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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M20X offers a strong overall sound quality and a detachable, lengthy cable, making it suitable for studio work or home use; however, it is not wireless, which may limit mobility and convenience. The Sennheiser 450BT, while generally more expensive, provides active noise cancelling and wireless connectivity, which is great for commuting and air travel. The Sennheiser 450BT also has a built-in mic, making it ideal for calls and meetings. If you prioritize sound isolation and plan to use them primarily at a desk or in a studio, the Audio Technica might be a better and more budget-friendly option. On the other hand, if you require wireless freedom, active noise cancelling, and use your headphones for a variety of activities, including calls, the Sennheiser 450BT might justify the additional cost. 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
Advantages of the Sennheiser 450BT
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Excellent for air travel
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.6
6.2
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is good for music, while the Sennheiser 450BT is only fair.
Gaming
6.2
8.8
The Sennheiser 450BT is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
6.9
The Sennheiser 450BT is only fair for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.7
7.9
The Sennheiser 450BT is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Noise Reduction
6.0
9.1
The Sennheiser 450BT is excellent for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Battery
N/A
27.5 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M20X does not have a battery. The Sennheiser 450BT has 27.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$49
$90
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica ATH M20X has a price of $49 and the Sennheiser 450BT costs $90.
Build Quality
6.9
8.0
The Sennheiser 450BT has very good build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
7.6
8.1
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sennheiser 450BT to be very good for TV and video, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is good.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M20X and the Sennheiser 450BT compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M20X | Sennheiser 450BT |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $90 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | February 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.6/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.2/10 | 8.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 6.1/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 27.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2.3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.8/10 | 7/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 190 Grams | 240.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
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."
Sennheiser 450BT
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | March 2022
"The Sennheiser HD 450BT is a very good pair of headphones for the price, noise canceling is good and sound quality is great—quite rare at this price point. Like any product, this headset isn’t without its faults."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M20X or the Sennheiser 450BT
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 Sennheiser
A family-owned company, Sennheiser is a German, high fidelity, audio equipment manufacturer founded in 1945. Their consumer audio division is now owned by the Swiss hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturer Sonova. Sennheiser offers a wide variety of, very high quality, audio equipment solutions, from headphones to earbuds, full sets of monitoring speakers, amplifiers and microphones. They also make what is widely regarded as the best, and most expensive, headphones in existence, the HE-1 Orpheus, costing a whopping $59,000 dollars.
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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
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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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