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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
If price is a significant factor for you, the Audio Technica ATH M20X may be appealing due to being generally less expensive than the Soundcore Life Q30. However, if you value wireless convenience and active noise cancellation, the Life Q30 would be a better choice, despite the higher cost. The ATH M20X is wired and doesn't include noise cancellation, making it less versatile but potentially offering better sound quality than typical wireless options. Consider also your listening environment - the noise cancellation on the Life Q30 can be a significant advantage in noisy spaces. If you're using them in a quiet environment, prefer studio-style sound, or are using them for tasks requiring precise audio work, the ATH M20X is likely preferable. 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 TV and video
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q30
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
6.2
5.3
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.1
The Soundcore Life Q30 and Audio Technica ATH M20X are both poor for phone calls, though the Soundcore Life Q30 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.7
4.8
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
TV and Video
7.6
5.4
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q30 is very good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Battery
N/A
44.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M20X does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Cost
$49
$80
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The Audio Technica ATH M20X has a price of $49 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
Build Quality
6.9
8.0
The Soundcore Life Q30 has very good build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.6
7.1
The Audio Technica ATH M20X and Soundcore Life Q30 are both good for music.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M20X and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M20X | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.2/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 44 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.7 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 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
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 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 190 Grams | 263 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."
Soundcore Life Q30
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Headphones Addict
Peter Susic | December 2021
"Every once in a while, headphones with an excellent price/performance ratio arrive that truly deserves all attention. Anker Soundcore Life Q30 are one of those headphones. Of course, they aren’t perfect, but they do most things better than their competition. Or they give you the option to make them better."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M20X or the Soundcore Life Q30
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 Soundcore
Soundcore is a sub-brand belonging to Anker Innovations. Starting in 2014, initially marketing wireless, Bluetooth, speakers, Anker now offers an array of, budget-friendly, wireless earbuds and headphones that directly compete, especially in the Active Noise Canceling field, with other brands several times as expensive.
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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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