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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M30X offers very good overall sound quality and comfort at a lower midrange price, making them a solid choice for wired listening experiences, especially with music and TV where its good soundstage and comfort are beneficial. However, they lack wireless functionality, active noise cancelling, and have poor mic quality, so they're not ideal for calls or use in noisy environments. The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX, while at a premium price, delivers wireless freedom with excellent sound quality, active noise cancelling for better noise isolation, and additional features like sweatproof certification and an app with equalizer, making them versatile for different activities including exercise and travel, but they may not be necessary if you prioritize wired connection and saving money. 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 M30X
- The Audio Technica ATH M30X has no clear advantages over the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX.
Advantages of the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
6.6
9.3
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is excellent for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.3
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and Audio Technica ATH M30X are both poor for phone calls, though the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.9
6.1
The Audio Technica ATH M30X and Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX are both only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Audio Technica ATH M30X is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.9
8.9
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is very good for TV and video, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is good.
Noise Reduction
6.0
8.3
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is very good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
Battery
N/A
6.5 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M30X does not have a battery. The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has 6.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$89
$399
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audio Technica ATH M30X has a price of $89 and the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX costs $399.
Build Quality
7.2
10.0
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has best in class build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.6
7.9
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and Audio Technica ATH M30X are both good for music.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M30X and the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M30X | Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $399 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Bang and Olufsen | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 9.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 9/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 6.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
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 | 22 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
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 | 7.2/10 | 10/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M30X
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | August 2023
"The Audio-Technica ATH-M30x is a great choice for anybody that needs a decent set of over-ear studio monitors. While the frequency response is not totally spot on, it works for basically every situation reasonably well. The sound quality and reasonably good comfort promote its candidacy as a great pick for $69 USD."
Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
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Dig into reviews and images
Leaf and Core
Danielle | January 2023
"If you’ve wanted truly wireless headphones, but couldn’t pick them up because they sound terrible, these will be the headphones that win you over. If you’re the kind of person who would consider spending $400 on headphones, these are the right truly wireless headphones for you."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M30X or the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
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 Bang and Olufsen
Bang and Olufsen is an almost century-old electronic goods manufacturer based in Denmark with a very special focus on design. Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen created the first AC radio in 1925 and went on to develop televisions, telephones and, of course, headphones and loudspeakers. Today, they are partnered with several companies, like Audi, BMW and Aston Martin, to provide very high-quality audio solutions.
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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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