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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M20X could be the preferred choice if you're looking for a budget-friendly option with higher sound quality for music listening, and you don't mind a wired connection. They're over-ear headphones providing a better soundstage, but they're not as comfortable for long sessions. On the other hand, the Soundcore Space A40 earbuds offer wireless convenience, effective noise isolation, and are great for air travel with a long battery life, though they're often somewhat more expensive. For calls and gaming however, the A40's are not as strong performers and they're also not optimized for TV and video due to possible audio latency. 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 Space A40
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
6.2
4.9
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for gaming, while the Soundcore Space A40 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.7
4.9
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Space A40 is poor.
TV and Video
7.6
5.3
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Space A40 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
9.1
The Soundcore Space A40 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Battery
N/A
8.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M20X does not have a battery. The Soundcore Space A40 has 8 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 Space A40 costs $80.
Build Quality
6.9
8.5
The Soundcore Space A40 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
7.7
The Soundcore Space A40 and Audio Technica ATH M20X are both good for music.
Phone Calls
4.3
4.8
The Soundcore Space A40 and Audio Technica ATH M20X are both poor for phone calls.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M20X and the Soundcore Space A40 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M20X | Soundcore Space A40 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | August 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.2/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 8 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 0.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 32 | |
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 | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
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 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
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 Space A40
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Sound Guys
Sam Smart | May 2023
"The Anker Soundcore Space A40 is an excellent deal if you want affordable noise canceling earbuds with great sound. The baseline frequency response is enjoyable, and the many EQ presets to choose from plus the ability to customize your sound profile makes it good for pretty much anyone. The noise canceling is quite good, and the many ear tips to choose from ensure a good fit for the noise canceling and isolation to do its job."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M20X or the Soundcore Space A40
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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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