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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you value excellent build quality and built-in controls, enjoy a variety of music genres, and prefer stem-style earbuds, the Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2 may be worth their higher price. They also offer wireless convenience, active noise canceling for better sound isolation, and are sweatproof, making them versatile for commuting and exercise. However, if budget is a concern and you don't need wireless capabilities or active noise canceling, the Audio Technica ATH M30X provides very good sound quality for music and TV at a lower cost. They are over-ear headphones, which are typically more comfortable for extended periods, but less portable and not suitable for exercise. The ATH M30X's lack of a high-quality mic may not be suitable for calls and meetings, a tradeoff to consider if you use headphones for communication frequently. 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 Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2.
Advantages of the Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2
- Very good for music
- Very good for gaming
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.6
8.4
The Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2 is very good for music, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is good.
Gaming
6.6
8.6
The Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2 is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
4.9
The Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2 and Audio Technica ATH M30X are both poor for phone calls, though the Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.9
5.6
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
7.0
The Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2 is good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
Battery
N/A
5.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M30X does not have a battery. The Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2 has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$89
$150
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica ATH M30X has a price of $89 and the Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2 costs $150.
Build Quality
7.2
9.0
The Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2 has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X has good build quality.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
7.9
7.7
The Audio Technica ATH M30X and Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2 are both good for TV and video.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M30X and the Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M30X | Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $150 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Creative Labs | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | December 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 7.9/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
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 | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.2/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 4.7 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."
Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Magazine
Tim Gideon | December 2023
"The Creative Aurvana Ace 2 earphones deliver robust, crisp audio thanks to their combination of xMEMS and dynamic drivers. We're fans of their extensive, high-quality codec options and highly customizable EQ."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M30X or the Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2
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 Creative Labs
Creative Labs is a Singaporean technology company specialized in the manufacture of multimedia products. They created the world-famous Soundblaster soundcard back in 1989 which was a staple of the gaming community for a long time. Nowadays, besides still marketing their discrete audio systems, they offer a wide array of headphones, gaming headsets and speakers that still preserve that same heritage.
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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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