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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize affordability and enjoy a robust build with over-ear comfort, the Audio Technica M50x is a compelling choice, offering high overall music quality for less cost. However, it's less portable, not ideal for exercise, and has no microphone. Conversely, the Moondrop Blessing 2 delivers top-notch sound with a more expansive soundstage and better noise isolation, advantageous for a variety of uses including immersive listening and travel; but it's more expensive, less suitable for active use, and might be too bulky to carry around easily. Neither offers wireless connectivity or active noise cancellation. 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
Good for air travel
Advantages of the Moondrop Blessing 2
Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Phone Calls
4.4/10
4.9/10
The Moondrop Blessing 2 and Audio Technica M50x are both poor for phone calls, though the Moondrop Blessing 2 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0/10
7.8/10
The Moondrop Blessing 2 and Audio Technica M50x are both good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Moondrop Blessing 2 is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
5.3/10
6.0/10
The Moondrop Blessing 2 is only fair for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Cost
$149
$320
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audio Technica M50x has a price of $149 and the Moondrop Blessing 2 costs $320.
Build Quality
8.5/10
9.0/10
The Moondrop Blessing 2 has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica M50x has very good build quality.
The Moondrop Blessing 2 and Audio Technica M50x are both very good for music.
Gaming
6.3/10
6.7/10
The Moondrop Blessing 2 and Audio Technica M50x are both only fair for gaming.
TV and Video
7.8/10
8.2/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Moondrop Blessing 2 to be very good for TV and video, while the Audio Technica M50x is good.
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How the Audio Technica M50x and the Moondrop Blessing 2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
"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."
"After having the opportunity to finally listen to them myself, I think I can kind of begin to understand why this set in particular has garnered so much hype and praise over the past year, since its release. It’s a truly delightful IEM to listen to, with an outstanding tonal balance that I think most listeners will enjoy, and solid all-around technical performance at a great price."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica M50x or the Moondrop Blessing 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 Moondrop
Moondrop is a Chinese brand of smart audio equipment, portable audio players, earbuds and headphones started in 2015. During the last few years they have become one of the major players in what is lovingly referred to as the Chi-fi market, the bulk of Chinese companies that have managed to actually compete with the western manufacturers in both prices and superior quality. Products such as the Blessing II, Chu and Kato are among the most popular offerings of the brand, more popular among those users that wish for good quality audio that won't break the bank. Besides audio, the brand also works in what they call the ACGN field (Animation, Comics, Games and Short Novels).
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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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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