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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality and a more natural soundstage for critical listening, the Audio Technica ATH M30X would be the better choice, thanks to its better overall sound score. However, if you need versatility with the ability to use them wirelessly, the Creative Labs Outlier Pro comes with this convenience but might not offer the same level of sound quality as the M30X. The Outlier Pro also includes a microphone, making them suitable for calls and meetings, and provides an advantage in portability due to their lighter weight and earbud form factor. They have active noise cancelling, which is beneficial for travel and environments with background noise, features that the M30X lacks. If you need headphones primarily for gaming, TV, or video, the superior soundstage and detail in the M30X might outweigh the convenience offered by the Outlier Pro's wireless capabilities and active noise cancelling. 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 Pro
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.6
5.9
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is good for music, while the Creative Labs Outlier Pro is poor.
Gaming
6.6
5.3
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for gaming, while the Creative Labs Outlier Pro is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
8.3
The Creative Labs Outlier Pro is very good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.9
8.9
The Creative Labs Outlier Pro is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
TV and Video
7.9
5.5
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is good for TV and video, while the Creative Labs Outlier Pro is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
8.3
The Creative Labs Outlier Pro is very good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
Battery
N/A
10.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M30X does not have a battery. The Creative Labs Outlier Pro has 10 hours of battery life.
Cost
$89
$45
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica ATH M30X has a price of $89 and the Creative Labs Outlier Pro costs $45.
Build Quality
7.2
9.0
The Creative Labs Outlier Pro 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 Pro compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M30X | Creative Labs Outlier Pro |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $45 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Creative Labs | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | April 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
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 | 45 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
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 | 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 | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 7.2 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M30X
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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 Pro
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Forbes
Brad Moon | September 2022
"If you listen to music for extended periods such as commuting and work, and you hate having to pause to charge, give the Creative Outlier Pro wireless earbuds a try. You should be able to enjoy your tunes all day, or longer, without interruption."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M30X or the Creative Labs Outlier Pro
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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