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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M20X are closed-back, wired over-ear headphones known for very good sound quality when it comes to music, making them suitable for focused listening sessions. However, they lack convenience features such as wireless connectivity and active noise cancelling, are not optimized for comfort, and their build quality is fair, not great. On the other hand, the JBL Live 670NC are wireless on-ear headphones with very good features including active noise cancelling, app control customization, and decent battery life with wireless charging. They provide better convenience for calls, meetings, and use during air travel, and they're comfortable with good build quality, but their overall sound quality for music listening is poorer compared to the Audio Technica. If budget is a significant factor and you primarily need headphones for listening to music at home or in the studio, the Audio Technica ATH M20X offers great value. However, if you're willing to pay more for extra features like wireless connectivity, better portability, and active noise cancelling for a range of activities including travel and calls, the JBL Live 670NC would be a better fit. 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 JBL Live 670NC
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.6
6.5
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is good for music, while the JBL Live 670NC is only fair.
Gaming
6.2
5.4
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Live 670NC is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
7.4
The JBL Live 670NC is good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.7
8.6
The JBL Live 670NC is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
TV and Video
7.6
5.5
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live 670NC is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
6.7
The JBL Live 670NC and Audio Technica ATH M20X are both only fair for noise reduction, though the JBL Live 670NC is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
65.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M20X does not have a battery. The JBL Live 670NC has 65 hours of battery life.
Cost
$49
$100
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica ATH M20X has a price of $49 and the JBL Live 670NC costs $100.
Build Quality
6.9
8.0
The JBL Live 670NC 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 JBL Live 670NC compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M20X | JBL Live 670NC |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | March 1, 2024 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.6/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.2/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 65 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.9/10 | 8/10 | |
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 | 217 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
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."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M20X or the JBL Live 670NC
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 JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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