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1 / 11Don't care about ANC? Get yourself a set of A-T.
A 3.4 puts its noise isolation in the bottom quarter of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 86 of the 239 we've cataloged.
above average for over-ear headphones — based on 156 of 239 we've cataloged.
Usb-c is the most common — on 88% of the 138 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 239).
5.0 is the most common — on 29% of the 147 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 239).
Bluetooth is the most common — on 44% of the 239 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 239).
Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | -10.3 |
| 25 | -5.5 |
| 32 | -3.1 |
| 40 | -1.5 |
| 50 | -0.9 |
| 63 | -2.8 |
| 80 | -1.0 |
| 100 | -1.0 |
| 125 | -2.4 |
| 160 | -4.0 |
| 200 | -4.9 |
| 250 | -7.3 |
| 315 | -8.2 |
| 400 | -5.2 |
| 500 | -2.8 |
| 630 | -1.1 |
| 800 | -0.4 |
| 1000 | -0.1 |
| 1250 | 0.5 |
| 1600 | 0.4 |
| 2000 | 3.4 |
| 2500 | 4.2 |
| 3150 | 4.3 |
| 4000 | 2.4 |
| 5000 | 2.3 |
| 6300 | 0.5 |
| 8000 | 4.1 |
| 10000 | 3.7 |
| 12500 | -0.1 |
| 16000 | -3.9 |
| 20000 | -25.3 |
Passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | -2.6 |
| 26 | -1.6 |
| 33 | -0.5 |
| 41 | -0.5 |
| 52 | -0.5 |
| 65 | -1.1 |
| 82 | -0.3 |
| 103 | -1.4 |
| 130 | -0.2 |
| 163 | -0.8 |
| 205 | -1.0 |
| 259 | 0.0 |
| 325 | 1.9 |
| 410 | 4.3 |
| 516 | 7.6 |
| 613 | 8.1 |
| 772 | 8.9 |
| 972 | 12.4 |
| 1220 | 12.7 |
| 1540 | 10.9 |
| 1940 | 8.0 |
| 2440 | 18.8 |
| 3070 | 21.9 |
| 3870 | 21.4 |
| 4870 | 31.8 |
| 6130 | 31.5 |
| 7720 | 27.7 |
| 9720 | 34.2 |
| 12200 | 32.2 |
| 15400 | 36.0 |
| 19400 | 27.4 |
An old favorite gets some revitalization, allowing you to switch between your smartphone and the studio with the same headset. The sound quality and connectivity are great, and so is the 10-minute quick charge on the ATH-M50xBT2. This is an easy pick for most people, but it's not perfect.
Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.











