Over-Ear
Audio-Technica Ad500x
66Good
$120
Full review dataAudio-Technica Ad500x vs Wavefun Wave Pro X: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Wavefun Wave Pro X comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 89. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Wavefun Wave Pro X - Outstanding overall at around $130.
Over-Ear
Wavefun Wave Pro X
89Outstanding
$130
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Wavefun Wave Pro X leads on 6 of 7 measures.
- Audio-Technica Ad500x
- Wavefun Wave Pro X
HearWiki score
66
89
Sound
7.2
8.5
Noise cancelling
-
8.0
Battery
-
9.5
Calls
-
7.5
Value
7.4
9.0
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?
Same generation
The Wavefun Wave Pro X is 13 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. The platform is level; the newer hardware shows up in convenience features instead - the Wavefun Wave Pro X adds Wireless charging, USB-C, Wear detection and Transparency mode. For 13 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- Ad500x2013
- Wave Pro X202613 yr newer
What differsAd500xWave Pro X
- Wireless charging
- No
- Yes
- USB-C
- No
- Yes
- Wear detection
- No
- Yes
- Transparency mode
- No
- Yes
Everyday features
Specifications
Ad500xWave Pro X
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $120
- $130
- HearWiki score
- 66
- 89
- Released
- 2013
- 2026
- Availability
- Still sold new
- Sold new
- Driver
- 53 mm dynamic
- 2× 40 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 53 mm
- 40 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 2
- 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
- Multipoint pairing
- No
- -
- Wireless range
- -
- 10 m
- Battery life
- -
- 100 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- -
- 60 h
- Wireless charging
- No
- Yes
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- Yes
- ANC type
- none
- -
- Transparency mode
- No
- Yes
- Companion app
- No
- -
- Custom EQ
- No
- -
- Wear detection
- No
- Yes
- Controls
- none
- -
- Weight
- 235 g
- -
- Water resistance
- none
- -
- Foldable
- -
- Yes
- Detachable cable
- -
- Yes
- USB-C
- No
- Yes
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
Wavefun Wave Pro X
The Wavefun Wave Pro X is a versatile over-ear wireless headphone with a claimed 100-hour battery life (60 with ANC on), Bluetooth 6.0, and a foldable design for portability. It features active noise cancellation, transparency mode, wear detection, and a detachable cable for wired use, making it a strong budget-friendly option for everyday listening.
- Pro:Exceptional 100-hour battery life (60 with ANC)
- Pro:Includes ANC, transparency mode, and wear detection
- Pro:Foldable design with USB-C and wireless charging
- Con:No mention of high-resolution codec support in specs
- Con:Frequency response range is standard, not extended
- Con:Plastic build may feel less premium at this price
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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