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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is a great budget-friendly option, offering good sound quality for the price, making them suitable for everyday listening and monitoring. However, if you're looking for high-end, audiophile-grade sound with better detail and a wider soundstage, the HifiMan Edition XS would be the superior choice, albeit at a higher cost. The Edition XS also features planar magnetic drivers, which typically provide a more nuanced and natural sound but may require a dedicated amplifier to get the most from them. On the other hand, the ATH M20X, with its closed-back design, offers better noise isolation, making them more versatile for use in noisier environments. If a microphone or virtual surround sound is essential for you, make sure to check if the chosen model includes these features as they vary by product. 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 HifiMan Edition XS.
Advantages of the HifiMan Edition XS
- Very good for music
- Good for gaming
- Best in class for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.6
8.8
The HifiMan Edition XS is very good for music, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is good.
Gaming
6.2
7.4
The HifiMan Edition XS is good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.0
The HifiMan Edition XS and Audio Technica ATH M20X are both poor for phone calls, though the HifiMan Edition XS is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.7
7.9
The HifiMan Edition XS is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
TV and Video
7.6
9.5
The HifiMan Edition XS is best in class 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 HifiMan Edition XS is poor.
Cost
$49
$269
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Audio Technica ATH M20X has a price of $49 and the HifiMan Edition XS costs $269.
Build Quality
6.9
8.5
The HifiMan Edition XS 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 HifiMan Edition XS compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M20X | HifiMan Edition XS |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $269 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | December 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.6/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.2/10 | 7.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 4.4/10 | |
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 | No | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 190 Grams | 421 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Dustproof Rating | |||
Dustproof 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."
HifiMan Edition XS
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Headphonesty
Eric D Hieger | January 2023
"The Edition XS easily compete with headphones in their price range with a very high price-to-performance ratio. The XS are an amazing value and offer performance not far off from headphones more than twice their cost. These will be a mind-blowing revelation for enthusiasts and music lovers who have only heard standard big-brand mainstream headphones."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M20X or the HifiMan Edition XS
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 HifiMan
HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.
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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.
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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