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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're on a budget and mainly want headphones for listening to music or watching TV at home, the Audio Technica ATH M20X offers very good sound quality for a lower cost. They are wired, over-ear headphones with a closed enclosure, which means they're less portable but can provide a decent level of noise isolation. However, they might not be the best for comfort during long sessions, and they lack a microphone for calls. Conversely, if you're willing to invest in a premium product and desire versatility, including sweatproof certification, active noise cancelling, wireless freedom, and dynamic app controls, the JBL Live Buds 3 could be the better choice. They're well-suited for exercise and air travel, with good comfort and very good noise isolation. Keep in mind, though, that for TV or gaming, they may not be the best due to potential latency issues, and they might not provide the best experience for calls and meetings. 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 TV and video
Advantages of the JBL Live Buds 3
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
6.2
5.4
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.2
The JBL Live Buds 3 and Audio Technica ATH M20X are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL Live Buds 3 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.7
5.9
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
TV and Video
7.6
5.6
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
8.3
The JBL Live Buds 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Battery
N/A
10.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M20X does not have a battery. The JBL Live Buds 3 has 10 hours of battery life.
Cost
$49
$216
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Audio Technica ATH M20X has a price of $49 and the JBL Live Buds 3 costs $216.
Build Quality
6.9
8.5
The JBL Live Buds 3 has very good build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.6
7.8
The JBL Live Buds 3 and Audio Technica ATH M20X are both good for music.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M20X and the JBL Live Buds 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M20X | JBL Live Buds 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $216 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | June 1, 2024 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.2/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 10 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 30 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.8/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 190 Grams | 8.8 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."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M20X or the JBL Live Buds 3
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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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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