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Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're looking for headphones primarily to enjoy music, especially at home or in a studio setting, the Audio Technica ATH M20X might be the better choice due to their very good overall sound quality and good soundstage. However, they lack wireless connectivity and have poor comfort, which might make them less suitable for long listening sessions or on-the-go use. On the other hand, JBL Tune 660NC offers wireless capabilities, better build quality, active noise cancelling, and a very good battery life, making them a more versatile option for varied environments, including travel and commuting. They also have a dedicated app with controls customization, although their overall sound quality is only fair, which could be a drawback for critical listening. 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 Tune 660NC
Good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.6/10
6.1/10
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is good for music, while the JBL Tune 660NC is only fair.
Gaming
6.2/10
5.4/10
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Tune 660NC is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3/10
5.1/10
The JBL Tune 660NC and Audio Technica ATH M20X are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL Tune 660NC is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.7/10
5.7/10
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Tune 660NC is poor.
TV and Video
7.6/10
5.6/10
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is good for TV and video, while the JBL Tune 660NC is poor.
Battery
N/A
42.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M20X does not have a battery. The JBL Tune 660NC has 42 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
6.9/10
8.0/10
The JBL Tune 660NC has very good build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X has only fair build quality.
"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."
"The JBL Tune 660NC is the best value you can get from a set of on-ear headphones. There's no companion app so you don't get many additional features, but everything the JBL Tune 660NC sets out to do, it does well. At this price, the JBL Tune 660NC is an easy recommendation for on-ear headphone lovers"
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M20X or the JBL Tune 660NC
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
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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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