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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
Bose QC45 wins by 3
Bose QC45 — Over-ear · 2021
Bose

Bose QC45

Over-ear · 2021

88
/ 100
From $329
Specdex verdict

Bose QC45 takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Midnight Black lands at 85 and Bose QC45 at 88. That puts Bose QC45 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 Bose QC45 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

Bose QC45

Tuning, detail, and staging

Bose QC45 leads on sound (88 vs 85).

Noise cancelling

Bose QC45

ANC strength for commute and travel

Bose QC45 leads on anc (86 vs 83).

Comfort

Bose QC45

Long-session wearability

Bose QC45 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 $329).

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Midnight Black 85
vs
88 Bose QC45

Score breakdown

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Midnight Black
85
anc 83
sound 85
comfort 84
battery 82
features 81
Bose QC45
88
anc 86
sound 88
comfort 87
battery 82
features 84

Specs side-by-side

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Midnight Black versus Bose QC45 — full spec comparison
Spec Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Midnight Black Bose QC45
Type
Over-ear
Over-ear
Release year
2022
2021

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

Bose QC45

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 Bose QC45

Which is better, Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Midnight Black or Bose QC45? +

Bose QC45 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 Bose QC45 worth the price? +

At $329, Bose QC45 delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in sound.

Does Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Midnight Black or Bose QC45 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 Bose QC45? +

Bose QC45 — leads on sound (88 vs 85). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Midnight Black or Bose QC45? +

Bose QC45 — leads on anc (86 vs 83). ANC strength for commute and travel.