T50P
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published: Dec-5-2013, updated: Dec-21–2021
NO SMOOTHING is applied to the shown plots. Most measurement sites have some smoothing applied which ‘irons flat’ sharp peaks and ‘wiggles’. I do not use smoothing because some info about sound quality is lost when plots are smoothed.
Aside from a small correction of the microphone itself also some correction in the lowest frequencies is applied to the plots to compensate for the perceived loss of bass when using headphones. This is described HERE in more detail.
A ‘horizontal‘ frequency response curve on the shown frequency response plots on this website thus indicates a perceived ‘flat’ tonal signature.
ALL measurements are made with a good SEAL on a flatbed measurement rig.
The shape of your head, bone structure, pad size, pad ‘softness, (compliance), hair or no hair and or wearing glasses may (drastically) change the frequency response of some headphones, so… your personal experience may differ substantially from these plots.
Frequency response (tonal balance) is the most sound-determining aspect of headphones. A horizontal line shows audible neutral response in the plots on this website. Deviations in different severities at different frequency bands have an effect on the sound character.
The bigger the deviation the stronger the effect.
Below an aid to help determining the sound character of headphones with relation to the frequency response.
Beyerdynamic T50P
The T50P is the similar looking model that came before the DT1350 and T51P is clearly inferior to these newer models in all ways possible. When it was launched end 2010 it got some great reviews which I don’t think it deserved.
The T50P sold for around $ 300.- and looked very nice and sturdy.
The headphone cable is 1.2m long and quite thin. Alas it is very microphonic and even the headband is quite microphonic. This means touching the cable or the headband/cups is very audible.
This is an on-ear headphone. The clamping force is decent so it does not fall off the ears when moving around nor does it crush the ears and cause discomfort (at least not to me).
It was very difficult to get a good fit on the head (had to wear the headband almost on the front of my head)
The efficiency is high so it can play very loud even from portable sources like phones etc.
This headphone is quite lightweight which makes it quite comfortable as far as on-ear headphones go.
specifications:
Type: On-ear, closed
Usage: Home, Studio, Portable
Isolation: decent, 22dBA
Driver type: dynamic, Tesla
Pads: replaceable, pleather (faux leather)
Pad dimensions: outer diameter 60mm
Collapsible: No, but can fold flat
Cable entry: fixed, dual sided
Cable: 1.2m terminated in 3.5mm TRS with 6.3mm adapter.
Driver size: ø 30mm
Nom. power rating: 0.1W (100mW)
Max. voltage: 1.8V
Max. current: 100mA
Max. S.P.L.: 130dB
Impedance: 32 Ω
Efficiency: 111dB @ 1mW
Sensitivity: 126dB @ 1V
Weight: 174 g.
Colour options: none
Clamping force: medium
Accessories: 6.3mm adapter, airline adapter and clam-shell case.
Sound description:
The sound is coloured and not ‘accurate’ with a lot of bass but alas also a lot of honky mids. The highs are a bit coarse sounding but not sharp nor elevated.
measurements:
Below the frequency response of the T50p (Left, Right)
Channel matching is excellent. There is a boost in the lows which gives the bass some ‘body’ to it. Bass extension is flat to 20Hz. It drops off slowly below that point. You need to get a good seal to get this kind of bass extension which is very difficult to do with this headphone.
The mids sound decent with a somewhat weird unnatural clarity due to the 2kHz dip.
Treble is at a good level but not very refined sounding.
compared to
The T50p is bassier sounding than the current T51p and a bit ‘rougher’ in the treble, as in not very refined. Below the 3 similar looking models. T50p, T51p and DT1350
Of these 3 headphones I prefer the sound and comfort of the T51p over that of the DT1350. The T50p was a bit of a disappointment.
phase response
The first thing that stands out is the absolute phase is rotated 180 degrees. This, generally not audible, issue was solved in the DT1350.
Above 5kHz the phase rotates quite sharply within a small bandwidth which can be audible.
Below the T.H.D. distortion measurements of the T50p (Right channel)
Up to 150Hz distortion is kind of high. Above 200Hz distortion level is low enough not to be audible/
Below the CSD of the T51p. (Left and Right are superimposed)
Aside from the substantial lingering around 700Hz and ringing at 7kHz the CSD looks pretty fast in decay.
Below the group delay plot for the T50RP (Left, Right)
Some issues below 200Hz, most likely caused by the pads. Also some issues around 800Hz and above 5kHz.
Below the spectrum plot of the T50p (Right channel). There is some lingering around 700Hz (which could possibly be the small enclosure), Also bass notes seem to be lingering longer than desirable.
The step response below shows the impulse response is quite good. 
The two things that do stand out is the bass extension as the horizontal part of the trace hardly drops. Also the initial rise doesn’t reach the 0dB indicating bass and mids are dominant.
conclusion
The Beyerdynamic T50p is a rather expensive on-ear headphone that looks better than it performs.
The DT1350 and T51p are far better models when one wants a similar looking Beyerdynamic model. Not recommended.
DIY-Audio-Heaven 