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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality for music and a more immersive experience, the Audio Technica M50x headphones are superior, but they lack a microphone and are not designed for calls or exercise. The Google Pixel Buds A Series are more versatile for calls, gaming, TV, and video with their built-in microphone and lower latency, plus they are more comfortable and suitable for exercise. For travel, the M50x offers better noise isolation, but the Pixel Buds are more portable and offer a longer battery life. Choose the M50x for critical listening in controlled environments and the Pixel Buds for everyday use, especially when being active or needing a mic. 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
Advantages of the Google Pixel Buds A Series
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for exercise
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.5
6.4
The Audio Technica M50x is very good for music, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is only fair.
Gaming
6.3
8.6
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica M50x is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.4
8.5
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
8.4
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica M50x is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
4.6
The Audio Technica M50x and Google Pixel Buds A Series are both poor for noise reduction, though the Audio Technica M50x is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
5.0 Hours
The Audio Technica M50x does not have a battery. The Google Pixel Buds A Series has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$149
$58
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica M50x has a price of $149 and the Google Pixel Buds A Series costs $58.
Build Quality
8.5
7.4
The Audio Technica M50x has very good build quality, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series has good build quality.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
7.8
7.8
The Audio Technica M50x and Google Pixel Buds A Series are both good for TV and video.
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How the Audio Technica M50x and the Google Pixel Buds A Series compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica M50x | Google Pixel Buds A Series |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $58 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | ||
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 | 6.4/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 8.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 7.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 4.6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.3/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 294.8 Grams | 5.1 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."
Google Pixel Buds A Series
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | October 2022
"For the person who doesn’t want to think about their earphones while using them, Google has created the Pixel Buds A-Series. For a reasonable price, Google packs in a bevy of features like touch controls and a good fit into this Android-friendly set of earbuds to make productivity and life easier."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica M50x or the Google Pixel Buds A Series
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 Google
Mainly known as the most popular search engine on the planet, Google is a multinational technology company that also offers a variety of audio-oriented products. Beside their smart speakers under the Nest product line, Google offers several models of true wireless earbuds under the Pixel line, some of which happen to be an affordable but very powerful option for those already in the Android ecosystem.
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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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