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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for excellent sound quality and primarily listen to music in a stationary setting, the Audio Technica M50x headphones may be preferable despite being more expensive. They're known for their detailed sound and sturdy build but don't have a built-in mic, making them less suitable for calls. Conversely, the more affordable Creative Labs Outlier Pro earbuds offer good portability and features such as active noise cancelling and water resistance, which are great for exercise and travel. Their built-in microphone is also better for calls and meetings. However, they might not match the Audio Technica in sound fidelity for critical 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 Pro
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.5
5.9
The Audio Technica M50x is very good for music, while the Creative Labs Outlier Pro is poor.
Gaming
6.3
5.3
The Audio Technica M50x is only fair for gaming, while the Creative Labs Outlier Pro is poor.
Phone Calls
4.4
8.3
The Creative Labs Outlier Pro is very good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
8.9
The Creative Labs Outlier Pro is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica M50x is good.
TV and Video
7.8
5.5
The Audio Technica M50x is good for TV and video, while the Creative Labs Outlier Pro is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.3
The Creative Labs Outlier Pro is very good 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 Pro has 10 hours of battery life.
Cost
$149
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica M50x has a price of $149 and the Creative Labs Outlier Pro costs $50.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Creative Labs Outlier Pro 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 Pro compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica M50x | Creative Labs Outlier Pro |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Creative Labs | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2007 | April 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.5/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
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 | 45 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
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 | 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 | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 294.8 Grams | 7.2 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 Pro
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Forbes
Brad Moon | September 2022
"If you listen to music for extended periods such as commuting and work, and you hate having to pause to charge, give the Creative Outlier Pro wireless earbuds a try. You should be able to enjoy your tunes all day, or longer, without interruption."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica M50x or the Creative Labs Outlier Pro
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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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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CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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