The catch
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
It has neither Bluetooth nor active noise cancellation.
Side by side
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs ATH-M50xBT2 Compared: The cable loses the mic, wireless calls are what BT2 adds
Quick verdict
ATH-M50x suits recording and comes with a longer cable. ATH-M50xBT2 suits you if you also want Bluetooth, a microphone and laptop-to-phone switching. With an empty battery, BT2 still plays through a cable, though its microphone does not work in that wired mode.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Wireless: 22 g more
By the published headphone weights, BT2 weighs about 8% more.
Where this comes from
307 - 285 = 22 g, then 22 / 285 × 100 = 7.7%.
The catch
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
For flights, it offers no active noise cancellation.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
- Why pick it
- The supplied 3 m lead is what your recording setup calls for.
- A headphone with no battery to look after is what you want.
- The catch
- It has neither Bluetooth nor active noise cancellation.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
- Why pick it
- Bluetooth and phone calls are required.
- When the battery runs out, you want a passive cable to fall back on.
- The catch
- For flights, it offers no active noise cancellation.
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What this page compares
Deciding between ATH-M50x and ATH-M50xBT2? Weigh passive cable use, Bluetooth, microphones, charging and cable lengths before you pick a studio or everyday pair.
ATH-M50x suits recording and comes with a longer cable. ATH-M50xBT2 suits you if you also want Bluetooth, a microphone and laptop-to-phone switching. With an empty battery, BT2 still plays through a cable, though its microphone does not work in that wired mode.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Laying down tracks into a recording interface
Analog audio works on both, but the longer studio leads come with M50x.
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
- Better fit
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
- Good
A laptop for music and a phone for calls
Multipoint and a wireless microphone are what BT2 adds.
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
- Not suitable
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
- Better fit
The battery runs out when away from home
Playback through a compatible analog output works on both.
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
- Similar
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
- Similar
A laptop with USB only and no adapter
Bluetooth is how BT2 works, and not directly over USB audio.
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
- Not suitable
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
- Depends
In practice
Differences you will notice
Wireless: 22 g more
By the published headphone weights, BT2 weighs about 8% more.
How we worked this out
307 - 285 = 22 g, then 22 / 285 × 100 = 7.7%.
The long studio lead measures 2.5 times the length
The BT2 1.2 m lead compares with the 3 m of straight cable reach that M50x supplies.
How we worked this out
3 / 1.2 = 2.5. Leave slack when routing the cable and do not pull it tight.
In cable mode music survives and calls do not
Wired listening carries on when the BT2 battery is flat, but the wireless microphone and controls are lost.
How we worked this out
In the official manual, battery-free playthrough is explicitly allowed, and buttons and microphone are disabled in wired mode.
Plug in your setup
Which headphones suit the way you listen?
Start with how you listen. Charging over USB is not the same as playing audio over USB, and some headphones need power even on a cable. These answers are placeholders until you apply your own.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
Fails these checksThis model cannot play over Bluetooth.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
Passes these checksPlays over Bluetooth.
Battery figures are maker claims for the stated mode. They do not reflect measured travel time. Volume, codec, calls and battery age all change runtime. Closed earcups can still leak some sound. Weight alone does not predict comfort. USB audio needs a compatible source and cable. This check does not judge sound quality, mic quality or amplifier power.
Option A
Audio-Technica, ATH-M50x
ATH-M50x
This foldable wired pair ships with a short cable, a long one and a coiled one, so you can go from a laptop to an audio interface without buying another lead.
- Best for
- A single wired pair that serves a recording desk and a laptop bag
Facts we checked
- Cables in the package are 1.2 m straight, 3 m straight and 1.2 to 3 m coiled.
- Without the cable and connector, the headphone weighs 285 g.
- The design is closed-back and 38-ohm, with earcups that fold inward.
Option B
Audio-Technica, ATH-M50xBT2
ATH-M50xBT2
This closed-back folding design gains Bluetooth and phone calls, and keeps a passive cable backup for when the battery dies. The USB-C port only charges.
- Best for
- Bluetooth at work, plus wired listening at home that needs no battery
Facts we checked
- Wireless playback is rated by the manufacturer at up to 50 hours.
- With multipoint, two Bluetooth devices stay connected.
- According to the manual, wired playback works with no battery power.
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Audio-Technica ATH-M50x | Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No | Yes, with multipoint | A laptop and a phone can both stay paired to BT2. |
| Headphone weight | 285 g without cable | 307 g | In the published headphone weight, wireless capability accounts for 22 g more. |
| Supplied straight leads | 1.2 m and 3 m | 1.2 m | Without another cable, the wired model reaches an interface farther away. |
| Works without battery power | Yes | Yes, over the analog lead | BT2 stays usable when its charge is gone. |
| Microphone | None | Bluetooth calls only | The built-in mic signal is not carried through wired playthrough. |
| USB-C digital audio | No | No, USB-C charges the battery | A connector for charging is not a USB sound-card input. |
| ANC | No | No | BT2 gives no ANC upgrade for travel. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
- None of the supplied cables includes a microphone.
With Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
- Over the supplied analog cable, the microphone and buttons stop working.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
The supplied 3 m lead is what your recording setup calls for.
Go with Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. A short straight lead, a long one and a coiled lead all come with M50x. BT2 supplies a short analog lead, so an interface far away may call for an extra compatible cable.
Bluetooth and phone calls are required.
Go with Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2. A laptop and a phone can both stay connected to BT2, which also has a microphone for calls. It can stand in for a separate everyday headset when wireless calls count for more than long cable reach.
Decision guide
How to decide
Go with ATH-M50x for recording and a longer supplied cable. Go with ATH-M50xBT2 if Bluetooth, a microphone and laptop-to-phone switching are also on your list. BT2 keeps playing through a cable when the battery is empty, but its microphone stops working in that wired mode.
Choose a recording connection that suits you
A short straight lead, a long one and a coiled lead all come with M50x. BT2 supplies a short analog lead, so an interface far away may call for an extra compatible cable.
Day-to-day use changes with Bluetooth
A laptop and a phone can both stay connected to BT2, which also has a microphone for calls. It can stand in for a separate everyday headset when wireless calls count for more than long cable reach.
Do not expect USB or ANC to come along with Bluetooth
According to the manual, USB-C is for charging and there is no digital USB playback. With no ANC hardware, the upgrade is not aimed at aircraft noise.
What this page can’t tell you
- BT2's 50-hour claim is the manufacturer's maximum and is not guaranteed with every codec and call workload.
- This page does not say wired and wireless playback sound the same.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the headphones we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
How many fit
Only 17 of the 60 models checked meet every need here: “I want music even with a dead battery”, “My bag has no space left”, and “I connect to a headphone jack”.
17 models fit, out of 60 checkedShow the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “I want music even with a dead battery”, “My bag has no space left”, and “I connect to a headphone jack”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio-Technica ATH-M50x |
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| Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
The supplied 3 m lead is what your recording setup calls for.
See price & reviews on AmazonAudio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
Bluetooth and phone calls are required.
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