Short answer: the Sony MDR-7506. Both are rated 4.1/5 for sound quality (#83 and #79 of 481 over-ear headphones), and the Sony MDR-7506 costs $114.99 against $169 for the Audio-Technica ATH-R50x, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
The case for the Audio-Technica ATH-R50x: A preference score of 83 and the smoothest deviation in this group at 1.67 dB make for a very even response, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz and low mids within 0.6 dB of target. The catch: Sub-bass is about 6 dB low under 60 Hz, so deep rumble is lacking.
Why pick the Sony MDR-7506: A preference score of 83 with a deviation of only 1.7 dB from the Harman target in oratory1990’s measurement is excellent for a closed studio headphone. The catch: Presence and treble run about 3.5 dB hot, with a peak of 6 dB near 4.5 kHz, which makes vocals forward and cymbals or sibilance sharp at higher volumes.
Buy the Sony MDR-7506. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $54.01 less than the Audio-Technica ATH-R50x.
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A preference score of 83 and the smoothest deviation in this group at 1.67 dB make for a very even response, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz and low mids within 0.6 dB of target.
Amazon $169.00 eBay
A preference score of 83 with a deviation of only 1.7 dB from the Harman target in oratory1990’s measurement is excellent for a closed studio headphone.
Amazon $129.99 Sony $114.99 Lowest eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Audio-Technica ATH-R50x | Sony MDR-7506 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169.00 | $114.99 |
| Ranked | #79 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones | #83 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.67 dB standard deviation | 1.70 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.64 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.64 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 30 Hz (-6.4 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 45mm dynamic | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 50 ohms | - |
| Sensitivity | 93.3 dB/mW | 106 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (207 g) | 0.6 lbs (260 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
Frequency Response Compared
Both headphones’ measurements overlaid on the Harman target. Above the target sounds louder in that range, below it quieter. Each curve is the median of several independent measurements, shifted so its 500 Hz to 2 kHz average sits at 0 dB, so only the tuning is compared.
Measurement data: the Audio-Technica ATH-R50x from aden, boizoff, gadgetrytech and sai; the Sony MDR-7506 from capraaudio, gadgetrytech, listener, sai, superreview and therollo9, all via squig.link.
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