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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, being over-ear and wired with high sound quality and a budget-friendly price, are great for critical listening and comfortable home use, though they may not be suitable for outdoor activities due to their size and lack of wireless capability. On the other hand, the Sony Linkbuds are wireless earbuds that excel in portability, have good sound quality suitable for casual listening, and are sweatproof, making them ideal for exercise or commuting. While the Linkbuds provide convenience with app controls and support for features like ear detection, the ATH M20X offers better noise isolation and audio fidelity due to its closed-back design, but do not include a microphone for calls and meetings. 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 Sony Linkbuds
- Good for exercise
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.6
6.6
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is good for music, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
Gaming
6.2
5.5
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for gaming, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
6.8
The Sony Linkbuds is only fair for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.7
7.8
The Sony Linkbuds is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
TV and Video
7.6
5.4
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is good for TV and video, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
2.5
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for noise reduction, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Battery
N/A
5.5 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M20X does not have a battery. The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$49
$178
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Audio Technica ATH M20X has a price of $49 and the Sony Linkbuds costs $178.
Build Quality
6.9
9.3
The Sony Linkbuds has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X has only fair build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M20X and the Sony Linkbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M20X | Sony Linkbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $178 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | February 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.6/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.2/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 17.5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.9/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
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."
Sony Linkbuds
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Sam Moore | February 2022
"The Sony LinkBuds is definitely the most unique audio product to release so far in 2022, and it largely executes well on it's unoccluded design. However, it's hamstrung by all the same things as other unsealed earbuds."
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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 Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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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