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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality for music and don't need wireless convenience or noise cancellation, the Audio Technica M50x offers a very good listening experience and is more budget-friendly. However, if you're often on the move, require noise cancellation for travel, or want the latest wireless features including virtual surround and app customization, the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones may justify the higher cost with their excellent noise isolation and active noise cancelling, as well as being optimized for both Android and Apple devices with a longer battery life and additional comfort. The Bose also supports low latency features beneficial for TV and video, while the Audio Technica is wired with no latency issues but lacks the wireless and active noise cancelling 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 Audio Technica M50x
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones
- Excellent for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
- Best in class for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
6.3
9.3
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent for gaming, while the Audio Technica M50x is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.4
5.3
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones and Audio Technica M50x are both poor for phone calls, though the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
6.0
The Audio Technica M50x is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is only fair.
TV and Video
7.8
9.0
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent for TV and video, while the Audio Technica M50x is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
9.1
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Battery
N/A
29.0 Hours
The Audio Technica M50x does not have a battery. The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones has 29 hours of battery life.
Cost
$149
$429
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audio Technica M50x has a price of $149 and the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones costs $429.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica M50x has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.5
8.3
The Audio Technica M50x and Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones are both very good for music.
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How the Audio Technica M50x and the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica M50x | Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $429 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Bose | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2007 | November 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 9.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 29 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
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 | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.3/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 294.8 Grams | 255 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
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 Ultra Headphones
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Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Christian Thomas | January 2024
"The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are a credible step up from previous Bose ANC headphones, and they're built to hang tough with the competition for years into the future. No waterproofing is a bit of a letdown, but these headphones have the technical chops to make most quite happy."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica M50x or the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones
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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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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