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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica M50x headphones are known for their excellent overall sound quality and are particularly suited for critical music listening, but they're not wireless and they don't provide any mic functionality or active noise cancelling. On the other hand, the Skullcandy Hesh ANC are great for casual listening and offer both wireless connectivity and active noise cancelling, which makes them suitable for travel and noisy environments. They also have a built-in mic, which is good for calls. So if critical sound quality and wired connection are your priority, go for the Audio Technica M50x. If you prefer convenience with wireless features and active noise cancelling, the Skullcandy Hesh ANC would be a better fit. Note that the Skullcandy also boasts a significantly longer battery life suitable for extended use on a single charge. 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 TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Skullcandy Hesh ANC
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.5
6.7
The Audio Technica M50x is very good for music, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair.
Gaming
6.3
5.6
The Audio Technica M50x is only fair for gaming, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is poor.
Phone Calls
4.4
5.3
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Audio Technica M50x are both poor for phone calls, though the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
6.0
The Audio Technica M50x is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair.
TV and Video
7.8
5.8
The Audio Technica M50x is good for TV and video, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.7
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC is very good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Battery
N/A
23.0 Hours
The Audio Technica M50x does not have a battery. The Skullcandy Hesh ANC has 23 hours of battery life.
Cost
$149
$135
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica M50x has a price of $149 and the Skullcandy Hesh ANC costs $135.
Build Quality
8.5
7.0
The Audio Technica M50x has very good build quality, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC has good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica M50x and the Skullcandy Hesh ANC compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica M50x | Skullcandy Hesh ANC |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $135 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Skullcandy | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2007 | December 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 23 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.6 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.3/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 294.8 Grams | 226.7 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."
Skullcandy Hesh ANC
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonecheck
Maike Paeßens | 2021
"Skullcandy’s Hesh ANC are compact, wireless over-ears for everyday use that are tuned for bass and designed to suppress or amplify ambient noise as required. In addition to Bluetooth 5.0, optional tracking via the Tile app is supported so that these headphones can be found if they get lost."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica M50x or the Skullcandy Hesh ANC
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 Skullcandy
Skullcandy is an American, consumer-oriented, earbuds and headphones manufacturer with 20 years of market experience. They sell a wide variety of, budget-friendly and unique, wired and wireless products that are sure to please the vast majority of users. Among their most popular offerings, the Crusher headphones, includes a pair of actual subwoofers inside the cups which makes the bass extra prominent for a unique and extra fun sound.
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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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