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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is a more budget-friendly option, offering good sound quality and noise isolation, ideal for everyday music listening and TV. However, it may not be as comfortable for long sessions and lacks a microphone, limiting its use for calls or gaming. The EPOS PC38X, while higher in price, provides excellent sound and an open design that enhances soundstage, along with superior comfort and a high-quality microphone, making it great for immersive gaming, calls, and meetings. Neither are suitable for exercise or travel due to their size and lack of wireless connectivity. 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
- The Audio Technica ATH M20X has no clear advantages over the EPOS PC38X.
Advantages of the EPOS PC38X
- Best in class for music
- Best in class for phone calls
- Best in class for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.6
9.5
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for music, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is good.
Gaming
6.2
10.0
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
10.0
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.7
7.9
The EPOS PC38X is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
TV and Video
7.6
9.0
The EPOS PC38X is excellent for TV and video, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is good.
Noise Reduction
6.0
2.5
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for noise reduction, while the EPOS PC38X is poor.
Cost
$49
$125
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica ATH M20X has a price of $49 and the EPOS PC38X costs $125.
Build Quality
6.9
8.5
The EPOS PC38X has very good 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 EPOS PC38X compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M20X | EPOS PC38X |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $125 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | EPOS | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | September 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.6/10 | 9.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 10/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.2/10 | 10/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 4.5/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 10/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 190 Grams | 249.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M20X
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Dig into reviews and images
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."
EPOS PC38X
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Dig into reviews and images
Everyday Listening
Ryan Soo | November 2021
"Lightweight and comfortable design, Mic arm with mute, Excellent tuning, Highly natural midrange voicing, Clean and separated bass, Solid soundstage dimensions. Combining all day comfort and integrated coms with a balanced and spacious sound from essentially any source, it is hard to deny the versatility and value provided by the PC38X."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M20X or the EPOS PC38X
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 EPOS
EPOS is a relatively new company with a very long heritage. Previously known as Sennheiser Communications, EPOS is the result of the joint venture between the German headphone manufacturer Sennheiser and the Danish Demant that sought to develop premium audio communication solutions. They specialize in two main product groups, enterprise communications and gaming communication headsets and processing devices.
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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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