X appeal

X man CliffJoseph gets to grips with Audio-Technica’s second-generation Bluetooth headphone

- Cliff Joseph

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The original ATH-M50xBT got full marks when reviewed in HFC 450 and was descended from Audio-Technica’s popular M50x wired headphone. So this second-generation Bluetooth update focuses on bringing its digital features up to date while additionally cutting the price.

The basic design is the same as its predecessor. It’s not the lightest, but the earpieces and adjustable headband are thickly padded and the hinges allow you to rotate the earpieces to find a comfortable position. The headphone is mostly plastic, but seems sturdy enough, and there’s a carrying pouch bundled. The BT2 model has also been updated with a USB-C charging port, so a cable is provided, along with a 3.5mm cable.

There’s no change to the 45mm drivers or their impressive 15Hz28kHz frequency response, but there’s a new Bluetooth chip to handle the wireless audio and a new AK4331 DAC/amp as well. The battery life is improved too, from 40 to 50 hours, and you can use the BT2 in wired mode if the battery runs flat.