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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're deciding between the Audio Technica ATH M20X and the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3, consider that the ATH M20X are over-ear headphones known for studio monitoring and enhanced audio fidelity, which makes them great for high-quality music listening and production work. However, they are bulkier and may not be convenient for on-the-go use. In contrast, the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 are earbuds that offer portability and the convenience of wireless listening, along with features like touch controls and possibly active noise cancellation, but they may not match the audio detail and depth that the ATH M20X provide. If cost is a significant factor, and you require something more versatile for everyday use, including activities like commuting or working out, the Outlier Air V3 could be the more practical choice despite the compromise on professional audio quality. 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 Audio Technica ATH M20X
- Good for music
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.6
5.7
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is good for music, while the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is poor.
Gaming
6.2
5.1
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for gaming, while the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
7.6
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.7
8.9
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
TV and Video
7.6
5.4
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is good for TV and video, while the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
6.5
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 and Audio Technica ATH M20X are both only fair for noise reduction, though the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
10.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M20X does not have a battery. The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 has 10 hours of battery life.
Cost
$49
$30
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Audio Technica ATH M20X has a price of $49 and the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 costs $30.
Build Quality
6.9
9.0
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X has only fair build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M20X and the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M20X | Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Creative Labs | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.6/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.2/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 10 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 40 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.8/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 190 Grams | 5.2 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M20X
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Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2023
"Audio-Technica positively defies what you can expect for around $50. Ultimately, Audio-Technica did not design the ATH-M20x to go on the subway with you. It’s for the budget-conscious, do-it-yourself producer, podcaster, or studio that needs to buy tracking cans in bulk. If you don’t need the most deluxe, comfortable headphones, maybe you’ll like the ATH-M20x for its spartan functionality. The headphones are aimed at giving you the minimum requirements without it feeling like a sacrifice."
Creative Labs Outlier Air V3
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Trusted Reviews
Kob Monney | July 2022
"The V3 present the best version of the Outlier Air series yet. The new features such as Active Noise Reduction and Ambient mode are integrated well; the performance of both is as good as you’ll get below £100. The design is less bulky and more comfortable thanks to being smaller and lighter, and the Outlier Air V3 eke out more clarity, detail and definition from music."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M20X or the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3
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.
About Creative Labs
Creative Labs is a Singaporean technology company specialized in the manufacture of multimedia products. They created the world-famous Soundblaster soundcard back in 1989 which was a staple of the gaming community for a long time. Nowadays, besides still marketing their discrete audio systems, they offer a wide array of headphones, gaming headsets and speakers that still preserve that same heritage.
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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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