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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize high-quality sound and are on a budget, the Audio Technica ATH M30X offers great value as it's significantly less expensive than the Apple Airpods Max. The ATH M30X performs well for music and is notably good for TV and video due to its sound clarity and detail. However, it lacks a microphone, making it unsuitable for calls and meetings. On the other hand, the Apple Airpods Max is a premium product with active noise canceling, superior build quality, integrated controls, and is optimized for Apple devices. It also has an excellent performance in noisy environments like air travel and offers virtual surround sound, as well as a microphone, making it versatile for calls, meetings, and immersive experiences. Yet, it comes with a higher price, larger weight, and shorter battery life. If wireless functionality and brand ecosystem integration are important to you, and you're not constrained by budget, the Airpods Max may be the better option. However, if you're looking for quality audio on a budget and don't need wireless connectivity or a microphone, the ATH M30X will serve you well. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods Max
- Excellent for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Audio Technica ATH M30X
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Gaming
5.5
6.6
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Phone Calls
6.6
4.3
The Apple Airpods Max is only fair for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
6.9
The Apple Airpods Max is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
TV and Video
5.7
7.9
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Noise Reduction
10.0
6.0
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
Battery
21.0 Hours
N/A
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The Audio Technica ATH M30X does not have a battery.
Cost
$549
$89
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Audio Technica ATH M30X costs $89.
Build Quality
9.0
7.2
The Apple Airpods Max has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.3
7.6
The Audio Technica ATH M30X and Apple Airpods Max are both good for music.
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How the Apple Airpods Max and the Audio Technica ATH M30X compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | Audio Technica ATH M30X |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$549 | $89 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Audio Technica | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | January 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.6/10 | 4.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 6.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 4.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 21 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 10/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 385.5 Grams | 220 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Max
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Adam Molina | July 2023
"Objectively, the AirPods Max is a spectacular pair of headphones. I appreciate the smart features like auto-pause and the transparency mode are super practical. It also sounds great, is well-built, and has solid battery life."
Audio Technica ATH M30X
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | August 2023
"The Audio-Technica ATH-M30x is a great choice for anybody that needs a decent set of over-ear studio monitors. While the frequency response is not totally spot on, it works for basically every situation reasonably well. The sound quality and reasonably good comfort promote its candidacy as a great pick for $69 USD."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Max or the Audio Technica ATH M30X
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About Audio Technica
Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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