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- Table of Contents
- Top
- Main Differences
- Sound
- Design
- Isolation
- Microphone
- Active Features
- Connectivity
- Comments
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Tested using Methodology v2.0
Updated Apr 23, 2025 01:00 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.8
Updated Apr 15, 2025 08:37 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
TypeOver-Ear
Noise CancellingNo
EnclosureClosed-Back
Bass AmountBalanced (0 dB)
WirelessNo
TransducerDynamic
Treble AmountBalanced (0 dB)
MicNo
Sound SignatureBalanced
TypeOver-ear
Noise CancellingYes
EnclosureClosed-Back
WirelessYes
TransducerDynamic
MicYes
Variants
- ATH-M50x (Black)
- ATH-M50x (Gray)
- ATH-M50x (Metallic Orange)
- ATH-M50x (White)
- WH-1000XM4 (Black)
- WH-1000XM4 (Midnight Blue)
- WH-1000XM4 (Silver)
Our Verdict
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are better for professional monitoring than the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless. The Audio-Technica are wired headphones designed for recording and monitoring audio, but they aren't as good for commutes and travel as the Sony. The Sony headphones are better for multi-purpose use. You can use them via Bluetooth or a wired connection and have a more comfortable, stable fit, onboard controls, and an integrated mic. They also have a very effective ANC feature.
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Black
ATH-M50x
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Finding storeBlack
WH-1000XM4
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Finding storeGray
ATH-M50x
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Finding storeMidnight Blue
WH-1000XM4
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Finding storeMetallic Orange
ATH-M50x
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WH-1000XM4
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ATH-M50x
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Finding storeMain Differences forNeutral Sound
Neutral Sound
Threshold
Neutral Sound
7.4
Full Comparison
Sound
Sound Profile
Sound Profile
Normalization Frequency
550 Hz
400 Hz
Bass Amount
5.1 dB
Bass Amount
Balanced (0 dB)
Treble Amount
-0.4 dB
Treble Amount
Balanced (0 dB)
Sound Signature
Balanced
Frequency Response Consistency
5.9
8.2
Consistency L
Consistency R
Avg. Std. Deviation
1.36 dB
0.35 dB
Raw Frequency Response
Bass Profile: Target Compliance
8.7
7.6
Bass Profile: Target Compliance
RMS Deviation From Target
3.3 dB
5.2 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
22.45 Hz
20 Hz
Low Bass
-3.66 dB
4.49 dB
Mid Bass
0.45 dB
5.5 dB
High Bass
1.95 dB
5.6 dB
Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance
8.8
8.4
Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance
RMS Deviation From Target
1.69 dB
1.58 dB
Low Mid
-2.43 dB
1.24 dB
Mid-Mid
0.01 dB
-0.07 dB
High Mid
1.06 dB
-1.15 dB
Treble Profile: Target Compliance
9.1
7.3
Treble Profile: Target Compliance
RMS Deviation From Target
2.43 dB
3.01 dB
Low Treble
1.16 dB
-1.71 dB
Mid Treble
-1.33 dB
1.38 dB
High Treble
-1.19 dB
-2.88 dB
Peaks/Dips
7.5
7.9
Peaks/Dips Graph
Peaks
1.33 dB
1.2 dB
Dips
2.18 dB
1.46 dB
Stereo Mismatch
4.9
Frequency Response Mismatch
Phase Response Mismatch
Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
1.4 dB
0.79
Weighted Frequency Response Mismatch
2.0 dB
2.07
Weighted Phase Mismatch
5.4°
4.36
Cumulative Spectral Decay
CSD
PRTF
7.1
3.5
PRTF Accuracy (RMS Deviation)
2.43 dB
3.11 dB
PRTF Size (Avg.)
