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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica M50x headphones are often a bit more expensive than the Beats Studiobuds and are suited for studio and critical listening, providing an over-ear, closed-back design which is great for sound isolation and audio clarity. They are wired, though, so mobility might be constrained compared to the true wireless design of the Studiobuds. The Beats Studiobuds are more portable and convenient for day-to-day use with their compact, stemless design and built-in microphone. They are also closed-back, providing good passive noise isolation, but may not match the audio fidelity of the M50x. If you prioritize sound quality and don't need wireless functionality, the M50x might be the better choice, whereas if you favor convenience, portability, and the option to take calls easily, the Studiobuds may suit you well. 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 Audio Technica M50x
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Beats Studiobuds
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.5
7.2
The Audio Technica M50x is very good for music, while the Beats Studiobuds is good.
Gaming
6.3
5.2
The Audio Technica M50x is only fair for gaming, while the Beats Studiobuds is poor.
Phone Calls
4.4
7.0
The Beats Studiobuds is good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
9.0
The Beats Studiobuds is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica M50x is good.
TV and Video
7.8
5.6
The Audio Technica M50x is good for TV and video, while the Beats Studiobuds is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
6.5
The Beats Studiobuds is only fair for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Battery
N/A
6.0 Hours
The Audio Technica M50x does not have a battery. The Beats Studiobuds has 6 hours of battery life.
Cost
$149
$80
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica M50x has a price of $149 and the Beats Studiobuds costs $80.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.8
The Beats Studiobuds and Audio Technica M50x both have very good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica M50x and the Beats Studiobuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica M50x | Beats Studiobuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Beats | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2007 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.5/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 6 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 0.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.3/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 294.8 Grams | 5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Audio Technica M50x
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Dig into reviews and images
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."
Beats Studiobuds
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Chase Bernath | May 2023
"For less than the price of the AirPods, the Beats Studio Buds delivers a good fit, great sound, and active noise cancellation. This is also the first set of Apple-owned Beats earbuds to feature quick pairing with Android devices, albeit at the expense of some key features for Apple users."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica M50x or the Beats Studiobuds
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.
About Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
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