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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica M50x, being less expensive, offers robust build quality, with a closed-back design that's good for noise isolation, making it a solid choice for commuting and recording environments where you want to keep sound in and out. The Sennheiser 560S, on the other hand, has an open-back design for a more natural soundstage, better suited for critical listening in quiet environments where sound leakage is not an issue. If you need a portable option with sound isolation, go for the M50x, but if you prioritize sound quality for home use, consider the 560S. 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
- Good for air travel
Advantages of the Sennheiser 560S
- Best in class for music
- Excellent for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.5
9.5
The Sennheiser 560S is best in class for music, while the Audio Technica M50x is very good.
Gaming
6.3
6.9
The Sennheiser 560S and Audio Technica M50x are both only fair for gaming, though the Sennheiser 560S is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
4.4
5.1
The Sennheiser 560S and Audio Technica M50x are both poor for phone calls, though the Sennheiser 560S is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
8.1
The Sennheiser 560S is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica M50x is good.
TV and Video
7.8
9.1
The Sennheiser 560S is excellent for TV and video, while the Audio Technica M50x is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The Audio Technica M50x and Sennheiser 560S are both poor for noise reduction, though the Audio Technica M50x is somewhat better.
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Key similarities
Cost
$149
$150
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica M50x has a price of $149 and the Sennheiser 560S costs $150.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The Audio Technica M50x and Sennheiser 560S both have very good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica M50x and the Sennheiser 560S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica M50x | Sennheiser 560S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $150 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2007 | September 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 6.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 9.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.5/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 2.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 294.8 Grams | 244.9 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Dustproof Rating | |||
Dustproof 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."
Sennheiser 560S
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Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | March 2022
"Sennheiser made a near perfect pair of studio monitors with the HD 560S. Flat bass response? Check. Neutral and uncolored midrange? Check. Extended treble with a bit of lower-treble emphasis to highlight mastering flaws? Check. Fairly easy to drive? Check. Good soundstage and imaging? Check, and check."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica M50x or the Sennheiser 560S
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 Sennheiser
A family-owned company, Sennheiser is a German, high fidelity, audio equipment manufacturer founded in 1945. Their consumer audio division is now owned by the Swiss hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturer Sonova. Sennheiser offers a wide variety of, very high quality, audio equipment solutions, from headphones to earbuds, full sets of monitoring speakers, amplifiers and microphones. They also make what is widely regarded as the best, and most expensive, headphones in existence, the HE-1 Orpheus, costing a whopping $59,000 dollars.
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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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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.
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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.
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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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