Audio-Technica - ATH-M50xBT2 vs Bose - QuietComfort SC
Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Audio-Technica - ATH-M50xBT2 | Bose - QuietComfort SC |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 50 h | 24 h |
| Weight | 307 g | 240 g |
| Driver size | 45 mm | 35 mm |
| LDAC | true | false |
| Active noise cancellation | false | true |
Between the ATH-M50xBT2 and QuietComfort SC, the ATH-M50xBT2 comes out ahead in battery life / driver size, while the QuietComfort SC wins on weight / active noise cancellation. Overall, the ATH-M50xBT2 scores 59.8 and the QuietComfort SC scores 70.2 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The QuietComfort SC is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 10.4 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the ATH-M50xBT2 if your top frustration with your current device is running out of charge before the day ends — endurance is the lead spec here. The biggest gaps in its favor are battery life, driver size, ldac. The single most decisive one: Battery life — 108.33% more. 50 h vs 24 h.
Pick the QuietComfort SC if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. Its strongest claims are weight, active noise cancellation. The single most decisive one: Weight — 67.00 g less. 240 vs 307.
Both ship with comparable spatial audio, multipoint, water resistance, so those specs do not separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the QuietComfort SC is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Which should you buy: Audio-Technica - ATH-M50xBT2 or Bose - QuietComfort SC?
Bose - QuietComfort SC leads the current Mars Score by 10.4 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare driver size, battery life, weight against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Audio-Technica - ATH-M50xBT2 if…
Audio-Technica - ATH-M50xBT2 has the measurable edge on battery life h, driver size mm, supports ldac.
Choose Bose - QuietComfort SC if…
Bose - QuietComfort SC has the measurable edge on weight g, has anc.
This is a structured comparison of the published catalog values. It is not a claim of identical real-world performance across every workload; use the linked spec drill-downs and methodology page to inspect the inputs.
Why Audio-Technica - ATH-M50xBT2 wins
- ▲Battery life — 108.33% more. 50 h vs 24 h.
- ▲Driver size — 28.57% more. 45 mm vs 35 mm.
- ▲Has LDAC.
Why Bose - QuietComfort SC wins
- ▲Weight — 67.00 g less. 240 vs 307.
- ▲Has Active noise cancellation.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Audio-Technica - ATH-M50xBT2 | Bose - QuietComfort SC |
|---|---|---|
| Type | over-ear | over-ear |
| Weight | 307 g | 240 glead |
| Water resistance | none | none |
Audio
| Spec | Audio-Technica - ATH-M50xBT2 | Bose - QuietComfort SC |
|---|---|---|
| Driver sizeⓘ | 45 mmlead | 35 mm |
| Impedanceⓘ | 38 Ωlead | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivityⓘ | 99 dBlead | 98 dB |
| Active noise cancellationⓘ | false | truelead |
| Transparency mode | false | truelead |
| Spatial audioⓘ | false | false |
Battery
| Spec | Audio-Technica - ATH-M50xBT2 | Bose - QuietComfort SC |
|---|---|---|
| Battery lifeⓘ | 50 hlead | 24 h |
| Fast chargeⓘ | true | true |
Connectivity
| Spec | Audio-Technica - ATH-M50xBT2 | Bose - QuietComfort SC |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetoothⓘ | 5.0 | 5.1lead |
| Multipointⓘ | true | true |
| 3.5mm jack | true | true |
| LDACⓘ | truelead | false |
| aptX HDⓘ | truelead | false |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery life, ATH-M50xBT2 or QuietComfort SC?+
ATH-M50xBT2 lasts 50 hours vs 24 hours.
Do ATH-M50xBT2 or QuietComfort SC have active noise cancellation?+
QuietComfort SC has active noise cancellation; ATH-M50xBT2 does not.
Which supports LDAC, ATH-M50xBT2 or QuietComfort SC?+
ATH-M50xBT2 supports LDAC; QuietComfort SC does not.