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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
When choosing between Audio Technica M50x and Soundcore Life Q20, consider that the M50x offers excellent sound quality and comfort but does not have wireless capability and microphone; they're ideal for music enthusiasts. However, they're not suitable for use in noisy environments or for travel due to lower isolation and absence of noise cancelling. The less expensive Soundcore Life Q20 has good comfort, integrated microphone, and active noise cancelling making them handy for calls and travel. While their sound quality is less impressive than the M50x, they are versatile with both wired and wireless options and provide more features for everyday practical use. 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 Soundcore Life Q20
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.5
7.0
The Audio Technica M50x is very good for music, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is good.
Gaming
6.3
5.2
The Audio Technica M50x is only fair for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.4
4.9
The Soundcore Life Q20 and Audio Technica M50x are both poor for phone calls, though the Soundcore Life Q20 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
4.7
The Audio Technica M50x is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
5.3
The Audio Technica M50x is good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q20 is very good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Battery
N/A
32.3 Hours
The Audio Technica M50x does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q20 has 32.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$149
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica M50x has a price of $149 and the Soundcore Life Q20 costs $50.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The Audio Technica M50x and Soundcore Life Q20 both have very good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica M50x and the Soundcore Life Q20 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica M50x | Soundcore Life Q20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2007 | November 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 32.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.8 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 | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 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 | 258.5 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."
Soundcore Life Q20
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | January 2022
"As far as headphones that cost under $100 go, the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is a really solid option. Like any good tool, it does the job well without much guff, and it’s affordable to boot. Sure: it’s not going toe to toe with any of the higher-end models of ANC headphones out there—but the headphones do well enough for commuters that it’s a good stand-in if you were never planning on spending a bunch of money anyway."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica M50x or the Soundcore Life Q20
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 Soundcore
Soundcore is a sub-brand belonging to Anker Innovations. Starting in 2014, initially marketing wireless, Bluetooth, speakers, Anker now offers an array of, budget-friendly, wireless earbuds and headphones that directly compete, especially in the Active Noise Canceling field, with other brands several times as expensive.
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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.
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