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Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Midnight Black — Over-ear · 2022
Audio-Technica

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Midnight Black

Over-ear · 2022

85
/ 100
From $199
VS
AirPods Max wins by 3
AirPods Max — Over-ear · 2020
Apple

AirPods Max

Over-ear · 2020

88
/ 100
From $549
Specdex verdict

AirPods Max takes it — here’s why.

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

Pick Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Midnight Black if…

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

Pick AirPods Max if…

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

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

Sound quality

AirPods Max

Tuning, detail, and staging

AirPods Max leads on sound (88 vs 85).

Noise cancelling

AirPods Max

ANC strength for commute and travel

AirPods Max leads on anc (86 vs 83).

Comfort

AirPods Max

Long-session wearability

AirPods Max leads on comfort (87 vs 84).

Value for money

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Midnight Black

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

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

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Midnight Black 85
vs
88 AirPods Max

Score breakdown

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Midnight Black
85
anc 83
sound 85
comfort 84
battery 82
features 81
AirPods Max
88
anc 86
sound 88
comfort 87
battery 82
features 84

Specs side-by-side

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Midnight Black versus AirPods Max — full spec comparison
Spec Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Midnight Black AirPods Max
Type
Over-ear
Over-ear
Release year
2022
2020

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Midnight Black

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

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

FAQ: Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Midnight Black vs AirPods Max

Which is better, Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Midnight Black or AirPods Max? +

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

Is Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Midnight Black worth the price? +

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

Is AirPods Max worth the price? +

At $549, AirPods Max delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in sound.

Does Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Midnight Black or AirPods Max 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 · Midnight Black or AirPods Max? +

AirPods Max — leads on sound (88 vs 85). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Midnight Black or AirPods Max? +

AirPods Max — leads on anc (86 vs 83). ANC strength for commute and travel.