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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If sound quality is paramount for music, you may prefer the Audio Technica M50x, which has a slightly higher sound quality reputation and is favored for studio use. However, the Apple Airpods Pro 2 offers convenient features like active noise cancelling, a portable design, wireless connectivity, and optimization for Apple devices. The M50x is better suited for a stationary and dedicated listening environment due to its wired design and lack of a built-in microphone, making it less versatile than the Airpods Pro 2 which support calls and have a microphone. The M50x also isn't designed for exercise or travel due to its size and lack of sweat resistance, whereas the Airpods Pro 2 is more adaptable to various environments, including activities and travel. The cost is higher for the Airpods Pro 2, but they offer modern conveniences like wireless charging and head detection features. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods Pro 2
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Audio Technica M50x
- Very good for music
Key differences
Music
7.0
8.5
The Audio Technica M50x is very good for music, while the Apple Airpods Pro 2 is good.
Gaming
8.4
6.3
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica M50x is only fair.
Phone Calls
7.8
4.4
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8
7.0
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica M50x is good.
Noise Reduction
9.1
5.3
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Battery
6.0 Hours
N/A
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 has 6 hours of battery life. The Audio Technica M50x does not have a battery.
Cost
$199
$129
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 has a price of $199 and the Audio Technica M50x costs $129.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica M50x has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
7.8
7.8
The Audio Technica M50x and Apple Airpods Pro 2 are both good for TV and video.
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How the Apple Airpods Pro 2 and the Audio Technica M50x compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Pro 2 | Audio Technica M50x |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$199 | $129 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Audio Technica | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2022 | January 1, 2007 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.1/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.8/10 | 4.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.4/10 | 6.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 4.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.3 Grams | 294.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Pro 2
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | May 2023
"Apple's upgraded H2 chip begets better active noise canceling (ANC) and battery life, while the case's U1 chip and integrated speaker lets you precisely locate it from the Find My app. If you own an iPhone, the new AirPods Pro is an obvious choice."
Audio Technica M50x
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Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | October 2022
"Good sound is timeless. It doesn’t matter that a number of years have passed since the ATH-M50x came out because it still works well. Since this wired headset doesn’t rely on batteries or Bluetooth technology, it’s bound to outlast its wireless counterparts. The no-nonsense performance, fit, and comfort of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x make it worth picking up."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Pro 2 or the Audio Technica M50x
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About Audio Technica
Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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