If you want over-ear headphones for detailed listening and one-ear monitoring, choose Audio Technica ATH-M50XGM; if you need foldable wired headphones with a long, fixed cable, choose Sony MDR7506. For exercise, neither is a sports-earbud design: both are wired, over-ear headphones, so their fit and cable are important considerations.
• Audio Technica ATH-M50XGM: 45 mm drivers, sound isolation, and swiveling earcups are its strengths; its wired over-ear design is a poor match for untethered movement.
• Sony MDR7506: A closed-ear fit, folding design, and long cable suit focused listening and storage; the cable is not detachable.
• Choose Audio Technica if one-ear monitoring, a pair of cable options, and an extended stated frequency range matter to you.
• Choose Sony if you want headphones that fold for storage and include a plug adapter for different jack sizes.
• For either model: These are wired headphones with ear-covering designs, not rechargeable sports earbuds or open-ear headphones.
The ATH-M50XGM is an over-ear, wired headphone built around 45 mm dynamic drivers. Its stated frequency range is 15 Hz to 28,000 Hz, and its listed impedance is 38 ohms. Those figures describe the headphone’s audio specifications, not a guarantee that every listener or device will produce the same result. The design also includes sound isolation, which may appeal to someone who wants fewer outside sounds intruding during focused listening.
Its 90-degree swiveling earcups support one-ear monitoring, a practical feature for audio work where a listener may need to keep one ear available. The package includes a detachable coiled cable that extends from 1.2 m to 3.0 m and a separate 1.2 m straight cable. Having two cable styles gives a buyer more flexibility when choosing a setup, although the headphones remain wired rather than wireless.
I’d consider this model for a home audio workspace, monitoring, or concentrated listening where its over-ear isolation and swivel function are useful. For exercise, the cable and ear-covering design are meaningful drawbacks: they may be less convenient than a compact wireless option when moving around. Skip it if you need open-ear headphones for exercise, a cordless setup, or a purpose-built sports fit.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-16 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
Sony MDR7506: Who It's For
The Sony MDR7506 is another wired, closed-ear headphone, with 40 mm drivers and a stated frequency range of 10 Hz to 20,000 Hz. Its design folds for storage and comes with a soft protective case. That combination makes it easier to pack away between listening sessions, although folding does not change the fact that it is an over-ear headphone with a cable.
The included cable is 9.8 feet long and ends in a gold-plated plug; a 1/4-inch adapter is included as well. The central trade-off is that the cable is not detachable. A long cable can be handy when a listening position is some distance from the connected equipment, but it can also be cumbersome in a smaller space or during movement. The closed-ear construction is intended to reduce outside noise, which suits focused listening better than situations where hearing surrounding sounds is important.
I’d look at the MDR7506 for a home audio setup or other stationary listening where its foldable design, case, and included adapter fit the way you work. For exercise, a long fixed cord is a substantial practical limitation. Skip it if you want a detachable cable, an open-ear design, or a wireless sports headphone.
• Best for one-ear monitoring → Audio Technica ATH-M50XGM. Its earcups swivel 90 degrees, giving it a specific advantage when listening with one ear at a time.
• Best for folding away between sessions → Sony MDR7506. The headphones fold for storage and come with a soft protective case.
• Best if you want two supplied cable options → Audio Technica ATH-M50XGM. It includes a detachable coiled cable and a detachable straight cable.
• Best if you need a long fixed cord → Sony MDR7506. Its 9.8-foot cable provides reach, but it cannot be detached.
• Best for a setup that uses a 1/4-inch jack → Sony MDR7506. A 1/4-inch adapter is included alongside the 3.5 mm connection.
• Best for a higher stated upper frequency limit → Audio Technica ATH-M50XGM. Its listed range reaches 28,000 Hz, compared with the Sony’s 20,000 Hz. That specification alone does not determine which one will sound better to you.
• Best for choosing between coiled and straight cables → Audio Technica ATH-M50XGM. Both cable styles are provided, so you can select the one that better suits your listening space.
• Best for exercise convenience → Neither is an obvious fit. Both are wired, closed or over-ear designs. For activity, cable management and awareness of the surroundings matter, so consider whether these designs match your routine before choosing either.
The biggest decision is not simply which driver size or frequency range looks more appealing. It is whether an over-ear wired headphone makes sense for your setting. Both models cover the ears, both connect by cable, and neither is described as a rechargeable sports headphone. If your routine involves walking, running, or frequent movement, a cord can get in the way, and a closed-ear fit may limit awareness of nearby sounds.
That distinction matters when comparing these models with searches for rechargeable sports earbuds for exercise. Neither the ATH-M50XGM nor the MDR7506 is rechargeable or an earbud; both are wired headphones. Likewise, neither is an open-ear design, so someone specifically looking for comfortable open ear headphones for exercise should compare other types of products rather than treating these as direct matches.
Fit and storage point in different directions. Audio Technica supplies a coiled cable and a straight cable, and its swiveling earcups support one-ear monitoring. Sony folds for storage, includes a protective case, and offers a long cable with an adapter. Those are useful differences for audio work or home listening, but they do not turn either model into a compact exercise option.
Think about who will wear the headphones, too. If you are searching for the best kids headphones for exercise, neither product’s data describes a child-specific fit or an exercise-focused design. Both are listed for adults and use an over-ear form. For a child’s activity, fit, cable handling, and whether the headphone suits the setting deserve more attention than the studio-oriented specifications alone.
Finally, consider the cable as part of the whole setup. The Audio Technica’s cables are detachable, which offers a choice of cord style. Sony’s cord is longer but fixed. If your headphones mostly stay connected to equipment at a desk, either arrangement may work; if you need to move freely, both warrant caution. If price is part of your decision, check the current price on Amazon before choosing.
I would choose the Audio Technica ATH-M50XGM for focused listening because I prefer its swiveling earcups and the flexibility of two detachable cable options. Its 45 mm drivers and stated 15 Hz to 28,000 Hz range add useful context, though specifications alone cannot settle personal sound preference.
For exercise, I would not choose either as my first option: both are wired over-ear headphones, not sports earbuds. If I had to pick between these two for a stationary setup, I’d take Audio Technica; I’d pick Sony instead when folding storage and its included adapter matter more.
FAQ
Neither is designed as a wireless sports earbud or open-ear exercise headphone. Both use an over-ear, wired design, so the cable and fit are important drawbacks for movement.
The ATH-M50XGM includes a detachable coiled cable that extends from 1.2 m to 3.0 m and a detachable 1.2 m straight cable. The MDR7506 has a non-detachable 9.8-foot cable and includes a 1/4-inch adapter.
The Sony MDR7506 folds for storage and comes with a soft protective case. The ATH-M50XGM includes a coiled and a straight cable, but its listed features do not describe a folding design.
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