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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If budget is a primary concern, the Sennheiser HD 400S may be a fitting choice and offers a good balance of sound quality for casual listening. The Audio-Technica M50x, while more expensive, is often favored by professionals for its accuracy in sound reproduction, making it ideal for studio use and critical listening. The M50x may also offer better build quality and comfort for long sessions. However, for everyday use or if you're seeking a more lightweight option with a lower price, the HD 400S could be more than sufficient. If you need a built-in microphone, the HD 400S has one, while the M50x does not, enhancing its utility for calls and gaming. 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 Sennheiser HD 400S
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
Key differences
Music
8.5
7.1
The Audio Technica M50x is very good for music, while the Sennheiser HD 400S is good.
Gaming
6.3
8.6
The Sennheiser HD 400S is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica M50x is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.4
8.2
The Sennheiser HD 400S is very good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
7.6
The Sennheiser HD 400S and Audio Technica M50x are both good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Sennheiser HD 400S is somewhat better.
Cost
$149
$61
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica M50x has a price of $149 and the Sennheiser HD 400S costs $61.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
7.8
7.6
The Audio Technica M50x and Sennheiser HD 400S are both good for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
5.3
5.3
The Audio Technica M50x and Sennheiser HD 400S are both poor for noise reduction.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The Audio Technica M50x and Sennheiser HD 400S both have very good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica M50x and the Sennheiser HD 400S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica M50x | Sennheiser HD 400S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $61 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2007 | January 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.5/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 8.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 7.7/10 | |
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 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 294.8 Grams | 213 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
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."
Sennheiser HD 400S
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Headphone Dungeon
Jim | August 2022
"Sennheiser has done it again. The HD 400S performs well beyond its price range and is one of the better budget model headphones I’ve tried. It has very few bells and whistles and offers a simple means of listening that still delivers amazing clarity and quality. If you need a good first pair of headphones or need something that you can take out of the house, then the HD 400S is definitely for you."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica M50x or the Sennheiser HD 400S
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
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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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