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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're prioritizing cost and still want very good sound quality for music, the Audio Technica M50x is a suitable choice, especially with its over-ear design providing comfort. However, if you're willing to invest more for the best in class audio and excellent build quality in a compact earbud form, the Sennheiser IE600 may be preferable. The M50x lacks wireless capability and active noise cancelling, making them less versatile for travel or noisy environments compared to some other headphones but ideal for wired, stationary listening without the need for external distractions to be blocked out. The IE600, while more portable and offering better noise isolation, also lacks wireless functionality but compensates with higher sound and build quality. Both models do not excel in gaming or calls and meetings due to poor microphone quality. 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
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sennheiser IE600
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Phone Calls
4.4
3.5
The Audio Technica M50x and Sennheiser IE600 are both poor for phone calls, though the Audio Technica M50x is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
5.4
The Audio Technica M50x is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sennheiser IE600 is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
9.3
The Sennheiser IE600 is excellent for TV and video, while the Audio Technica M50x is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
7.0
The Sennheiser IE600 is good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Cost
$149
$500
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audio Technica M50x has a price of $149 and the Sennheiser IE600 costs $500.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Sennheiser IE600 has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica M50x has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.5
8.3
The Audio Technica M50x and Sennheiser IE600 are both very good for music.
Gaming
6.3
6.7
The Sennheiser IE600 and Audio Technica M50x are both only fair for gaming.
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How the Audio Technica M50x and the Sennheiser IE600 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica M50x | Sennheiser IE600 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $500 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2007 | June 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 3.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.6/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 2.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 294.8 Grams | 6 Grams | |
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 IE600
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | August 2023
"If you've got the bucks, the Sennheiser IE 600 is a nice, upscale set of in-ear monitors made of a lightweight metal with an unusual texture. It comes with a suite of extras, and performs well at virtually every task."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica M50x or the Sennheiser IE600
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.
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.
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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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