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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 prioritize overall sound quality for music listening, the Audio Technica ATH M20X is a solid choice, though they're not the most comfortable and lack a microphone. For a mix of gaming and calls while still maintaining good sound, the Razer Kraken V3, which features a boom mic and virtual surround sound, is better suited despite being somewhat more expensive. The Kraken's added comfort and built-in mic make it a good fit for prolonged use and communication, but these features come at a slightly higher price point. Neither option supports wireless connectivity, so your usage will be limited to wired scenarios. The Audio Technica earphones are not the best for portability and do not feature active noise cancelling, which the Razer also lacks, but the Kraken offers more immersive gaming experiences with its virtual surround sound. Choose the Audio Technica for focused music listening and the Razer for a versatile option that covers gaming and calls as well. 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 Razer Kraken V3.
Advantages of the Razer Kraken V3
- Good for gaming
Key differences
Gaming
6.2
7.3
The Razer Kraken V3 is good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.0
The Razer Kraken V3 and Audio Technica ATH M20X are both poor for phone calls, though the Razer Kraken V3 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.7
4.7
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Razer Kraken V3 is poor.
TV and Video
7.6
7.0
The Audio Technica ATH M20X and Razer Kraken V3 are both good for TV and video, though the Audio Technica ATH M20X is somewhat better.
Cost
$49
$100
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica ATH M20X has a price of $49 and the Razer Kraken V3 costs $100.
Build Quality
6.9
8.5
The Razer Kraken V3 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
7.3
The Audio Technica ATH M20X and Razer Kraken V3 are both good for music.
Noise Reduction
6.0
6.0
The Audio Technica ATH M20X and Razer Kraken V3 are both only fair for noise reduction.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M20X and the Razer Kraken V3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M20X | Razer Kraken V3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Razer | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.6/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.2/10 | 7.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 4.1/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | 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 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 190 Grams | 325 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
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."
Razer Kraken V3
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Sam Smart | November 2022
"This Razer Kraken V3 is a great headset for gamers who want comfort, surround sound, and software customization for a reasonable price. It's primarily a headset for PC gamers since THX Spatial audio is only supported on Windows. If you want something more multifaceted for multiple systems, this won't be an ideal headset for you. Luckily, there are plenty of competent Kraken V3 alternatives available to you."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M20X or the Razer Kraken V3
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 Razer
Razer is an American-Singaporean hardware manufacturer aimed specifically toward the gaming market. They manufacture a very wide array of gaming laptops, tablets, phones, peripherals and, of course, headphones and earbuds both wired and wireless. Since 2016, Razer has owned the THX suite, aimed at quality assurance of audiovisual systems such as speaker sets, video game consoles and even movie theaters.
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Why trust us
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.
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.
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