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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're deciding between the Audio Technica M50x and the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick, consider the following: the M50x offers superior overall sound quality and music listening experience, with a robust build, but they're bulkier and require a cable for use. They're not as comfortable for long calls and meetings or suited for exercise compared to the Ear Sticks. The "Nothing" Ear Sticks offer better call quality, are more portable, have a lower latency which is beneficial for gaming, and support wireless functionality, making them more versatile daily earbuds. However, they have a smaller soundstage and less noise isolation than 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 air travel
Advantages of the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.5
6.1
The Audio Technica M50x is very good for music, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is only fair.
Gaming
6.3
8.1
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica M50x is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.4
8.6
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
8.4
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica M50x is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The Audio Technica M50x and "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick are both poor for noise reduction, though the Audio Technica M50x is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
5.0 Hours
The Audio Technica M50x does not have a battery. The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$149
$99
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica M50x has a price of $149 and the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick costs $99.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick 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
7.5
The Audio Technica M50x and "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick are both good for TV and video.
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How the Audio Technica M50x and the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica M50x | "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $99 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | "Nothing" Brand | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2007 | November 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.5/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 8.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 8.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 22 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 2.5/10 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.3/10 | 7/10 | |
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 Stick
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | December 2022
"If the Ear (stick) fits your ears, its light weight means you can easily wear it until the unimpressive battery life totally drains. The IP54 rating of the buds lends some confidence that it’ll survive some light abuse too. Finally, for the person who only wears earbuds at their desk, the Nothing Ear (stick) with its decent microphone could offer a reasonable Zoom meeting solution."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica M50x or the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick
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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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.
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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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