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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
For an immersive music experience, Audio Technica M50x are superior with greater overall sound quality, but they're wired and not optimal for exercise or use during travel. JBL Live Pro 2 earbuds offer good portability, exercise suitability, and active noise cancellation, with wireless convenience and added features like app equalizer and battery life for on-the-go use. If budget is a concern, JBLs are significantly more affordable and versatile for various scenarios, albeit with a compromise in music fidelity compared to the M50x. Consider your primary use—critical listening favors M50x, while everyday versatile use leans towards JBL Live Pro 2. 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
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Live Pro 2
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.5
5.9
The Audio Technica M50x is very good for music, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Gaming
6.3
5.3
The Audio Technica M50x is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.4
5.2
The JBL Live Pro 2 and Audio Technica M50x are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL Live Pro 2 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
5.8
The Audio Technica M50x is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
5.5
The Audio Technica M50x is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
9.1
The JBL Live Pro 2 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Battery
N/A
8.3 Hours
The Audio Technica M50x does not have a battery. The JBL Live Pro 2 has 8.3 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
8.5
7.0
The Audio Technica M50x has very good build quality, while the JBL Live Pro 2 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Cost
$149
$150
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica M50x has a price of $149 and the JBL Live Pro 2 costs $150.
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How the Audio Technica M50x and the JBL Live Pro 2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica M50x | JBL Live Pro 2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $150 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2007 | June 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 | 5.2/10 | |
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 | 8.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 0.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
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 | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.3/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 294.8 Grams | 4.8 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."
JBL Live Pro 2
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | February 2023
"The JBL Live Pro 2 TWS occupy an interesting space in the wireless earbuds market. They’re a step up from cheap wireless earbuds and allow you to access better sound quality without having to make the jump to more premium options from the likes of Bose, Sony and Sennheiser. They’re an entertaining listen, easy to use and manage to pack in a lot of useful features. We think they’re well worth a listen."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica M50x or the JBL Live Pro 2
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 JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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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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