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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If you prioritize overall sound quality and prefer over-ear headphones for a more immersive experience and better noise isolation, go for the Audio Technica ATH M30X; they're well-suited for listening to music and watching TV. However, if you're seeking something more portable with wireless convenience, particularly for exercise or travel, the Creative Labs Zen Air is a budget-friendly option that also offers touch controls, sweat resistance, and an earbud design. Keep in mind that the Audio Technica headphones have superior build quality but lack a built-in microphone, whereas the Zen Air earbuds provide good mic quality for calls, though their sound quality isn't on par with the Audio Technica. 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 Zen Air
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.6
6.8
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is good for music, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is only fair.
Gaming
6.6
5.1
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for gaming, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.1
The Creative Labs Zen Air and Audio Technica ATH M30X are both poor for phone calls, though the Creative Labs Zen Air is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.9
5.4
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
TV and Video
7.9
5.6
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is good for TV and video, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
7.0
The Creative Labs Zen Air 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 Zen Air has 5 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 Zen Air costs $30.
Build Quality
7.2
9.0
The Creative Labs Zen Air 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 Zen Air compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M30X | Creative Labs Zen Air |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Creative Labs | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | December 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 5.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.9/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 12 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
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 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 Zen Air
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Headphone Check
Maike Paeßens | February 2023
"The Creative Zen Air’s weak points are its low battery life and rather short Bluetooth range. On the other hand, the strengths of these weatherproof True Wireless in-Ears are the sound and the wide attenuation of the Active Noise Cancellation. Considering the price range, the speech intelligibility during calls is also exceptionally good."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M30X or the Creative Labs Zen Air
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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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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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