2.73 dB
8.34 dB
PRTF Distance
13.24 dB
1.8 dB
Openness
0.4
Acoustic Space Excitation
3.4
Harmonic Distortion
9.5
Harmonics Levels
WHD @ 94 dB SPL
0.04%
0.265
WHD @ 104 dB SPL
0.11%
0.130
Electrical Aspects
Impedance
Sensitivity @1kHz-1V
115.4 dB SPL
Bluetooth Max SPL
N/A
Virtual Soundstage
0.0
4.1
Virtual Soundstage
Head Modeling
No
On/Off
Speaker Modeling
No
On/Off
Room Ambience
No
No
Head Tracking
No
No
Virtual Surround
No App
360 Reality Audio
Test Settings
Firmware
No Firmware
2.6.0
Power
Passive
On
Connection
Wired
Bluetooth
Codec
PCM, 24-bit, 48kHz
SBC, 16-bit, 48kHz
Test Instrument
Audio Precision APx517B
Audio Precision APx517B
EQ
No EQ
Off
ANC
No ANC
On
Tip/Pad
Default
Default
Microphone
No Microphone
Integrated
Imaging
8.6
Group Delay
Phase Response Mismatch
Weighted Group Delay
0.16
Weighted Phase Mismatch
5.4°
4.36
Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
1.4 dB
0.79
Weighted Frequency Mismatch
2.0 dB
2.07
Weighted Harmonic Distortion
7.7
Weighted Harmonic Distortion
WHD @ 90
0.04%
0.265
WHD @ 100
0.11%
0.130
Design
Style
Design Picture 2
Type
Over-Ear
Over-ear
Enclosure
Closed-Back
Closed-Back
Wireless
No
Yes
Transducer
Dynamic
Dynamic
Comfort
7.5
8.0
Comfort Picture
Weight
0.65 lbs
0.6 lbs
Clamping Force
1 lbs
1 lbs
Controls
0.0
7.6
Controls Picture
OS Compatibility
No Controls
Not OS specific
Ease Of Use
No Controls
Good
Feedback
No Controls
Decent
Call/Music Control
No
Yes
Volume Control
No
Yes
Microphone Control
No
No
Channel Mixing
No
No
Noise Cancelling Control
No
On/Off
Talk-Through
No
On/Off
Additional Controls
No
Voice Assistant
Breathability
5.4
Breathability After Picture
Avg.Temp.Difference
8.2 °C
Portability
5.8
6.1
Portability Picture
L
5.1" (13.0 cm)
7.4" (18.8 cm)
W
6.9" (17.5 cm)
6.1" (15.5 cm)
H
3.5" (9.0 cm)
2.0" (5.1 cm)
Volume
124.93 in³ (2,047.23 cm³)
90.00 in³ (1,474.83 cm³)
Transmitter Required
No
No
Case
6.5
8.0
Case Picture
Type
Pouch
Hard case
L
N/A
8.3" (21.1 cm)
W
N/A
6.6" (16.8 cm)
H
N/A
2.3" (5.8 cm)
Volume
N/A
126.00 in³ (2,064.76 cm³)
Build Quality
8.0
8.0
Build Quality Picture
Stability
6.5
7.0
Stability Picture
Headshots 1
Angled Picture
Side Picture
Headshots 2
Front Picture
Rear Picture
Top
Top Picture
In The Box
In The Box Picture
Isolation
Noise Isolation - Full Range
4.3
9.5
Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph
Noise Cancelling
No
Yes
Overall Attenuation
-10.18 dB
-27.13 dB
Bass
2.24 dB
-24.80 dB
Mid
-8.56 dB
-25.37 dB
Treble
-27.01 dB
-31.92 dB
Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios
4.1
9.7
Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph
Airplane Noise Attenuation
-9.11 dB
-23.51 dB
Airplane Noise Isolation Audio
Office Noise Attenuation
-9.54 dB
-22.93 dB
Office Noise Isolation Audio
Street Noise Attenuation
-8.80 dB
-26.02 dB
Street Noise Isolation Audio
Noise Isolation - Voice Handling
Female Voice 1
Male Voice 1
Female Voice 2
Male Voice 2
Leakage
7.2
7.1
Leakage Audio
Overall Leakage @ 1ft
38.32 dB
39.28 dB
Microphone
Microphone Style
Integrated
No
Yes
In-Line
No
No
Boom
No
No
Detachable Boom
No
No
Mic
No
Yes
Recording Quality
0.0
6.1
Microphone Frequency Response
Recorded Speech
N/A
LFE
N/A
269.09 Hz
FR Std. Dev.
