ATH-M50xBT2 vs QuietComfort Comparison

Compare ATH-M50xBT2 vs QuietComfort side by side: specs, ratings, pros and cons, and which one fits your room best.

On this page
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
ATH-M50xBT2
Bose QuietComfort
QuietComfort

At a Glance

ATH-M50xBT2

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 is the wireless version of the well-known ATH-M50x studio headphones. It uses 45 mm drivers, the largest in this group, with a 15 Hz-28 kHz response and an AK4331 DAC.

View on Audio-Technica (opens in a new tab)
Best For
Music listeners
Style
Over-ear, closed-back
Weight
307 g
ANC
None (closed-back passive isolation)
Mics
2
Boom Mic
No
Talk Time
—
Connect
Bluetooth, 3.5 mm cable
QuietComfort

The Bose QuietComfort Headphones replaced the QuietComfort 45. They are an around-ear ANC headphone with protein leather cushions and a hard carry case.

View on Bose (opens in a new tab)
Best For
Travellers on a mid budget
Style
Over-ear (around-ear)
Weight
236 g
ANC
Active noise cancelling
Mics
—
Boom Mic
No
Talk Time
24 h
Connect
Bluetooth

Review Scores Compared

Expert Score

  • ATH-M50xBT27.1/10 Leads
  • QuietComfort6.6/10

Voice & Mic Clarity

  • ATH-M50xBT25.8/10 Leads
  • QuietComfort4.0/10

Comfort & Ergonomics

  • ATH-M50xBT28.0/10
  • QuietComfort8.9/10 Leads

Connectivity & Range

  • ATH-M50xBT27.5/10
  • QuietComfort8.0/10 Leads

Battery & Charging

  • ATH-M50xBT2—
  • QuietComfort6.5/10

Certification & Controls

  • ATH-M50xBT28.0/10
  • QuietComfort—

Why ATH-M50xBT2 Beats QuietComfort (and Vice Versa)

Why ATH-M50xBT2 beats QuietComfort

  • Better voice & mic clarity: 5.8 vs 4.0 out of 10

Why QuietComfort beats ATH-M50xBT2

  • Better comfort & ergonomics: 8.9 vs 8.0 out of 10
  • Better connectivity & range: 8.0 vs 7.5 out of 10
  • Weight: 236 g vs 307 g
  • Active Noise Cancelling: Yes vs No
  • Charging Time: 2.5 h vs 3.5 h

Review-score leads of 0.5+ points out of 10 first, then specs where only one comes out ahead.

Full Specifications

General

ATH-M50xBT2QuietComfort
Best ForMusic listenersTravellers on a mid budget
Wearing StyleOver-ear, closed-backOver-ear (around-ear)

Design & Build

ATH-M50xBT2QuietComfort
Weight307 g236 g Better
Materials—Metal, plastic, protein leather
Ear Cushions—Protein leather, removable
Headband—Adjustable
Dimensions—195 x 157 x 80 mm

Audio

ATH-M50xBT2QuietComfort
Driver Size45 mm—
Frequency Response15 Hz - 28 kHz—
Bluetooth CodecsLDAC, AAC, SBC—
Driver TypeClosed-back dynamic—
Impedance38 Ω—
Sensitivity99 dB/mW—
Custom EQA-T Connect app EQ—
Wired ListeningYes (1.2 m 3.5 mm cable included)—
Stereo / MonoStereoStereo
SidetoneYes—

Noise Cancelling

ATH-M50xBT2QuietComfort
Noise CancellingNone (closed-back passive isolation)Active noise cancelling
Active Noise CancellingNoYes Better
Transparency Mode—Yes (Aware Mode)

Microphone

ATH-M50xBT2QuietComfort
Microphones2—
Microphone Setup2 MEMS, beamforming—
Call Noise ReductionBeamforming—
Boom MicNoNo
Mute ControlMute button—
Mic Frequency Response85 Hz - 15 kHz—
Mic Pickup PatternOmnidirectional—

Battery & Charging

ATH-M50xBT2QuietComfort
Talk Time—24 h
Charging Time3.5 h2.5 h Better
Fast ChargingYes (10 min = 3 h)—
Music Time50 h—
Charging PortUSB-CUSB

Connectivity

ATH-M50xBT2QuietComfort
ConnectionBluetooth, 3.5 mm cableBluetooth
Bluetooth Version5.0—
MultipointYes (2 devices)—
Wireless Range10 m—
Low-Latency ModeLow latency modeNot recommended for gaming (Bose)
Bluetooth ProfilesA2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP—
Cable Length1.2 m—
Google Fast PairYes—

Controls & App

ATH-M50xBT2QuietComfort
Management SoftwareA-T ConnectBose app
Voice AssistantAmazon Alexa Built-in, Google Assistant, SiriPhone's native assistant via multi-function button

In the Box

ATH-M50xBT2QuietComfort
In the Box30 cm USB-A to USB-C cable, 1.2 m audio cable, pouch—
Warranty1-year limited—
Carry CaseYes (pouch)Yes (hard carry case)

Takeaways

  • It's a tie on our rating (3.5/5) between ATH-M50xBT2 and QuietComfort, so choose on the rows that matter most to you.
  • Choose ATH-M50xBT2 for music listeners.
  • Choose QuietComfort for travellers on a mid budget.

Pros and Cons

ATH-M50xBT2

PROS

  • 45 mm drivers, largest here
  • LDAC, AAC and SBC
  • About 50 h battery
  • Multipoint and low latency mode

CONS

  • No active noise cancelling
  • Heavier at 307 g

QuietComfort

PROS

  • Bose active noise cancelling
  • Lighter than the QC Ultra
  • Hard carry case
  • Protein leather cushions

CONS

  • 24 h battery is below most rivals here
  • Bluetooth version and codecs not listed on the page we checked

Similar Comparisons

Quick Verdict

  • ATH-M50xBT2 7.1Best overallLeads in Voice & Mic Clarity
  • QuietComfort 6.6Leads in Comfort & Ergonomics, Connectivity & Range