The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're on a budget and primarily need headphones for home use with TV and video, the Audio Technica ATH M20X offers good sound quality and is suitable despite being less comfortable and lacking wireless capability. Conversely, the Moondrop Blessing 3 earbuds come at a premium price but deliver excellent sound and build quality with a comfortable fit, making them better for high-fidelity music listening on the go, yet they don't support wireless use and aren't ideal for exercise due to the non-sweatproof design. Both lack active noise cancelling, limiting their effectiveness in noisy environments. 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 Moondrop Blessing 3.
Advantages of the Moondrop Blessing 3
Very good for TV and video
Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Phone Calls
4.3/10
5.0/10
The Moondrop Blessing 3 and Audio Technica ATH M20X are both poor for phone calls, though the Moondrop Blessing 3 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.7/10
7.8/10
The Moondrop Blessing 3 is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Noise Reduction
6.0/10
6.5/10
The Moondrop Blessing 3 and Audio Technica ATH M20X are both only fair for noise reduction, though the Moondrop Blessing 3 is somewhat better.
Cost
$49
$320
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Audio Technica ATH M20X has a price of $49 and the Moondrop Blessing 3 costs $320.
Build Quality
6.9/10
9.0/10
The Moondrop Blessing 3 has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X has only fair build quality.
The Moondrop Blessing 3 and Audio Technica ATH M20X are both good for music.
Gaming
6.2/10
6.3/10
The Moondrop Blessing 3 and Audio Technica ATH M20X are both only fair for gaming.
TV and Video
7.6/10
8.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Moondrop Blessing 3 to be very good for TV and video, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is good.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Audio Technica ATH M20X and the Moondrop Blessing 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
"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 Moondrop Blessing 3 has excellent imaging performance, especially for the price. Pair that with its neutral tonality with slight elevations towards both ends of the frequency response, and the Blessing 3 technically proficient set of IEMs that are also enjoyable to listen to every day."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M20X or the Moondrop Blessing 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 Moondrop
Moondrop is a Chinese brand of smart audio equipment, portable audio players, earbuds and headphones started in 2015. During the last few years they have become one of the major players in what is lovingly referred to as the Chi-fi market, the bulk of Chinese companies that have managed to actually compete with the western manufacturers in both prices and superior quality. Products such as the Blessing II, Chu and Kato are among the most popular offerings of the brand, more popular among those users that wish for good quality audio that won't break the bank. Besides audio, the brand also works in what they call the ACGN field (Animation, Comics, Games and Short Novels).
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
127,700
Recommendations made
19,155
Consumer hours saved
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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.