Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Navy Blue
Over-ear · 2022
Sonos Ace
TV Audio Swap · Dolby Atmos · Wireless Home Theater
Sonos Ace takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Navy Blue lands at 85 and Sonos Ace at 87. That puts Sonos Ace ahead by 2 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Navy Blue if…
- ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- ✓Premium build
- ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
Pick Sonos Ace if…
- ✓Unique TV Audio Swap with Arc soundbar
- ✓Great ANC
- ✓Spatial audio
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testSound quality
Sonos AceTuning, detail, and staging
Sonos Ace leads on sound (90 vs 85).
Noise cancelling
Sonos AceANC strength for commute and travel
Sonos Ace leads on anc (90 vs 83).
Comfort
Sonos AceLong-session wearability
Sonos Ace leads on comfort (88 vs 84).
Value for money
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Navy BlueSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Navy Blue more score per dollar ($199 vs $449).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Navy Blue | Sonos Ace |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-ear | — |
| Release year | 2022 | — |
| Driver | — | 40 mm dynamic |
| Battery | — | 30 h |
| Weight | — | 312 g |
| Codecs | — | aptX Lossless via Snapdragon Sound |
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Navy Blue
- +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- +Premium build
- +Active noise cancellation (most models)
- −Battery varies by codec
- −Some are Bluetooth-only
- −Price creep vs previous gen
Sonos Ace
- +Unique TV Audio Swap with Arc soundbar
- +Great ANC
- +Spatial audio
- −Swap feature only works with Arc/Arc Ultra
- −Sonos app issues
- −Heavy
FAQ: Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Navy Blue vs Sonos Ace
Which is better, Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Navy Blue or Sonos Ace? +
Sonos Ace scores 87 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Navy Blue worth the price? +
At $199, Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Navy Blue delivers a Specdex score of 85 — strongest in sound.
Is Sonos Ace worth the price? +
At $449, Sonos Ace delivers a Specdex score of 87 — strongest in features.
Does Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Navy Blue or Sonos Ace 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 · Navy Blue or Sonos Ace? +
Sonos Ace — leads on sound (90 vs 85). Tuning, detail, and staging.
Which is better for noise cancelling, Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 · Navy Blue or Sonos Ace? +
Sonos Ace — leads on anc (90 vs 83). ANC strength for commute and travel.