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Updated: 2026-10-07 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want wired, open-back headphones built for critical listening and long sessions, choose Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X; if you need a low-cost way to make an existing pair of Beats Studio 2 headphones wireless for video calls and music, choose Bolle & Raven Bolle&Raven. These two products barely compete — one is a complete wired studio headphone, the other is a Bluetooth adapter that upgrades a headphone you already own. Still, if you're shopping for the best ear clip headphones for video calls or just solid head phones for video calls, it helps to understand why one of these is a full headphone and the other is a conversion kit.
• Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X — biggest strength: A genuine open-air, over-ear wired headphone with large 53 mm drivers and a self-adjusting wing support that stays comfortable for hours.
• Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X — biggest trade-off: It's wired and open-back, so it leaks sound both ways and needs a cable plugged into your device.
• Bolle & Raven Bolle&Raven — biggest strength: Turns Beats Studio 2 headphones into a wireless headset with a built-in mic and up to 12 hours of playback and talk time.
• Bolle & Raven Bolle&Raven — biggest trade-off: It only fits the Beats Studio 2 model — not the Solo 2 — and it's an adapter, not a headphone.
• Who each pick is for: Choose the Audio-Technica for wired studio monitoring and detailed listening; choose the Bolle & Raven adapter only if you already own Beats Studio 2 headphones and want to cut the cord.
The ATH-AD500X is a wired, over-ear, open-air headphone. Its defining part is the 53 mm dynamic driver with CCAW voice coils, which Audio-Technica describes as reproducing natural sound with deep bass and strong vocal projection. The frequency range runs from 5 Hz to 25,000 Hz, and the impedance is 48 ohms — low enough that ordinary phones, laptops and audio interfaces can drive it without a dedicated amp. That combination is what makes it interesting for anyone comparing wired studio headphones: you get a big driver and a wide frequency span in a headphone that doesn't demand special gear.
The open-air design is the real story. Because the cups are open, there's no sense of pressure building around your ears, which is exactly why people who wear headphones for six-hour editing or mixing sessions gravitate to this style. The honeycomb aluminum housing keeps the weight down, and the self-adjusting 3D Wing Support Housing floats the headband over your head instead of clamping it. Earpads are a flexible raised fabric, chosen for comfort and durability rather than isolation.
Who should buy it? Anyone who wants a wired headphone for critical listening, tracking, or simply hearing their material with more space and detail. If you work at a desk and can plug in, it's a natural fit. Who should skip it? If you need to block out a noisy room, or you want to walk around untethered, this is the wrong tool — open-back headphones leak sound in both directions, and the connection is a wired 3.5 mm jack with a 6.3 mm adapter included for studio gear. If wireless is non-negotiable, look elsewhere.
The Bolle & Raven Bolle&Raven is not a headphone. It's a wireless Bluetooth adapter built specifically for Beats Studio 2 headphones — and the manufacturer is explicit that it fits the Studio 2 model only and is not compatible with the Solo 2. That single fact decides most of the purchase. If you own Beats Studio 2 headphones with a tired or broken cable, this adapter effectively un-wires them: you plug it in, pair over Bluetooth, and suddenly your existing cans are wireless.
The feature set is practical. There's a built-in microphone and on-board controls, so you can take a call and then jump back to music without reaching for your phone, and it works with both Apple and Android devices. The internal battery is rated for up to 12 hours of uninterrupted playback and talk time. In the box you get the adapter itself, a charging cable, and a user guide, backed by an 18-month guarantee. It's small too — roughly 1.5 x 2 x 3 inches — and it comes in grey.
Who should buy it? Beats Studio 2 owners who want wireless freedom, a working mic, and volume and track controls for a fraction of what a new wireless headset costs. It's a repair-and-upgrade in one. Who should skip it? Anyone who doesn't own Beats Studio 2 headphones — it simply won't fit — and anyone expecting a standalone headphone or a low-latency wireless headset for video calls in the professional sense. It's a convenience adapter, not a monitoring tool.
• Best for wired studio work → Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X. A true wired connection with a 3.5 mm jack and a 6.3 mm adapter for interfaces and amps.
• Best for long, pressure-free sessions → Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X. The open-air design and wing support are built for hours without ear fatigue.
• Best for detail and vocal clarity → Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X. The 53 mm drivers and 5–25,000 Hz range are aimed at natural, revealing sound.
• Best for turning old headphones wireless → Bolle & Raven Bolle&Raven. It upgrades Beats Studio 2 headphones to Bluetooth with a built-in mic.
• Best for calls on the move → Bolle & Raven Bolle&Raven. Mic plus on-board controls and up to 12 hours of talk time.
• Best if you already own Beats Studio 2 → Bolle & Raven Bolle&Raven. No point buying a new headphone if a cheap adapter revives the one you have.
• Best if you need isolation → neither, honestly. The ATH-AD500X is open-back and the adapter adds no noise cancelling of its own.
• Best overall for a buyer who wants one complete headphone → Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X. The Bolle & Raven is an accessory, not a finished product.
I'd buy the Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X. It's a complete, wired, open-air headphone with a big driver, a wide frequency range, and a comfort-focused design that suits studio listening and long desk sessions. For video calls specifically, I'd still reach for it over a generic headset because the vocal projection and natural sound make voices easy to hear — as long as you accept the wired connection and the sound leakage that comes with open-back cups. I'd only pick the Bolle & Raven Bolle&Raven if I already owned Beats Studio 2 headphones and wanted to make them wireless for calls and music. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit, since both are easy to find and the adapter is a much smaller purchase.
FAQ
what are the best wired studio headphones
what are wired headphones
Wired headphones connect to your device with a physical cable instead of Bluetooth, which is how the ATH-AD500X works: a 3.5 mm gold-plated jack with a 6.3 mm adapter for studio equipment. The trade-off is no cable-free movement, but you get a stable connection.
are all studio headphones wired
No. Many studio headphones are wired, and the ATH-AD500X is a clear example, but wireless options exist too. That's where an adapter like the Bolle & Raven Bolle&Raven comes in — it converts Beats Studio 2 headphones to Bluetooth rather than being wired itself.
what headphones do professional studios use
Studios typically use wired, over-ear headphones for monitoring, because a cable avoids Bluetooth latency and dropouts. The ATH-AD500X fits that mold with a wired connection and a stated 10 ms audio latency figure, though it's a consumer audiophile model rather than a dedicated studio monitor.
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