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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 superior sound quality which is excellent for music listening, but they are not wireless and could be cumbersome for travel compared to earbuds. They also lack a built-in microphone, which makes them less suitable for calls or meetings. The "Nothing" Ear (2) earbuds provide good sound and are designed to be more portable, and they have features like active noise cancelling, a low latency mode for gaming, and wireless capabilities with a compact charging case. If you prioritize convenience, the ability to take calls, and use while exercising or traveling, "Nothing" Ear (2) may be the better choice, while for pure music listening in stationary settings, the Audio Technica M50x might be preferred. 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
Advantages of the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.5
7.0
The Audio Technica M50x is very good for music, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is good.
Gaming
6.3
8.5
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica M50x is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.4
7.9
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
9.1
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica M50x is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.0
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is very good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Battery
N/A
6.7 Hours
The Audio Technica M50x does not have a battery. The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$129
$149
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica M50x has a price of $129 and the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) costs $149.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) 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
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers "Nothing" Brand Ear (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 "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica M50x | "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$129 | $149 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | "Nothing" Brand | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2007 | March 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.5/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 7.9/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 6.7 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3. | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 30 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 8/10 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.3/10 | 8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 294.8 Grams | 4.4 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."
"Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | March 2023
"For the price the Nothing Ear (2) is pretty good. It fits well, and the IP54 rating (and IP55 with case) is durable enough for daily life. Most of its unique features are found in the Nothing X app, such as personalized frequency responses, and personalized, adjustable ANC."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica M50x or the "Nothing" Brand Ear (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.
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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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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