Is the Audio-Technica R50x worth the upgrade from the Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT?
Verdict
Clear upgrade
Going from the Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT to the Audio-Technica R50x buys you 16.2 points of HearWiki score - a clear step up that reviewers agree on rather than a marketing refresh. The gains are concentrated in sound (6.8 to 8.4) and value (7.8 to 8.7). On paper: driver size 40 mm to 45 mm. Worth checking: weight goes 180 g to 207 g and drivers per side goes 2 to 1. That costs $105 more, or about $6 per point of score - reasonable value for the jump. If your current pair is worn out or the gains line up with how you listen, this one is worth the money.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound6.88.4
- Value7.88.7
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | ATH-S220BT | R50x | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 180 g | 207 g | |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 45 mm | |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 1 | |
| USB-C | Yes | No | |
| Driver | 2× 40 mm dynamic | 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 R50x". 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.