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Author Topic: Audio Technica ATH-M50 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots  (Read 14189 times)

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ultrabike

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Re: Audio Technica ATH-M50 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
« Reply #20 on: September 08, 2013, 06:09:34 AM »
Since the mod is reversible I gave it a shot with masking tape, but things were still bassy.

I covered more ports in the front of the driver, a gap between the cup and the driver assembly (covered by the pads anyway), and a gap between the cup and the cup swivel (covered by the padding behind the driver anyway),... but still bassy.

Relatively speaking completely covering the one tinny port inside the HD202 cup fully castrates it. A careful partial covering of the HD202 port can yield neutral signature at the expense of more distortion. Treble is more problematic with the HD202 though.

Equalization can easily fix the M50 bass emphasis, but harder to fix the HD202 treble null. LOL! My friend that lend me his M50s is actually well aware he is a basshead and equalizes his M50 for even moar bass!  :-DD
« Last Edit: September 08, 2013, 06:21:01 AM by ultrabike »
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Anaxilus.

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Re: Audio Technica ATH-M50 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
« Reply #21 on: September 08, 2013, 07:14:25 AM »
Found my old posts on the mod.  Stages in terms of bass reduction.

Stage 1-6 holes covered using painters tape leaving the center hole open.
Stage 2-5 holes covered w/ felt feet; basically all holes except the extreme left and right.
Stage 3-6 holes covered using adhesive felt feet from Home Depot.
Stage 4-6 holes covered w/ felt feet and replace pads w/ Shure 840 pads.

You can always try all holes covered w/ felt feet and 840 pads...

At the time I preferred Stage 2 but I was using an iPod nano w/ older HE Arrow amp.  A bit thinner sounding setup.

Don't count on the pads 'covering' up anything.  AT went to the trouble of putting them there.  Also, my set came in a whitebox so that may have been a newer version if such a thing exists. 
« Last Edit: September 08, 2013, 07:19:26 AM by Analixus »
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Armaegis

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Re: Audio Technica ATH-M50 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
« Reply #22 on: September 09, 2013, 07:44:19 PM »
I've owned three M50's in the past few years. The first one I had I really didn't like and felt like there was a big treble spike. The second and third I had were better, still feeling a bit hot up top but not as grating as before. The third had quite a bit of bass, the second not so much. Granted, these were all used and at various stages of wear. However, I usually switched out the pads for 840 ones so at least that part was mostly consistent.
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Do you think there may be an acoustic leak from the jack hole? ~Tyll Hertsens

Not sure if I like stuffing one hole or both holes. Tending toward one hole since both holes seems kinda ghey ~Purrin

ultrabike

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Re: Audio Technica ATH-M50 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
« Reply #23 on: September 09, 2013, 10:54:26 PM »
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Armaegis

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Re: Audio Technica ATH-M50 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
« Reply #24 on: September 10, 2013, 06:52:13 AM »
Yeah that's pretty much how I feel about it. I suspect the whole white box thing isn't so much a revision as they've just improved the consistency.

Still, decent sound, solid construction, decent comfort, and easy to find on sale and even pre-modded with a removeable cable. Meh pads, but 840 pads can be had for $15-20 so that's my recommended upgrade for anyone looking into them, if nothing else just for improved comfort and isolation.
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Do you think there may be an acoustic leak from the jack hole? ~Tyll Hertsens

Not sure if I like stuffing one hole or both holes. Tending toward one hole since both holes seems kinda ghey ~Purrin

ultrabike

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Re: Audio Technica ATH-M50 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
« Reply #25 on: September 10, 2013, 07:27:42 AM »
Quote from: Armaegis on September 10, 2013, 06:52:13 AM
Yeah that's pretty much how I feel about it.

 :)p13  You and me both! And thanks for sharing your impressions!

My friends particular M50s have very nice treble and mids in my opinion... Don't like product variations a la Beyer DT1350 though.
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Re: Audio Technica ATH-M50 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
« Reply #26 on: September 10, 2013, 07:48:09 AM »
Quote from: ultrabike on September 10, 2013, 07:27:42 AM
Quote from: Armaegis on September 10, 2013, 06:52:13 AM
Yeah that's pretty much how I feel about it.

 :)p13  You and me both! And thanks for sharing your impressions!

My friends particular M50s have very nice treble and mids in my opinion... Don't like product variations a la Beyer DT1350 though.

Yeah, my M50s mids we nice as well, not recessed.  Though they all suffer from the upper mid recess impacting female vocal and string tones. 
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