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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for studio-quality sound with a focus on clarity and detail, the Audio Technica M50x is preferred, especially useful for critical listening and professional applications. However, the higher price reflects this quality. On the other hand, the Sony WH-CH520 comes with convenience features such as wireless connectivity and a built-in microphone, making them more suited for everyday use, travel, and taking calls. If budget is a concern and you value wireless freedom and call functionality, the Sony WH-CH520 offers good value. Keep in mind that the more expensive Audio Technica will generally provide better sound quality, while the Sony offers greater versatility at a lower price. 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
Advantages of the Sony WH-CH520
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.5
7.6
The Audio Technica M50x is very good for music, while the Sony WH-CH520 is good.
Gaming
6.3
8.8
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica M50x is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.4
6.7
The Sony WH-CH520 is only fair for phone calls, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
8.0
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica M50x is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
4.6
The Audio Technica M50x and Sony WH-CH520 are both poor for noise reduction, though the Audio Technica M50x is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
52.0 Hours
The Audio Technica M50x does not have a battery. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$149
$40
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica M50x has a price of $149 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $40.
Build Quality
8.5
7.0
The Audio Technica M50x has very good build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
7.8
8.2
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WH-CH520 to be very good for TV and video, while the Audio Technica M50x is good.
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How the Audio Technica M50x and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica M50x | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2007 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.5/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 4.6/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.3/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 294.8 Grams | 147.41 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-CH520
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | September 2023
"If you’re looking for headphones that simply do what you ask them to: the Sony WH-CH520 is a decent option, even if it isn’t very exciting. Sony’s WH-CHXXX line fits this role quite well, and the WH-CH520 offers a decent raft of quality-of-life updates over its predecessor that should keep listeners happy. If the Sony WH-CH520 were a car, it’d be the boring-but-safe commuter compact."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica M50x or the Sony WH-CH520
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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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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