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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica M50x offers excellent sound quality and is geared towards an immersive music experience with a high score in music. However, it lacks a built-in microphone for calls or meetings and has no wireless option, which could limit its use for mobile and active scenarios. It also doesn't have active noise cancelling, so if you're looking to block out ambient sound, especially while traveling by air, the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds would be a better fit as they excel in noise isolation and have a high score for air travel. The Bose earbuds are also sweatproof and have app support for equalizer settings, which the Audio Technicas lack, making them more suitable for exercise and personalized sound preferences. If you need more portability and versatility for active use and calls, the Bose earbuds are recommended, but if you prioritize music listening and don't need wireless functionality, the Audio Technica M50x might be your preferred choice, and they are more budget-friendly. 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 Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds
- Very good for air travel
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.5
7.1
The Audio Technica M50x is very good for music, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is good.
Gaming
6.3
5.6
The Audio Technica M50x is only fair for gaming, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is poor.
Phone Calls
4.4
6.6
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is only fair for phone calls, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
9.5
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica M50x is good.
TV and Video
7.8
6.0
The Audio Technica M50x is good for TV and video, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is only fair.
Noise Reduction
5.3
9.1
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is excellent for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Battery
N/A
7.0 Hours
The Audio Technica M50x does not have a battery. The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds has 7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$149
$199
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Audio Technica M50x has a price of $149 and the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds costs $199.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.9
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds and Audio Technica M50x both have very good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica M50x and the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica M50x | Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $199 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Bose | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2007 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.5/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 7 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.1 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.3/10 | 8.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 294.8 Grams | 8.5 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."
Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | March 2023
"The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds is a great do-it-all option for anyone, so long as you can afford it. This is a great alternative to the Apple AirPods Pro and Sony WF-1000XM4. You can choose the degree of noise canceling, and enjoy premium features like automatic ear-detection. These earbuds merit an IPX4 rating, making them a fine workout companion."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica M50x or the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds
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 Bose
Bose is an American audio equipment manufacturer based out of Framingham, Massachusetts. Founded in 1964 by Amar Bose with the goal of creating a speaker system that could accurately recreate the sound of a concert hall, Bose has become one of the most prominent players in the modern consumer audio market due to the premium feel of their products and their wide brand recognition.
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Why trust us
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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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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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