Driver size refers to the physical diameter of the speaker component inside the earcup. In the case of 50 mm drivers, we’re talking about a larger surface area that pushes more air, which usually means more bass presence and higher overall output.
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We’ve used plenty of 50 mm headsets in our daily testing both for music and gaming and the difference in low-end weight is clear. One of us switched from a 40 mm closed-back pair to a Sivga SV021 with 50 mm drivers and immediately noticed how the sub-bass came through without pushing the rest of the mix into the background. On game menus and soundtrack-heavy titles like Cyberpunk 2077, there was more rumble and space.
It’s not just about loudness, though. Driver diameter affects the way bass extends and decays, but things like diaphragm stiffness, enclosure shape, and venting matter just as much. We’ve heard small drivers tuned better than some oversized ones so size helps, but doesn’t guarantee good sound.
50 mm vs 40 mm Drivers: Key Differences
When we tested several headsets back to back including the M40X (40 mm) and M50X (45 mm) the most obvious difference was in the low end. The M50X had slightly more reach and felt more weighted when listening to kick-heavy tracks and cinematic game intros. But the M40X had better control over mids and vocal separation. In practice, we found that better tuning mattered more than those extra 5 mm.
There are downsides to going bigger. One of our testers noticed that with certain 50 mm drivers, the treble detail felt stretched or slightly washed out especially at higher volumes. It doesn’t happen with every model, but we’ve seen it on headsets where the diaphragm isn’t stiff enough or the enclosure isn’t properly damped.
When it works, though, the extra size gives you headroom to tune in more bass without killing detail. That’s why we often see 50 mm used in gaming and studio headsets that want to push both power and soundstage.
Why Manufacturers Often Use 50 mm Drivers
From what we’ve seen across reviews, brands use 50 mm drivers because they’re a safe starting point for building impactful, full-bodied sound. You get decent sensitivity without needing to crank power, and there’s enough size to tune for either fun or reference-style listening.
In gaming, that often means bigger soundstages and more low-frequency emphasis. In studio models, you get room to tune flatter curves without distortion creeping in. One of our reviewers used the ATH-M50x for years while editing voiceovers and said they preferred the extra bass extension when working with video content.
We also spoke with a few users who mod their own headsets. Several told us they prefer 50 mm units because they’re easier to swap in and match with bigger cups and that most of the drop-in kits they see are already tuned for that driver size.
Real-World 50 mm Driver Headphones
We’ve tested quite a few headphones that use 50 mm drivers, and some of them have stayed on our desks long after the review period ended.
The Sivga SV021 was one of the more surprising ones. We weren’t expecting much, but the bass hit with more weight than most of the other closed-back models in the same range. One of our editors used them as a daily pair for music and voice chat, and said they were one of the few headsets in that price bracket that didn’t need EQ out of the box.
We also spent time with the Fostex TH808, which uses a 50 mm neodymium driver. The bass was there, but what stood out was the midrange clarity. We ran it through vocal-heavy tracks and noticed how clean the separation felt, even with layered recordings. It was one of the few models that stayed detailed without pushing too hard in the highs.
The ATH-M50x remains a go-to reference. Even though its drivers are technically 45 mm, the way it’s tuned feels closer to most 50 mm setups. We used it during video editing and voice processing work, and the low-end helped us pick up tonal shifts in recordings that smaller drivers often miss.
And then there’s the DALI iO-12. It’s one of the newer models we had a chance to try, and it uses a full 50 mm setup inside a very polished housing. It didn’t need any flashy tricks the soundstage was wide, the bass was steady, and the overall presentation felt balanced. It’s the kind of headphone that doesn’t try to impress right away, but after a few days of use, it starts to grow on you.
Impact on Gaming and Music Experiences
In our gaming tests, 50 mm drivers tended to stand out most in open-world and cinematic titles. One of our team members used the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless in Apex Legends and said the sub-bass gave more weight to drops and weapon sounds, while still keeping footsteps up front. It didn’t feel bloated just more grounded.
In games like Destiny 2 and Cyberpunk 2077, we noticed the soundstage opened up a bit more than on similar 40 mm headsets. That made ambient audio and spatial cues easier to follow, especially when using virtual surround modes.
For music, 50 mm drivers gave us a bit more flexibility across genres. We tried everything from ambient and jazz to drum and bass. When the driver and enclosure were well matched, we didn’t feel the need to switch gear for different styles. Bass stayed full, mids were clean, and highs didn’t get lost.
But again it came down to how the headset was tuned, not just driver size. Some 50 mm headsets we tested sounded flat or bloated. Others, like the M50x and TH808, felt dialed in and natural.
Are Bigger Drivers Always Better?
We’ve tested enough headsets to know that bigger doesn’t always mean better. Yes, 50 mm drivers move more air, and that gives you room for bass. But we’ve also used 50 mm headsets that sounded soft or overly boomy even when they had the right specs on paper.
One of us swapped out a daily pair of 40 mm open-back headphones for a 50 mm gaming headset expecting a wider sound, but ended up switching back after a week. The bass was louder, but the midrange was smeared, and dialogue started to lose clarity during longer sessions.
Another example we tried using a budget 50 mm headset during podcast editing. Even though the specs claimed “enhanced clarity,” sibilants and plosives became harder to spot. We switched to an older M40X, and the difference was night and day.
It’s not the size that defines the sound, it’s how well everything is put together. Diaphragm material, enclosure design, internal damping those things matter more than adding a few extra millimetres. When the design is right, 50 mm drivers can sound incredible. When it’s off, they can fall flat, no matter how impressive the box looks.
Final Take: Do 50 mm Drivers Still Matter?
We’ve used dozens of headsets here at BestTechRadar, and 50 mm drivers still make sense in the right setup. The added bass and broader soundstage can be a real advantage in gaming, especially when paired with virtual surround or open maps.
But size alone won’t save a bad design. Some of our favorite headsets this year didn’t need oversized drivers to sound great they just had good tuning, properly sealed cups, and the right mix of features.
The M50X, Sivga SV021, and TH808 all show what 50 mm can do when done right. We’ve used them for everything from gaming to mixing, and each brought something different. But every time we review a new headset, we still go back to the same question: how does it actually sound?
If you’re chasing numbers on a spec sheet, driver size might look important. But if you’re chasing good sound, look at the whole picture. That’s what makes the difference.
FAQs About 50 mm Drivers
Are 50 mm drivers better than 40 mm?
Sometimes, but not always. We’ve tested 50 mm drivers with better bass, but also heard 40 mm drivers that sounded cleaner overall.
Why do so many gaming headsets use 50 mm?
Stronger low-end, easier soundstage tuning, and more room for impact. For FPS and cinematic games, it works well.
Can I upgrade my headset to 50 mm drivers?
Not easily. We’ve tried a few mods. Fitment was tricky, and getting proper tuning without ruining the seal was harder than expected.
Is size the most important factor?
No. One of our editors still uses a 40 mm pair daily for studio work. It sounds better than most larger headsets we’ve tested this year.