N/A
2.11 dB
HFE
N/A
3,726.47 Hz
Weighted THD
N/A
65.861
Gain
N/A
11.46 dB
Noise Handling
0.0
5.6
SpNR
N/A
11.47 dB
Noise Gate
N/A
No
Speech + Pink Noise Handling
N/A
6.0
Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample
N/A
Speech + Subway Noise Handling
N/A
5.0
Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample
N/A
Active Features
Battery
0.0
8.7
Battery Type
No Battery
Rechargable
Continuous Battery Life
N/A
37.7 hrs
Additional Charges
N/A
0.0
Total Battery Life
N/A
37.7 hrs
Charge Time
N/A
2.3 hrs
Power-Saving Feature
No
Auto-Off Timer
Audio While Charging
No
No
Passive Playback
Passive Headphone
Yes
Charging Port
None
USB-C
App Support
0.0
8.0
App Picture
App Name
No App
Sony| Headphones Connect
iOS
No
Yes
Android
No
Yes
macOS
No
No
Windows
No
No
Equalizer
No
Graphic + Presets
ANC Control
No
On/Off
Mic Control
No
No
Room Effects
No
No
Playback Control
No
Yes
Button Mapping
No
Yes
Surround Support
No
Yes
Connectivity
Wired Connection
9.9
9.9
Cable Picture
Analog Audio
Yes
Yes
USB Audio
No
No
Detachable
Yes
Yes
Length
10.00 ft (3.05 m)
4.00 ft (1.22 m)
Connector
1/8" TRS
1/8" TRS
Latency - Analog
0.2 ms
0.3 ms
Latency - USB
N/A
N/A
Recorded Latency
Recorded Latency Connection
Analog
Analog
Bluetooth Connection
0.0
8.6
Bluetooth Version
No Bluetooth
5.010
Multi-Device Pairing
No
2 Devices
Quick Pair (Android)
No
Yes
Quick Pair (iOS)
No
No
Line Of Sight Range
N/A
299.00 ft (91.14 m)
Latency - SBC
N/A
245 ms
Latency - aptX
N/A
N/A
Latency - aptX Adaptive (High Quality)
N/A
N/A
Latency - aptX Adaptive (Low Latency)
N/A
N/A
Latency - LDAC
N/A
237 ms
Recorded Latency
N/A
Recorded Latency Codec
No Bluetooth Audio
SBC
AAC Support
No
Yes
Wireless Connection (Dongle)
0.0
0.0
Line Of Sight Range
N/A
N/A
Latency - Dongle
N/A
N/A
Recorded Latency
N/A
N/A
PC Compatibility
Analog
Audio Only
Audio Only
Wired USB
No
No
Non-BT Wireless
No
No
PlayStation Compatibility
PS4 Analog
Audio Only
Audio Only
PS4 Wired USB
No
No
PS4 Non-BT Wireless
No
No
PS5 Analog
Audio Only
Audio Only
PS5 Wired USB
No
No
PS5 Non-BT Wireless
No
No
Xbox Compatibility
Xbox One Analog
Audio Only
Audio Only
Xbox One Wired USB
No
No
Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
No
No
Xbox Series X|S Analog
Audio Only
Audio Only
Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
No
No
Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
No
No
Base/Dock
0.0
0.0
Type
No Base/Dock
No Base/Dock
USB Input
No
No
Line In
No
No
Line Out
No
No
Optical Input
No
No
RCA Input
No
No
Dock Charging
No
No
Power Supply
No Base/Dock
No Base/Dock
Check Price
Black
ATH-M50x
Searching
Finding storeBlack
WH-1000XM4
Searching
Finding storeGray
ATH-M50x
Searching
Finding storeMidnight Blue
WH-1000XM4
Searching
Finding storeMetallic Orange
ATH-M50x
Searching
Finding storeSilver
WH-1000XM4
Searching
Finding storeWhite
ATH-M50x
Searching
Finding store
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Comments
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless: Main Discussion
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