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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're considering cost and just need a reliable pair of headphones for casual listening, without wireless features, the Audio Technica ATH M20X would be a sound choice due to its significantly lower price. However, if you're looking for a premium listening experience with modern features like active noise cancellation, long battery life, and wireless connectivity, and are willing to invest more, then the Sennheiser Momentum 4 could be worth the additional cost. Keep in mind, the Sennheiser also offers high-quality sound suited for critical listening as well as added convenience for travel and daily use due to its portability and comfort. The tradeoff comes down to your budget and your need for advanced features versus basic functionality. 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 Momentum 4.
Advantages of the Sennheiser Momentum 4
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
6.2
9.0
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is excellent for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
6.8
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is only fair for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.7
8.2
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
TV and Video
7.6
8.9
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is very good for TV and video, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is good.
Noise Reduction
6.0
9.1
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Battery
N/A
59.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M20X does not have a battery. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 has 59 hours of battery life.
Cost
$49
$250
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Audio Technica ATH M20X has a price of $49 and the Sennheiser Momentum 4 costs $250.
Build Quality
6.9
9.0
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.6
7.5
The Audio Technica ATH M20X and Sennheiser Momentum 4 are both good for music.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M20X and the Sennheiser Momentum 4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M20X | Sennheiser Momentum 4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $250 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | August 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.6/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.2/10 | 9.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 59 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 190 Grams | 294.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M20X
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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 Momentum 4
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Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | January 2023
"If you're looking for a slightly more affordable set of ANC headphones in comparison to the Bose or Sony offerings: the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless is not a bad way to go. While its ANC is technically behind the other top-tier headphones, its sound quality is ahead of the pack—as is its battery life. Not bad for $350 USD."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M20X or the Sennheiser Momentum 4
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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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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