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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality and prefer a more immersive listening experience, the Audio Technica M50x offers excellent performance and is well-suited for music enthusiasts. However, they're not wireless, have no built-in microphone, and they're not as comfortable for long use as the Sony WF1000XM4. Conversely, the Sony WF1000XM4 earbuds are more portable, have active noise cancelling, a longer battery life, and are optimized for use with both Android and Apple devices. They also feature wireless connectivity and app-based customization. If you need versatility for different situations, including exercise and travel, and don't mind spending a bit more, the Sony model could serve you better. 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 TV and video
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Very good for air travel
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.5
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent for music, while the Audio Technica M50x is very good.
Gaming
6.3
5.6
The Audio Technica M50x is only fair for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.4
6.7
The Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair for phone calls, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica M50x is good.
TV and Video
7.8
6.0
The Audio Technica M50x is good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM4 is very good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Battery
N/A
9.0 Hours
The Audio Technica M50x does not have a battery. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$149
$220
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Audio Technica M50x has a price of $149 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.9
The Sony WF1000XM4 and Audio Technica M50x both have very good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica M50x and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica M50x | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2007 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.5/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.3/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 294.8 Grams | 6.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Audio Technica M50x
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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."
Sony WF1000XM4
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What HiFi?
What HiFi? | March 2023
"The headphones deliver a satisfying user experience, class-leading battery life, some of the best noise-cancelling we’ve heard in this category, and absolutely stunning sound quality."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica M50x or the Sony WF1000XM4
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 Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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
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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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