A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple AirPods Pro offer active noise cancelling, wireless convenience, and are sweatproof, making them more suitable for exercise, travel, and outdoor use. They have an integrated microphone for calls and support wireless charging. Audio Technica ATH-M30X, on the other hand, provides better overall sound quality and a larger soundstage, which means they may offer a more immersive listening experience, especially for music and TV/video usage. However, they lack a microphone, are not optimized for calls, and require a wired connection, potentially compromising their portability and versatility compared to the AirPods Pro. 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 Pro
- Good for phone calls
- Excellent for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Audio Technica ATH M30X
- Good for music
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.8
7.6
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is good for music, while the Apple Airpods Pro is only fair.
Gaming
5.1
6.6
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Pro is poor.
Phone Calls
7.4
4.3
The Apple Airpods Pro is good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.3
6.9
The Apple Airpods Pro 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 Pro is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
6.0
The Apple Airpods Pro is excellent for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Apple Airpods Pro has 5 hours of battery life. The Audio Technica ATH M30X does not have a battery.
Cost
$260
$89
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods Pro has a price of $260 and the Audio Technica ATH M30X costs $89.
Build Quality
9.0
7.2
The Apple Airpods Pro has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X has good build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple Airpods Pro and the Audio Technica ATH M30X compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Pro | Audio Technica ATH M30X |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$260 | $89 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Audio Technica | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2019 | January 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.4/10 | 4.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 6.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.1/10 | 4.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | 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 | 8/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.4 Grams | 220 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Pro
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Adam Molina | January 2023
"For just $50 USD more than the original model with the wireless charging case, this is definitely the pair of buds to get. The AirPods Pro (1st generation) sounds better than the originals and has a way better fit and active noise canceling to boot. If you have an iOS device, just get this."
Audio Technica ATH M30X
See more
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 Pro 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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Apple Airpods Pro vs. Bose Quiet Comfort 45
VS
Compare Apple Airpods Pro vs. Grado GT220
VS
Compare Apple Airpods Pro vs. Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2
VS
Compare Audio Technica ATH M30X vs. Apple Airpods (2nd generation)
VS
Compare Audio Technica ATH M30X vs. Sennheiser 450BT
VS
Compare Audio Technica ATH M30X vs. JBL Live Pro 2
VS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
123,800
Recommendations made
18,570
Consumer hours saved
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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
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.
Luis Torres
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.
Featured in
