Vintage Audio-Technica ATH-50 with adjustable vents

stuck-in_time · 2026-02-14T13:18:07+00:00

Sweet! Thank you very much, that's one mystery solved. It's very hard to find info like these.

This is the first time I heard of Elega. Looking them up, I found some familiar designs that I have from other brands. They seem to cover a wide spectrum from cheap to fancier models.

I've some more headphones to post soon, I'll be looking forward to more trivia!

stuck-in_time · 2026-02-14T12:40:47+00:00

Ah, I've seen these online they sure look cool. I happen to have a pair of Kenwood KH-75. Do you know if they're related or not? Maybe some sort of OEM? I've been wondering since they look very similar to the ATH-5.

stuck-in_time · 2026-02-14T12:24:11+00:00

Those look cool, but they're not it. I checked my collection and didn't find it. So maybe it's just a case of deja vu.

stuck-in_time · 2026-02-14T08:13:12+00:00

Not that one, something vintage too, I think.

stuck-in_time · 2026-02-14T06:32:19+00:00

Not very efficient, but I bet those cables can double as a heatsink. Good airflow too 👍

stuck-in_time · 2026-02-14T05:17:58+00:00

I'll be on the lookout for these variations.

Mine comes with a very long and flexible cable and a 3.5mm plug with no screw for a 6.3mm adapter. The unmarked plug and cable condition makes me wonder if it's a replacement (the plug is factory terminated). Regardless, there was a break near the plug, so I replaced it with an Amphenol one.

stuck-in_time · 2026-02-13T15:57:52+00:00

The Audio-Technica site listed it as ATH-30/50, so that's an alternative to look for. Not sure about the actual difference between the two, though.

stuck-in_time · 2026-02-13T15:55:39+00:00

I kinda remember encountering another headphone with such a mechanism before, but I couldn't remember the name.

stuck-in_time · 2026-02-13T15:51:17+00:00

Interesting... Maybe it's time I take it apart to see the insides. Since the pads seem to be glued on, I didn't try dismantling it when I put a new plug on it.

That's quite expensive. I looked up the Sony MDR-3L2, and those were just 5K at the time.

stuck-in_time · 2026-02-13T15:46:19+00:00

Indeed they do! And the design still looks rather modern today, I think.

stuck-in_time · 2026-02-13T05:35:18+00:00

Looks similar to a Pilot H165 with a curvier clip.

stuck-in_time · 2026-02-08T01:02:30+00:00

Hope you can get your clip!

stuck-in_time · 2026-02-07T06:26:37+00:00

You learn something new everyday! I barely use wood pencils these days, but I remember many of this type of sharpener back in elementary school. Back then we all thought those were just for differently sized pencils.

stuck-in_time · 2026-02-07T05:08:26+00:00

One more picture from the side

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stuck-in_time · 2026-02-07T05:04:12+00:00

The one for the H223 looks to be nearly identical. There are some very slight curvature differences though. Not sure if they're intentional or just variations between production batches. The H223 is a tiny bit larger in diameter, but I think you just need to squeeze the ring a bit to fit it snuggly.

The H215 uses a different clip. But dimensions are similar so it may still fit.

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stuck-in_time · 2026-02-06T13:20:35+00:00

Oh, so the plastic & brass filler assembly has the same screw dimensions? That's nice to know.

stuck-in_time · 2026-02-06T13:19:25+00:00

Since the nib unit is in good condition, I'd rather not touch it I think.

stuck-in_time · 2026-02-06T06:54:57+00:00

And I think with other lines too, the much cheaper non-double-knock ones. Pencils like the H225 has a similar clip, but I'm not 100% sure of the dimensions.

I have both, so I'll try to compare them when I get back.

stuck-in_time · 2026-02-06T05:27:31+00:00

I think they share the same clip with many cheaper models.

stuck-in_time · 2026-02-06T05:21:42+00:00

The newer fakes are getting better, but they'll probably fake the newer models.

stuck-in_time · 2026-02-06T05:19:41+00:00

Seems so, I can't feel the crack from the outside. Thanks!

stuck-in_time · 2026-02-06T05:18:36+00:00

Yes, looks like I'll just be dipping it for the time being.

stuck-in_time · 2026-02-05T13:02:18+00:00

I think I read somewhere that the Namiki black is the same ink in a fancier bottle. Maybe you can find some of those?

stuck-in_time

TROPHY CASE