How does it compare to the Monster Inspiration Active Noise Canceling Headphones?

Not sure about the Inspiration Actives but I have the regular Monster Inspiration over-ear headphones and they are just as capable and impressive as my ath-m50x. The people who are commenting saying the 50x is so much better than the Inspirations are showing true ignorance. The sound stage is actually slightly better on the Inspirations. Monster makes a wide range of headphones not all of which are just Beats clones. For people who own headphones like the Inspirations, the HD558's, JBL S500's... you will be disappointed if you think the ath-m50x will blow you away.

This model has no battery (replaceable or rechargeable), right? Does it tend to drain the battery of your iPod / iPhone rapidly, to run its processor?

Headphones don't drain batteries. They just talked the juice from the headphone amp. I think with the agent of so many consumer grade headphones with noise cancellation or built in amplifiers we have a slew of people completely confused and misinformed with the basics of audio gear. These are the same. people that would have to call a computer tech to plug in computer monitor to a computer. These are the same people that will give a bad review to ga reat product simply because that don't understand the products intended use.

Is there a reasonably priced and easily installed earcup padding replacement parts kit available? Bad experience with dissolving AT earcups.

I use Wicked Cushions, but NOT the large ones they advertise for M50X headphones, rather the ones for Sony MDR7506. Forget all the warnings blah blah from WC about them being only for MDR7506, those earpads fit AT M40/50X headphones and most importantly SOUND almost EXACTLY LIKE OEM AT pads. No loss of bass but since the interior layer over the driver is thicker, high end may be ever so slightly attenuated. I quite like it. So much I got another pair for my M40X

How's the frequency range? I thought I read the specs somewhere, but can't find em now... How do these compare to the $500+ Sennheiser HD models?

Not as balanced as HD600, somewhat similarly bass and treble boosted like HD650. Annoying 10kHz frequency peak like any other closed-back headphone. HD600 and HD650 boast far higher resolution and much better clarity, bigger and more accurate stereo field (though they don't excel at this like AKG's K701 or Hifiman orthodynamic headphones), they're meant for high-end playback systems, M50x is just a cheap, decent monitor (though not as good as M40x and M70x at that, in my experience).

Noise Control	Sound Isolation
Headphones Jack	3.5 mm Jack
Model Name	Professional Monitor Headphones ATH-M50x
Connectivity Technology	Wired
Wireless Communication Technology	Wi-Fi
Included Components	Cable, Protective Case
Age Range (Description)	Adult
Material	Plastic
Specific Uses For Product	Music
Cable Feature	Detachable
Item Weight	0.29 Kilograms
Unit Count	1.0 Count
Style	Wired
Number of Items	1
Batteries	1 AAAA batteries required. (included)
Item model number	ATH-M50x
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer	No
Color Name	Black
Connector	Code
Hardware Interface	3.5mm Audio
Material Type	Plastic
Size	Regular

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Monitor Headphones, Black, blk

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