Sony WH-1000XM4 vs Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
Quick take: The Sony WH-1000XM4 costs $1 less; the Sony WH-1000XM4 has active noise cancelling while the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 doesn't; the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 lasts longer per charge (50 hrs).
| Spec | Sony WH-1000XM4 | Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$198 | ~$199 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Over-Ear Headphones | Over-Ear Headphones |
| Noise Cancelling | ANC | None |
| Battery (single charge) | 30 hrs | 50 hrs |
| Battery (with case) | — | — |
| Quick Charge | 10 min = 5 hr | 10 min = 3 hr |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Multipoint | Yes | Yes |
| Driver Size | 40 mm | 45 mm |
| Weight | 254 g | 307 g |
| Water Resistance | — | — |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Transparency Mode | Yes | No |
| Spatial Audio | Yes | No |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
Pros & cons
Sony WH-1000XM4
- ✓ANC still beats nearly everything outside current flagships
- ✓Warm, EQ-friendly sound with LDAC hi-res support
- ✓Folds compactly into an included hard case, unlike the XM5
- ✓30 hr battery with 10 min = 5 hr quick charge
- ✓Speak-to-Chat, wear detection, and multipoint all still work great
- ✓Five years of firmware updates — software is thoroughly debugged
- ✓Regularly discounted to $198 or less
- ✗Superseded twice — XM5 and XM6 offer better ANC, sound, and mics
- ✗LDAC and multipoint can't be used at the same time
- ✗Headband/yoke plastic is a documented long-term failure point
- ✗Call mic quality lags modern rivals, especially in noise
- ✗Some aging units develop charging or mic faults out of warranty
- ✗No USB-C audio or LE Audio support
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
- ✓Flat-leaning, detail-rich M50x tuning that beats consumer rivals on accuracy
- ✓50 hr battery with 10 min = 3 hr rapid charge over USB-C
- ✓LDAC hi-res codec alongside AAC and SBC
- ✓Proven long-term durability with folding, swiveling metal-reinforced build
- ✓Detachable cables including a mic cable for wired listening
- ✓A-T Connect app adds EQ and a low-latency mode for video
- ✓Multipoint pairing across two devices
- ✗No ANC or transparency mode at a price where both are standard
- ✗Multipoint switching requires manually pausing the first device
- ✗Heavier 307g build with a firm studio-style clamp
- ✗Call mics struggle to reject background noise outdoors
- ✗Flat tuning can feel bass-light to listeners raised on Sony/JBL