Over-Ear
Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT
64Average
$64
Full review dataAudio-Technica ATH-S220BT vs Audio-Technica R50x: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Audio-Technica R50x comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 80. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Audio-Technica R50x - Great overall at around $169.
Over-Ear
Audio-Technica R50x
80Great
$170
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Neither pulls ahead overall - they trade wins across the measures.
- Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT
- Audio-Technica R50x
HearWiki score
64
80
Sound
6.8
8.4
Battery
9.0
-
Calls
3.3
-
Value
7.8
8.7
Price (USD)
$64
$170
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 Audio-Technica R50x is 5 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 Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT adds USB-C. For 5 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- ATH-S220BT2020
- R50x20255 yr newer
What differsATH-S220BTR50x
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
Everyday features
Specifications
ATH-S220BTR50x
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $64
- $170
- HearWiki score
- 64
- 80
- Released
- 2020
- 2025
- Availability
- Discontinued
- Sold new
- Driver
- 2× 40 mm dynamic
- 45 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 40 mm
- 45 mm
- Drivers per side
- 2
- 1
- Frequency response
- 5 Hz - 32 kHz
- 5 Hz - 40 kHz
- Impedance
- 32 Ω
- 50 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 105 dB/mW
- 93.3 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- 5.0
- -
- Codecs
- SBC
- -
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- -
- Battery life
- 60 h
- -
- Full charge time
- 240 min
- -
- Quick charge
- 10 min → 3.5 h
- -
- Wireless charging
- No
- -
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- Weight
- 180 g
- 207 g
- Water resistance
- none
- -
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
- Pad material
- -
- velour
- Connector
- 3.5 mm
- 3.5 mm
- Microphones
- 1
- -
- Microphone type
- electret
- -
- Mic sensitivity
- -42 dBV
- -
What reviewers said
Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT
The Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT is a budget-friendly wireless over-ear headphone that prioritizes endurance and everyday practicality over premium extras. It offers a remarkably long battery life, a spacious soundstage for the price, and reliable multipoint connectivity, making it a solid choice for casual listening. The main compromise is its lackluster microphone performance, which affects call quality, and the absence of active noise cancellation.
- Pro:Exceptional battery life of up to 60 hours
- Pro:Spacious and clear sound for the price
- Pro:Supports multipoint connection for two devices
- Con:Weak microphone quality for calls
- Con:Only SBC codec support, no AAC or aptX
- Con:No active noise cancellation
Audio-Technica R50x
The Audio-Technica R50x is a lightweight, open-back wired headphone designed for studio monitoring and mixing tasks. It delivers a neutral-leaning sound with a wide soundstage, fast transients, and a boosted low end, while its 50-ohm impedance makes it easy to drive from everyday devices. The package includes dual detachable cables, though the headband adjustment mechanism could be smoother.
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for long sessions
- Pro:Open, airy soundstage with fast transients
- Pro:Easy to drive from phones or laptops
- Con:Headband adjustment feels rough or not smooth
- Con:Open-back design leaks sound and lets noise in
- Con:Build quality may feel basic 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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