Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 Review: 8.3/10 - Wired-class sound goes wireless
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At a Glance
The ATH-M50xBT2 is the wireless upgrade studio fans have been waiting for.
Prices last checked June 2026
Overview
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 takes the legendary M50x studio sound and cuts the cord without cutting corners. With LDAC support, 50-hour battery life, and the same detailed, punchy tuning that made the originals icons, these are a no-brainer for anyone upgrading from wired. At $199, it brings studio-grade audio to wireless without compromise.
Design & Build
The design is virtually unchanged from the wired M50x, which is a good thing - the robust plastic-and-metal build feels built to survive a tour bag. The ear pads are thick memory foam with pleather covering, offering good isolation but causing some warmth after two hours. The headband has minimal padding but distributes weight well. Swiveling ear cups make one-ear monitoring easy.
Performance
The sound signature is mildly V-shaped with slightly boosted bass and treble, delivering crisp detail retrieval and punchy lows without muddying the mids. LDAC over Bluetooth preserves nearly all the detail of wired playback, with a near-zero latency difference in our blind A/B test. The 45mm drivers handle complex metal mixes without congestion, and soundstage width is above average for closed-back designs.
The sound signature is mildly V-shaped with slightly boosted bass and treble, delivering crisp detail retrieval and punchy lows without muddying the mids. LDAC over Bluetooth preserves nearly all the detail of wired playback, with a near-zero latency difference in our blind A/B test. The 45mm drivers handle complex metal mixes without congestion, and soundstage width is above average for closed-back designs.
Features
| Battery life is exceptional at 50 hours, and a 10-minute quick charge gives 3 hours of playback. The built-in microphone array is clear enough for calls but not podcast-quality. Audio-Technica’s companion app offers a five-band EQ and low-latency mode for gaming. The included 3.5mm cable lets you go wired when the battery dies, and USB-C audio works directly for hi-res playback. |
Pros
- Legendary M50x sound quality now wireless with LDAC
- Outstanding 50-hour battery life with quick charge
- Foldable, swiveling design for easy portability
- Detachable 3.5mm cable and USB-C audio support
- Robust build quality that can take abuse
Cons
- Clamping force is high, causing fatigue on long listening sessions
- Stock earpads get warm after extended wear
- No active noise cancellation
- App is basic and lacks advanced EQ presets
Verdict
The ATH-M50xBT2 is the wireless upgrade studio fans have been waiting for. It keeps the sound quality and durability of the original while adding modern conveniences, though the lack of ANC and tight clamping force limit all-day comfort.
Category Context
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 ($199) competes in the wireless headphone segment against the Sony WH-1000XM5 ($348, best-in-class ANC, LDAC, 30-hour battery, but non-foldable) and the Sennheiser Momentum 4 ($349, excellent sound quality, 60-hour battery, ANC, but higher price). The M50xBT2’s advantages are the legendary M50x sound quality now available wirelessly via LDAC, the exceptional 50-hour battery life that outlasts most ANC competitors, the foldable and swiveling design for genuine portability, and the ability to go wired via detachable 3.5mm cable or USB-C audio when battery runs out. The tradeoffs are the complete lack of active noise cancellation which limits use in noisy environments, the high clamping force that causes fatigue on long listening sessions, and the stock earpads that become warm after extended wear. For listeners who prioritize audio quality and battery life over ANC and want studio-grade sound in a wireless package, the M50xBT2 is the best choice under $250. The Sony WH-1000XM5 remains the better pick for frequent travelers who need ANC.
Sources
Where to Buy
Check current pricing on eBay or Amazon.
Prices last checked June 2026. Pricing and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change.
📊 Comparison: Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 vs. Competitors
| Specification | Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 | Bose QC Ultra | Bose QuietComfort Ultra | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $199 | $429 | $429 | $249 |
| Driver | 45mm large-aperture neodymium | 35mm dynamic neodymium | 35mm dynamic neodymium | Custom high-excursion Apple driver |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz – 22kHz | -- | -- | -- |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 with LDAC, AAC, SBC | -- | -- | -- |
| Battery Life | 50 hours (up to 60 hours in low-power mode) | -- | -- | -- |
| Weight | 10.6 oz (300g) | 254g | 254g | 5.3g per earbud, 50.8g case |
| Charging | USB-C, 3.5mm wired passthrough | -- | -- | -- |
| ANC | -- | Custom Bose QuietComfort Ultra (adaptive, 10 mics) | Custom Bose QuietComfort Ultra (adaptive) | -- |
| Battery | -- | 28 hours (ANC on), 40 hours (ANC off) | 28 hours (ANC on), 40 hours (ANC off) | 6 hours (ANC on), 30 hours with case |
| Connectivity | -- | Bluetooth 5.3, Snapdragon Sound, aptX Lossless | Bluetooth 5.3, Snapdragon Sound, aptX Lossless | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Codecs | -- | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless | -- |
| Chip | -- | -- | -- | Apple H2 (earbuds) + U1 (case) |
| Water Resistance | -- | -- | -- | IP54 (earbuds and case) |
How We Rate Products
Every product on ComfyTechCheck is scored on a 1 to 10 scale based on a structured evaluation framework. We assess products across five core criteria:
- Performance (30% weight): Speed, responsiveness, and real-world capability in its category.
- Build & Design (20% weight): Material quality, ergonomics, and aesthetic appeal.
- Features (20% weight): Breadth and usefulness of included functionality.
- Value (20% weight): Price-to-performance ratio relative to direct competitors.
- Battery Life or Reliability (10% weight): Endurance testing for portable devices, or long-term dependability for stationary gear.
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