 Hz, so low end sounds full without bloat. It uses 1 x 38mm dynamic.
Cons: Presence sits about 3.8 dB low with a 7 dB dip near 4.1 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite.
Full Sennheiser HD 480 Pro review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2026 (6 months ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.08 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 38mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 3Hz - 28.7kHz |
| Harman Preference Score | 72 (median of 5 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 130 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 107 dB/Vrms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+2.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.00 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (272 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons