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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If price is a major concern for you, the Audio Technica ATH M30X may be a more budget-friendly choice, offering good sound quality for casual listening and monitoring purposes. However, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II stand out with their active noise cancellation feature, which is excellent for commuting, travel, or working in noisy environments. The Bose earbuds are also wireless, offering greater freedom of movement, and they're designed for comfort during extended use. Keep in mind that the Bose earbuds may be the better option if you're looking for superior noise isolation and the convenience of a wireless design. 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 QuietComfort Earbuds II
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
6.6
5.5
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for gaming, while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.1
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and Audio Technica ATH M30X are both poor for phone calls, though the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.9
6.0
The Audio Technica ATH M30X and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are both only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Audio Technica ATH M30X is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.9
6.2
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is good for TV and video, while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is only fair.
Noise Reduction
6.0
9.1
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II 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 QuietComfort Earbuds II 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 QuietComfort Earbuds II costs $199.
Build Quality
7.2
9.2
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.6
7.4
The Audio Technica ATH M30X and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are both good for music.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M30X and the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M30X | Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $199 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Bose | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | September 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 8.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 7 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 20 | |
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 | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.2/10 | 9.2/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.4/10 | 8.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 7.7 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 QuietComfort Earbuds II
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What HiFi?
What HiFi? | September 2023
"Bose’s flagship wireless earbuds were never going to be cheap, but the question was whether they’d be competitive in an area of the market where rivals have never been more capable. The fact that the company has not only managed to implement a successful redesign, but also push the envelope for noise-cancelling and sound quality in such a highly competitive category simultaneously is truly impressive."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M30X or the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
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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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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