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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a more affordable option and don't mind a wired connection, the Audio Technica ATH M30X headphones may be suitable for music and studio monitoring due to their strong overall sound quality and solid build, but they won’t be as comfortable as Bose for extended wear. However, if you prioritize comfort, portability, and features like active noise cancelling for a quieter experience during air travel or in noisy environments, and don't mind investing more, the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds are a good choice, though be aware that their suitability for gaming may be limited due to latency issues. 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 TV and video
Advantages of the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds
- Very good for air travel
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.6
7.1
The Audio Technica ATH M30X and Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds are both good for music, though the Audio Technica ATH M30X is somewhat better.
Gaming
6.6
5.6
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for gaming, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
6.6
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is only fair for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.9
9.5
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
TV and Video
7.9
6.0
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is good for TV and video, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is only fair.
Noise Reduction
6.0
9.1
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is excellent for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
Battery
N/A
7.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M30X does not have a battery. The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds has 7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$89
$199
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Audio Technica ATH M30X has a price of $89 and the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds costs $199.
Build Quality
7.2
8.9
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds has very good build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X has good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M30X and the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M30X | Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $199 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Bose | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 7 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.1 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 18 | |
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 | 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 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.4/10 | 8.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 8.5 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."
Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | March 2023
"The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds is a great do-it-all option for anyone, so long as you can afford it. This is a great alternative to the Apple AirPods Pro and Sony WF-1000XM4. You can choose the degree of noise canceling, and enjoy premium features like automatic ear-detection. These earbuds merit an IPX4 rating, making them a fine workout companion."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M30X or the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds
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 Bose
Bose is an American audio equipment manufacturer based out of Framingham, Massachusetts. Founded in 1964 by Amar Bose with the goal of creating a speaker system that could accurately recreate the sound of a concert hall, Bose has become one of the most prominent players in the modern consumer audio market due to the premium feel of their products and their wide brand recognition.
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