A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M30X does not have a built-in microphone, making them not as suitable for calls and meetings compared to the Beats Solo 3, which do have a microphone. The Beats are wireless, giving you more mobility and convenience, and they fold, making them more portable; additionally, they offer better noise isolation for travel. On the other hand, the Audio Technica, while wired and less portable, offer a higher overall sound quality which might be preferable for music enthusiasts. If price is a concern, the Audio Technica are less expensive, yet still score well on comfort and have a good reputation for durability. 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
- Good for music
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Beats Solo 3
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.6
6.3
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is good for music, while the Beats Solo 3 is only fair.
Gaming
6.6
5.3
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for gaming, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.9
5.8
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
TV and Video
7.9
5.6
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is good for TV and video, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
5.3
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for noise reduction, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Battery
N/A
41.5 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M30X does not have a battery. The Beats Solo 3 has 41.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$89
$117
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica ATH M30X has a price of $89 and the Beats Solo 3 costs $117.
Build Quality
7.2
8.0
The Beats Solo 3 has very good build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X has good build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.3
4.7
The Beats Solo 3 and Audio Technica ATH M30X are both poor for phone calls.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Audio Technica ATH M30X and the Beats Solo 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M30X | Beats Solo 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $117 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Beats | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | October 1, 2016 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 4.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 5.9/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 41.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 4.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
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 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.2/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.4/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 213.1 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M30X
See more
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."
Beats Solo 3
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | May 2023
"The Beats Solo3 Wireless is an old set of headphones but still works reliably well with iPhones, due to W1 chip integration and AAC support. The Beats Solo3 Wireless holds up well today with just a few features showing its age."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M30X or the Beats Solo 3
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 Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
128,000
Recommendations made
19,200
Consumer hours saved
About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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.
Featured in
