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Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Arctic White — Over-ear · 2022
Audio-Technica

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Arctic White

Over-ear · 2022

85
/ 100
From $199
VS
AirPods Max (USB-C) wins by 3
AirPods Max (USB-C) — H1 · Spatial Audio · Dynamic Head Tracking
Apple

AirPods Max (USB-C)

H1 · Spatial Audio · Dynamic Head Tracking

88
/ 100
From $549
Specdex verdict

AirPods Max (USB-C) takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Arctic White lands at 85 and AirPods Max (USB-C) at 88. That puts AirPods Max (USB-C) ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Arctic White if…

  • ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • ✓Premium build
  • ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)

Pick AirPods Max (USB-C) if…

  • ✓Premium aluminum build
  • ✓Seamless Apple integration
  • ✓Head-tracked spatial audio
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Sound quality

AirPods Max (USB-C)

Tuning, detail, and staging

AirPods Max (USB-C) leads on sound (92 vs 85).

Noise cancelling

AirPods Max (USB-C)

ANC strength for commute and travel

AirPods Max (USB-C) leads on anc (92 vs 83).

Comfort

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Arctic White

Long-session wearability

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Arctic White leads on comfort (84 vs 82).

Value for money

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Arctic White

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Arctic White more score per dollar ($199 vs $549).

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Arctic White 85
vs
88 AirPods Max (USB-C)

Score breakdown

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Arctic White
85
anc 83
sound 85
comfort 84
battery 82
features 81
AirPods Max (USB-C)
88
anc 92
sound 92
comfort 82
battery 82
features 86

Specs side-by-side

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Arctic White versus AirPods Max (USB-C) — full spec comparison
Spec Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Arctic White AirPods Max (USB-C)
Type
Over-ear
—
Release year
2022
—
Driver
—
40 mm dynamic
Codecs
—
AAC, SBC
Battery
—
20 h
Weight
—
384 g
Connectivity
—
BT 5.0, USB-C lossless

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Arctic White

Pros
  • +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • +Premium build
  • +Active noise cancellation (most models)
Cons
  • −Battery varies by codec
  • −Some are Bluetooth-only
  • −Price creep vs previous gen

AirPods Max (USB-C)

Pros
  • +Premium aluminum build
  • +Seamless Apple integration
  • +Head-tracked spatial audio
Cons
  • −Still uses H1 (not H2)
  • −Heavy at 384 g
  • −No power button / auto-pause

FAQ: Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Arctic White vs AirPods Max (USB-C)

Which is better, Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Arctic White or AirPods Max (USB-C)? +

AirPods Max (USB-C) scores 88 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Arctic White worth the price? +

At $199, Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Arctic White delivers a Specdex score of 85 — strongest in sound.

Is AirPods Max (USB-C) worth the price? +

At $549, AirPods Max (USB-C) delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in anc.

Does Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Arctic White or AirPods Max (USB-C) last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for sound quality, Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Arctic White or AirPods Max (USB-C)? +

AirPods Max (USB-C) — leads on sound (92 vs 85). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Arctic White or AirPods Max (USB-C)? +

AirPods Max (USB-C) — leads on anc (92 vs 83). ANC strength for commute and travel.