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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M20X headphones offer excellent overall sound quality and are particularly well-suited for a rich listening experience at home or in studio environments, but they are not wireless and are less convenient for on-the-go use. On the other hand, the Skullcandy Dime earbuds are much more portable and offer features like being sweatproof and having a microphone, making them a better option for exercise, travel, and calls. However, their sound quality is not as highly rated as the Audio Technica's. If budget is a key factor, the Skullcandy Dime offers a more affordable price while still providing decent build quality and built-in controls. 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
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Skullcandy Dime
- Very good for air travel
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.6
5.7
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is good for music, while the Skullcandy Dime is poor.
Gaming
6.2
4.8
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for gaming, while the Skullcandy Dime is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
6.2
The Skullcandy Dime is only fair for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is poor.
TV and Video
7.6
5.3
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is good for TV and video, while the Skullcandy Dime is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
6.5
The Skullcandy Dime and Audio Technica ATH M20X are both only fair for noise reduction, though the Skullcandy Dime is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
3.5 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M20X does not have a battery. The Skullcandy Dime has 3.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$49
$16
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Audio Technica ATH M20X has a price of $49 and the Skullcandy Dime costs $16.
Build Quality
6.9
8.5
The Skullcandy Dime has very good build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.7
7.1
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Skullcandy Dime to be good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M20X and the Skullcandy Dime compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M20X | Skullcandy Dime |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $16 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Skullcandy | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | March 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.6/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.2/10 | 4.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 6.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 3.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 12 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
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 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 190 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
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."
Skullcandy Dime
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PC Magazine
Tim Gideon | April 2021
"For $25, the Skullcandy Dime True Wireless Earbuds deliver a powerful, balanced, rich, and bright sound signature. There’s really not much else to talk about, but the audio is better than you would expect for the price."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M20X or the Skullcandy Dime
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 Skullcandy
Skullcandy is an American, consumer-oriented, earbuds and headphones manufacturer with 20 years of market experience. They sell a wide variety of, budget-friendly and unique, wired and wireless products that are sure to please the vast majority of users. Among their most popular offerings, the Crusher headphones, includes a pair of actual subwoofers inside the cups which makes the bass extra prominent for a unique and extra fun sound.
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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.
By the numbers
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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.
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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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