A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If price is a major factor for you, the Audio Technica ATH M20X would be the more affordable option. They are wired over-ear headphones that offer very good overall sound quality, suitable for TV and video with good imaging but may not be as comfortable for long periods. On the other hand, the Sennheiser IE600, while more expensive, offers best-in-class sound quality with a more comfortable fit for long-term use and a portable design. They also have a detachable cable. Both lack wireless capability, active noise cancelling, and have limited built-in controls, but the Sennheiser's superior build quality and sound may justify the higher cost for serious audiophiles or for those prioritizing sound quality and comfort over price. 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 Sennheiser IE600.
Advantages of the Sennheiser IE600
- Very good for music
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.6
8.3
The Sennheiser IE600 is very good for music, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is good.
Gaming
6.2
6.7
The Sennheiser IE600 and Audio Technica ATH M20X are both only fair for gaming, though the Sennheiser IE600 is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
4.3
3.5
The Audio Technica ATH M20X and Sennheiser IE600 are both poor for phone calls, though the Audio Technica ATH M20X is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.7
5.4
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sennheiser IE600 is poor.
TV and Video
7.6
9.3
The Sennheiser IE600 is excellent for TV and video, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is good.
Noise Reduction
6.0
7.0
The Sennheiser IE600 is good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Cost
$49
$600
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Audio Technica ATH M20X has a price of $49 and the Sennheiser IE600 costs $600.
Build Quality
6.9
9.0
The Sennheiser IE600 has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X has only fair build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Audio Technica ATH M20X and the Sennheiser IE600 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M20X | Sennheiser IE600 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $600 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | June 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.6/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 3.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.2/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 4.6/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 2.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 190 Grams | 6 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M20X
See more
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 IE600
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | August 2023
"If you've got the bucks, the Sennheiser IE 600 is a nice, upscale set of in-ear monitors made of a lightweight metal with an unusual texture. It comes with a suite of extras, and performs well at virtually every task."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M20X or the Sennheiser IE600
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Audio Technica ATH M20X vs. Koss Porta Pro
VS
Compare Audio Technica ATH M20X vs. Sennheiser CX300S
VS
Compare Audio Technica ATH M20X vs. Sennheiser HD 400S
VS
Compare Sennheiser IE600 vs. Master & Dynamic MW75-Neuro
VS
Compare Sennheiser IE600 vs. Apple Airpods Max
VS
Compare Sennheiser IE600 vs. AKG K712 Pro
VS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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.
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.
Featured in
