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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica M50x headphones offer a better overall sound quality and music score, making them ideal for high-fidelity listening. However, they are not as suited to gaming or TV due to their larger size and lack of low-latency support. The M50x's build is robust, but they aren’t optimal for exercise or travel due to their bulk. On the other hand, the KZ ZSN Pro earbuds, which include a microphone, provide good sound quality at a budget-friendly price and are significantly lighter, making them more convenient for exercise and travel. Additionally, they offer better performance for gaming purposes and their in-line mic makes them suitable for calls and meetings. The choice is based on the tradeoff between superior sound quality and convenience with portability and multi-functional use. 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 air travel
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic)
- Very good for gaming
Key differences
Music
8.5
7.7
The Audio Technica M50x is very good for music, while the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is good.
Gaming
6.3
8.0
The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica M50x is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.4
5.1
The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) and Audio Technica M50x are both poor for phone calls, though the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
4.9
The Audio Technica M50x is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is poor.
Cost
$149
$24
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica M50x has a price of $149 and the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) costs $24.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica M50x has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
7.8
7.4
The Audio Technica M50x and KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) are both good for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
5.3
5.3
The Audio Technica M50x and KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the Audio Technica M50x and the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica M50x | KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $24 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | KZ | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2007 | March 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.3/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.3/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 294.8 Grams | 7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | In-Line | |
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."
KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic)
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Dig into reviews and images
PrimeAudio
David Becker | 2019
"Undoubtedly the focus and the star of the show, the ZSN Pro’s bass is big, bold and bangin’. The amount of gusto in the low end should satisfy anyone who likes a large lick of bass and even certified bassheads will probably get a kick out of this."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica M50x or the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic)
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.
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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
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.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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.
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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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