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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If your priority is sound quality for music listening and you don't mind a higher price, the Audio Technica M50x provides very good overall sound and is suitable for extended listening sessions with comfort. However, it lacks features such as a microphone and active noise cancelling, making it less ideal for calls, gaming, and noisy environments. The Razer Kraken V3, being more affordable, offers a good gaming experience with virtual surround sound and a boom microphone for clear communication, but it falls short in sound quality compared to the M50x. Both are wired and over-ear, but if portability and noise isolation are key for you, neither of these may be the perfect fit. 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 V3
- Good for gaming
Key differences
Music
8.5
7.3
The Audio Technica M50x is very good for music, while the Razer Kraken V3 is good.
Gaming
6.3
7.3
The Razer Kraken V3 is good for gaming, while the Audio Technica M50x is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.4
5.0
The Razer Kraken V3 and Audio Technica M50x are both poor for phone calls, though the Razer Kraken V3 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
4.7
The Audio Technica M50x is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Razer Kraken V3 is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
7.0
The Audio Technica M50x and Razer Kraken V3 are both good for TV and video, though the Audio Technica M50x is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
5.3
6.0
The Razer Kraken V3 is only fair for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Cost
$149
$100
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica M50x has a price of $149 and the Razer Kraken V3 costs $100.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The Audio Technica M50x and Razer Kraken V3 both have very good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica M50x and the Razer Kraken V3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica M50x | Razer Kraken V3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Razer | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2007 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.5/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 7.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.1/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7/10 | |
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 | 325 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 V3
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Sam Smart | November 2022
"This Razer Kraken V3 is a great headset for gamers who want comfort, surround sound, and software customization for a reasonable price. It's primarily a headset for PC gamers since THX Spatial audio is only supported on Windows. If you want something more multifaceted for multiple systems, this won't be an ideal headset for you. Luckily, there are plenty of competent Kraken V3 alternatives available to you."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica M50x or the Razer Kraken V3
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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