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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a wireless, all-day work headset built for calls and meetings, choose Jabra Evolve2; if you need wired, studio-grade monitoring headphones for critical listening, choose Audio-Technica ATH-M50x.
• Jabra Evolve2 — biggest strength: Wireless freedom with Bluetooth 5.2, dual-device pairing (laptop + phone), active noise cancellation, and a two-microphone array for clear voice pickup on calls.
• Jabra Evolve2 — biggest trade-off: It's a mono, on-ear work headset with a plastic build, so it's aimed at communication and portability rather than serious music production or studio monitoring.
• Audio-Technica ATH-M50x — biggest strength: 45mm large-aperture dynamic drivers with a 15–28,000 Hz frequency response, delivering accurate, detailed sound for critical listening and monitoring.
• Audio-Technica ATH-M50x — biggest trade-off: It's wired only with no active noise cancellation and no Bluetooth, so you're tethered to your source and rely on passive isolation instead.
• Who each is for: Jabra Evolve2 suits hybrid workers, remote teams, and anyone on calls all day; ATH-M50x suits producers, engineers, and listeners who want a neutral, wired reference sound.
The Jabra Evolve2 is, at its core, a communications tool. It connects wirelessly to your laptop and your phone simultaneously via Bluetooth 5.2, so you can move between a video call and a mobile conversation without re-pairing anything. The package includes a Link 380 Bluetooth adapter, a USB cable, and a carry pouch — the adapter matters if you want a more stable, low-latency connection to a computer than standard Bluetooth often delivers.
For sound, it pairs active noise cancellation with two premium microphones. That combination is the whole pitch: ANC lowers what you hear from the room around you, while the mics are tuned to keep your voice clear on the other end. It's certified for Microsoft Teams and works with UC platforms like Zoom and Google Meet, which tells you exactly who this was designed for — people whose job runs through meeting software.
Comfort is handled by Jabra's AirComfort design, which is meant to keep the headset light enough to wear through long back-to-back meetings. The controls are touch-based, and the enclosure is plastic, which keeps the weight down — the headset itself is listed at 2.72 ounces.
Who should skip it: if your priority is music fidelity or studio monitoring, this isn't the tool. It's a mono on-ear headset with a 20,000 Hz frequency ceiling — built for voice, not for critical listening.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x: Who It's For
The ATH-M50x is the opposite kind of product: a wired, closed-back monitoring headphone. Its 45mm large-aperture dynamic drivers and 15–28,000 Hz frequency response are spec'd for accurate, neutral reproduction — the kind of sound engineers want when they're checking a mix rather than enjoying one. At 38 ohms and 99 dB sensitivity, it's efficient enough to run from a range of gear without demanding a dedicated amp.
Because it's wired, there's no battery, no pairing, and no codec to think about — just a 3.5mm jack and a 6.3mm screw-on adapter for studio interfaces and mixers. Audio-Technica includes three interchangeable cables: a coiled 3.9–9.8 ft option, a straight 9.8 ft option, and a short 3.9 ft straight cable. That's genuinely useful. The coiled one keeps your desk tidy, the long straight one reaches across a room, and the short one suits mobile setups.
Noise control here is passive. The closed-back design seals around the ear and blocks external sound by isolation rather than electronics, which also means minimal bleed — helpful when you're tracking vocals or working near a microphone. The earcups are contoured and the headphone collapses for transport, and it ships with a protective pouch. The build uses aluminum in the enclosure, which speaks to the durability Audio-Technica is going for.
Who should buy it: producers, engineers, podcasters, and anyone who wants a dependable wired reference headphone for mixing, editing, or focused listening.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for wireless freedom → Jabra Evolve2. Bluetooth 5.2 with a 30-meter range and dual laptop/phone connectivity.
• Best for call clarity → Jabra Evolve2. Two premium microphones plus Teams certification and UC-platform support.
• Best for blocking noise electronically → Jabra Evolve2. Active Noise Cancellation is built in.
• Best for sound accuracy → Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. 45mm drivers and a 15–28,000 Hz response built for critical listening.
• Best for passive isolation and zero bleed → Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. The closed-back seal does the work without any electronics.
• Best for cable flexibility → Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. Three interchangeable cables, including coiled and long straight options.
• Best for travel and storage → Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. It collapses and comes with a protective pouch.
• Best for all-day meeting comfort → Jabra Evolve2. AirComfort design and a lightweight build aimed at long sessions.
• Best for studio and pro audio work → Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. Aluminum enclosure, 6.3mm adapter, and a monitoring-first tuning.
If I had to pick one, it comes down to what you actually do all day. For anyone whose work lives in Zoom, Teams, and phone calls, I'd buy the Jabra Evolve2 — the wireless dual-device connection, ANC, and dedicated call microphones solve a real daily problem that the ATH-M50x simply isn't built for. But if your priority is accurate sound for mixing, editing, or serious listening, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is the better tool, and its wired design and interchangeable cables are strengths, not compromises. In my opinion there's no single winner here — there's a right tool for each job, and they barely overlap.
The Jabra Evolve2, clearly. It has two dedicated microphones, active noise cancellation, Bluetooth 5.2, and certification for Microsoft Teams and UC platforms. The ATH-M50x is wired with no microphone and no call features.
No. The ATH-M50x is a wired headphone with a 3.5mm jack and a 6.3mm adapter. There's no Bluetooth and no battery. If you want wireless, the Jabra Evolve2 is the one built for it.
For critical listening and studio work, the ATH-M50x. Its 45mm drivers and 15–28,000 Hz frequency response are designed for accurate reproduction. The Jabra Evolve2 tops out at 20,000 Hz and is tuned for voice, not mixing.
The Jabra Evolve2, which has active noise cancellation. The ATH-M50x relies on passive isolation from its closed-back seal — effective, but not electronic. Check the current price on Amazon for each before deciding, since value depends on what you're using them for.
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