Over-Ear
Audio-Technica ATH-SR50BT
54Average
$120
Full review dataAudio-Technica ATH-SR50BT vs Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen): which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 85. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) - Outstanding overall at around $359.
Over-Ear
Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)
85Outstanding
$360
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) leads on 6 of 7 measures.
- Audio-Technica ATH-SR50BT
- Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)
HearWiki score
54
85
Sound
7.4
8.2
Noise cancelling
3.2
9.4
Battery
5.2
6.5
Calls
4.2
6.7
Value
-
7.5
Price (USD)
$120
$360
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?
New platform
Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) (2026) against Audio-Technica ATH-SR50BT (2020). The Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.0 and Top codec LDAC against aptX. It also adds Multipoint pairing and USB-C.
- ATH-SR50BT2020
- QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)20266 yr newer
What differsATH-SR50BTQuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)
- Bluetooth
- 5.0
- 5.4
- Top codec
- aptX
- LDAC
- Multipoint pairing
- No
- Yes
- USB-C
- No
- Yes
Platform
Everyday features
Level on: Transparency mode.
Specifications
ATH-SR50BTQuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $120
- $360
- HearWiki score
- 54
- 85
- Released
- 2020
- 2026
- Availability
- Discontinued
- Sold new
- Driver
- 2× 45 mm dynamic
- 40 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 45 mm
- 40 mm
- Drivers per side
- 2
- 1
- Frequency response
- 5 Hz - 40 kHz
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Impedance
- 47 Ω
- 32 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 100 dB/mW
- 110 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- 5.0
- 5.4
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC, aptX
- AAC, LDAC
- Multipoint pairing
- No
- Yes
- Battery life
- 28 h
- 24 h
- Full charge time
- 330 min
- 180 min
- Quick charge
- -
- 15 min → 2.5 h
- Wireless charging
- No
- No
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- Yes
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- Yes
- Companion app
- Yes
- -
- Custom EQ
- No
- -
- Wear detection
- No
- -
- Controls
- buttons
- -
- Weight
- 262 g
- 236 g
- Water resistance
- none
- none
- Foldable
- Yes
- -
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- -
- USB-C
- No
- Yes
- Connector
- 3.5 mm
- -
- Microphones
- 1
- 6
- Microphone type
- condenser
- -
- Mic sensitivity
- -44 dBV
- -
What reviewers said
Audio-Technica ATH-SR50BT
The ATH-SR50BT is a comfortable over-ear wireless headphone with active noise cancellation, a balanced and natural sound profile, and an impressively long battery life that can stretch well beyond a day of use. It feels well-built and portable, though its noise reduction is only moderate and it relies on an older micro-USB port for charging, which is slow. While it lacks conveniences like multipoint pairing and a companion app, it offers a solid, versatile listening experience for everyday use.
- Pro:Very long battery life (around 28–33 hours)
- Pro:Comfortable fit for larger ears
- Pro:Natural, flexible sound with good bass presence
- Con:Noise cancellation is only moderate, not class-leading
- Con:Charging is slow via micro-USB (no USB-C)
- Con:No Bluetooth multipoint or app support
Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)
The Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) are a refined over-ear wireless option that prioritizes all-day comfort and top-tier noise cancellation, with a noticeable bump in sound clarity over their predecessor. They pack a solid 24-hour battery, fast charging, Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint, and a lightweight 236g frame, though the premium price and limited EQ tweaks keep them from being a universal slam dunk. Overall, they're a strong pick for frequent travelers or office workers who value silence and ease of wear over cutting-edge extras.
- Pro:Exceptional comfort for long listening sessions
- Pro:Excellent active noise cancellation
- Pro:Clear, improved sound quality with LDAC support
- Con:High price tag for a modest upgrade
- Con:Limited EQ controls in the companion app
- Con:Immersive Audio feature is underwhelming
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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