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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M30X provides a detailed audio experience and has a wired connection which eliminates latency issues, making them good for professional audio work or high-fidelity listening. However, they may not be as convenient for on-the-go use due to the lack of wireless connectivity. The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3, being wireless, offers more freedom of movement and may be more suitable for activities like working out or commuting, but the audio may not be as detailed. If you travel frequently or prefer convenience, the Outlier Air V3 might be better, while for serious listening sessions, the ATH M30X may be worth the extra cost. Choose based on what activities you prioritize and whether you value sound quality over convenience and price. 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 Creative Labs Outlier Air V3
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.6
5.7
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is good for music, while the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is poor.
Gaming
6.6
5.1
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for gaming, while the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
7.6
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.9
8.9
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
TV and Video
7.9
5.4
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is good for TV and video, while the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
6.5
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 and Audio Technica ATH M30X are both only fair for noise reduction, though the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
10.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M30X does not have a battery. The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 has 10 hours of battery life.
Cost
$89
$30
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica ATH M30X has a price of $89 and the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 costs $30.
Build Quality
7.2
9.0
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X has good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M30X and the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M30X | Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Creative Labs | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 10 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 | 40 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 6.5/10 | |
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 | 6.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.2/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 5.2 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 Outlier Air V3
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Trusted Reviews
Kob Monney | July 2022
"The V3 present the best version of the Outlier Air series yet. The new features such as Active Noise Reduction and Ambient mode are integrated well; the performance of both is as good as you’ll get below £100. The design is less bulky and more comfortable thanks to being smaller and lighter, and the Outlier Air V3 eke out more clarity, detail and definition from music."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M30X or the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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