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Audio-Technica Ad500xImage © Amazon

Audio-Technica Ad500x

66/ 100
Good
HearWiki score

Priced about right

$120
typical price, USD
Still sold newupdated
Buy now onAmazon

At a glance

Brand
Audio-Technica
Type
Over-Ear
Fit
open
Connection
Wireless
Noise cancelling
No
Released
2013

Score breakdowngood overall

Sound7.2
Value7.4

The HearWiki takeAI-condensed

The Audio-Technica Ad500x is an open-back, over-ear headphone designed for home listening, featuring large 53 mm dynamic drivers that deliver clear, detailed sound with a notably wide soundstage and strong treble response. Its lightweight build, self-adjusting 3D wing support, and breathable honeycomb aluminum housing provide a comfortable, pressure-free fit for extended sessions. Priced around $120, it offers strong value for those prioritizing soundstage and vocal clarity in a wired, passive setup.

What works

  • Lightweight and comfortable with self-adjusting wing support
  • Wide, spacious open-back soundstage
  • Clear and detailed high-frequency reproduction
  • Large 53 mm drivers for solid dynamics
  • Great value in its price class

What doesn't

  • No built-in controls or cable remote
  • Open-back design leaks sound and offers no isolation
  • Requires a separate amp for best performance due to 48-ohm impedance
  • No detachable cable or case included

Paraphrased from published reviews & specs - not an original hands-on test. Our AI disclosure.

Specifications

Audio - Audio-Technica Ad500x
Driver53 mm dynamic
Driver typedynamic
Driver size53 mm
Drivers per side1
Frequency response5 Hz - 25 kHz
Impedance48 Ω
Sensitivity100 dB/mW
Sensitivity (dB/Vrms)118.3

Where to buy

Retailers we matched to this exact model. Prices are periodic snapshots - the link always opens the retailer's current listing.

What the reviews said

4 source(s) feeding this product's score.

thephonograph.net

79

The reviewer rated the ATH-AD500X favorably overall, emphasizing its very good comfort, lightweight build, and spacious open-back presentation. Their technical page also lists it as a 53 mm dynamic open-back headphone with a 7.9/10 score on the site.

Read the full review

adorama.com

This product review/description highlights the ATH-AD500X as a comfortable open-air headphone with a pressure-free feel, aided by its honeycomb aluminum housing and self-adjusting 3D wing support. It also emphasizes the long single-sided cable and lightweight design.

Read the full review

digit.in

The reviewer found the ATH-AD500X to be a strong open-back headphone for home use, with very clear sound, a fairly wide soundstage, and especially good high-frequency performance. They also noted that the 53 mm drivers deliver solid detail and that the model is a top value pick in its class.

Read the full review

What YouTube reviewers say

Video reviews we found, each condensed to its verdict. They do feed the HearWiki score, at a measured weight below what a published written review carries.

The consensus

Positiveacross 5 videos

Reviewers consistently praise the Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X for its exceptional comfort, lightweight design, and impressive open-back sound quality, often highlighting its strong imaging for gaming and accurate audio for studio work at a budget price.

Reviewers liked

  • Extremely comfortable and lightweight
  • Impressive open-back sound quality with good imaging
  • Great value for under $100

Reviewers flagged

  • Non-detachable, long, stiff cable
  • Plastic build with fragile-looking wings
  • Open-back design leaks sound and may not suit all users
15:55

Z Review - Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X

Z Reviews107K viewsJan 2015

The reviewer finds the ATH-AD500X to be exceptionally comfortable, lightweight, and sonically impressive, calling them the best open-back headphones he has heard, even surpassing his previous favorite. However, he strongly criticizes the permanently coiled, non-detachable cable as a major flaw, and notes the headband may need bending for a proper fit and the pads can get warm.

5:59

Audio Technica ATH-AD500x Headphone Review

Taylord Tech27K viewsFeb 2017

The reviewer finds the Audio-Technica ATH-AD500x to be an excellent entry-level open-back headphone, praising its articulate sound, comfort, and value at around $70. However, he has concerns about the all-plastic build, particularly the fragile-looking wings, and dislikes the long, stiff, non-detachable cable. Despite these drawbacks, he considers them a great deal for newcomers to audiophile gear.

3:00

ATH AD500X Review

Gamers Take11K viewsJul 2015

The reviewer finds the Audio-Technica AD500X headphones very comfortable and lightweight, with a breathable design and a wide soundstage due to the open-back construction. However, they criticize the overly long and thick cord and note that the headphones can feel like they might slip off, wishing for a more secure fit.

Summaries are AI condensations of each video's own conclusion, not transcripts. Titles, thumbnails and view counts belong to their channels.

What owners say

A sample of buyer reviews, quoted as written. They aren't verified and they don't feed the HearWiki score - that comes from published reviews only.

Absolutely amazing. Especially for gaming.

These headphones are fantastic. I got the 500x model. This might be kinda long so buckle up.. First off, Sound Quality: The one thing I heard the most in nearly every single review and unboxing etcRead more

A Perfect $80 Allrounder (with some caveats)

TLDR: I use the Sony top-end headphones for my daily drivers, which is my frame of reference Sound Quality - it s a mixed bag; the open back allows for more of a concert-like experience, but musicRead more

For those who like their music with the least amount of bass possible.

So to start. The headphones. They feel cheap as hell. The first thing I touched are the ear-pads. They look cheap. They feel cheap. But resting on my head, its comfy. I can t complain other than howRead more

These outperform their price point

Very good sound quality for a relatively inexpensive pair of open headphones. 1st, sound quality is subjective so this is purely my opinion which I am sure will differ from others. 1) Comfort and FitRead more

via Amazon customer reviews

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Where it sits in our rankings

The data-driven guides this model qualifies for.