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Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the Audio Technica M50x and the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 depends on your preferences. The M50x, with superior overall sound quality and soundstage, is ideal for critical listening, but they are wired headphones and not suitable for workouts or travel due to their size. The Outlier Air V3 is wireless, more suitable for exercise, has a longer battery life for extended sessions, and includes features like sweatproof certification, making them better for an active lifestyle. However, if you prioritize call quality, the Outlier Air V3 boasts a better microphone. Consider the M50x for indoor use and critical listening, and Outlier Air V3 for a versatile, portable option for on-the-go use and casual listening. 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 Creative Labs Outlier Air V3
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.5
5.7
The Audio Technica M50x is very good for music, while the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is poor.
Gaming
6.3
5.1
The Audio Technica M50x is only fair for gaming, while the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.4
7.6
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
8.9
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica M50x is good.
TV and Video
7.8
5.4
The Audio Technica M50x is good for TV and video, while the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
6.5
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is only fair for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Battery
N/A
10.0 Hours
The Audio Technica M50x does not have a battery. The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 has 10 hours of battery life.
Cost
$149
$30
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica M50x has a price of $149 and the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 costs $30.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica M50x has very good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica M50x and the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica M50x | Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Creative Labs | |
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 | 5.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 10 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 40 | |
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 | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.3/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 294.8 Grams | 5.2 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."
Creative Labs Outlier Air V3
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Dig into reviews and images
Trusted Reviews
Kob Monney | July 2022
"The V3 present the best version of the Outlier Air series yet. The new features such as Active Noise Reduction and Ambient mode are integrated well; the performance of both is as good as you’ll get below £100. The design is less bulky and more comfortable thanks to being smaller and lighter, and the Outlier Air V3 eke out more clarity, detail and definition from music."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica M50x or the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3
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 Creative Labs
Creative Labs is a Singaporean technology company specialized in the manufacture of multimedia products. They created the world-famous Soundblaster soundcard back in 1989 which was a staple of the gaming community for a long time. Nowadays, besides still marketing their discrete audio systems, they offer a wide array of headphones, gaming headsets and speakers that still preserve that same heritage.
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