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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize microphone quality, especially for gaming or calls, the Turtle Beach Recon 70, with its boom mic, is the superior choice. However, for a pure audio experience, the Audio Technica ATH M20X delivers a better overall sound quality, though it lacks a microphone. The Turtle Beach is also more comfortable, which can be important for long sessions, while the Audio Technica pair is slightly better for travel and has longer-lasting build quality. Keep in mind the Turtle Beach headset's better sound isolation can be beneficial in noisy environments. Ultimately, the choice depends on your priorities: mic quality and comfort with the Turtle Beach or superior sound with the Audio Technica. 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 Turtle Beach Recon 70.
Advantages of the Turtle Beach Recon 70
- Best in class for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
6.2
8.4
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
9.6
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is best in class for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.7
7.6
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Cost
$49
$40
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Audio Technica ATH M20X has a price of $49 and the Turtle Beach Recon 70 costs $40.
Build Quality
6.9
8.5
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 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 Turtle Beach Recon 70 are both good for music.
TV and Video
7.6
7.5
The Audio Technica ATH M20X and Turtle Beach Recon 70 are both good for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
6.0
5.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Audio Technica ATH M20X to be only fair for noise reduction, while the Turtle Beach Recon 70 is poor.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M20X and the Turtle Beach Recon 70 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M20X | Turtle Beach Recon 70 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Turtle Beach | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | May 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.6/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 9.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.2/10 | 8.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 4.3/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 10/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 190 Grams | 309 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
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."
Turtle Beach Recon 70
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Sound Guys
Sam Moore | September 2022
"There aren’t many considerations to make here. The Turtle Beach Recon 70 sounds decent, offers solid chat audio, feels good to wear over long periods, and it works everywhere. If you’re in the market for a simple plug-and-play option, you could do a whole lot worse (and spend a whole lot more money). Regardless, if getting something cheap that works well is the only thing you care about, this is a great option."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M20X or the Turtle Beach Recon 70
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.
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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.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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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