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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
For an immersive music experience at a lower price, the Audio Technica M50x is an excellent choice; however, it lacks wireless capabilities, active noise cancelling, and built-in controls. The Sony WH-1000XM5, while more expensive, offers wireless connectivity, superior comfort, active noise cancelling, and a higher-quality microphone suitable for calls. If you regularly travel or need to block out surrounding noise, the Sony's features may justify the higher cost. For casual listening or professional audio work where a wired connection is preferred, the Audio Technica might be your better option. Both provide high-quality sound, but the Sony excels in portability and tech features. 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
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony WH-1000XM5
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
6.3
5.6
The Audio Technica M50x is only fair for gaming, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.4
5.5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Audio Technica M50x are both poor for phone calls, though the Sony WH-1000XM5 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
6.0
The Audio Technica M50x is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is only fair.
TV and Video
7.8
5.8
The Audio Technica M50x is good for TV and video, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
9.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Battery
N/A
40.3 Hours
The Audio Technica M50x does not have a battery. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$149
$398
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audio Technica M50x has a price of $149 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $398.
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Key similarities
Music
8.5
8.2
The Audio Technica M50x and Sony WH-1000XM5 are both very good for music.
Build Quality
8.5
8.8
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Audio Technica M50x both have very good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica M50x and the Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica M50x | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $398 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2007 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.6/10 | |
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 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 40.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 9.1/10 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.3/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 294.8 Grams | 249.4 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."
Sony WH-1000XM5
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Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | February 2023
"The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the best Sony Bluetooth headphones so far and one of the most well-rounded Bluetooth headphones around. Look no further if you need class-leading ANC with a mostly inoffensive sound signature. Just be ready to pony up the price premium."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica M50x or the Sony WH-1000XM5
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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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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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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