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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica M50x offers superior overall sound quality and is better suited for critical listening, due to its strong performance in music playback. However, they lack a built-in mic, wireless functionality, and their comfort score is lower compared to the Soundcore P20i, which may make them less suitable for extended use or convenience. The P20i earbuds provide good call quality, have a built-in mic, and are wireless with a longer battery life, making them more portable and versatile for everyday use, including exercise, and they are also more affordable. If you prioritize sound for music and studio work and don't need wireless capabilities or a microphone, go for the M50x, but if you want a more versatile pair that's good for calls, exercise, and general use at a lower price, choose the P20i. 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 podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore P20i
- Good for gaming
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.5
6.4
The Audio Technica M50x is very good for music, while the Soundcore P20i is only fair.
Gaming
6.3
7.3
The Soundcore P20i is good for gaming, while the Audio Technica M50x is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.4
5.0
The Soundcore P20i and Audio Technica M50x are both poor for phone calls, though the Soundcore P20i is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
4.7
The Audio Technica M50x is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore P20i is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
7.0
The Audio Technica M50x and Soundcore P20i are both good for TV and video, though the Audio Technica M50x is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
5.3
6.5
The Soundcore P20i is only fair 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 Soundcore P20i has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$149
$30
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica M50x has a price of $149 and the Soundcore P20i costs $30.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Soundcore P20i has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica M50x has very good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica M50x and the Soundcore P20i compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica M50x | Soundcore P20i |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2007 | May 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 7.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 20 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.3/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 294.8 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
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 P20i
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Dig into reviews and images
Critic Reviewer
Ranbir Sen | May 2023
"I would recommend the Soundcore P20i Earbuds to everyone who loves music and would like to own comfortable pair of earbuds with a great range of sound quality. I would recommend users who buy this device use the right comfortable ear tips as per your ear design."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica M50x or the Soundcore P20i
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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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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