Is the Audio-Technica ATH-SR50BT worth the upgrade from the Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT?
Verdict
Downgrade
The Audio-Technica ATH-SR50BT actually scores 9.5 points below the Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT, so on aggregate review consensus this is a step backwards. The gains are concentrated in calls (3.3 to 4.2) and sound (6.8 to 7.4). You do give up ground on battery (9.0 to 5.2). On paper: codecs SBC to SBC, AAC, aptX and driver size 40 mm to 45 mm. Worth checking: battery life goes 60 h to 28 h and weight goes 180 g to 262 g. And it costs $56 more for a lower score, which is hard to justify on the data alone. Only worth it if a specific feature above matters more to you than overall quality does.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound6.87.4
- Battery9.05.2
- Calls3.34.2
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | ATH-S220BT | ATH-SR50BT | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 60 h | 28 h | |
| Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, aptX | |
| Weight | 180 g | 262 g | |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | No | |
| Full charge time | 240 min | 330 min | |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 45 mm | |
| USB-C | Yes | No | |
| Driver | 2× 40 mm dynamic | 2× 45 mm dynamic | |
| Frequency response | 5 Hz - 32 kHz | 5 Hz - 40 kHz |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "ATH-S220BT to ATH-SR50BT". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across over-ear and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.