Head to head
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs HiFiMan HE400se
Both scored on the same six factors, priced on what you actually pay including delivery, and each claim linked to the source it came from. Prototype data — prices and retailer stock are a fixed demo snapshot from 28 July 2026, not a live feed.
Verdict
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x wins on both score and price.
Across these 2 headphones, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x has both the highest Worth Score (8.1) and the best score per euro at 139,00 €. That is unusual — normally you trade one for the other. Its weak point is bass is elevated for a monitoring headphone.
Best overallAudio-Technica ATH-M50x — Highest Worth Score here at 8.1, 1.3 ahead of the HiFiMan HE400se. Best for a first pair of studio headphones.
Skip this oneHiFiMan HE400se — Lowest Worth Score here at 6.8, 1.3 lower against the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x and no cheaper. Build quality is the weak point — headband and cable both fail
Side by side
Add a third product →The value of a comparison is the differences.
| What matters | Audio-Technica ATH-M50xAudio-TechnicaMedium confidence | HiFiMan HE400seHiFiManMedium confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Worth Score | 8.1 (best in this comparison) | 6.8 |
| Price fairness | 8.4 | 9.2 (best in this comparison) |
| Build quality | 8.0 (best in this comparison) | 5.2 |
| Performance | 7.8 | 8.6 (best in this comparison) |
| Longevity | 8.6 (best in this comparison) | 6.0 |
| Repairability | 7.4 (best in this comparison) | 5.8 |
| Support & warranty | 7.6 (best in this comparison) | 3.8 |
| Noise cancelling | None — passive closed back | None — open back |
| Weight | 285 g | 390 g |
| Connection | Detachable cable, 3.5 mm + 6.3 mm adapter | Detachable 3.5 mm dual-entry |
| Replaceable pads | Yes — pads and cables sold separately | Yes — pads sold separately |
| Best for | A first pair of studio headphones · Folding flat for travel · Three detachable cables in the box | Hearing planar bass texture for under €150 · Detail well above the price · A second pair alongside a dynamic set |
| Avoid if | You want a neutral response — the bass is lifted · You wear glasses; the clamp is firm | You need it to survive being thrown in a bag · You want reliable warranty service in the EU |
| Main drawback | Bass is elevated for a monitoring headphone | Build quality is the weak point — headband and cable both fail |
3 identical rows hidden. They are the same for every product here, so they cannot help you choose.
What each score is based on
3 published sources between themAudio-Technica ATH-M50x
HiFiMan HE400se
Confidence is computed from those lists, not asserted: Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is medium on 2, HiFiMan HE400se is medium on 1. A factor with nothing behind it says so on the product page rather than borrowing a citation that does not speak to it.
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Prototype. Prototype data — prices and retailer stock are a fixed demo snapshot from 28 July 2026, not a live feed. Prices are the cheapest delivered price we recorded — 139,00 € and 139,00 € — not a live quote. How we score products.