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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
For the best sound quality in music, the Audio Technica M50x headphones are a superior choice; however, they are more expensive and might not be as comfortable during extended use. They don't feature a built-in microphone, which can be a drawback for calls or gaming. The Turtle Beach Recon 70 headphones, on the other hand, are more budget-friendly and come with a high-quality microphone, making them better suited for gaming and calls. They also have higher comfort ratings, which is important if you wear your headphones for long periods. Neither model offers wireless connectivity or active noise cancelling, and both are better for indoor use rather than exercise or travel due to their size and need for a wired connection. 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 air travel
Advantages of the Turtle Beach Recon 70
- Best in class for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
Key differences
Music
8.5
7.1
The Audio Technica M50x is very good for music, while the Turtle Beach Recon 70 is good.
Gaming
6.3
8.4
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica M50x is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.4
9.6
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is best in class for phone calls, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
7.6
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 and Audio Technica M50x are both good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Turtle Beach Recon 70 is somewhat better.
Cost
$149
$40
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica M50x has a price of $149 and the Turtle Beach Recon 70 costs $40.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
7.8
7.5
The Audio Technica M50x and Turtle Beach Recon 70 are both good for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
5.3
5.6
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 and Audio Technica M50x are both poor for noise reduction.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The Audio Technica M50x and Turtle Beach Recon 70 both have very good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica M50x and the Turtle Beach Recon 70 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica M50x | Turtle Beach Recon 70 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Turtle Beach | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2007 | May 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.5/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 9.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.3/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 10/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.3/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 294.8 Grams | 309 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
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."
Turtle Beach Recon 70
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Sam Moore | September 2022
"There aren’t many considerations to make here. The Turtle Beach Recon 70 sounds decent, offers solid chat audio, feels good to wear over long periods, and it works everywhere. If you’re in the market for a simple plug-and-play option, you could do a whole lot worse (and spend a whole lot more money). Regardless, if getting something cheap that works well is the only thing you care about, this is a great option."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica M50x or the Turtle Beach Recon 70
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.
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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
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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Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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