A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
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M50x
Company ProductName Specs




ER2SE
Company ProductName Specs




Advantages of the Audio Technica M50x
  • Good for air travel
Advantages of the Etymotic ER2SE
  • The Etymotic ER2SE has no clear advantages over the Audio Technica M50x.

Key differences

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Phone Calls

4.4
M50x
ER2SE
4.9
The Etymotic ER2SE and Audio Technica M50x are both poor for phone calls, though the Etymotic ER2SE is somewhat better.

Podcasts and Audiobooks

7.0
M50x
ER2SE
7.6
The Etymotic ER2SE and Audio Technica M50x are both good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Etymotic ER2SE is somewhat better.

Noise Reduction

5.3
M50x
ER2SE
9.1
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.

Cost

$149
M50x
ER2SE
$100
Product image
Product image

$0

$50

$100

$150

$200

The Audio Technica M50x has a price of $149 and the Etymotic ER2SE costs $100.

Build Quality

8.5
M50x
ER2SE
9.0
The Etymotic ER2SE has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica M50x has very good build quality.
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Key similarities

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Music

8.5
M50x
ER2SE
8.8
The Etymotic ER2SE and Audio Technica M50x are both very good for music.

Gaming

6.3
M50x
ER2SE
6.2
The Audio Technica M50x and Etymotic ER2SE are both only fair for gaming.

TV and Video

7.8
M50x
ER2SE
7.8
The Audio Technica M50x and Etymotic ER2SE are both good for TV and video.

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How the Audio Technica M50x and the Etymotic ER2SE compare to other earbuds and headphones

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Spec Comparison

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Audio Technica M50xEtymotic ER2SE
Audio Technica M50xEtymotic ER2SE

GENERAL

Price
$149
$100
Brand
Audio TechnicaEtymotic
Release Date
January 1, 2007February 1, 2019
Form Factor
HeadphonesEarbuds
Connectivity
WiredWired

SOUND

Music Score
8.5/108.9/10
Phone Calls Score
4.4/105/10
Gaming Score
6.3/106.3/10
TV and Video Score
7.9/107.9/10
Exercise Score
4.3/104.2/10

FEATURES

Active Noise Cancelling
NoNo
Noise Reduction Score
5.3/109.1/10

BUILD AND DESIGN

Build Quality
8.5/109/10
Comfort score
7.3/106/10
Size
N/ASmall
Weight (headset or single earbud)
294.8 Grams4 Grams
Waterproof Rating
00

Shopping

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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."

Etymotic ER2SE

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Dig into reviews and images

Sound Guys

Lily Katz | April 2022
"Etymotic isn’t playing around: it takes audio seriously and has mastered the art of the noise-isolation earphone. Sure, the fit of the earbuds looks silly but it’s a signature Etymotic thing and could be considered charming by some. If you’re looking for best-in-class audio for a realistic price, the ER2SE is it."

Get a great deal on the Audio Technica M50x or the Etymotic ER2SE

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 Etymotic

Etymotic Research is an American based research, development and manufacturing company founded in 1983. They invented the first insert earphones that were used for the diagnosis and research of hearing loss and other auditory disorders. They went on to pioneer the market of high fidelity, isolating, in-ear earphones.

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Why trust us

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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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Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
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Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
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Consumer hours saved

About the Earbuds or Headphones team

Joe Golden, Ph.D

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.

Jason Lew

Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.

Chandradeep Chowdhury

Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.

Luis Torres

Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.

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