Sony WH1000XM3 vs Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

Sony WH1000XM3 review
vs
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x review

Spend a few minutes of your time to read the comparison Sony WH1000XM3 vs Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. These headphones are closed back and have an over-ear wearing style. But the first one is wireless, while the second one is not.

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Features

Sony WH1000XM3 has impedance 16 Ohm, while the rate of Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is 38 Ohm. What makes the Sony product special is the incredibly wide frequency response, which is 4 Hz - 40 kHz. The other appliance works in a range from 15 Hz to 28 kHz. When it comes to the sensitivity, Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs Sony WH1000XM3 has 99 dB, while the other appliance has 104 dB.

The headphones by Sony have a big benefit which is its battery. They can work up to 30 hours after 3 hours of charging. Moreover, the device has a battery level indicator and aptX support.

Sound

If you are looking for headphones with a noise-canceling function, choose Sony WH1000XM3. Its sound profile I would call bass-heavy. Overall, the headphones deliver very rich, accurate, and detailed audio.

The advantage of Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is an incredibly balanced sound with tight bass. Also, it let you hear clear highs and punchy lows.

Comfort and design

Both devices have can work with an audio cable which is 300cm long. It is worth mentioning that this wire is detachable and pretty thick, which means you will not need to replace it next 4-5 years. Only Sony

WH1000XM3 is equipped with a built-in microphone and has touch control.

Whatever headphones you choose, they come with a carry case. Although Sony WH1000XM3 is used without a wire, it weighs 380 g and this is much more than the weight of Audio-Technica ATH-M50x — 285 g.

Sony WH1000XM3 pros and cons

Sony WH1000XM3 pros and cons

Pros

  • Works 38 hours with a noise-canceling function off
  • When you put it on, the sound around you is instantly tuned down, even when the headphones are not plugged
  • Convenient and premium-looking design
  • Supports Google Assistant and Siri

Cons

  • Quite poor latency for watching videos
  • Not very breathable

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x pros and cons

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x pros and cons

Pros

  • Available in three colors: black, white, and blue
  • Comes with huge cups that totally encompass your ears
  • Good soundstage for a closed back device
  • Stable on your head

Cons

  • No built-in microphone for making cell phone calls
  • The headphone jack can easily break off in your phone/MP3 player due to the length of the cord base

Votes 53 53
Rating 4 4

Headphones comparison chart

Overall
Sony WH1000XM3
9.6
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
8.3
10
10
10
inapplicable
10
inapplicable
10
inapplicable
9
inapplicable
Sony WH1000XM3

Sony WH1000XM3 review

May 18, 2020

In the Summer of 2017 a well-known Japanese audio company Sony represented its new model of wireless...

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Common

Product

Sony WH1000XM3
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

Model

WH1000XM3
ATH-M50x

Brand

Sony
Audio-Technica

Reviews

15747
15298

General

Wearing style

over ear
over ear

Enclosure

closed back
closed back

Wireless

Wired

Specifications

Transducer

dynamic
dynamic

Driver size, mm/inches

45/1.7

Impedance, Ohm

16
38

Frequency response, Hz

4Hz-40KHz
15Hz-28KHz

Total harmonic distortion (THD), %

0.3

Sensitivity (SPL), dB

104
99

Magnet type

neodymium
neodymium

Weight (headphones), g/oz

380/13.4
285/10

Comfort

Adjustable headband

Foldable

Noise cancelling

Active noise cancelling

Adjustable noise cancelling level

Microphone

Built-in microphone

In-line microphone

Detachable microphone

Cables

Detachable cable

Audio cable length, cm/ft

300/9.8

Jack connection (TRS)

3.5
3.5

Balanced connection

Control

Built-in control buttons

In-line control

Touch control

Voice control

Google Assistant, Siri

App control

Control functions

volume, answer/end, play/pause, next/previous track, fast forward/rewind, noise cancelling, voice assistant

Wireless connectivity

Bluetooth

has not

Bluetooth version

4.2
has not

aptX

has not

aptX HD (Hi-Res Audio)

has not

Bluetooth profiles

A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP
has not

NFC

Wi-Fi

Battery

Battery type

rechargable
has not

Battery life, hrs

38 (30 without noise cancelling)
has not

Charging time, hrs

3
has not

Charging port

USB-C
has not

Charging cable

USB-C to USB-A
has not

Speed charge

has not

Battery free listening mode

has not

Battery level indicator

has not

Additional features

Water resistance

Light indication

Additional audio features

In the box

Audio cable

Carry case

Charging cable

has not

1/4 Adapter (6,35 mm)

Interchangeable ear pads

User manual

Manual

Sony WH1000XM3
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
Sony WH1000XM3
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

Headphones HeadphonesArena comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 9.6
  • 8.3
  • 9.6Sony WH1000XM3
  • 8.3Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

The Sony WH1000XM3 is better headphones in this comparison. Check Sony WH1000XM3 price