Diaphragm: 16 mm., mylar
Nominal impedance: 32-ohm
Nominal power input: 2 mW
Maximum power input: 5 mW
Nominal sensitivity @ 1 KHz: 113 dB/1 mW
Frequency range: 20-20000 Hz
Enclosure type: semi-open earbuds

The X50 are OVC’s more expensive, higher-quality earbuds. OVC was the Chinese OEM for many Western companies (Koss, Siemens, AT&T, Panasonic, LG, Samsung, Audio-Technica, Plantronics, Yamaha, V-Moda, etc. etc.); there’s an English website for OVC, http://www.ocvaco.com/ with a bit more background on just what OVC is.

Long story short, X50 are close to Yuin PK3 in price and performance. About 75% of the performance at 75% the price. Not as exciting or magical as the PK3, but with a larger soundstage and a bit more power to the sound (this is probably as powerful and “solid” as earbuds can get).

Accessories include a minijack splitter (likely so stock player earbuds and X50 can be driven simultaneously to demonstrate the X50’s clear superiority), a cable extension, a cable clip (to prevent microphonics), and, of course, the silver pouch.

 Accessories & pouch.

Impedance is 32-ohm; Apple players and computers are designed to work with 32-ohm impedance minimum (and may damage headphones with an impedance less than 32-ohm). Hence the X50 are “IPod-friendly”, and “IPhone-friendly”: the earphones’ minijack is of the miniature kind, fitting into the IPhone’s recessed jack. 32-ohm impedance also helps the earbuds’ sound, making it more solid and stable.

Diaphragm diameter is an uncommon 16-mm. This is the diameter of diaphragms used in OVC HC800, foldable sealed mini-headphones. 16-mm. diaphragms are pretty large for earbuds - Sennheiser PX200, OVC HC1000 and Audio-Technica ATH-ON3 headphones all have 30-mm diaphragms, but they sit outside ears.

Cable is J-shaped (left cord is shorter than the right earbud cord). An extension is bundled, increasing total length to 1.5 metres.

The X50 have a more powerful sound than regular earbuds; soundstage is also surprisingly large and powerful for earbuds. Soundstage is larger than that of PK3, but lacking the sparkle and drive of Yuin PK. The X50 are more even, more controlled, but also a tad duller and not as lively as PK3. Character is “Chinese” - controlled, wide open, with clean and pronounced highs. The low end is there, it’s quite powerful and punchy, but not exaggerated or intrusive. Just like the OVC HC1000, they might be lacking a bit in the low midrange, but relative to the overall frequency response it’s not as pronounced as with the OVC HC1000. With a regular source like a portable player or a soundcard, the X50 can be quite detailed and not as “chirpy” as earbuds tend to be. Stated sensitivity is 113 dB/mW, meaning they’ll be revealing even with a low-powered player. Tonal character is neutral, and just as with the OVC HC1000, the X50 aren’t fatiguing sonically. Detail is very good for earbuds; crystal-clean and transparent next to less expensive earbuds

There are different colour schemes, Head-Direct stocks the X50 in more conservative and “Western-friendly” black plastic/silver metal scheme.

Comfort can be an issue, as the X50 are large. They can be painful, and as usual fit is a bit of a problem with earbuds. To someone not used to earbuds the X50 might be chafing and uncomfortable. The X50 can become “basshead earbuds” if inserted directly over the ear canal. But, they’re too large for being inserted even slightly into the ear canal. OVC, it seems, was aiming to create the most powerful (and large) earbuds possible, and they’ve achieved the goal.

 AKG K-12P & OVC X50.

   A close-up.

In summary, decent earbuds with a powerful soundstage (for earbuds), fashionable-looking, with a whole pouch of accessories, and a miniature Apple-phone-friendly jack. With only one possible problem - they can chafe and be painful to wear due to size. The X50 are likely a better choice over the TC20; sound is certainly better: the TC20 have recessed super-treble and some murkiness in treble, giving them a more space-constrained sound. The X50 have a wide-open and clear soundstage next to the TC20. Still, the Yuin PK3 cost only $10 more, and have more sparkle and magic to their presentation of music. The Yuin PK3 are smaller and fit better than the X50, too.

OVC X50 are on sale at the Head-Direct web store, $39 plus $5 for shipping within America, and $10 to the rest of the world.