How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-06 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• beyerdynamic EDT 700 — biggest strength: velour surfaces with soft memory foam and added fleece pads, which together point to long-session comfort and good air circulation around the ear.
• beyerdynamic EDT 700 — biggest trade-off: it is a spare-part kit, not a headphone. It only fits the DT 700 PRO X, so it does nothing if you don't already own that model.
• Audio-Technica ATH-M50XLAB — biggest strength: 45 mm large-aperture dynamic drivers with copper-clad aluminum voice coils in a closed-back, over-ear design, giving you a complete listenable product out of the box.
• Audio-Technica ATH-M50XLAB — biggest trade-off: it's a wired-first studio monitor, so cable management is part of your setup rather than something you can ignore.
• Who the EDT 700 is for: existing DT 700 PRO X owners whose pads are worn and who want the stock velour feel back.
• Who the ATH-M50XLAB is for: anyone who wants one pair of over-ear headphones for mobile gaming, monitoring, and everyday listening without buying a headphone separately.
Let's be clear about what this thing actually is, because a lot of people land on this page expecting a headphone. The EDT 700 is a replacement ear pad set for the beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X. Two pads, two fleece pads, one clamping ring. That's the whole package. It's grey velour with memory foam underneath.
What it does best is restore comfort. Velour is the material choice here specifically because it breathes — it lets air circulate around your ear instead of trapping heat the way a sealed pleather pad does. If you've ever pulled off a headset after a two-hour mobile gaming session and felt that damp, sticky ring around your ears, you know exactly why that matters. The memory foam layer is the other half of the story: it conforms to the shape of your head rather than pressing a flat disc against it, which is what keeps clamping force tolerable over long stretches.
Who should buy it? DT 700 PRO X owners. Full stop. If your original pads are flattened, flaking, or just no longer comfortable, this is the intended fix and the fit is guaranteed by the spec sheet — the compatible model is listed as the DT 700 PRO X.
Who should skip it? Anyone who doesn't own a DT 700 PRO X. There's no universal fit here. And if you're starting from zero and want headphones for mobile gaming, this purchase gets you nowhere — you'd be holding a pad kit with nothing to attach it to. In that case, keep reading.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50XLAB: Who It's For
This is a completely different kind of purchase, and I want to be upfront that comparing a pad set to a headphone is apples-to-oranges. But that's exactly why people search these two names together: one is the cheap fix, the other is the real thing.
The ATH-M50XLAB is a closed-back, over-ear studio monitor headphone. The core of it is a 45 mm large-aperture dynamic driver with copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils. In plain terms, that's a big driver — big drivers move more air, and more air movement is what gives you the deep, accurate bass response Audio-Technica describes here without the low end turning to mush. Impedance sits at 38 ohm and sensitivity at 99 dB, with an extended frequency response running up to 28,000 Hz. A 38-ohm load is friendly — it doesn't demand a dedicated amp to get loud, which is why these work fine straight off a phone or a controller.
For mobile gaming specifically, two design details matter more than the driver specs. First, the 90° swiveling earcups. You can rotate one cup flat against your head to hear the room around you — or to listen to a teammate sitting next to you — without taking the headphones off. That's a genuinely useful trick during a match. Second, the collapsible, fold-flat build, which is what makes these realistic to toss in a bag.
The circumaural design contours around the ear rather than pressing on it, and Audio-Technica leans on that plus plush isolation pads for ambient noise blocking. That's passive isolation — there's no active noise cancelling circuitry in the spec sheet, so don't expect electronics to do the work. It's the seal doing it. Weight is listed at 288 g, which is on the heavier side for long sessions but consistent with the stainless steel enclosure material and the durability claims around the earpads and headband.
Who should buy it? Someone who wants one set of over-ear headphones that handles gaming, monitoring, and general listening, and who's fine with a cable. Who should skip it? Anyone who needs true wireless freedom or real active noise cancelling — this isn't that product.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• You already own a DT 700 PRO X and your pads are worn → beyerdynamic EDT 700. Nothing else fits.
• You want headphones you can actually listen to → Audio-Technica ATH-M50XLAB. The EDT 700 has no drivers, no cable, no jack.
• Best for long-session comfort → beyerdynamic EDT 700. Velour plus memory foam is the more breathable combination on paper.
• Best for one-ear monitoring mid-game → Audio-Technica ATH-M50XLAB. The 90° swiveling earcups are built for exactly that.
• Best for travel and packing → Audio-Technica ATH-M50XLAB. Collapsible and fold-flat beats a pad kit in any bag.
• Best for deep bass without an amp → Audio-Technica ATH-M50XLAB. 45 mm drivers at 38 ohm will run off a phone.
• Best for ambient noise blocking → Audio-Technica ATH-M50XLAB. The circumaural seal is the mechanism; neither product offers active noise cancelling.
• Best for a low-commitment refresh → beyerdynamic EDT 700. It's a maintenance part, not a new setup.
• Best all-rounder for mobile gaming → Audio-Technica ATH-M50XLAB, in my opinion, simply because it's a complete product.
I'd buy the Audio-Technica ATH-M50XLAB. If you're setting up for mobile gaming and you don't already own a DT 700 PRO X, the EDT 700 is a dead end — it's a pad kit with nothing to attach to, and no amount of velour comfort changes that. The M50XLAB gives you 45 mm drivers, a 38-ohm load that runs off a phone, swiveling cups for one-ear listening, and a fold-flat body you can actually carry. The EDT 700 wins only in one narrow scenario: you own the DT 700 PRO X and your pads are done. In that case, buy it and move on. For everyone else, get the headphones. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit.
No. It's a replacement ear pad set — two velour pads, two fleece pads, and a clamping ring — made for the beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X. If you don't own that model, it isn't a usable purchase on its own.
In my opinion, yes. The 38-ohm impedance and 99 dB sensitivity mean they get loud without a separate amp, and the 90° swiveling earcups let you flip one side off for one-ear monitoring. The wired 3.5 mm connection is the main trade-off.
No. The spec sheet lists sound isolation, not active noise cancelling. The circumaural design and plush pads create a passive seal that reduces ambient noise, but there's no ANC circuitry. If active noise cancelling is a hard requirement, neither of these products is the right pick.
They solve different problems, so value depends on what you already own. The EDT 700 is a targeted maintenance part for DT 700 PRO X owners. The M50XLAB is a full headphone. Compare the current price on Amazon for each and judge against your actual need — replacing pads versus buying a headphone.
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.
See also: Bhvrtls 2026 vs Bucephalus Earbuds, EURPMASK Choose the color of europe Dual vs JAKO Headphone Stand, how QCY H3S compares to TECKNET Open Ear Headphones, Plugfones Basic vs Dr.meter Kids Ear Protection