Audio-Technica Ad500x vs Earfun Wave Pro X: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Earfun Wave Pro X comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 85. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Earfun Wave Pro X - Outstanding overall at around $130.

Over-Ear

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Earfun Wave Pro X leads on 6 of 7 measures.

Audio-Technica Ad500x
Earfun Wave Pro X

HearWiki score

Sound

7.2

8.3

Noise cancelling

7.8

Battery

9.5

Calls

7.7

Value

7.4

9.6

Price (USD)

$120

$130

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Half a step newer

Earfun Wave Pro X (2026) against Audio-Technica Ad500x (2013). The Earfun Wave Pro X edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Hybrid against None. It also adds Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Transparency mode and Custom EQ.

Ad500x2013
Wave Pro X202613 yr newer

What differsAd500xWave Pro X

ANC type: None; Hybrid
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
USB-C: No; Yes
Transparency mode: No; Yes
Custom EQ: No; Yes
Companion app: No; Yes

Specifications

Ad500xWave Pro X

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $120; $130
HearWiki score: 66; 85
Released: 2013; 2026
Availability: Still sold new; Sold new
Driver: 53 mm dynamic; 40 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 53 mm; 40 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 5 Hz - 25 kHz; 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance: 48 Ω; -
Sensitivity: 100 dB/mW; -
Sensitivity (dB/Vrms): 118.3; -
Bluetooth: -; 6.0
Codecs: -; SBC, aptX, LC3, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
Battery life: -; 90 h
Battery life (ANC on): -; 50 h
Full charge time: -; 120 min
Wireless charging: No; -
Active noise cancelling: No; Yes
ANC type: none; hybrid
Transparency mode: No; Yes
Companion app: No; Yes
Custom EQ: No; Yes
Wear detection: No; No
Controls: none; buttons
Weight: 235 g; 259 g
Water resistance: none; -
USB-C: No; Yes
Microphones: -; 8
Call noise reduction: -; Yes
Call NR technology: -; noise-cancelling mic

Specification comparison of Audio-Technica Ad500x vs Earfun Wave Pro X
Spec	Audio-Technica Ad500x	Earfun Wave Pro X
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$120	$130
HearWiki score	66 / 100 Good	85 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2013	2026
Audio
Driver	53 mm dynamic	40 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	53 mm	40 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	5 Hz - 25 kHz	20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance	48 Ω	-
Sensitivity	100 dB/mW	-
Sensitivity (dB/Vrms)	118.3	-
Wireless
Bluetooth	-	6.0
Codecs	-	SBC, aptX, LC3, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	No	Yes
Battery
Battery life	-	90 h
Battery life (ANC on)	-	50 h
Full charge time	-	120 min
Wireless charging	No	-
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	Yes
ANC type	none	hybrid
Transparency mode	No	Yes
Companion app	No	Yes
Custom EQ	No	Yes
Wear detection	No	No
Controls	none	buttons
Design
Weight	235 g	259 g
Water resistance	none	-
USB-C	No	Yes
Calls
Microphones	-	8
Call noise reduction	-	Yes
Call NR technology	-	noise-cancelling mic

What reviewers said

Audio-Technica Ad500x

The Audio-Technica Ad500x is an open-back, over-ear headphone designed for home listening, featuring large 53 mm dynamic drivers that deliver clear, detailed sound with a notably wide soundstage and strong treble response. Its lightweight build, self-adjusting 3D wing support, and breathable honeycomb aluminum housing provide a comfortable, pressure-free fit for extended sessions. Priced around $120, it offers strong value for those prioritizing soundstage and vocal clarity in a wired, passive setup.

Pro:Lightweight and comfortable with self-adjusting wing support
Pro:Wide, spacious open-back soundstage
Pro:Clear and detailed high-frequency reproduction

Con:No built-in controls or cable remote
Con:Open-back design leaks sound and offers no isolation
Con:Requires a separate amp for best performance due to 48-ohm impedance

Earfun Wave Pro X

The Earfun Wave Pro X is a budget-friendly over-ear wireless headphone that pairs hybrid active noise cancellation with an impressively long battery life. It supports a wide range of high-quality Bluetooth codecs, including LDAC and aptX Lossless, and offers multipoint connectivity for seamless device switching. With its 40mm dynamic drivers and customizable EQ, it aims to deliver a versatile and immersive listening experience at a competitive price point.

Pro:Hybrid ANC effectively reduces ambient noise
Pro:Exceptional battery life, especially with ANC off
Pro:Supports high-resolution codecs like LDAC and aptX Lossless

Con:Plastic build may not feel as premium as pricier rivals
Con:Controls are limited to physical buttons
Con:Frequency response is somewhat narrow for an over-ear model

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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