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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for premium sound quality and primarily use wired connections, the Audio Technica M50x headphones are known for their exceptional music reproduction, making them strong contenders for studio work or serious music listening. However, keep in mind they are not as portable and lack a built-in microphone. On the other hand, the Moondrop Nekocake earbuds are a budget-friendly wireless option with good sound quality and a comfortable fit, plus they feature a microphone for calls. They're more suitable for everyday use, exercise, and travel due to their portability and sweatproof design despite having lower overall sound quality compared to the M50x. 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 Moondrop Nekocake
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.5
5.7
The Audio Technica M50x is very good for music, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Gaming
6.3
4.6
The Audio Technica M50x is only fair for gaming, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Phone Calls
4.4
6.1
The Moondrop Nekocake is only fair for phone calls, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
7.7
The Moondrop Nekocake and Audio Technica M50x are both good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Moondrop Nekocake is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.8
5.0
The Audio Technica M50x is good for TV and video, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
7.0
The Moondrop Nekocake is good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Battery
N/A
3.0 Hours
The Audio Technica M50x does not have a battery. The Moondrop Nekocake has 3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$149
$39
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica M50x has a price of $149 and the Moondrop Nekocake costs $39.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The Audio Technica M50x and Moondrop Nekocake both have very good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica M50x and the Moondrop Nekocake compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica M50x | Moondrop Nekocake |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $39 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Moondrop | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2007 | October 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.5/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 4.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 5.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 12 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 7/10 | |
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 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.3/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 294.8 Grams | 5.4 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."
Moondrop Nekocake
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonics
Jarvin | January 2022
"What sets the Nekocake apart from its competition at this price point is the Moondrop Link app that allows the user to change the tonal balance of the Nekocake. This makes sure that it’s versatile enough to suit different sonic preferences while allowing some customization of controls."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica M50x or the Moondrop Nekocake
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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