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 April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize affordability and are looking for closed-back, over-ear headphones for an immersive music experience with good sound quality and build, the Audio Technica M50x may suit your needs, especially if you don't need wireless capabilities. They're also comfortable for long listening sessions and foldable for easier transport. However, their microphone quality is poor, and they lack features like active noise cancelling and water resistance, which may not make them ideal for travel or exercise. On the other hand, the Moondrop Blessing 3 earbuds are more expensive but offer excellent sound quality and are equipped with a detachable cable and dual driver types for a balanced audio output. They can be used with different cable types for enhanced audio, but with their larger size, they may not be as portable or as comfortable during extended wear. Neither option supports wireless connectivity or active noise cancelling, and both have poor microphone quality, which could be a drawback for calls or gaming. Choose the Audio Technica M50x for a more budget-friendly, over-ear experience, or opt for the Moondrop Blessing 3 if you prefer premium earbuds with high-fidelity sound and a detachable cable system. 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
Advantages of the Moondrop Blessing 3
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
8.5
7.6
The Audio Technica M50x is very good for music, while the Moondrop Blessing 3 is good.
Phone Calls
4.4
5.0
The Moondrop Blessing 3 and Audio Technica M50x are both poor for phone calls, though the Moondrop Blessing 3 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
7.8
The Moondrop Blessing 3 and Audio Technica M50x are both good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Moondrop Blessing 3 is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
5.3
6.5
The Moondrop Blessing 3 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 3 costs $320.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Moondrop Blessing 3 has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica M50x has very good build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Gaming
6.3
6.3
The Moondrop Blessing 3 and Audio Technica M50x are both only fair for gaming.
TV and Video
7.8
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Moondrop Blessing 3 to be very good for TV and video, while the Audio Technica M50x is good.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Audio Technica M50x and the Moondrop Blessing 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica M50x | Moondrop Blessing 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $320 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Moondrop | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2007 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.5/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 6.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.5/10 | |
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 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 2.5/10 | |
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 | 18.1 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
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."
Moondrop Blessing 3
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Headfonics
Meldrick | June 2023
"The Moondrop Blessing 3 has excellent imaging performance, especially for the price. Pair that with its neutral tonality with slight elevations towards both ends of the frequency response, and the Blessing 3 technically proficient set of IEMs that are also enjoyable to listen to every day."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica M50x or the Moondrop Blessing 3
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).
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. Rode NTH-100
VS
Compare Audio Technica M50x vs. "Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
VS
Compare Audio Technica M50x vs. Antlion Kimura Duo
VS
Compare Moondrop Blessing 3 vs. Moondrop Blessing 2
VS
Compare Moondrop Blessing 3 vs. Sennheiser Momentum Sport
VS
Compare Moondrop Blessing 3 vs. Mojawa HaptiFit Terra
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
95,300
Recommendations made
14,295
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
