Audio-Technica ATH-SR50BT vs JBL Tour One M3: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the JBL Tour One M3 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 83. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: JBL Tour One M3 - Great overall at around $150.

Over-Ear

Score breakdown

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

JBL Tour One M3 leads on 6 of 7 measures.

Audio-Technica ATH-SR50BT
JBL Tour One M3

HearWiki score

Sound

7.4

8.0

Noise cancelling

3.2

8.7

Battery

5.2

9.6

Calls

4.2

8.1

Value

9.6

Price (USD)

$120

$150

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

JBL Tour One M3 (2025) against Audio-Technica ATH-SR50BT (2020). The JBL Tour One M3 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.0, Top codec LDAC against aptX and ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Wear detection and Custom EQ.

ATH-SR50BT2020
Tour One M320255 yr newer

What differsATH-SR50BTTour One M3

Bluetooth: 5.0; 5.3
Top codec: aptX; LDAC
ANC type: None; Adaptive
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
USB-C: No; Yes
Wear detection: No; Yes
Custom EQ: No; Yes

Level on: Transparency mode, Companion app.

Specifications

ATH-SR50BTTour One M3

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $120; $150
HearWiki score: 54; 83
Released: 2020; 2025
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; 10 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance: 47 Ω; 18 Ω
Sensitivity: 100 dB/mW; 122 dB/mW
Bluetooth: 5.0; 5.3
Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX; LDAC
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
Battery life: 28 h; 70 h
Battery life (ANC on): -; 70 h
Full charge time: 330 min; 120 min
Wireless charging: No; No
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: -; adaptive
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: No; Yes
Wear detection: No; Yes
Controls: buttons; touch
Voice assistant: -; Yes
Weight: 262 g; 278 g
Water resistance: none; none
Foldable: Yes; Yes
Detachable cable: Yes; Yes
USB-C: No; Yes
Pad material: -; leatherette
Connector: 3.5 mm; 3.5 mm
Model code: -; JBLTOM3AVILTTAM
Microphones: 1; 8
Microphone type: condenser; -
Mic sensitivity: -44 dBV; -
Call noise reduction: -; Yes
Call NR technology: -; beamforming

Specification comparison of Audio-Technica ATH-SR50BT vs JBL Tour One M3
Spec	Audio-Technica ATH-SR50BT	JBL Tour One M3
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$120	$150
HearWiki score	54 / 100 Average	83 / 100 Great
Released	2020	2025
Audio
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	10 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance	47 Ω	18 Ω
Sensitivity	100 dB/mW	122 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.0	5.3
Codecs	SBC, AAC, aptX	LDAC
Multipoint pairing	No	Yes
Battery
Battery life	28 h	70 h
Battery life (ANC on)	-	70 h
Full charge time	330 min	120 min
Wireless charging	No	No
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	-	adaptive
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	No	Yes
Wear detection	No	Yes
Controls	buttons	touch
Voice assistant	-	Yes
Design
Weight	262 g	278 g
Water resistance	none	none
Foldable	Yes	Yes
Detachable cable	Yes	Yes
USB-C	No	Yes
Pad material	-	leatherette
Connector	3.5 mm	3.5 mm
Model code	-	JBLTOM3AVILTTAM
Calls
Microphones	1	8
Microphone type	condenser	-
Mic sensitivity	-44 dBV	-
Call noise reduction	-	Yes
Call NR technology	-	beamforming

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

JBL Tour One M3

The JBL Tour One M3 is a premium wireless over-ear headphone that pairs extensive battery life with strong active noise cancellation. It supports high-resolution audio codecs and Bluetooth multipoint for flexible connectivity, while a 40mm driver aims to deliver a lively sound profile. The design is comfortable for long sessions, though it lacks any official water resistance rating.

Pro:Excellent battery life of up to 70 hours without ANC
Pro:Supports high-quality LDAC and LDHC codecs
Pro:Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint for seamless device switching

Con:No water resistance for outdoor or workout use
Con:Charging takes a relatively long two hours
Con:Impedance of 18 ohms may be sensitive to source quality

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

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