Audio-Technica is marking ten years of its celebrated M50x headphone line with the release of a new limited-edition model, the ATH-M50x ENSO. The release honors the company’s Japanese heritage and pays tribute to the original all-black M50x that became a fixture in both professional studios and home listening spaces around the world.
Founded in Tokyo in 1962, Audio-Technica has long been recognized for its precision in transducer design and its devotion to both craft and culture. The ENSO edition continues that tradition, merging sound and symbolism in a design that reflects the Japanese concept of the “Enso” circle — a hand-drawn brushstroke representing harmony, balance, and continuity. The engraved detailing on the earcups and headband captures both the flow of sound waves and the graceful motion of traditional ink art, offering a visual metaphor for the seamless connection between art and audio.
While the aesthetic takes center stage, performance remains pure M50x. The ENSO edition carries the same 45-millimeter large-aperture drivers with copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils that have defined the series since its debut. Its plush isolation pads and over-ear design preserve the familiar mix of clarity and deep, accurate bass that made the original a benchmark for studio professionals. True to its reputation for flexibility, the design also includes 90-degree swiveling earcups for one-ear monitoring and a collapsible structure for travel.
Each pair of ATH-M50x ENSO headphones is individually engraved with a serial number, identifying it as one of just 5,000 units available worldwide. As a nod to collectors, Audio-Technica has hidden an extra surprise — 500 randomly selected boxes include a postcard redeemable for an exclusive ENSO accessories kit that adds a custom stand and carry case.
The headphones ship with a protective pouch, 6.3-millimeter screw-on adapter, and three detachable cables, including both straight and coiled options. The ATH-M50x ENSO is available now for $199 through select Audio-Technica retailers and audiotechnica.com.
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