If you want pristine, open-air sound for focused listening and calls in a quiet room, choose Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X; if you need all-day battery life, active noise cancellation, and wireless freedom for travel or noisy environments, choose Anker Soundcore Space 2.
• Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X: Delivers natural, wide soundstage with lightweight comfort but offers no noise isolation and requires a wired connection. Best for audiophiles who prioritize audio fidelity over portability.
• Anker Soundcore Space 2: Features powerful active noise cancellation and massive 70-hour battery life with Bluetooth 6.1 convenience, though it uses smaller drivers and a closed design. Ideal for travelers and commuters who need silence and mobility.
The Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X is engineered for the listener who demands accuracy above all else. Its newly designed 53 mm drivers with CCAW voice coils are tuned to reproduce remarkably natural sound, offering deep, impactful bass without sacrificing vocal clarity. This is not a headset built to block out the world; it is an open-air design that creates a completely natural sensation by eliminating the pressure on your ears often found in sealed cans. The result is a soundscape that feels expansive and uncolored, making it exceptional for critical listening sessions where detail retrieval matters most.
For someone using these headphones for calls, the experience is defined by outstanding vocal projection. Because the drivers are specifically optimized to highlight human voices within the frequency range of 5 to 25,000 Hz, conversations come through with a level of realism that many consumer headsets struggle to match. However, this comes with a significant trade-off: the open-back design means there is zero sound isolation. If you are in a busy coffee shop, on a plane, or in a household with constant background noise, you will hear everything around you, and others will hear what you are listening to.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-27 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
This product is strictly for those who value physical comfort during long sessions. The lightweight honeycomb aluminum casing keeps the weight manageable, while the self-adjusting 3D Wing Support Housing distributes the load evenly across your head. Combined with flexible raised-fabric earpads, it is built for extended wear without fatigue. The included OFC cable with its elastic TPE sheath prevents tangles, ensuring a reliable wired connection via the gold-plated 3.5 mm jack. You should buy this if you have a dedicated listening space and want the best possible audio quality for music and clear communication. You should skip it if you need wireless connectivity, active noise cancellation, or any form of privacy from your surroundings.
The Anker Soundcore Space 2 is a travel-ready powerhouse designed for the modern user who refuses to be tethered to a device. Its primary strength lies in its ability to create a personal bubble anywhere you go. The 4-stage low-frequency noise cancelling system actively targets and blocks out a wide range of environmental rumble, from jet engines to city traffic. This hybrid noise cancellation technology makes it an ideal choice for anyone looking for sleep headphones for calls or simply trying to focus in a chaotic office environment. Unlike the open-air design of the Audio-Technica, the Space 2 uses a closed enclosure made of ABS and Polycarbonate to seal sound in and keep distractions out.
Battery life is where this model truly separates itself from the competition. With up to 70 hours of playtime when ANC is off, or 50 hours with it enabled, you can go days without charging. Even better, the ultra-fast charging capability delivers four hours of listening from just a five-minute charge, effectively eliminating battery anxiety during long journeys. The inclusion of Bluetooth 6.1 ensures a stable wireless connection with a range of up to 15 meters, allowing you to move freely without dropouts. For gaming headset for calls scenarios where mobility is key, the lack of a wire is a game-changer.
Comfort is also a major selling point here, tailored specifically for long-haul use. The ergonomic headband and upgraded protein leather ear cushions feature slow-rebound memory foam, which provides a pressure-relieving fit that lasts for hours. Additional features like Nap Mode allow you to instantly access built-in white noise soundscapes with a single tap, helping you reset or fall asleep. However, the trade-off involves the driver size; the 40 millimeter dynamic drivers, while efficient, are physically smaller than the 53 mm units found in the Audio-Technica. While they offer high sensitivity at 120 dB, the acoustic architecture is different, prioritizing isolation and portability over the open, airy soundstage of a dedicated audiophile headphone.
• Best for wireless freedom → Anker Soundcore Space 2: The Bluetooth 6.1 connectivity allows for untethered movement, whereas the Audio-Technica requires a physical cable.
• Best for battery longevity → Anker Soundcore Space 2: With 70 hours of playback, it far outlasts the non-battery-dependent wired nature of the ATH-AD500X.
• Best for soundstage and openness → Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X: The open-air design provides a natural, spacious audio experience that closed headphones cannot replicate.
• Best for noise isolation → Anker Soundcore Space 2: Active noise cancellation and a sealed design block out external noise, unlike the leaky open-back ATH-AD500X.
• Best for vocal clarity in music → Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X: The 53 mm drivers are specifically tuned for outstanding vocal projection and natural sound reproduction.
• Best for travel and commuting → Anker Soundcore Space 2: The compact design, carrying pouch, and ANC make it perfect for flights and trains.
• Best for call clarity in quiet rooms → Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X: The frequency response and driver tuning excel at projecting human voice naturally.
• Best for active call handling on the go → Anker Soundcore Space 2: Wireless capability and AI-enhanced call features suit mobile users better than a fixed wired setup.
If I had to pick one set of headphones to carry with me for daily use, especially when considering the specific need for calls while moving through different environments, I would choose the Anker Soundcore Space 2. The combination of active noise cancellation and a 70-hour battery life offers a level of utility that the Audio-Technica simply cannot match. While the ATH-AD500X produces a more authentic, open sound for stationary listening, the Space 2 adapts to my life, whether I am on a plane, in a noisy office, or relaxing at home. For anyone needing a versatile tool for calls and entertainment that doesn't require a power outlet every few hours, the Space 2 is the practical winner.
The Anker Soundcore Space 2 is better suited for sleep due to its "Nap Mode" with built-in white noise and soft protein leather cushions that prevent pressure points. The Audio-Technica lacks noise isolation and could disturb a partner with sound leakage.
No, the 48-ohm impedance and 53 mm drivers are designed to work well with standard devices like phones or computers without requiring a dedicated amplifier, though they benefit from higher-quality sources.
The Anker Soundcore Space 2 offers up to 70 hours of wireless playtime, whereas the Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X has no battery since it is a fully wired, passive device that draws power directly from your source.
The Anker Soundcore Space 2 includes a travel pouch and is built with robust materials to withstand transport, while the Audio-Technica's open design and delicate fabric pads are less ideal for rough handling outside a home studio.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.