If you want wired, closed-back over-ear headphones for office listening and detailed audio, choose Liquid Audio Audio-Technica ATH-M50X; if you need open-ear headphones for swimming and active movement, choose RR SPORTS IP68. For an office desk, I’d choose the ATH-M50X: its over-ear fit, sound-isolating design, and three detachable cable options suit focused listening better. The RR SPORTS makes more sense when water resistance, Bluetooth, and onboard music storage matter more than an enclosed listening experience.
• Liquid Audio Audio-Technica ATH-M50X: Closed-back over-ear design, 45 mm drivers, and a bundle with three detachable cables plus a 10-foot extension; the trade-off is that it’s wired and covers the ears.
• RR SPORTS IP68: Open-ear bone-conduction design, Bluetooth, built-in 32 GB storage, and IP68 waterproofing for swimming; the trade-off is that Bluetooth does not work underwater, so swimming requires MP3 mode.
• For an office desk: Choose the ATH-M50X if you want wired, sound-isolating over-ear headphones and do not mind being connected by cable.
• For swimming or outdoor workouts: Choose the RR SPORTS if you want an open-ear fit, wireless listening on land, and stored audio for water activities.
The ATH-M50X is a wired, closed-back over-ear headphone built around 45 mm dynamic drivers. Its circumaural design sits around the ears, while its sound-isolating construction helps reduce some outside noise. For office listening, that combination is the key appeal: it’s designed for a more enclosed, focused experience than an open-ear sports headphone.
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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
The bundle includes three detachable cables: a short straight cable, a longer straight cable, and a coiled cable, along with a 10-foot extension. That gives you options for a desk setup, a nearby audio source, or a little more room to move. The headphones also fold, and the ear cups swivel 90 degrees, features that can be useful for packing or one-ear monitoring. A carrying pouch and screw-on 1/4-inch adapter are included as well.
I’d consider this model for someone who wants over ear headphones for office work, music, or audio monitoring and values a choice of cable lengths. It is also a reasonable fit for someone who wants a wired connection rather than relying on Bluetooth or headphone battery life. Skip it if you need waterproof headphones, want to move around without a cable, or prefer to keep your ears open to surrounding sounds. The provided details don’t list a battery because this is a wired headphone.
The RR SPORTS IP68 takes a different approach. It uses bone conduction and an open-ear design, so it does not enclose the ears like the ATH-M50X. It connects over Bluetooth 6.0 on land and has a stated range of up to 10 meters, with up to seven hours of battery life. Its lightweight silicone design is intended to stay secure during activities such as running and cycling.
Its defining feature is IP68 waterproofing, with a stated ability to withstand submersion up to 2 meters. It also has 32 GB of built-in storage for audio files. For swimming, the important limitation is that Bluetooth mode does not work underwater: audio needs to be loaded onto the headphones and played in MP3 mode. The listed compatible formats include MP3, WMA, WAV, and FLAC.
This is the more practical choice if swimming is central to your routine or you want open-ear headphones for movement on land. Someone searching for the best bone conduction headphones for office use, or touch control open ear headphones for office, should note that the provided product details do not specify touch controls. Nor do they describe an office-focused sound-isolating design. If your priority is a closed-back fit that helps limit surrounding noise at a desk, the ATH-M50X is the clearer match.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for swimming → RR SPORTS IP68. It is rated IP68 and specified for submersion up to 2 meters; use its onboard MP3 mode in the water.
• Best for a wired desk setup → Liquid Audio Audio-Technica ATH-M50X. It comes with three detachable cables and a 10-foot extension, so you can choose a cable arrangement to suit your workspace.
• Best for phone-free listening during workouts → RR SPORTS IP68. Its built-in 32 GB storage lets you play stored audio without carrying a phone, including while swimming in MP3 mode.
• Best for Bluetooth listening on land → RR SPORTS IP68. It supports Bluetooth 6.0 and lists a connection range of up to 10 meters.
• Best if you want an enclosed over-ear fit → Liquid Audio Audio-Technica ATH-M50X. The ear cups go around the ears; the RR SPORTS design leaves them open.
• Best for extended cable flexibility → Liquid Audio Audio-Technica ATH-M50X. Its included cable choices range from a 1.2-meter straight cable to a 3-meter straight cable, plus a coiled option.
• Best for keeping your ears open to ambient sound → RR SPORTS IP68. Its open-ear bone-conduction design is intended to let you remain aware of sounds around you.
For an office, I would buy the Liquid Audio Audio-Technica ATH-M50X. Its closed-back over-ear design is the more suitable fit for focused desk listening, and the included cable selection makes it adaptable to different setups. The RR SPORTS IP68 has the more compelling feature set for swimming and active use, especially with built-in storage, but those strengths don’t make it the better office pick for me.
FAQ
For office listening, I’d choose the ATH-M50X. It has a closed-back over-ear design and sound isolation, while the RR SPORTS is open-ear and built around active use.
No. The product details specify that Bluetooth mode does not work underwater. Load audio onto its built-in 32 GB storage and use MP3 mode for swimming.
The RR SPORTS IP68 uses Bluetooth and has up to seven hours of battery life. The ATH-M50X is wired and includes detachable cables; it does not rely on a wireless connection.
Neither is designed to cover both needs equally well. The ATH-M50X is the stronger office-focused choice, while the waterproof RR SPORTS is the clear fit for swimming. If you want one pair, decide which use matters more, and check the current price on Amazon using the page’s button.
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