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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica M50x offers better overall sound quality and is excellent for music listening, but it's not ideal for calls as it lacks a microphone, unlike the Razer Kraken which has a high mic quality, suitable for gaming and calls. If you're on a budget and need a mic, especially for gaming and online meetings, the Kraken might be the way to go. However, if superior sound for music is a top priority and the price isn't a concern, the M50x is a better option. Neither is good for exercise or as portable as true wireless options, but both can work well for air travel with decent noise isolation. 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
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Razer Kraken
- Very good for gaming
Key differences
Music
8.5
7.1
The Audio Technica M50x is very good for music, while the Razer Kraken is good.
Gaming
6.3
8.3
The Razer Kraken is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica M50x is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.4
5.5
The Razer Kraken and Audio Technica M50x are both poor for phone calls, though the Razer Kraken is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
4.7
The Audio Technica M50x is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Razer Kraken is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
6.5
The Razer Kraken is only fair for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Cost
$149
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica M50x has a price of $149 and the Razer Kraken costs $50.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
7.8
7.4
The Audio Technica M50x and Razer Kraken are both good for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The Audio Technica M50x and Razer Kraken both have very good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica M50x and the Razer Kraken compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica M50x | Razer Kraken |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Razer | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2007 | March 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.5/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.2/10 | |
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 | 9/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.3/10 | 7/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 294.8 Grams | 322 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
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."
Razer Kraken
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Gamer
Rob Dwiar | March 2019
"Generally the Kraken is a very comfortable headset and there’s nothing that really identifies it as anything else. All in, the Kraken performed exactly as I’d expect a premium, designated gaming headset to perform: performing well in game audio, though not quite with the same quality of those headsets further up the price scale."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica M50x or the Razer Kraken
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 Razer
Razer is an American-Singaporean hardware manufacturer aimed specifically toward the gaming market. They manufacture a very wide array of gaming laptops, tablets, phones, peripherals and, of course, headphones and earbuds both wired and wireless. Since 2016, Razer has owned the THX suite, aimed at quality assurance of audiovisual systems such as speaker sets, video game consoles and even movie theaters.
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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
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.
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