ATH-M50xBT2 vs Evolve2 85 Comparison

Compare ATH-M50xBT2 vs Evolve2 85 side by side: specs, ratings, pros and cons, and which one fits your room best.

On this page
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
ATH-M50xBT2
Editor's pick
Jabra Evolve2 85
Evolve2 85

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
Certified
—
Evolve2 85

The Jabra Evolve2 85 is Jabra's top over-ear office headset. It has 40 mm speakers, digital hybrid ANC using four microphones, and ten microphones in total (4 analog and 6 digital MEMS) with a discreet hidden boom arm.

View on Jabra (opens in a new tab)
Best For
Open offices
Style
Over-ear headband
Weight
286 g
ANC
Digital hybrid ANC (4 mics)
Mics
10 (4 analog + 6 digital MEMS)
Boom Mic
Yes (discreet hidden boom arm)
Talk Time
26 h
Connect
Bluetooth, USB-A/USB-C Bluetooth adapter (Link 390), 3.5 mm cable
Certified
Leading UC vendors; Microsoft Teams Open Office (variant)

Review Scores Compared

Expert Score

  • ATH-M50xBT27.1/10
  • Evolve2 858.6/10 Leads

Voice & Mic Clarity

  • ATH-M50xBT25.8/10
  • Evolve2 858.7/10 Leads

Comfort & Ergonomics

  • ATH-M50xBT28.0/10
  • Evolve2 859.0/10 Leads

Connectivity & Range

  • ATH-M50xBT27.5/10
  • Evolve2 858.5/10 Leads

Battery & Charging

  • ATH-M50xBT2—
  • Evolve2 857.4/10

Certification & Controls

  • ATH-M50xBT28.0/10
  • Evolve2 859.3/10 Leads

Why ATH-M50xBT2 Beats Evolve2 85 (and Vice Versa)

Why ATH-M50xBT2 beats Evolve2 85

  • Driver Size: 45 mm vs 40 mm
  • Wired Listening: Yes (1.2 m 3.5 mm cable included) vs Yes (3.5 mm cable included)
  • Mic Frequency Response: 85 Hz - 15 kHz vs Analog 5 Hz - 20 kHz; digital 100 Hz - 8 kHz
  • Charging Time: 3.5 h vs Up to 140 min
  • Music Time: 50 h vs 37 h

Why Evolve2 85 beats ATH-M50xBT2

  • Better voice & mic clarity: 8.7 vs 5.8 out of 10
  • Better certification & controls: 9.3 vs 8.0 out of 10
  • Better comfort & ergonomics: 9.0 vs 8.0 out of 10
  • Better connectivity & range: 8.5 vs 7.5 out of 10
  • Weight: 286 g vs 307 g
  • Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz (music); 100 Hz - 8 kHz (speak) vs 15 Hz - 28 kHz

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

Full Specifications

General

ATH-M50xBT2Evolve2 85
Best ForMusic listenersOpen offices
Wearing StyleOver-ear, closed-backOver-ear headband

Design & Build

ATH-M50xBT2Evolve2 85
Weight307 g286 g Better
Materials—Leatherette-covered foam headband and ear cushions
Ear Cushions—Soft audio foam, leatherette
Headband—Ultra-soft foam covered in leatherette
Dimensions—199 x 160 x 77 mm

Audio

ATH-M50xBT2Evolve2 85
Driver Size45 mm Better40 mm
Frequency Response15 Hz - 28 kHz20 Hz - 20 kHz (music); 100 Hz - 8 kHz (speak) Better
Bluetooth CodecsLDAC, AAC, SBCSBC, AAC
Driver TypeClosed-back dynamic—
Impedance38 Ω—
Sensitivity99 dB/mW117 dB @ 1 mW / 1 kHz Better
Custom EQA-T Connect app EQ—
Wired ListeningYes (1.2 m 3.5 mm cable included) BetterYes (3.5 mm cable included)
Stereo / MonoStereoStereo
Speaker Bandwidth (Calls)—100 Hz - 8 kHz (speak mode)
Hearing Protection—Jabra SafeTone
SidetoneYes—

Noise Cancelling

ATH-M50xBT2Evolve2 85
Noise CancellingNone (closed-back passive isolation)Digital hybrid ANC (4 mics)
Active Noise CancellingNoYes Better

Microphone

ATH-M50xBT2Evolve2 85
Microphones210 (4 analog + 6 digital MEMS) Better
Microphone Setup2 MEMS, beamforming4 analog MEMS / 6 digital MEMS
Call Noise ReductionBeamformingMeets Microsoft Teams Open Office requirements
Boom MicNoYes (discreet hidden boom arm) Better
Mute ControlMute button—
Busylight—Yes
Mic Frequency Response85 Hz - 15 kHz BetterAnalog 5 Hz - 20 kHz; digital 100 Hz - 8 kHz
Mic Pickup PatternOmnidirectional—
Open Office Certified—Yes

Battery & Charging

ATH-M50xBT2Evolve2 85
Talk Time—26 h
Charging Time3.5 h BetterUp to 140 min
Fast ChargingYes (10 min = 3 h)Yes (30% after 30 min)
Charging Stand—Desk stand (SKU dependent)
Music Time50 h Better37 h
Charging PortUSB-C—
Talk Time (ANC On)—21 h

Connectivity

ATH-M50xBT2Evolve2 85
ConnectionBluetooth, 3.5 mm cableBluetooth, USB-A/USB-C Bluetooth adapter (Link 390), 3.5 mm cable Better
Bluetooth Version5.05.0
USB Dongle—Jabra Link 390
MultipointYes (2 devices)Yes (2 simultaneous, 8 paired)
Wireless Range10 m30 m Better
Certifications—Leading UC vendors; Microsoft Teams Open Office (variant)
Low-Latency ModeLow latency mode—
Paired Devices—8
Bluetooth ProfilesA2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSPHSP, HFP, A2DP, AVRCP, PBAP, SPP
Cable Length1.2 m1.2 m
Google Fast PairYes—

Controls & App

ATH-M50xBT2Evolve2 85
Management SoftwareA-T ConnectJabra Direct, Jabra Xpress
Voice AssistantAmazon Alexa Built-in, Google Assistant, Siri—
Teams / Call Button—Yes (Microsoft Teams notifications on LED)
IT Remote Management—Jabra Xpress

In the Box

ATH-M50xBT2Evolve2 85
In the Box30 cm USB-A to USB-C cable, 1.2 m audio cable, pouchHeadset, desk stand (SKU dependent), Link 390 adapter, 1.2 m USB-C to USB-A cable, 1.2 m 3.5 mm cable, carry case
Warranty1-year limited2 years
Carry CaseYes (pouch)Yes (carry case)

Takeaways

  • Our pick: Evolve2 85, with the highest spec-based rating (4.5/5).
  • Choose ATH-M50xBT2 for music listeners.
  • Choose Evolve2 85 for open offices.

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

Evolve2 85

PROS

  • 10 microphones and hidden boom arm
  • Digital hybrid ANC
  • Up to 26 h talk, 37 h music
  • Link 390 adapter and 3.5 mm cable

CONS

  • Heaviest headset here at 286 g
  • Bluetooth 5.0 is older than rivals

Similar Comparisons

Quick Verdict

  • ATH-M50xBT2 7.1No outright category lead
  • Evolve2 85 8.6Best overallLeads in Voice & Mic Clarity, Comfort & Ergonomics, Connectivity & Range