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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If you're on a budget and need headphones primarily for listening to music or watching TV, consider the Audio Technica ATH M20X. They offer good sound quality and are better suited for indoor environments where comfort is not the top priority. However, they lack a microphone and are not as convenient for calls or gaming. In contrast, the JBL Live Flex 3 earbuds cost more but provide excellent sound for music, with the added versatility of a good microphone, wireless functionality, and active noise cancelling for use in noisier settings. They are also more comfortable, sweatproof, dustproof, and have app support that allows customization, which is great for use on the go or during exercise. However, they might not be the best for gaming or watching TV due to potential audio lag. 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 Flex 3
- Very good for music
- Very good for exercise
Key differences
Gaming
6.2
5.5
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.2
The JBL Live Flex 3 and Audio Technica ATH M20X are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL Live Flex 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 Flex 3 is poor.
TV and Video
7.6
5.7
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
8.3
The JBL Live Flex 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 Flex 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 Flex 3 costs $216.
Build Quality
6.9
8.5
The JBL Live Flex 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
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers JBL Live Flex 3 to be very good for music, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is good.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M20X and the JBL Live Flex 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M20X | JBL Live Flex 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 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.2/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 5.8/10 | |
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 | 40 | |
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 Flex 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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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