Sennheiser HD 280 Pro vs Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

What published reviews say about each, where the two differ, and who each one suits.

Summed up from 15 published reviews

Sennheiser

HD 280 Pro

A durable, accurate studio headset with strong isolation, though less-impactful bass and long-session comfort remain trade-offs.

Best for: Budget-conscious studio tracking, mixing, and reference listening
Skip it if: You prioritize wireless convenience, rich bass, or effortless all-day comfort

PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon

What reviewers say about the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro

Audio-Technica

ATH-M50x

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is a versatile, well-made wired headphone offering strong value, but bass tuning, isolation, and long-session comfort receive mixed reactions.

Best for: Value-focused listeners wanting lively wired headphones for music, gaming, and casual use.
Skip it if: You need flat mixing sound, wireless connectivity, or exceptional noise isolation.

PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon

What reviewers say about the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

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Specs side by side

Spec	Sennheiser HD 280 Pro	Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
Fit	Over-ear	Over-ear
Connection	Wired	Wired
Noise cancelling	No	No
Best for	Studio, Music	Studio, Music
Microphone	No mic	No mic
Ear cups	Closed-back	Closed-back

Rows where the two differ come first.

What reviewers like, and what they don't

Sennheiser HD 280 Pro

Neutral, accurate sound suits mixing and critical listening 1 4 6
Strong passive isolation supports focused studio tracking 1 3 7
Robust construction holds up to regular studio use 1 2 6
Comfortable fit for extended listening sessions 5 7 8
Affordable price delivers strong value 1 3
Subdued bass lacks impact for bass-heavy listening 1 3 4 6
Tight clamping may fatigue users during long sessions 2 3 4
Fixed non-detachable cable limits convenience and replacement options 2 3 4 5
No wireless, microphone, or active noise cancellation features 6

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

Foldable design with swiveling cups and three detachable cables. 1 2 5
Clear, detailed sound with good instrument separation. 3 5 6 7
Comfortable, secure fit suits many long listening sessions. 2 3 5 6
Strong value and broad versatility for music, gaming, and studio use. 3 4 5 6
Reviewers disagree on bass: some praise accuracy, others call it boosted. 1 2 3 4
Heat and pressure can cause discomfort during extended listening. 1 4 7
Some report mediocre isolation in loud environments. 1 3 4
Awkward proprietary connectors and no built-in microphone complicate some setups. 1 2 4 6

Ranked in our guides

Guide	HD 280 Pro	ATH-M50x
Best wired headphones and earbuds	#9	#4
Best studio headphones	#10	#1

Sources

We don't test products ourselves. This page sums up 15 published reviews, read on October 21, 2026; each point above links to the reviews that make it.