Audio-Technica M-Series ATH-M50xBT2
Sony WH-1000XM6
What Buyers Say
Audio-Technica M-Series ATH-M50xBT2
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 are widely praised for their excellent, balanced sound quality that rivals the wired M50x, with rich detail, tight bass, and clear highs. Users highlight the solid Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, support for LDAC and AAC codecs, multipoint pairing, and exceptional battery life of over 50 hours as major advantages. While comfort is generally high, many note that the headband clamping force is strong, and the earpad and headband padding use a faux leather that tends to peel and flake over time, sometimes within a year. Build quality concerns, including fragile plastic hinges and a cheap-feeling headband, are recurrent complaints, though the overall value for sound performance is consistently rated very high.
Pros
- Excellent balanced sound quality
- Long 50+ hour battery life
- Stable Bluetooth 5.0 and LDAC support
- Multipoint device pairing
- Comfortable for long sessions
Cons
- Fake leather padding peels and flakes
- Strong headband clamping force
- Fragile plastic hinge joints
- Short included cables
- No active noise cancellation
Sony WH-1000XM6
No customer feedback yet
Scores
Specifications
| Audio-Technica M-Series ATH-M50xBT2 | Sony WH-1000XM6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | closed | closed |
| Foldable | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.45 kg | 0.25 kg★ |
| Ear Cushion | professional-grade earpad | synthetic leather |
| Headband | professional-grade headband material | synthetic leather |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 45 mm★ | 30 mm |
| Drivers | 1★ | — |
| Freq Min | 15 Hz | 5 Hz★ |
| Freq Max | 28 kHz★ | — |
| Impedance | 38 Ω | 48 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 99 dB★ | — |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Codecs | AAC, LDAC | LDAC |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✗ | ✓★ |
| ANC Type | — | adaptive |
| Transparency | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3★ |
| Multipoint | ✓★ | — |
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm | 3.5mm |
| Detachable Cable | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cable Length | 1.2000000476837158 m | — |
| Range | 10.100000381469727 m★ | — |
| Battery | ||
| Battery Life | 50 hrs★ | 30 hrs |
| Charge Time | 3.5 hrs | 3 hrs★ |
| Fast Charging | 10-Minute Charge for 3 Hours of Audio | 10 min for 3 hours playback |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mic Count | 2 | 12★ |
| NC Mic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boom Mic | ✗ | ✗ |
| Detachable Mic | ✗ | ✗ |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | Amazon Alexa | — |
| Touch Controls | ✗ | ✓★ |
| App | A-T Connect | Sony | Sound Connect |
| Gaming Mode | ✓★ | — |
Pros & Cons
Audio-Technica M-Series ATH-M50xBT2
- Strong sound (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong connectivity (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong battery (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong social proof (84th percentile)84th %ile
- Below average comfort (6th percentile)6th %ile
- Below average anc (32nd percentile)
Sony WH-1000XM6
- Strong social proof (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong mic (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong anc (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong connectivity (89th percentile)89th %ile
Pricing
Audio-Technica M-Series ATH-M50xBT2 offers 1.2x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 95 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 8 of 38 specs.
