A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If sound quality for music is your top priority, the Audio Technica M50x is superior and offers an over-ear, wired experience that's great for critical listening. However, the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless earbuds are more versatile and convenient for calls, meetings, exercising, and use while traveling, owing to their wireless design and added features like an integrated microphone and good battery life. They're also more robust for outdoor activities being sweatproof and dustproof. Additionally, the JBLs are more budget-friendly. The Audio Technicas, while pricier, provide a higher build quality and are foldable, making them somewhat portable despite their larger size. 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 JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless
- Good for phone calls
- Good for gaming
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.5
6.6
The Audio Technica M50x is very good for music, while the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless is only fair.
Gaming
6.3
7.3
The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless is good for gaming, while the Audio Technica M50x is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.4
7.8
The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless is good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
6.9
The Audio Technica M50x is good for TV and video, while the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless is only fair.
Noise Reduction
5.3
6.5
The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless is only fair 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 Vibe Beam True Wireless has 8.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$149
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica M50x has a price of $149 and the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless costs $50.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
7.3
The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless and Audio Technica M50x are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The Audio Technica M50x and JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless both have very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Audio Technica M50x and the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica M50x | JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2007 | February 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.5/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 7.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 8.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 16 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
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 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.3/10 | 6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 294.8 Grams | 8.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Audio Technica M50x
See more
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 Vibe Beam True Wireless
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Headphone Dungeon
LaFonda | April 2023
"The Vibe Beam earbuds may not be a sleek as other earbuds in the price range, such as the equally priced Vibe Buds, but they sound great, have a long battery life, and come with an equalizer. And if you just need a solid pair if earbuds to get you through your commute, these will do the trick. I have no complaints here."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica M50x or the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Audio Technica M50x vs. "Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
VS
Compare Audio Technica M50x vs. Rode NTH-100
VS
Compare Audio Technica M50x vs. Apple Airpods (2nd generation)
VS
Compare JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless vs. Sennheiser HD 400S
VS
Compare JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless vs. JBL Tune Buds
VS
Compare JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless vs. JBL Tune 660NC
VS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
128,300
Recommendations made
19,245
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.
Featured in
