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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
Given your considerations, if budget is a primary factor, the Audio Technica M50x would be a suitable choice as they are significantly less expensive than the Sennheiser HD800S. The M50x are also noted for their closed-back design which provides some noise isolation, making them versatile for environments where you want to limit background noise. However, if you prioritize ultimate sound quality and a wide soundstage that allows for an immersive experience, particularly for critical listening, the Sennheiser HD800S are superior. They have an open-back design offering a more natural listening experience, but are less isolating from ambient noise and are usually more expensive. Neither model has a built-in mic, so if you need to make calls or attend meetings, you may need an external microphone. Both are wired and don't support Bluetooth, so wireless convenience isn't a factor here. The M50x are more portable and foldable compared to the larger HD800S, but if comfort is a key aspect, the HD800S are known for their comfortable 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
- Good for air travel
Advantages of the Sennheiser HD800S
- Best in class for music
- Good for gaming
- Best in class for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.5
9.9
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for music, while the Audio Technica M50x is very good.
Gaming
6.3
7.5
The Sennheiser HD800S is good for gaming, while the Audio Technica M50x is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.4
5.0
The Sennheiser HD800S and Audio Technica M50x are both poor for phone calls, though the Sennheiser HD800S is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
8.1
The Sennheiser HD800S is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica M50x is good.
TV and Video
7.8
9.7
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for TV and video, while the Audio Technica M50x is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The Audio Technica M50x and Sennheiser HD800S are both poor for noise reduction, though the Audio Technica M50x is somewhat better.
Cost
$149
$1,380
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audio Technica M50x has a price of $149 and the Sennheiser HD800S costs $1,380.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Sennheiser HD800S has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica M50x has very good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica M50x and the Sennheiser HD800S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica M50x | Sennheiser HD800S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $1,380 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2007 | December 1, 2015 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.5/10 | 10/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 7.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 9.7/10 | |
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 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.3/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 294.8 Grams | 371.9 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 HD800S
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | March 2023
"The cans offer stellar sound quality, comfort, and good maintenance options—so they're an easy recommendation if you have the cash and the need for the last headphones you'll buy for years."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica M50x or the Sennheiser HD800S
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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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.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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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